Cut and Run 3 - Fish and Chips

stubbornly, meeting Zane’s eyes without flinching. “I didn’t say it just to get you to jump. I’m in love with you, Zane,” he admitted in a calm, clear voice. “I have been for a while.”
    Zane’s eyes widened, and the shock was clear in them. He didn’t try to hide it. That, at least, was telling of the trust they’d built between them. He didn’t hide his emotions from Ty much anymore. No more than Ty did from him. Zane’s lips parted like he was about to say something, but nothing came out as he tipped his head slightly to one side.
    “You don’t have to say anything,” Ty said quickly. He’d known how Zane would respond, and he’d come to terms with it. He still didn’t want to hear the words, though. He couldn’t meet Zane’s eyes any longer, and he could feel his face warming. He looked down at his hand and turned it over. “I know you don’t….” He shook his head and glanced up at the stark white wall across the way from his cell, starting over. “I know you care about me. That’s all I need. I just figured… we have enough secrets between us,” he continued as he looked back up at Zane and smiled nervously. “Now it’s just one less.”
    The cascade of emotions across Zane’s face surprised him; Ty didn’t think he’d ever seen Zane look so startled. Zane’s fingers curled into the fencing, and he nodded just slightly. “One less,” he echoed softly, though his lips moved like he was starting to say something else and stopped. Then he restarted. “Why tell me that way?”
    Ty shrugged one sore shoulder. “Seemed like a good idea at the time,” he answered, embarrassed.
    “I was pretty much blind, deaf, and scared out of my mind.” Zane admitted. “But I… heard you.”
    Ty nodded uncomfortably. It was harder than he thought, knowing an admission of love in return wouldn’t be coming. He was glad to have told Zane, but he sort of wanted to change the subject now.
    “I guess that explains why you’ve not minded me being so possessive,” Zane added abruptly a minute later.
    Ty raised one eyebrow and shook his head. He was almost relieved that Zane hadn’t tried to deny any of it and seemed to be going for a lighter, less meaningful response. He smiled gratefully. “Try that shit on land, and we’ll see how I react.”
    Zane rolled his eyes. “I wondered how much of it was Del and how much of it was you. After a while I wasn’t sure I could tell anymore.”
    Ty wasn’t certain what to say to that, and anything else coming to mind just took them back into that territory that might end up being painful if they weren’t careful. He found he was disappointed that Zane’s most natural response to learning Ty loved him was to talk about their case. He watched Zane for a moment longer before turning to rest his shoulders against the wall behind him and looking down at his fingers again. In his peripheral vision, he saw Zane do the same. They sat in a somewhat tense silence until Zane spoke.
    “I’m thinking I’ll take my chances.”
    “On what?” Ty asked as he looked over at Zane with a frown.
    A smile slowly pulled at Zane’s lips. “Trying that shit on land.”
    Ty leaned away from him and turned his head to be able to see him better. He hadn’t expected to hear an “I love you” from Zane. If he had gotten one, he probably wouldn’t have believed it. But he supposed “trying that shit on land” — and the implication behind it that Zane wanted Ty to himself — was about as close as he’d get. The realization made him smile slowly.
    “You’re so easy,” he told Zane in satisfaction as he looked at the plain white wall again.
    “Only for you, doll,” Zane drawled in his Corbin voice.
    Ty sighed and ran a hand through his blond hair. “Don’t ever call me that again,” he warned in a tired voice. “Asshole.”
    Zane chuckled, visibly releasing the tension he’d been carrying in his shoulders, and he laid his head back against the wall. He didn’t look at all worried. Ty watched him from the corner of his eye. All Ty had to do was keep that look on Zane’s face, that one right there, relaxed and content and slightly amused. Then they’d be just fine.
    “Oh, by the way,” Ty murmured. “Merry Christmas, Zane.”
    Zane looked at him in some surprise, then glanced to the plastic clock on the opposite wall. It was just past midnight. He snorted softly.
    “Merry Christmas, Ty.”
     
     
    T Y HAD anticipated a barrage of questions