Under_The_Whispering_Door_by_TJ_Klune

Someone crouched next to him. “Wallace?” Hugo asked, sounding
worried. “What did you do to him?”
“Um, Hugo?” Mei said, voice trembling.
“What I wanted to,” the Manager said. “It’s time for a change. They don’t
like it, but they’re old and stuck in their ways. I can handle them.”
“Hugo.”
“What, Mei?”
She whispered, “You’re touching him.”
Wallace lifted his head.
Hugo was next to him on his knees, hand on Wallace’s back, rubbing up
and down. It stilled when Mei spoke, the heavy weight of it like a brand.
Hugo choked out, “Are you…?”
“Alive?” the Manager asked. “Yes. He is. A gift for you, Hugo, and one
not to be taken lightly.” He sniffed. “It can just as easily be taken away. And
I’ll be the first one here for it in case the need arises. Don’t disappoint me,
Wallace. I’m taking a chance on you. I would prefer not to regret that. I’m
pretty sure the repercussions would be endless.”
“My heart,” Wallace croaked as the pulse in his chest thundered against
his ribcage. “I can feel my—”
Hugo kissed him. His hands cupped Wallace’s face, and he kissed him as
if it were the last thing he would ever do. Wallace gasped into his mouth, his
lips warm and soft. Hugo’s fingers dug into his cheeks, a pressure unlike
anything Wallace had ever felt before.
He did the only thing he could as stars burst in his eyes.
He kissed Hugo back. He breathed him in, chasing the remnants of
peppermint on Hugo’s tongue. Wallace kissed him for all he was worth,
giving everything he could. He was crying, or Hugo was crying, or they were
both crying, but it didn’t matter. He kissed Hugo Freeman with all his might.
Hugo pulled away, but only just, pressing their foreheads together.
“Hello.”
“Hello, Hugo.”
Hugo tried to smile, but it collapsed. “Is this real?”
“I think so.”
And Hugo kissed him again, sweet and shining, and Wallace felt it down
to the tips of his toes.