He'd slowed by the door way, expecting Dempsey to go ahead of him, but the hand on his sleeve halted him altogether. "Of course I did," he just wished he didn't have to. Dean would have much rather just started the night this way, finishing up work before crawling into bed beside Dempsey for the night. He knew it wasn't normal to want this, knew it wasn't really all that possible, but it didn't stop him from wanting it anyway. This was the longest relationship he'd ever had and it was unconventional, often messy, and unexpected, but it was what he wanted. Or rather, with who he wanted.

The second part of his thought had bubbled up, sat on the tip of his tongue, but he thought better of actually saying it. They had never been very good at the emotional side of things, much beyond determining they were equally fond of one another. Dean had easily slid into putting Dempsey before anyone else, and tonight had been before work, which was a first for him. He wouldn't up and leave in a panic over just anyone. That all felt like too much to say however, so he just passed Dempsey a lopsided smile and a shrug.