Gavin
had the day off, but Ben didn’t. They’d both slept late, only stirring when Ben got up to take a shower. He thought about joining Ben but changed his mind and decided to make some breakfast for them both. Lunch? The clock said it was well after noon. Brunch, he decided as he made his way to the kitchen, feeling aches and twinges with every step.
Poking around the cupboards and refrigerator was an eye-opening experience for . Canned soup, frozen dinners, every kind of condiment known to man, and half a dozen eggs were the only things Ben had on hand. The recycle bin was full of takeout boxes, so it was obvious Ben did eat, but Jesus. The man seriously needed to step up his game in the cooking department.
Upon further inspection, he found some cheese in the back of the refrigerator and two apples that looked lonely and forgotten in the vegetable crisper. rolled his eyes and got to work, scraping the mold off the cheese and whipping the eggs.
By the time Ben shuffled into the kitchen, had plated the omelets and was about to pull the baked apples from the oven. Ben didn’t say anything, but knew he was standing there, watching.
“What kind of man has six different kinds of gourmet coffee but lives off canned soup?”
Ben laughed and stepped up behind him as set the baking dish on the stovetop and closed the oven door.
“The kind who eats out every night.”
When Ben slipped his arms around ’s waist, turned to face him. “You could probably go to Europe on what you spend eating out every day for a year.” He smiled as he lifted up on his toes and brushed a light kiss over Ben’s lips. “I’m just sayin’.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Ben kissed him again before he pulled back. “Smells good in here.” He stepped to the counter and picked up a bit of cheese from a paper towel. didn’t think anything of it at first, still focused on the task at hand.
When he caught Ben munching on the cheese, suddenly remembered why that was a bad idea. “That’s the cheese mold.” He couldn’t help laughing as Ben made a face and spit it out into the sink.
“The garbage disposal works, ya know.” Ben dumped the rest of the shaved cheese into the sink and turned the water on before he flipped the switch. When he was finished, was still laughing. “I’m not as hungry as I was a minute ago.”
“It’s not my fault half the stuff in here is old enough to kill you.” set the food on the small table by the sliding glass door that led out to Ben’s deck.
Ben let the comment go with a laugh as he got himself a cup of coffee. He added two spoons of sugar to it but no cream. watched and made a mental note of how Ben took his coffee, wondering if he didn’t bother with cream because he didn’t like it or because there wasn’t so much as a drop in the fridge.
“Where’d you learn to cook?” Ben asked. The two of them sat down at the table across from each other. It felt very domestic and very right to , even though the thought embarrassed him.
Ben
Ben knew he should focus on eating his breakfast and getting out the door for work. All he wanted to do was look at , though. He’d been disappointed when he’d gotten out of the shower and found his bed empty, but it was probably for the best. He didn’t think he could’ve resisted climbing back in if had been there, and he was going to be late already.
“We all took turns cooking and cleaning at home. I picked up a few things, watched cooking shows and stuff.” shrugged and looked almost sad, but not quite.
Ben knew the stories of ’s home life. ’s mother had always treated him distantly. She treated all seven of her kids distantly. Being a mother was one of her burdens, a cross to bear, a duty to God. His father wasn’t much different. He reared and his brothers and sisters with a Bible in one hand and belt in the other.
Not that religion was what made shitty parents. Ben’s own mother was pretty devout too. She had taught them their prayers when they were little, dressed them up nice and took them to church. When Ben’s brother died, she had prayed. She lit a candle for him every Sunday, even decades later. But she believed in the power of love. His father summed it up with a simple “don’t be an asshole,” but his mother believed that every problem in life, every confrontation, every worry, could be healed with love because God was love.
He wished had been so lucky.
“Well, if you advertised the mad kitchen skills, I bet you could find a permanent roommate and stop couch surfing.”
beamed at him for the compliment, but then he glanced down at his plate. “It’s better to just hop around. Don’t wear out any welcomes that way.”
Ben took a bite of his breakfast and considered that for a moment. He wasn’t sure, but he thought he understood. “Gav, you’ll never wear out any welcomes. Your friends want you around because they love you.” He could see ’s cheeks turning pink, even though he had his face tilted down, his blond hair falling over his forehead and hiding his eyes.
“Better safe than sorry,” said quietly, not quite a whisper, but close enough.
Ben couldn’t think of a response to that. He disagreed, but he’d learned from previous experiences it was better not to argue with when he could avoid it. The kid had his own way of doing things, and damn it all, he was one stubborn little shit.
They ate quietly, only chatting here and there. seemed thoughtful, and Ben didn’t want to intrude.
As he stood at the door, Ben pulled on his jacket and said, “C’mere.”
stepped closer, a teasing look in his eye. “Here?”
With a laugh, Ben reached out and jerked him forward. “No, here.” He kissed deep and hard as wrapped his arms around Ben’s shoulders. “You be here when I get home tonight, okay?”
didn’t say anything but smiled and nodded before shoving Ben toward the door.
Ben laughed as he left, still grinning as he hopped on his bike.
As soon as was alone, he went over to the sofa and snatched up his present from the coffee table. He’d been good and hadn’t opened it until Ben was gone. Now, though, he tore off the paper like a little kid, only saving the starry ribbons.
Inside the little box, found a note and a silver unicorn charm that made him laugh aloud. When he pulled it out, he realized it was a key ring with one key on it. He unfolded the note, written in Ben’s shitty handwriting.
Gav,
I know my place is too small to really invite you to room with me, but hell. I can’t stand thinking of you out there on your own and maybe not knowing where you’re gonna sleep from one night to the next. So, anyway, until you get your own place, just…think of my apartment as your home too, okay? No strings attached. You and the couch are old friends and, well, I just want you to know you’ve got an open invitation from now on.
Happy Birthday. Maybe I’ll buy you a real present on payday.
Love,
Ben
stared at the key for a long moment. Ben had given it to him last night, before they slept together. For some reason, that made it feel more special.
Though, hoped he wouldn’t be staying on the couch anymore.
He grinned so broadly it made his cheeks ache. The invitation wasn’t exactly will you marry me or even will you move in with me, but it was close enough for now. There was only one place in the world really wanted to be. Ben probably didn’t even realize it yet, but he’d given every secret wish he’d ever made.
He’d even given him the stars.
That wasn’t the best part, but it was close.