"Yes, baby," Adrian urged gently.
Matteo leaned down, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to Adrian's lips before pulling back just enough to look him in the eye.
"The honest answer is... I don't know. I've tried to quit more times than I can count, and every time I thought I had it under control, I ended up going back to it. So I can't promise you that I'll never touch it again. I don't want to lie to you."
Adrian's heart sank slightly, but he didn't look away. Instead, he asked gently, "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Matteo's shook his head. "Baby, having you here with me already means more than you realize."
His fingers drifted through Adrian's hair.
"I want to stop. I really do. And I'm trying. But it's not easy to end something I've relied on for so long, and I don't want you to think this is your responsibility to carry. Baby, this is a battle I have to fight myself."
"No, baby, talk to me," Adrian insisted.
