Ed sat on the edge of the bed as Joe stepped into his pajama pants. Joe’s shoulders slumped as if he was worn out, but Ed doubted it had anything to do with the work they’d done that morning. It was an emotional thing. Joe had started to open up earlier, but he’d put on a carefree front when Jenny’d rejoined them and had kept it up ever since.
It was habit, keeping stuff like that—feelings—to themselves, but Ed really liked the trend toward openness they’d taken lately and didn’t want to see it shut down. Of course, he didn’t want to push Joe, either.
Joe flipped off the light and joined him on the bed, pulling him down onto the pillows. Ed kissed him goodnight, but Joe didn’t stop there. His lips were warm and soft, unhurried and undemanding. It was different, and nice.
Joe’s arms tigh
