It was quite late, the sun had set long ago and the cold wind was noticeable outside. James was staying late, hit upon a messy section in the books or something similar. Toni brought him a bowl of dinner’s stew as the young man had refused any when it was actually dinner time.
He set it down on the desk. “It’s too cold out to walk back into town. I’ll fix up a spare room for you.”
He looked up from the books at the sound of the bowl set upon the table and Toni’s voice, knocked out of his focus. “Hmm? Oh, you don’t ‘ave to do that. I can walk back yet. I’m ‘most done here.”
After a moment he pulled away. “I think that might be enough strength. Might need a bit mo’ later, though.”
“One more for the road?” He leaned back in.
He hummed and nodded. “One more.” He quickly kissed him once again.
He stroked his thumb over his cheek.
He pulled away after a moment. “Thanks, kind sir.”
“Anytime.” He smiled. “Just ask.”
He pressed a kiss to his cheek before clambering up off of Toni’s lap so they could both stand.
He stretched his legs, as they’d gone slightly numb from James sitting in his lap.
“What can I help with?” He asked, reaching a hand out for Toni’s.
He let him take it. “You could start heating the water for your bath?”
“Sure.” He nodded, smiling fondly, giving Toni’s hand a parting squeeze.
He headed to the kitchen, heating up their lunch’s leftovers as their dinner.
He began the slow (and often annoying) process of heating the bath water, humming a working song as he did.
Their dinner heated up faster than the water, so Toni carried their plates to the washroom to leave less of a time gap between eating and getting clean.
James was still humming as Toni walked in, pouring the second round of warming water into the tub.
He stood in the doorway to watch, but mostly listen to, him work.
He didn’t notice Toni in the doorway at first, guard down and fully comfortable in their home, singing quietly.
It was only when he sat down next to the fireplace to wait for the next round to heat fully that he noticed his lover, nearly jumping out of his skin as he did. “Woah, you gave me a spook there.”
He stiffened a bit as James said that. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. I was just tryin’ to listen to you sing.” He handed him his plate.
“‘s alright.” He smiled fondly, nodding his thanks as he took the plate. “Just wasn’t expecting you to be there so quick, you can be mighty quiet when you don’ have your spurs on.”
“‘nd just so y’know, I’ll sing to you anytime.” He said after a moment.
He sat down next to him. “You do have a lovely singing voice.”
He ducked his head bashfully. “I suppose I’ll let you stay the judge of that. It’s a good way to pass the time when doing housework, I find. ‘nd my parents dogs always liked it.”
He rested his knee against his. “I’ll look forward to hearin’ you sing in the future.”
“As much as you’d like.” He agreed before taking a bite of his food to stop himself from rambling.
He smiled and joined him in eating.
James had nearly finished his food at about the same time that the last pot finished heating. He set his plate with just a bit of leftovers on it down and calmbered up to make sure he got the pot before the water began to boil.
Toni moved out of the way for him.
He poured in the water, hair frizzing a bit in the rising steam. “Alright, all ready!”
“We should probably redo the arnica after the bath.” he said as he finished up his plate. “You get in while I go grab that.”
He nodded and said a soft, “Thank you,” before he began to undress.