Chapter 1
Theowasstandingatthe top of the staircase in Peter’s house, his hair still damp from the shower.The scent of coffee was in the air, and the stained-glass window to his right made the stairs look like a rainbow.Theo clenched his fist, gnawed on his bottom lip.
It’s only a Monday.You can handle a Monday.
Theo took a deep breath and went downstairs, heading directly to the kitchen.Peter was already there, dressed in his work clothes, sans the suit jacket.The lawyer uniform—that tailored suit in a shimmery dark blue, with a matching shirt and tie—made him look hot.He was standing over the drip filter and watching the coffee fill the pot, but then he looked up and smiled, and Theo’s stomach swooped.
“There you are.I was worried you’d lost track of time, Theodore.I wouldn’t want you to be late for class.”
“Hmm.”
Peter made his way over to Theo and wrapped him in a soft hug, one hand at the small of his back.
“Are you well?You seem distant.Is everything all right?”
“Huh?Oh.Yeah, totally.I was just lost in thought.Mentally preparing for the lecture, you know.”
Peter nodded.“Ah, higher education.It used to be about socializing and cementing your place in society more than anything else.But these days, I suppose you must focus.”
“Right.”
Peter frowned.“Dearest, are you sure you’re well?Maybe you should stay at home and take some rest?I don’t have to go in if you’re feeling unwell.”
Fuck no.Focus, Theo.
“No, that’s not happening.I’ve been looking forward to this lecture for ages, and I’m going.I just need coffee.Is there coffee?”
Peter’s face lit up.“And toast too.Sit, sit.”
Theo took his seat at Peter’s kitchen table.Peter served him coffee and toast with jam in short order.The toast was fresh, and Peter had buttered it and spread the jam on top, even pushing it all the way to the corners just like Theo used to like to do, back when he made his own toast.He might be better at doing this than I am.Fuck.He doesn’t even eat food, and now he’s making me toast.
“It’s September, you know,” Peter said.Standing behind Theo, he pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.
“Yeah, I noticed.”
“It gets cold, and you’re still only wearing a T-shirt.I’ll grab you a sweater, and maybe you should take a jacket along as well, just in case.Humans get sick around this time of year, and they’re shameless about spreading their diseases through snot on door handles and such.”
Peter sounded appalled at the very thought, but he managed to let concern seep into his voice too.Theo wanted to groan and curl up in a ball, but that wasn’t a solution.He knew he had to keep it together a little longer.
“Right.I can go get a sweater.”
“Nonsense.Have your breakfast.I’ll be back shortly.”
Theo made himself smile.When Peter made his silent way back up the stairs, Theo ate his toast and finished half his coffee, barely tasting anything.
And anyway, what am I even supposed to taste here?Artisanal bread and fancy coffee?I barely even know the taste of anything else these days.My sense for what’s good is totally gone because I get nothing bad anymore.
Peter came back with one of the new sweaters he’d bought for Theo on a lengthy shopping excursion two weeks ago.It was a really nice sweater—baggy in the way Theo liked, green in a way he knew Peter liked.
“Thanks.”
“It’s nothing.Would you like some more toast?”
“Nope, I’m good.”Theo finished the remainder of his coffee and stood.“I’m ready to go.”
He took the sweater from Peter, and because he still knew how to please an audience, he slid it on, doing his best not to hurry too much or go too slow, in a reverse striptease he knew Peter would enjoy.
“Of course.Let’s get going, then.”Peter’s voice sounded strained, if only a little.
