Michael felt his heart trip in his chest when Eli pulled him closer, then it started to beat in double time over his words. "In the dreams, I didn't back away or stop," he told him, leaning in towards his mouth, because it was easier when he wasn't eye to eye. "In the dreams, I kept touching you, and you'd touch me."

He lowered and kissed Eli again then, because it seemed the perfect time for it, but also hoping to cool a little of the flush to his cheeks over what he'd told him.