They were all at Benjamin's house. His parents were gone for the weekend, and the guest room had enough pillows for a constellation.
They watched movies. Ate too many marshmallows. Made fun of each other's sleepwear.
But once the lights dimmed and the comforters tangled, something shifted.
Benjamin lay between them. Donny spooned his back, arms wrapped loosely around his waist. Christopher rested facing him, their knees touching.
"I like being in the middle," Benjamin murmured.
Donny chuckled. "You hold us together."
Christopher reached out, brushing Benjamin's hair away from his forehead. "You're the bravest of us, you know."
Benjamin sighed. "I only feel brave when you love me."
That cracked something open.
Donny kissed the slope of Benjamin's spine.
Christopher pressed a kiss to his brow.
And Benjamin, trembling in the softest way, turned his face to Donny. "Can I say it?"
Donny nodded.
"I love you," Benjamin whispered.
He turned to Christopher. "And you."
Silence settled. Not heavy. Just full.
Then Donny said, "Me too."
Christopher whispered, "Me three."
They didn't cry. Just held tighter.
And Benjamin, wrapped in arms and moonlight, finally felt safe enough to sleep through the whole night.