Billy returned the kiss, far more gently than before. His hand slid around to Mike's lower back, pulling him closer. His head tilted and he melted against Mike. He was still exhausted, propped up by too much coffee. But it didn't drag so hard against him as it did earlier. Because he'd been wrong. He'd never been so very glad to be wrong. It meant his initial read on Mike hadn't be wrong. It meant there might still be a chance to save Mike from this grizzly lifestyle.

Slowly, he guided Mike toward the bed. Moving and nudging him. It was all for the wholesome goal of getting Mike to lay down. So he could rest. Since it appeared as though he'd slept even less than Billy.