Chapter 50: The Little Things That Matter

Chapter 50: Chapter 50: The Little Things That Matter

Elisha let out a shaky breath, the tension leaving his shoulders as he wrapped his arms around Henry and rested his chin gently on his head.

"It’s okay," Elisha murmured. "Just... talk to me next time."

"I will," Henry promised, pulling back slightly to look up at him. "I really will."

"Are you not upset anymore?" Elisha asked softly, a hint of uncertainty lingering in his voice.

Henry shook his head, his expression softening. "I’m not."

"Kiss me," Elisha murmured.

Without hesitation, Henry leaned forward and pressed his lips to Elisha’s. What started as a gentle, reassuring kiss soon deepened, Elisha kissing him back until they finally pulled apart, both breathing a little heavier.

Elisha’s gaze dropped, and he noticed Henry was still wearing only the white towel wrapped around his waist. He raised an eyebrow, a scolding look crossing his face.

"Put on some clothes before you go to sleep. You’re not going to bed wearing only a towel, okay?"

Henry gave him a dramatic pout and crossed his arms. "I’m lazy. Find me something to wear."

"Alright, alright. Sit down. I’m coming," Elisha chuckled, gently guiding him toward the edge of the bed.

Henry sat down with a small, content smile as he watched Elisha walk toward the closet.

Elisha stepped inside the walk-in closet and looked through the clothes before picking out a soft, oversized lounge shirt and a pair of matching sweatpants. He returned to the bedroom and handed them to Henry, waiting patiently as he changed.

Once Henry was dressed, Elisha looked at him. "I won’t disturb your sleep anymore. I’ll go downstairs so you can rest. Call me when you wake up."

Henry’s eyes suddenly lit up with a playful spark. He reached out and caught Elisha by the wrist. "Wait. Aren’t you the one who wanted to know what I want?"

Elisha blinked and nodded immediately. "Yes. I want to know everything."

"Then come here. Be my pillow and let me rest on your chest," Henry murmured, patting the mattress beside him.

Elisha immediately moved closer. He kicked off his shoes, climbed onto the bed, and settled against the headboard with a couple of pillows behind his back. He pulled the duvet aside and opened his arms.

Henry quickly climbed beside him and settled against his chest with a contented sigh. Elisha pulled the duvet back over them, wrapping it around their shoulders to keep them warm.

Henry tucked his face into the crook of Elisha’s neck and breathed deeply. Elisha instinctively inhaled and smiled. "You smell so nice, pretty."

"You smell so good, too," Henry murmured against his skin.

Elisha pressed a tender kiss to the top of Henry’s hair. "Alright. Tell me... what exactly does it take to make you feel special? Just give me a list of things you like, and I’ll do every single one."

Henry burrowed deeper into his chest, suddenly shy. His cheeks flushed as he mumbled, "I... I like girly surprises."

Elisha nodded, trying to understand. "Alright. Like what?"

He hesitated before continuing. "Just something genuinely romantic that you planned. Not just a standard dinner at a fancy restaurant. Maybe flowers everywhere, like a movie scene. Something romantic that feels almost unreal."

Elisha gently rubbed his back. "Okay, I’m listening. You can tell me everything, pretty. You don’t have to be shy with me."

Henry slowly lifted his head. "I... I want a big teddy bear," he confessed before quickly hiding his face against Elisha’s chest again. "I’ve always wanted one from my partner. I know it sounds silly and childish, but I love the idea of having something small and sentimental. I don’t care about expensive shoes, watches, cars, or houses. I already have all of that. I just want those little things that can genuinely surprise me."

"How do you want your surprises?" Elisha asked. "Just between the two of us, or would you want something public?"

"Just us," Henry replied immediately. "Though... we can take a cute picture together and post it on social media."

"Is that all?" Elisha asked gently.

"No," Henry whispered. "I love romantic text messages, too. Especially when I just wake up, when I’m having a terrible day at work, or when I come home exhausted. Just knowing you thought of me and getting a sweet, random message from you... I love little things like that."

Henry continued, telling him about the small romantic gestures he wanted, while Elisha listened carefully.

When Henry finally finished, Elisha tightened his arms around him and pressed another kiss to his hair. "It’s not childish at all, pretty. If those are the things that make you happy, I’ll do them for you. Even more than you expect."

Henry tilted his head up and looked into Elisha’s eyes, a hint of uncertainty in his expression. "You... you won’t get tired of me? Of doing all these silly things?"

"Never," Elisha answered firmly. "I’d do anything in this world for you."

Henry let out a shaky breath, relief washing over him. "Okay... thank you."

"Thank you," Elisha whispered, gently brushing his thumb along Henry’s jaw. "I’m glad you told me. I’m going to treat you like my everything. Trust me."

Henry’s heart melted. He leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to the center of Elisha’s chest. After a quiet sigh, they held each other beneath the warm duvet.

After a moment, Henry looked up at him. "What about you? What do you like?"

Elisha smiled and looked into Henry’s eyes. "Me? It’s simple. I like anything that makes you happy... and I like you loving me so much that you can’t get me out of your head." He gently brushed his fingers along Henry’s jaw. "I love being loved by you, Henry. I love affection, lots of it. You know I’m a crying baby, so you have to be gentle with your baby, okay?"

Henry’s heart skipped a beat at Elisha’s honesty, and a soft smile touched his lips. "Okay," he murmured.

"Elisha suddenly remembered something. ’Oh, and one more thing. When we officially become boyfriends, I don’t want you calling me just "Elisha" or "Eli" anymore. I love hearing you call me by my full name, Elisha Edmund, but I don’t want you using my name all the time. I want a special name from you.’"

Henry blinked and pulled back slightly, staring at him in disbelief. "Then what on earth am I supposed to call you?"

"Call me My Heartbeat," Elisha said with a completely straight face. "Or My Oxygen."

Henry froze for a moment before immediately burying his face against Elisha’s chest, his cheeks burning. "What kind of cheesy pet names are those?! No, absolutely not. I’m way too shy for that! I’m not calling you My Oxygen. I’m calling you Babe like a normal person."

"No," Elisha chuckled, tightening his arms around him. "I don’t want Babe. It’s too generic. I want my boyfriend to call me something special."

"You’re ridiculous," Henry mumbled against his chest, shaking his head with a laugh. "Fine. I’ll call you Babe, or maybe Sweetheart. Honey, perhaps."

"No, pretty. I don’t want any of those," Elisha said firmly.

Henry pulled back slightly. "Why?"

"Because everyone calls their partner Babe, Sweetheart, or Honey. I want something special."

"Then you choose one."

"I already did. My Heartbeat."

Henry groaned, hiding his face again. "Absolutely not."

"My Oxygen," Elisha murmured.

"Even worse," Henry replied.

Elisha laughed, the sound rumbling softly against Henry’s cheek. "Then what do you want to call me?"

"Babe."

"I just said no."

"Then I’ll just call you Elisha," Henry retorted stubbornly.

"Henry!" Elisha called out playfully.

Henry burst into laughter, and soon they were playfully arguing over pet names...