"I'm okay."
"I'll be outside, then. Take as long as you like." He left the door slightly ajar in case Hudson needed him. While Hudson showered, Seb turned down the bed. The water turned off quicker than expected, and a heartbeat later, Hudson was standing in the bathroom doorway, a frown on his face as he held his dirty clothes.
"I don't want these," he murmured, looking as if he were on the verge of tears. "Can you get rid of them? I don't want them."
Whatever the hell had happened, it had done a number on Hudson. Seb didn't make any sudden movements. He crossed the distance between them at a normal pace and carefully took the clothes from him, his voice gentle.
"You got it. Why don't you lie down and rest? I'll be right back."
Hudson nodded, and Seb left the room, hurried downstairs, and dropped Hudson's clothes off in the laundry room on the washing machine. He'd worry about them later, but at least this way they were out of sight. He made sure there was nothing Hudson might need in any of the pockets. Hudson's wallet, keys, and phone were still in his jeans. Seb removed them and brought them upstairs. Hudson hadn't moved from the spot where Seb left him. Seb's heart squeezed at Hudson's flushed cheeks and dazed expression. He looked like a lost little boy.
Seb placed Hudson's belongings on the nightstand, then returned to him. He didn't touch Hudson, afraid he might spook him.
"Sweetheart?"
Hudson didn't even blink.
"Lobito?"
A sharp intake of breath was followed by Hudson's bright blue eyes meeting his. "Seb?"
"Yeah, baby, I'm here. Why don't you come rest?" Hudson was a little unsteady on his feet, and Seb was afraid he wouldn't be standing much longer. He looked exhausted and in pain. Seb held out his hand. "Come on."
Hudson nodded. He took Seb's hand and followed him over to the bed, where he sat down on the edge. Several heartbeats later, he lay down on his side, turning away from Seb. He curled up on himself, and Seb's heart broke all over again. He yearned to comfort, to seek out the source of Hudson's pain and take it away, but this wasn't about what he wanted. It was about what Hudson needed. Seb pulled the blanket over Hudson and stroked his hair before he realized what he'd done.
He pulled back his hand. "If you need anything, just let me know. I'll be downstairs." He turned off the light and was about to leave when Hudson sat up.
"Don't leave me."
Seb turned, swallowing hard at Hudson's wide, glassy-eyed stare as he sat with the duvet pulled up to his chin. He looked so unlike himself, so... vulnerable.
"Please. Please don't go."
Seb climbed into bed under the covers. He lay on his side facing Hudson but didn't move. Hudson searched Seb's gaze. What was he looking for? Without a word, Hudson gingerly moved closer and shifted down, his head under Seb's chin as he snuggled as close to Seb as he could, as if he were trying to burrow inside Seb. He slipped an arm around Seb, his face buried against Seb's chest, and his right leg in between Seb's. His entire body was pressed against Seb's. When he was settled, he released a heart-wrenching sigh.
"I'm not going anywhere, Lobito," Seb murmured before kissing the top of Hudson's head as he wrapped an arm around him, holding him tight. "I promise."
Hudson nodded. He trembled in Seb's arms, his silent sobs tearing at Seb's heart. Closing his eyes, Seb pushed down his rising fury. Someone had hurt Hudson, and Seb wanted nothing more than to find whoever it was and return the favor. For now, he'd remain right where he was and be whatever Hudson needed him to be.
Chapter 8
HUDSON WOKE to the most wonderful smell.
The pain that coursed through his body when he rolled onto his side was certainly not wonderful. With a groan, he opened his eyes. Wait. This wasn't his bedroom. Slowly he sat up. Last night came rushing back to him with exceptional clarity. He'd been jumped by that arsehole Trent and his friends, and someone had stepped in. Hudson remembered the gloved hand, the strange scent, and some kind of smoke, which was odd, but then again, everything happened so quickly. He could have sworn the man had said something to him. Perhaps someone walking by who heard the commotion? Whoever it was, Hudson hoped they were all right. He hated to think someone might have been hurt attempting to help him. He would make a discreet inquiry.
Sitting on the edge of the huge Therian-sized bed, Hudson scanned the room. He was in Seb's house. In his bed. The room had barely changed since the last time he'd been in it. It looked somewhat different without his belongings littered about. Not that Hudson was messy; he simply had a habit of misplacing things and not realizing they were right in front of him. He had lost count of how many times he went mad looking for his glasses only to find them perched on his head. Speaking of.... He found his glasses on the nightstand and picked them up with a smile. They were his backup pair. Seb must have had them fetched from Hudson's desk drawer at work. Looking down at his clothes, he ran a hand over the soft cotton of the familiar T-shirt. He'd worn it often around the house. Their house. Had it really been so long ago that Hudson had called this home?
Home.
Last night when he climbed into that cab, he could have gone anywhere. He could have gone to Nina's or Dex and Sloane's house. Hell, he could have gone to any of his friends for help, but he didn't. He came here. To Seb. To the man he knew without any reservation would always be there to catch him, no matter what they were to each other. It wasn't Hudson's intent to hurt Seb. In fact, Seb was the last person on earth Hudson wished to hurt. He'd just never expected to be so weak. For so long, he believed staying away from Seb was for the best, but he'd never imagined it would get harder with time.
Hudson stood and winced. His body felt as though he'd been hit by a BearCat. As he left the bedroom, he recalled last night. He'd been so dazed, uncertain of what he needed. Seb had no such doubts. He hadn't poked or prodded for answers as Hudson had feared he might. In the past, he would have. He'd have demanded to know who hurt Hudson, and they would have likely argued over it. Instead, Seb left him to his thoughts. He cradled Hudson in his arms, held him close, and gave Hudson what he needed--time and space to work through what had happened. Hudson was still working through it, but Seb had been there for him, comforting him, his touch and words tender.
Downstairs, Hudson found Seb in the kitchen with Dom. Dom sat at the counter, drinking coffee as Seb stood at the stove cooking up something delicious. He turned off the heat and moved the pan to one side before turning and stilling when he saw Hudson. At Seb's reaction, Dom turned around. Dom's hazel eyes darkened, and his expression turned grim. Was Dom angry with him for being here? Hudson wouldn't blame him in the slightest. Dom had become very protective of Seb in the years since Seb joined Theta Destructive. The two were close friends, and Hudson was grateful for it, knowing Dom had Seb's back in all matters, not only on the job.
Dom stood, and Hudson remained where he was, rubbing his arm absently as Dom strode over. He stopped in front of Hudson, and Hudson braced himself. Whatever harsh words Dom had for him, he deserved them for showing up here after what he'd put Seb through, expecting Seb to take care of him after breaking the man's heart time and time again. Seb confided in Dom, and next to Hudson, Dom was the only one permitted to witness any vulnerability in Seb.
Dom's lips pressed into a thin line, and he reached up. Hudson couldn't help his flinch. He hadn't meant to. It wasn't as if he didn't trust Dom. He was a good man and a good friend. Dom frowned.