Title: "Boots" Pairing: Christian Kane/Steve Carlson Rating: PG-13 Summary: Everyone needs a safe place. Disclaimer: Fiction, folks. Notes: For Gretchen for this ficlet challenge. Steve's never exactly been the possessive type – live and let live, do what you do and have fun doing it, that's his motto. Life's too fucking short for jealousy or insecurities or any of that other weird bullshit. There's enough misery in the world without adding to it and, in his opinion, everyone would be better off if they all relaxed, smoked a little weed, and learned to let go. Which is why he never asks where Chris has been when he crawls into Steve's bed in the middle of the night, reeking of cigarettes and whiskey and cheap perfume. He just pulls Chris closer, murmurs soothing words in sweat-slick hair, and goes back to sleep with Chris plastered against him. Everyone needs a safe place to hide. If you enjoyed this fic, please leave feedback here. Thanks!