The next morning Free woke up early. The habit of waking up at four am to do his morning routines before the morning run stick still. But of course today nothing force him to get up just yet. Memories from last night came back clear in Frees mind, reminding him he was back in their apartment, far from their rookie building and his old mattress. Fastly young man turns his head to see Don lying next to him, still sleeping deeply. The killers man was taking to get sleep without waking up constantly were strong.
While calmly just eyeing mans sleeping face Free could feel how his heart start beating stronger, this warm feeling was inside his chest again. Squeezing. Making it impossible to turn his eyes away. He has so missed this. Waking up here. Having this man sleeping next to him. This close.. It was an incredible strong feeling he felt. Something so overwhelming it was close to make him cry, from happiness. Hell no four months away could make his feelings vanish just like that. Being apart only made them stronger.
Moving his body a little to get closer Free touchs gently the area around Dons ear. Usually older man would have woken up immediately. Instead Don just moves a little, breathing once strongly in and out. Being under the influence of strong painkillers Don was very vulnerable right now. No clue what was going on around him. This was probably the first time Free could actually see Dons sleeping face this closely. Normally, one slight movement or sound and man was up. So damn, did that man look handsome even while sleeping! In the heat of the moment Free plan to move on Don and steal a kiss. But when he actually moves, he could feel the ache on his back. His whole body felt numb. After four long months they weren't holding back last evening. Or night. Free could definitely feel it now.
After a while suffering from that reckless move, he gets up and slowly starts doing his morning routines. Skipping the training, though. He takes a fast shower and makes coffee. Before the clock could even turn to six Free had already gone out and bought the items he needed for todays mission; he was seriously planning to learn how to cook. Since he had helped the staff members in the canteen doing the dishes and preparing ingredients, he wasn't totally clueless. Now that he was about to start working for real, he couldn't stay be too spoiled. As a good lover and a person to live with he should start take responsibility too. Otherwise he could never catch up.
Don has many kind of tools in his kitchen closet. Half of them were unfamiliar to Free, even still after living here for so long. After reading his recipe instruction twice, skipping difficult words and trying to figure what the hell was 'a potato masher' he was now lying on the kitchen floor, once again googling the items to get at least some kind of tip what he was looking for.
"What on earth are you doing..?" Don asks along a deep sigh when he steps out the bedroom, seeing Free lying on the floor, every closet door open and mostly everything from in been pulled out and set around the table and work surface. Sure, Don was incredible happy to have Aki back. But the chaos this kid was able to great around him he definitely hasn't miss a bit.
Younger man moves immediately his eyes toward the other. Hearing his lovers voice made him turn his whole focus on that very person, smiling happily. "Good morning. I'm doing mashed potatos and meat."
"Morning. Is that your breakfast?" Don smiles back, walks pass Free and starts to make coffee, adding a capsule in the coffee maker.
"It's our dinner. I'm just preparing it.. Slowly.."
"Really?" man grins and sees the grocery bags on the desk, showing a really honest surprised face while staring the bags. "Have you been out already? What time you woke up?" Usually he was the one being up first.
"It's been a while.. And I didn't steal that meat. I borrowed your wallet," Free quickly notes, guessing that was the first thing Don would think. Of course that wasn't the actual case, but it was like an old habit. To answer straight back if someone was calling him a thief, or even just suspecting so.
"You stole my wallet..?" Don wonders smiling.
"Well it's technically my wallet, 'cause you are my wallet. You took my drug money and..," young man explain while sitting up, really needing to take a break before continuing. "What else I was supposed to do..?" He was starting to fear he has done something really wrong here. "I didn't want to wake you up.."
Kid usually never looked this stressed out. At least not from something this trivial. "I'm teasing you. Please spend my money as much as you want," Don smirks and turns back to take his coffee. Free sighs for relieve, cursing in his mind. Of course. No wonder Don sounded too unserious.. Younger was actually getting embarrassed he did something wrong. But like stealing that guys money would be a crime anyway. Not when this guy and everything he owns were his anyway. "So. You are planning to cook today?" Don continues while sitting down. Was this about what Don said yesterday? Kid not knowing how to cook? "Sure. I know you can cut onions so so. Can I help?"
"I will ask help if I need it," young man says back, sounding annoyed. Then he suddenly lows his head. "When I will need it.."
"What did you actually eat before? When you live in the streets. You guys didn't cook yourself?" man remarks. Was actually very curious now.
"Rats," Free states immediately while wearing this serious look. Don tsihs back doubting, stating he wasn't bying that. So young mans smirks, surrenders. "There was a center for those who live in streets. They gave us free food. Bread and porridge. You could steal from markets too. Like apples and candy. When I learnt to deal drugs I could actually go and buy stuffs. We had the heading oven. We could warm marshmallows on the fire."
Don sighs, unbelieving. "No wonder you were so full of energy. Just fruits and candy? And that sugar water of yours.."
"Coffee!" Free fastly snaps back, knowing other must be just teasing him still. "You need energy when you live there. I had nothing else either when I lived with that bitch so.. How I was supposed to know candy is not real food. Now I know meat is the best. I need protein."
"Then, let me teach you today. If you seriously want to learn I will give you a hand," Don says, drinking from his coffee. "I would appreciate it if you can cook healthily for yourself. It's one of the must have skills."
"Not that I know you honestly want to teach me, but why I have the feeling you just don't want me to burn our kitchen or something..," Free grins, smiling.
"I know from the facts you will burn our kitchen if I let you go solo," older man smiles back, admitting other was right. He turns his look toward the mess around the kitchen, like pointing Free to look at it too. "You realize how much I have to endure right now to not start cleaning immediately. Look at our kitchen. I have never ever seen it this messy. That's chaos. Why would you need a rice cooker when you want mashed potatos? Or the sieve? Or that noodle scooper? Why you even took all this out?" Dons voice was calm. But his eyes say it all. How annoyed he actually was.
Being so used to Dons reactions, Free kind of ignores him while eyeing the desk and that table area where he has put all the things out. "I just haven't figured out yet what I was going to use.. There is too many things in here. I was in the middle of my google searching.. They really have own scoops for noodles too?" While asking that young man actually trys to figure out now which one is it.
Older swallows his frustration under this deep sigh and gets up, still holding his coffee mug. "Let's start with basics. And clean this mess. We need space to work," using his work mode voice Don points out and pets Frees head while walking past him, not really thinking too much about his innocent gesture. But damn that touch send a hot wave through Frees whole body, leaving him feel so mixed. So young man stands up slowly, moving next to Don who had just put his mug down and was now eyeing what kid brought from the grocery store. "What you want to do with the meat? Fry it? Bake it?" man keeps while turning his eyes on Free.
Without giving an answer, younger just moves his hand on Dons side, turning man to lean his back against the desk, blocking him from getting away from his hold. Now this was very seducing. Frees eyes were locked on Dons, him moving his face closer to others. Don was about to talk, but he doesn't want to break this silent moment between them just yet. Younger was eyeing him with such a passionate look it was impossible to Don act back. The more younger showed this kind of affection the more Dons hold of anything else was slowly fading away.
Aki has done this before. Breaking his mind like this. All man could do was surrender. Against this one he simple couldn't fight. This obsession has turned upside down in him, grown to be so strongly part of his nature backing off from this was simply impossible. This kind of small gestures from the young man could trap him in anytime. Purely controlling him.
"Your lips are closer than before..," Free finally whispers, draging them back from this passionate state. Four months ago he had learned the habit to get on his toes to reach Dons lips. Now there was no need for that anymore. Their lips could easily make contact. "I love it."
Don sighs deeply. There was this pressure inside his chest what seem to keep his body still, making him only see the young man in front of him, making him obediently wait. Anything Aki gives him he would take without a doubt. But.. "Are you toying with me..?" Don smiles, hinting Aki still has a change to back off. "Don't seduce me like this. I can not forgive myself if I hurt you now." It was very clear Aki was still suffering the after pains, outcome from their time together last night. But like always Aki seem not to care. Don surely does. If Aki keeps his act going, there was no way Don could resist.
Free sighs, keeping his lips still against Dons. He takes a hold of Dons fingers and moves them against his own neck, letting man feel his strongly pulsating heartbeat. "Then don't touch me like that. I can't stand this.." Even while blushing, young man acted very boldly. Not saving his words.
And truly that straightforward act made him look even more cuter in Dons eyes. "You are impossible. I can't touch you at all without you reacting like that?" Don wonders, petting Frees cheek, kissing him. If that was so, they needed to solve this. Weren't they falling way too deep here?
After getting his kiss, Free could calm down a little. Damn, he has done it again. Act spoiled. Not been able to control his messy desires, but letting them take a hold of himself. Wasn't he supposed to become a responsible man who could stand next to Don as equal? For that goal he should learn to control himself! "Sorry..," young man lows his head down, leaning his forehead on Dons chest. "Fry it," he quietly says then, squeezing his fingers around Dons hand. "Let's fry the meat. I want it spicy."
Older sighs and takes his hand on Frees head. "As you wish.."
- - - -
"Let me take it!"
Free rushes to take the shopping basket right from the front of Dons hands before man could even reach it, leaving man freezed for a second. Giving the younger this very bored look, man sighs out, looking the other already walking toward the fresh fruits and vegetables. In a way Don shouldn't have been that surprised when in fact this sudden behavior start this very morning. Like young mans state of mind was set to not let Don do anything himself, but he must do it for him. It was Frees second day back home. And his behaviour was already getting in Dons nerves because of how varyingly he act.
Was it about making coffee or doing laundry, Free was ahead of him. Irritatingly ahead of him. Saying man shouldn't lift anything or do anything to make his condition worse, Free was ready to do it all for him. Knowing Dons habits so well younger simple predict mans next moves without man needing to even say anything. If there was something to clean or move back to where it belong, Free did it right away rather than leaving it be for too long as he would have done before. Dons easygoing and messy roommate who earlier was habitually leaving chaos behind him has suddenly learnt to clean his own messes. Not just offering help but doing things without asking.
Thinking first this was kind of nice even, seeing this young man acting so responsible and thoughtful, Don himself not needing to constantly keep an eye on how their apartment look when it was simple clean all the time, Don didn't plan to complain. But he has his limits. Those nice thoughts turned to unpleasant very fast when youngers overprotective actions just keep going on and on. Being so used to do everything by himself there was no way Don could act calm for long, even when knowing the thoughts behind others actions were very mindful, younger just wanting to help. But this wasn't helping. This was a stimulation what Don needs to erase immediately. Before things will start flying.
"I can carry it..," Don states out while walking after Free.
"You don't need to carry it when you have me," Free points out, eyeing around while trying to ignore others severe voice. There was no way he would back off here. With still healing broken ribs and a chin surgery man wasn't allowed to carry anything heavier than a milk box, according the general instructions. And as long as man has those bruises Free intend to keep it that way.
This was ridiculous. "If you are worried about my health, your actions are very unlogical. You keep me from walking down the stairs or carrying a basket but it's fine me to hold you up against a wall while banging you.."
Those bold words from that mans mouth definitely made Free turn his smiling face toward the older. But he still kept the basket away from Dons reach. "I'm learning. Next time I will just ride you. So you don't have to move an inch," he boldly notes, giving very arrogant smile back. "I'm taking care of you now. So just shut up."
There was no way to win against that headstrong brat when he was on it without a serious fight. If Don want avoid Akis sharp tongue he should think more calmer way to make his point clear. It's been over nine weeks from his accident, so the worst was behind already. There was no real reason him to act any differently anymore how he usually does. Kid was just excessive. Which was kind of odd when Don was usually the overthinking one here.
But the calm was better. And it would stay so as long as Don will play along. He should change his thinking and let other do as he wishs for now. Humen were prone to go back their usual habits in familiar environment. If one trys too much they eventually will end up exhausting themselfs. "Roger that," Don simple announces, noting he wasn't going to complain more. If brat needed a pull back to reality, he was the right person to do that. Overall his every actions based on planning.
Free happily hums, but stays lightly charged when there was still a big possibility man wasn't taking him serious here. Man bow to ignore his own needs when he was with Free, spoiling him so much it eventually became a norm between them. That mistake Free needs to break. To show he too was reliable and wasn't taking advantage of him. What Don can do, he can do too. Starting with basics.
Since they were basically out of every food storage when there was literally nothing but coffee and some seasoning left after Free been gone for four months and Don been living with simple meals and fruits, not actually cooking at all during the time he was alone, there was a lot to buy. Letting his imagination run Free was also piling all kind of extra items like additional nutrients and vitamins in their basket while Don was moving some of them back, pointing out why they really didn't need them. Against that Free couldn't fight. But he surely didn't hold his whining when those items would have been just good for Don from Frees opinion.
Calling it a compromise, as he has so used to do with this one, Don was able to keep things reasonable and young man next to him happy. As usually, shopping in their regular corner shop was as chaotic as ever, them facile arguing about every small thing while circling on the corridors. But even when they kept their conversations calm and quite normal, other customers and the staff couldn't help noticing them. It wasn't just Free who was attracting attention. Don was pretty tall and even when he didn't smile that often or really ever, wearing usually very neutral clothes, he was seen as one of those cool and calm, handsome men with this slight of mystery aura around him. There was no way people could totally ignore his present when spotting him, less when this younger attraction magnet was right beside him.
"I'm so glad to see you two shop together again!" their cashier speaks out her mind while smiling widely at both of them.
Since it was kind of unexpected sudden comment from someone they hardly ever talk with, Don unintentionally gives back this very cold stare while searching his card to pay, like silently noting he wasn't thrilled from her snooping and she should mind her own business. With a totally different reaction, Free next to him was just curiously eyeing this young woman. He didn't expect people he hardly knew noticing if he was gone. There were many working here, so it wasn't that they always met the same staff members. Like these people were for him, he was just a passer-by for them too. At least Free himself had always thought so.
Thinking she must have sounded a little too nosy just now, she fastly explains herself. "Ah, it's common end up remember our regulars who come often enough so.. And you guys are the most handsome ones too. Can't unsee you," she points out casually. But can't break the ice here. Older guy was still wearing this bored look. "You haven't visited us lately. Together..," she trys still, clearing her throat while reading the last item and then calling the total amount.
Free doesn't wait Don to respond but speaks out himself. "Military training. Just came back," he corrects smiling, wearing his usual confident and relaxed mood, touching his short hair, trying to note there was a reason for this new look. This woman was just curious, small chatting casually. No reason to avoid her. Wasn't this Frees speciality anyway. Unlike Dons, who simple showed no interest if it wasn't worth something. That much Free has already learnt about his older introvert lover here. Other than work and Free, man couldn't care less and simple ignored every annoying extra, not minding if it was taken as an insult. So it was Frees job to speak for him. Be the shield.
"Ah, so that's how it was. That look suits you too," woman laughs. "So manly." Young man has definitely changed a little. Growing taller and getting more muscles made him look more mature than before. But that cute face and those beautiful blue eyes of his remain the same, still making everyone fall for him where ever he was. With the other employees here, this woman too was adoring him madly. "Hey, we have been wondering..," with a more quiet voice she finally build up some courage to bring up what people here have been gossiping. About these two. "You don't look so alike but.. Are you guys brothers? Or actually lovers?"
The moment she asked that, Don takes their shopping bags, which Free just finished packing, and starts calmly heading out, without saying a word. Both Free and the cashier were eyeing his leave. Until Free tsihs out loud. "Hey.. I will carry 'em!" Realizing he accidentally let his guard down for a second, Free politely says his goodbyes to the woman and rushes after Don. "Thank you. See you later."
When Free catchs up Don they were already going through the exit, older looking back the younger while holding the door open, but remaining silent still. Free smirks to him and walks pass him, taking the plastic bags from mans hold. Clearly man wasn't trilled to hear others asking about their relationship. And answering honestly was something man simple couldn't do in his position, as a member of a law enforcement agency. Even when Free saw them very differently, his main ideology strongly fighting against the vast majoritys opinion, he too still has to be carefully and play nicely. This rule they couldn't break. "Should I start calling you 'brother' in public?" Free points out when turning to look at the man who was walking slowly behind him. "It has it's own naughty ring. Turns me on."
Don snorts, forcing with this simple move Free to stop and lean his back against the building wall. "I am very concerned about your selection of words, how you sexualize something that pure and natural. Who ever taught you that should be ashamed," he states while taking a gently hold of others chin, smilingly leaning his face closer. Of course Free said that as a joke and there was no way man actually took it seriously either. But he couldn't just simple overlook that statement. "There is a big difference between me being your lover and me being your 'brother'. Don't you think?"
There was really no need for Dons informing words, when it only took this one physical touch to make Free slightly drop his arrogant attitude. It was suddenly quite hard to breathe when man came this close. Damn hard to resist closing that remaining space between them. Was this even appropriate? Even when it was evening already and there were not that many people around, they were still in the middle of their own neighborhood. Don of all acting this defiantly, against mans own rules, felt somehow very wrong. And still so tempting. "I see no difference. If it's you," Free boldly states, touching Dons hand. What ever role this man was taking, Free would just adapt. Learn to separate them. Because in the end that all was just a show for everyone else. When this here, the real them, was only for them to see. Something Free will protect, for the sake of staying together. "Make me call you what ever you need me to call you. Boss. I will play along. I'm here for you, not for them." While saying so, he fastly moves his head closer and actually licks Dons lips once, smiling.
Realizing what Free actually meant made Don sigh, low his touch. If it made things easier to Don, Free would stick with calling him his guardian. Act his role. Just like Don has asked him to do. So his mind was set to protect Don? He was that scared to lose him? Was it because what happened to Don? Or simple because the time they were apart? "I think you are misunderstanding something here," older smiles, pushing Frees hand against the wall, intently eyeing back at him. "It is very thoughtful you try to help me out here, dedicate your time around me. For now I can let you do that because you seem stressed out. But you are years too early to start worrying over me. I will deal my own issues. You just concentrate on your own tasks, studying and be mentally ready to work."
Free hums, showing a little amused face. That shit he wasn't buying. "I think you are misunderstanding something here. You are mine. I will never stop worrying over you," he notes, imitating others calm way to speak. "And I will deal my studies and work. Because they are my own issues. Not yours."
Wow, this brat surely knew how to talk back to silent him. Don loses his touch totally, straightens his pose. "You know my wounds are healed fine and there is no need me to avoid doing things normally already," man drops his strict mood and lets himself relax a little. Talking straight. "You know you can boss me around. But if you don't let me do anything, I start feeling useless. I can't stand that."
"Finally something what makes sense," Free smirks, speaking silently at first, smiling like a winner. "Okay, I get it. I will loosen up a little.. So? Are we gonna do it here or what? You were clearly seducing me just now. I don't mind people watching."
"I mind people watching. I don't like to share," Don immediately speaks out, turning a little to show they were leaving now. Before they would actually draw too much attention.
Free hums. "I will still carry these bags."
"Do that. I want to see how long your nice behavior will last," older tsihs and starts to move, Free rushing after him. In deep down, his young lover here was comfort-seeking person, liked to be spoiled by Don. Young mans overreacting period will soon be over and they could go back to their normal routines.
Cursing in his mind, Free was so ready to fight here. He will so make this man eat his words.