Colin smiled weakly as he felt Zach's arm around him and his hand holding onto his own. Yes. That was what they needed. He reached up with his free hand to run his fingers through his hair." He felt himself relaxing almost instantly. Zach wasn't pushing him away. Zach was letting him stay close, and that felt better. He curled against Zach, letting out a small breath.
Those words made his smile grow a little. "Mum said to do to others what I wanted them to do to me. I don't want people to be mean to me, so why would I be mean to them?" He lightly squeezed his hand. He wouldn't stop being nice to Zach. He loved him and if no one else he was close to could be there, he had to be. He had to protect Zach the way he knew Zach would want him to be protected.
"And now you can know that I am okay. If I write and visit, you will know I'm not hurt or taken or..." He trailed off before saying, "Or anything else."