Jesse

I knew that Ash's client Casey was one of his favorites, and I'd come to like him as well. He always showed up a few minutes early so that we didn't have to rush through anything, made pleasant conversation with me instead of acting like I was nothing more than the help, and quietly read on the couch while he waited for his appointment.

As we sat together waiting for Ash's previous appointment to wrap up, for a fraction of a moment, I wondered why Casey would ever have a phone notification that sounded like that. It was harsh and aggressive and loud enough that I'd jumped in my seat and dropped the notepad I'd been writing on. As my startled gaze landed on Casey, he looked confused as well.

For a fraction of a moment, I wondered if the city had some terrifying public loudspeaker system I hadn't known about that was used in emergencies to warn the public about incoming tornadoes or warplanes or alien crafts. That somehow seemed even less likely than Casey enjoying the idea of seeing how many people he could get to shit their pants when his phone rang.

Ash.

When I'd been hired, he'd told me in passing that he had an emergency button in the bedroom. I'd never heard it, and I'd nearly forgotten that it existed.

I scrambled from behind the desk so quickly that my elbow knocked the screen onto the floor as I ran toward the French doors. I fumbled with the handle, and it took two tries before I managed to twist it and pull the doors open. Some part of me recognized that Casey had jumped up when I did, and that he stood pressed against my back by the time I remembered how doors worked and we barreled into the room.

Legs.

That's all of Ash I could see. Strong, pale legs sprinkled with soft blond fuzz. The giant sat across his hips; the rest of Ash hidden behind his hulking form. Legs that I knew well. I'd felt them wrapped around my back more times than I could count. I'd traced every inch of them with my lips and tongue, watching as Ash trembled to pieces under my ministrations. They were still.

The world froze. My world was laying there, so still.

The giant moved quickly, scrambling off Ash and away from the bed. He ran toward me, seemingly intent on knocking me aside. Ash wasn't moving. He wasn't yelling, wasn't crying, wasn't chasing the giant as he ran in my direction.

No. No no no no no.

I didn't care about the giant charging in my direction. Didn't care if he made it past me, didn't care if he got away. I didn't care about anything but the man lying deathly still on the bed.

I ran. I ran toward Ash, my arm striking out as the giant approached. It connected, pain coiling up through my shoulder as I continued forward. I climbed onto the bed, reaching out to pull Ash's shoulders into my lap, curling my body around him. He was dead weight, his eyes closed, his head falling limply back as I shifted his body toward mine.

"Ash."

"Ash."

"Baby, come on wake up."

"You have to wake up now, ok? You have to open your eyes for me."

I didn't recognize my voice, deep and harsh and panicked.

I curled over him, wrapping my body around his. Protecting him. Holding him.

What would I do if he was taken from me? What would I do if he was gone? My love.

I rocked him in my arms, my forehead pressed tightly to his.

"Ash. Come on, sweetheart."

"I'm here."

I stroked his cheek, tucking his hair back behind his ear.

His chest wasn't moving.

I whimpered as I kissed his forehead, his jaw, his eyelids. I could make him stay. I could make him come back to me.

I whispered into his skin, begging. Please just hold on. Please stay with me. Please be ok.

"I love you."

His cheeks were wet. I curled my body tighter around his as my tears fell on his skin.

He gasped; loud and long and panicked as his back arched off the bed and his arms struggled against my hold.

"Ash. It's ok. It's ok now. I've got you. It's Jesse ok. I love you. I've got you."

I rambled in thankful whispers as his starved lungs pulled in breath after breath and his hands clutched at my shoulders. My lips brushed the skin of his cheeks, wet and salty, as his body curled up into mine. I pulled him further into my lap, our bodies clinging to one another, our breath mingling.

I jumped as a hand landed gently on my shoulder, my body curving further around Ash, protecting him in any way I could.

"He's ok. He's going to be ok." Casey's soft voice sunk into my consciousness.

Ash was still with me. His laughter and his light and his love. Still with me.

He shifted in my arms until his lips found mine. Our kiss was slow and gentle as I cupped his face in my hands. It was everything.

"Let's get him out of here." Casey's voice was firm, and his fingers squeezed my shoulder briefly.

"Are you ok, love? Can you help us get you to the other room?"

Ash was already shifting in my arms, already moving to sit and slidingtoward the edge of the bed. I ducked down, bringing his arm over my shoulders so that I could carryas much of his weight as he'd allow. Casey held out a sheet, wrapping Ash tightly as he stood.

My throat tightened as we turned, and I surveyed the scene. The giant was handcuffed and tied to the desk chair. Blood coated the side of his head and ran down below his jaw as he sat dazed. Broken ceramic littered the room around us.

I guided Ash slowly, navigating his bare feet away from the shards in front of the door, his weight heavy and comforting as he leaned against me for support. Casey followed closely, closing the door behind us before taking Ash's other side as we settled him onto the couch in the waiting room. I settled in at his side, my hips pressing tightly up against his ribs as I leaned over him, whispering gently and trailing my fingers through his hair. I heard Casey on the phone with the authorities as my lips traced Ash's cheeks and I watched him drift to sleep in my arms, his hand clutching my leg.