steal my breath: a riley/zane fanfic
chapter nine: have i told you lately that i love you
author's note: hola! so, in an attempt to make sure you guys know this story is still happening, here's...ANOTHER CHAPTER! YAAAY! this one's significantly shorter, and serves as a kind of cliffhanger!
thanks for reading and reviewing!
and for you AU nonbelievers: oh, i give up. it's my story.
Riley woke up at 2:57 a.m., according to the clock, and felt his Zane snuggling up next to him. They'd fallen asleep that way, cuddled against each other in Zane's bed around one o'clock, after having talked and talked about their issues and what they needed to work on in themselves to make each other stronger. Riley promised to stand up to his mother and father the next time they were in town, and Zane promised to trust Riley and have faith in his boyfriend's inability to cheat on him…because Riley really, really couldn't do that. It was impossible; after all the terrible things Darby had done, all Riley ever wanted to do was keep his sweet boy safe.
Riley looked over at the sleeping boy next to him, his features calm and peaceful.
You're gorgeous, Zane, he thought to his boyfriend, as though they could communicate telepathically. You're the most beautiful creature I've ever laid eyes on. You melt my heart, baby boy, and you're all I need to get by. I'm so glad I found you; I had such a hard time accepting myself before you came along. You opened my eyes, darling, and I'm so, so happy now. Because of you, I love who I am. You make me stronger. I'm in love with you, baby, and I'd love to make love to you like you deserve. But I'll never pressure you. I won't do anything you're not ready to do until you're ready, Zane. You need to feel safe in everything we do that's intimate. Please, please tell me when you're ready. Talk to me, baby, whenever you have a problem. I hope I'm the only guy you want to lay in bed next to every night, tell your secrets to, and kiss good night; you're all of those things and more to me.
• • • • •
Zane woke up at around four in the morning, exhausted but happy spooning his Riley. He couldn't believe the sweet, kind, amazing guy in his bed was really his. It was too good to be true. They'd been through the wringer, but they loved each other, and it had only made them stronger. He knew they'd be together for a long time.
Right now, I'm all about making it last, he vowed. I want to lose it to him. I want to wake up naked, wrapped in his arms, knowing that he just made all my dreams come true. I want to hold his hand forever. I hope he knows I love him so, so much. Ri, you make me so much better than I am. You treat me like a prince, and I love you for it. I want to do everything for you, everything to you. Baby, I need you. I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't met you. I'm so afraid of losing you, honey. I have issues, I know, but you love me anyway. I'm so lucky. You love me in spite of my insecurities and my fears, and you're willing to work through them with me, and I'm so grateful that you're mine. You're mine, Riley Stavros, and you better know that.
The next morning, Zane made them both his special chocolate chip pancakes.
"Oh, my god, baby, who taught you to make these?" Riley gasped as he devoured his third. "They're amazing."
"You're amazing," Zane cooed. "And my mom did, when I was four. Every Sunday, I cook them for breakfast."
"Aww! Little four-year-old Zane, making pancakes. That's adorable." Riley scooted closer to Zane on the window seat in the kitchen area of Zane's house, wrapping an arm around his boyfriend of almost four months. "You make me so happy, Zane. I can't believe how lucky I am to have you."
"I can't believe how lucky I am to have YOU," Zane argued, kissing Riley on the cheek. "So, babe, where to next? I was thinking we could spend the weekend together, just you and me."
"Definitely," Riley agreed. "But we have an exam next week, and we really have to study. Or did you forget?" He poked his boyfriend on the nose, and Zane swatted him back. "Can I swing by my house and pick my stuff up?"
"Can I come with you?" Zane countered, smiling goofily at Riley.
"Of course." They kissed then, a rough, deep kiss full of passion and love. It said I belong with you. It said you're my home. It said I really hope you know just how much I love you.
• • • • •
end! i hope this influx of chapters makes you guys happy. :) it certainly made me happy while i was sick with various grave illnesses over the past five days. love you guys, and keep reading and reviewing! xoxo.