'I love you,' Tommy repeats. Billy lets it echo around in his head like a mantra to drown out the fear that's threatening to boil over again. He sniffs again, and another time, but slowly he's calming down. Slowly but surely in his boyfriend's arms he's putting himself back together. Despite that, he's not trying to get out from that embrace.

Instead, he sighs and relaxes against Tommy. Like his mind has finally flipped the switch from terror back into safety. He was safe. Tommy loved him. Billy practically goes boneless in that cocoon of arms and love, and then returns it with his arms wiggling under and around to hug the guy back.

"Sometimes think I don't deserve shit like this, but fuck, I'm glad you're with me, babe. I... I love you, too."