A/N: the two songs in this chapter are stand by me by Ben E King and sea of love by Cat Powers (in order)

((this is just a bonus but i was listening to can't help falling in love while writing this))

Cecil Tinsley has always been touched starved.

Despite how much his parents smothered him as the baby brother, he had always craved affection.

He's got a history of partners leaving him for being too clingy, each one giving him a pitying glance before walking away.

He fears one day he would be too much for Ryan too and he'll get bored of the detective eventually.

He doesn't complain, though. Ryan's always patient with the other man. Giving him whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted it.

Even when the criminal was busy, he always makes time for Tinsley, smothering him with as much affection as he craves.

Ryan was in the living room now, doing whatever he does that Tinsley doesn't question as the detective's skin starts to itch.

He misses the other man already.

So he makes his way to the criminal sprawled over paperwork he hastily covers up with books as he hears Tinsley approaching.

He turns around in the kitchen chair, his expression of concern melting into a fond gaze as Tinsley stares down at him wrapped in their bed sheets.

He doesn't say a word as the taller man automatically wraps his arms around him and buries his nose in the crook of his neck.

Tinsley holds onto the other man as tightly as possible, feeling the warmth and flesh as a reminder that Ryan was still here and hadn't left again.

Ryan wraps his arms around Tinsley's torso, nuzzling the side of his head as he hushed the troubled detective with soft words.

Tinsley craved being closer, like the miniscule distance between their bodies was still too much to bear.

Ryan had a desire to rip open his chest and allow Tinsley to climb into his rib cage. A measure to protect him, next to his heart.

Ryan had become Tinsley's solace alone in the dark and the detective fears at how attached to the other man he has become.

But still doesn't will himself to let go.

∆

They're outside now, a rare occurrence that came with the dangers of them being men as well as Ryan being a wanted criminal.

But it was a quiet night that night, the kind of night that made Tinsley feel like they were the last two people on earth, and Ryan had insisted taking Tinsley out that wasn't in Death Valley.

It was kind of cute and Tinsley had flushed at the implications of a date, a romantic night between the two of them that he had always wanted but knew he couldn't risk.

The city was asleep, not a car in sight this late into the dark, when they snuck out like reckless teenagers and drove off in a vehicle Tinsley has no doubts was stolen.

He remembers staring at Ryan's profile in the front seat, the way the city lights would cast little shadows on his sharp cheekbones as they rushed past.

He remembers kissing Ryan at every stoplight they came across.

They were laying in a clearing somewhere far from the city now, the sky dark and infinite above them making Tinsley feel so small. Ryan was under his arm, nuzzling into his side, lips pressing gentle kisses into the side of his neck.

Tinsley felt drunk on adoration, his left hand running through short raven hair.

In the midnight, Tinsley could barely see the other man next to him if it weren't for the silver moon that hung above them and the halo of stars that surrounded the other man as if they were made for him. A god.

They were just listening to the old busted stereo playing from Tinsley's car parked next to them, a slow song crooning out lyrics that have Tinsley's heart fluttering.

He knocks his shoe next to Ryan's, who grins, knocking his own against Tinsley's.

Then the other man suddenly stands, leaving Tinsley confused before a hand is offered to him which he takes without a doubt.

Ryan pulls him up swiftly and Tinsley is reminded of their first meeting again, how it seems that Ryan would always be there to catch him and he would always accept without another thought.

The shorter man wraps his arms around his waist swaying to the music before Tinsley figures out what's happening.

"Are we seriously dancing under the stars?"

Tinsley asks him with expatriation but his tone is fond as he quickly sways to the rhythm. He gets a nod in reply before he twirls Ryan around like a doll.

"You know it, baby"

"And they say romance is dead"

The shorter man laughs, beaming at him with so much affection that the star's light does not compare to.

Tinsley melts at the look, cupping Ryan's cheek gently as he sings along to the lyrics.

They dance some more before the song fades into a much slower song and Ryan is laying his head on Tinsley's chest, listening to his heartbeat. Tinsley rests his head on Ryan's dark hair as they swayed slowly, breaking the calm silence between them with a thought that keeps gnawing at him throughout the night.

He was so sure he adored this man with all of his heart but he didn't even know Ryan that well, not the way that normal lovers do.

"It's weird, I barely know you but you know so much about me"

He sighs, kissing the shorter man's temple.

Ryan looks up tentatively, the stars in his eyes bright and calculative. He seemed almost distant, reserved, as he pulled away slightly from Tinsley so that they were looking at each other but were still close enough to touch. He nodded, agreeing with the detective as he continued to sway.

"Well what do you want to know?"

Tinsley takes a moment to consider this.

He knows the rules, that he shouldn't ask too many questions, but here Ryan was giving himself completely to him.

Because, even though Tinsley couldn't completely trust Ryan, Ryan probably fully trusted him.

His heart melts at that.

He stopped swaying as the other man looked at him expectantly, nervousness evident in those russet eyes Tinsley is completely gone for.

He clears his throat, cupping Ryan's cheek gently like he was coaxing the other man and he leans into Tinsley's touch.

"Do you have siblings?"

"One, a little brother, even though he's twenty now"

"Your favourite holiday?"

"Halloween, for sure"

Tinsley raises his eyebrow at that.

"A criminal master mind's favourite holiday is Halloween?"

And Ryan wheezes, a cute little laugh he tries to muffle by burying his handsome face in Tinsley's shoulder.

Tinsley is suddenly sombre the moment their shared laughter fades out, he asks his next question tentatively, afraid that Ryan would run the moment the question leaves his lips. He knows it's a lot to ask but he craves it.

"Your last name?"

The sentence leaves a heavy silence between them. Ryan looks visibly distressed, his eyes large as he stutters. But before Tinsley can take it back, Ryan's whispering his answer gently.

"Bergara"

Ryan had given him a death wish, had trusted him enough to give him the reason he could die.

Tinsley strokes his cheek and leans forward to close the gap of the universe between them, Ryan's eyes flutter close the moment their lips meet, soft and sweet, his shoulders slumping from all the tension he held.

"Bergara"

The detective repeats against Ryan's lips, his heart restricted in his chest. He whispers each syllable clearly, like every letter was special and cling onto every vowel like they belonged. He breathed the name like a prayer, like a secret, like a death wish.

Ryan sighed, tears running down his cheeks that fall out of relief, Tinsley wiping away the streams desperately as they clung closer to each other.

"Ryan Bergara"

He repeats over and over again along to the music in the background as they started swaying against underneath the moonlight caged by a billion stars watching over them.

And Cecil Tinsley knew he was completely devoted to Ryan Bergara.

∆

Tinsley still doesn't know what Ryan does for a living but he doesn't mind as long as the other man's hands remain clean.

Now he waits for the other man, alone in the dark, perched on the edge of his dining room table.

The door knocks as Tinsley perks up like a puppy, rushing to the opening door.

Ryan beams at him, tie dishevelled and his arms around Tinsley's waist.

He presses a chaste kiss to the shorter man's forehead, a fond look on his face.

And Tinsley is convinced this is love.

A/N: i hope you enjoyed your last happy chapter :)))