Cut and Run 1 - Cut and Run

“I let him walk away."
    Without even really realizing it, Ty had produced the tin of pills in his hand as Zane spoke. He tapped the hollow tin almost angrily. “So, this is you,” he said with a rap, “pining over someone you let get away."
    Zane glanced over at the table in surprise, seeing the small tin. He looked up at Ty in shock and realized that Ty either hadn't caught the meaning of his words or simply didn't apply them to himself. Although he felt relieved, he also felt worse than before. He stared at the tin. “You shouldn't have brought those here.” Avoid the question. Avoid the question. Forget about the question, Ty. You don't want to know the answer.
    Ty merely looked at him blankly. “Figured if you kept this up, I might need them,” he finally snapped.
    "Goddamnit,” Zane hissed, hand flashing out to scoop up the tin. “It's you, you asshole,” he said.
    "What's me?” Ty demanded defensively. “Give those back,” he added with a hiss and a motion of his hand.
    Zane leaned over and grabbed the front of Ty's shirt, yanking him forward. “ You are the one who walked away,” he growled before shaking him slightly and pushing him back into the chair.
    Ty's chair rocked precariously before righting itself again, but Ty never seemed to notice as he stared at Zane with shocked hazel eyes. “What?” he asked stupidly, his voice hoarse and slightly higher than normal.
    "Fuck,” Zane muttered, getting to his feet and pocketing the tin. “I need a drink.” He stalked off toward the bar. What a fucked-up situation.
    "Garrett,” Ty barked after him.
    Zane stopped dead in his tracks just four steps away, his body jerking itself to a halt in response to Ty's commanding voice. He slowly straightened his shoulders and turned his chin to indicate he was listening.
    "You don't need a drink,” Ty said to him in slow, measured words.
    Inhaling sharply, Zane held his breath for a long moment as he closed his eyes and dropped his head. His hands slowly rose to burrow into the pockets of the leather jacket, and he just stood there. So, what now? Go forward? Go back? He wished again for the oblivion of too much alcohol—but Ty's words echoed through him, and he stayed in place.
    "Let me have those pills,” Ty requested after a moment of tense silence.
    Zane turned automatically, walked back, and held out the tin, looking everywhere but at Ty. Ty took it, eyes on Zane and piercing through him. He slipped the tin into a pocket inside his canvas jacket and then shifted in his chair. With a long sigh he closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
    "So, you're saying ... what?” he murmured finally with a wave of his hand. “You're in love with me?"
    "No,” Zane was quick to insist. “I'm saying that I figured out I cared about what happened to you and then let you walk away,” he answered stubbornly. He had no idea about loving Ty. The whole concept scared the absolute shit out of him, and he simply refused to even consider the possibility. He could care about his partner, though, right? No harm in that.
    "Okay,” Ty responded slowly, nodding his head. “So now you're either trying to push me away or you're trying to self-destruct,” he ventured. “Maybe both,” he shrugged as he continued to stare at Zane, waiting for eye contact. “What I don't get is why."
    Zane gritted his teeth, then his shoulders and demeanor sagged, and he just looked exhausted. He looked up, and his eyes were filled with resignation. “Can't exactly pull you closer, can I?” he asked quietly.
    There was a long, tense moment of silence as Ty met Zane's eyes emotionlessly. “Maybe not in public,” he answered finally.
    Zane stared at him, silent, and he shook his head minutely. Was Ty joking at his expense? He sounded inexplicably solemn.
    "Seriously,” Ty warned, lowering his head slightly and looking up at Zane with narrowed eyes and a barely perceptible twitch of his lips. “Don't grope me in public."
    Zane blinked and flinched a little, totally surprised. This wasn't at all what he'd expected in the way of reply from the man sitting in front of him. “Okay?” he replied, brow furrowed. He still wasn't sure that Ty wasn't yanking his chain. Christ. All Zane wanted was to be able to fuck Ty and make sure the man didn't get killed. Wasn't that simple enough?
    "Okay,” Ty repeated with a nod. He looked around the airport lounge and then back up at Zane towering over him. “You're drawing some