Chad rolled his eyes.“Like that’s the reason.”
“It is.”
“You don’t want the beef to go bad.”
Romeo froze.Chad raised a knowing eyebrow.
“Well, it is at the perfect temperature.It won’t taste as good after being refrigerated or microwaved, and I’m not leaving it out on the side,” he glanced back to glare at Mercutio.“I’ve made that mistake before.”
Mercutio hung his head.
“You’re picking this beef overmybeef.”Chad said with a sparkle in his eyes.
Romeo’s breath caught.
It seemed an age since Chad had looked at him like that.
The coil in his gut relaxed a little, and before Chad could question his pause, Romeo smiled, and replied, “Now who’s using the awful beef innuendo?”
Chad laughed and pressed his body flush with Romeo.Romeo wrapped his arms around his back, squeezing him tight.They hugged, and just like the last few times they had hugged, it felt momentous.It felt like Chad was clinging on, and no matter how much Romeo tightened his hold, it didn’t seem enough to make the man in his arms feel secure.
“Now,” Romeo murmured, loosening his grip.“Come eat what your house husband has prepared for you.”
Chad’s eyebrows met his hairline.“House husband?”
****
Ashrill whine cutthrough the night.
Romeo’s eyes snapped open, and it took a few seconds to remember they weren’t at home.Chad wasn’t beside him in bed.The duvet cover was folded from where he’d left Romeo sleeping alone.
Romeo brushed his hand against the mattress, gut tightening when he found it cool to the touch.
He sat up, glancing at the bathroom, but no light shone around the door.Once he’d found Chad asleep propped against the side of the bath, another time, crashed out on the sofa, and a third time he’d been restless pacing just outside the cottage.
Romeo pulled the duvet off himself, leaving it folded over like on Chad’s side.
“Chad?”
There was no answer, just another shrill whine coming from the living room.Chad had left the door open, and Romeo tugged on a t-shirt as he stepped out.The lights were off, other than the standby button and the oven’s setting screen, but they’d left the curtains open, allowing a small amount of moonlight to illuminate the space.Mercutio sat in front of the sliding doors that led to the balcony.
He looked at Romeo, and his harsh whimper made Romeo wince.
Romeo stepped across the room barefoot with his gaze locked to the glass doors.Chad stood on the other side, pressed against the railing.The full moon acted as the only source of light, and it was enough that Romeo could see he was only wearing boxers and a t-shirt, just like Romeo.
“Stay,” Romeo said firmly, not even making eye contact with Mercutio.He slid the door open, then closed it behind himself.
The wind howled and seemed to push and pull in every direction.Rain pelted down and the waves below crashed, slapping against rock and pulling at the stray stones.
Chad was still.
Romeo doubted he had heard the door opening and closing behind him.
Both of Chad’s hands were curled over the railing, holding on, and he stared straight ahead.
“Hey,” Romeo said softly as he approached.When he got close enough, he touched Chad’s waist before slipping his hand around Chad’s middle.Romeo did the same on Chad’s other side until he could fold his arms across Chad’s front.He curled forward slightly to rest his chin on Chad’s shoulder.“Couldn’t sleep?”
Chad shook his head, then turned to rest his cheek against Romeo’s.
