"H-how could he do that to me?" he stammers, stumbling over the words like they're too heavy for his mouth. "I-I'm his son. His son!"
I stroke his hair gently, pressing my cheek against the top of his head. "Men are stupid," I whisper, soft but steady.
"And I don't respect them," Mateo blurts out with a wet laugh, hiccupping through his tears. He pulls away after a moment, wiping at his face with the back of his hand, trying to salvage some dignity.
"It's okay," I murmur, reaching for his unbruised hand and giving it a squeeze. "You could stay here forever if you'd like."
Mateo's lips twitch into something fragile, half a smile, half disbelief. "Forever's… a-a long time," he says, his hand sliding down my side until it rests lazily on my hip.
"I know." I lean in before he can spiral again, pressing my lips to his. For once, I'm the one in control of the kiss, guiding it slow, steady, reassuring. His lips taste faintly of vodka, sharp and bitter, but underneath is just him.
