The way he rested his hands on his knees, coupled with the look in his eyes, felt like silent assent for Rossi to make a bolder move. They'd worked together so long, often in the field as unofficial partners, and that naturally fomented a deeper connection. He still couldn't pinpoint that exact moment when the feelings of friendship had morphed into affection, and love, but it seemed like a long time that he'd wondered what it would be like to do this, to touch him and kiss him and hold him. He wanted to give, to fill Reid with an abundance of love in those places where there had long been a drought.

"Sometimes I'd see you sleeping on the jet, and I'd wanna do this," he brushed another lock of hair back, stroking his forehead.

"And this," he confessed, closing the gap and kissing Reid on the mouth. The kiss was full of assurance, wisdom, but there was still a softness to it, an enticement for Reid to join him, and deepen it.