With flushed cheeks, Cavan quickly tucked himself back into his jeans before raking his hands through his hair. He drew in a deep breath before reaching for the key and turning the engine on. The engine whirred to life and soon Cavan was pulling out of the parking-lot, feeling anxious all over again as he pulled out onto the main road that led back into town. His muscles were tense, and his nerves were too loose in his mind to know what he needed to focus on.
Lucas’s hand rested on top of his over the gear-shift. “Just relax,” his deep voice was soothing. “Take your time, there’s no need to rush.”
Cavan felt a muscle tick in his jaw. He tried to calm himself down as they cruised down the main road. He made sure to check the speed limits on the roads and tried to leave enough space between the few cars on the road, just in case he needed to brake hard. When he pulled into the parking space reserved behind Lucas’s block of flats, Cavan was both relieved and impressed with himself as they climbed out of the car. Lucas walked around the front of the car, double-checking to see if there were any scrapes. Straightening up, he walked up to Cavan and looped his arms around the younger man’s neck.
“You did a great job, kid, I’m proud of you.” He kissed Cavan’s lips, lingering a little longer and savouring the taste of his young lover.
Cavan hugged Lucas closer, chuckling as the older man protested a little. “I’m so happy to be with you, you know?”
Looking up into the younger man’s bright green eyes, Lucas felt his insides knot. “I’m happy with you too, kid.”
“Mmm-mmm,” Cavan shook his head. “Say it properly.”
“I’m happy with you, Cavan.”
The dreamy look on the brat’s face was both adorable and heart-warming. Lucas couldn’t resist leaning up for another kiss. This time they both lingered, deepening their kiss as the sky turned completely dark and the moon shone in the sky.
Friday AM
The sound of plates and cutlery being moved around in the kitchen jarred Cavan out of his dreams. Stretching his hand out over Lucas’s side of the bed he frowned; not only at the mattress being cool, but also about when he’d started thinking of it as ‘Lucas’s side’. It made him feel comfortable and cosy as he rolled about in the blankets, debating on whether or not he wanted to get out of bed and see what Lucas was doing in the kitchen. In the end, there was too much noise for him to tolerate, so he groaned, kicked the covers off and dragged himself out of bed.
It had been a good night last night; somehow Cavan had continued his lover to sleep naked, which had led to all manner of touching and rutting until Lucas convinced him to try having sex again. It had stung, but not as much as the first time and Cavan was glad that Lucas had a couple of condoms to spare. It had been less messy, which both men were grateful for.
Cavan had fallen asleep a little while after midnight, whereas Lucas had remained reading until who only knew when. All Cavan had acknowledged when he’d been awakened sometime later, was that it was 5AM. Lucas has only tossed and turned a little when he did finally get to sleep, however holding him close and stroking a certain area, like his head or his back, was enough to keep the nightmares at bay.
Tugging on a pair of tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt, Cavan padded down the hallway, with one of the thinner throw blankets draped over his shoulders, he made his way towards the kitchen. Rubbing his hand in his eyes, he grabbed the doorway and used it to steady himself. “Lucas what the hell are you cooking to be making so much noise?” he asked.
“Well good morning to you too!”
Cavan froze. Peering up through his frazzled hair, he saw Bonnie leaning against the counter a hand planted on her hip and a smirk on her face. “What are you –How did you get in?”
“I have a spare key,” she shrugged. “Lucas got a call from Rodrick this morning, asking to be met for a coffee. I figured you didn’t want to wake up totally alone so … I came and made you breakfast!”
Cavan stated at her awkwardly. “That’s … really sweet of you, but you don’t need to go through any trouble for me.”
“Nonsense,” Bonnie beamed. “Fletcher has been so busy this week, I feel like I needed some company anyway. Plus, for the entire week you’ve been here, I’ve only seen you once.”
“You live down the hall,” Cavan pointed out. “You could’ve come by.”
“I wanted to give you guys some space. This whole ordeal has really put Lucas’s back up. I don’t think he’d have coped half as well if it wasn’t for you. Has he mentioned anything? About the investigation?”
Cavan shook his head.
“That’s a shame,” she said, pursing her lips. “I can only hope whatever Rodrick has to say is good news.”
Cavan wound the blanket tighter around his body. He watched Bonnie divide up the food just as his gut let out a hungry growl. Bonnie grinned at him. “It’s such a nice day, do you want to eat out on the balcony?”
“Does he have a table and chairs out there?”
“He does, they’re just under the tarp. Hang on, I’ll sort it out.”
Before he could reply, she had vanished through the lounge and out onto the balcony. He watched as she pulled back the black plastic cover and dragged a collapsible black iron table and chairs. She quickly grabbed two of the sofa cushions and stuffed them onto the chairs before returning to the kitchen. “Okay, you grab the coffees and I’ll take the food out.”
Cavan didn’t argue. He found it amusing as he watched the petite redhead balance two plates laden with fried food. Settling everything onto the table Cavan pulled out one of the chairs and sat down. He still had the blanket wrapped around his shoulders. The aroma of the food was enough to make a switch click in his brain. He tucked in with as much gusto as Bonnie did, earning mutual chuckles from one another as Cavan choked on a strip of perfectly crisped bacon.
Taking in deep breaths, he downed some coffee and sighed. “I’ve missed having a fry-up like this!”
“Lucas doesn’t cook breakfast for you?”
“He did once, but usually we sleep a little too late for a proper breakfast.”
“Really?” Bonnie tried to hide her smirk behind her coffee cup.
“What’s with the face?”
“Nothing!” she flushed, “I’m just surprised. Lucas has had issues sleeping for as long as I’ve known him and now, he’s sleeping in?”
Cavan chuckled, “I don’t know if that makes me a good influence or a terrible one.”
“As long as he isn’t ever late for work, then it’s definitely a good thing.” Bonnie smiled over the brim of her mug just as the sound of a key in the lock caught their attention.
There were the usual sounds of Lucas taking his jacket and shoes off before padding into the living room. He caught sight of them through the French doors. Bonnie beckoned him out, quickly standing up to grab one of the spare chairs out from under the tarp. Lucas came out, a cushion in hand. Cavan watched as his lover settled down in the chair, his expression was –as usual –unreadable. Cavan shared a glance with Bonnie before asking, “So what did your boss want?”
Lucas leaned forward, steeping his fingers and pressing his lips against them. He stayed quiet for a few moments. Eventually, he raked a hand through his hair. “Well, you’ll both be glad to know that the police called Rodrick yesterday. They’ve found nothing and will be releasing my possessions back to Rodrick to give to me over the next few days.”
Both Bonnie and Cavan gasped.
Lucas waved them silent and sighed. “It was also reported to me today, that a Ms. Camilla Geisler went to the police and forced her husband there.”
Cavan held his breath.
“He retracted his statement. They’re drawing up a restraining order preventing him being within five-hundred yards of me. He’s also being fined for wasting police time with a false allegation.”
Cavan felt his heart beating in his throat. Had his mother stood up to his father? Had she really dragged him down to the station to retract his statement? Did
that mean Lucas was free to go back to work? That he wouldn’t have his career options restricted because of this false allegation?
Bonnie broke the silence first. “Oh, Lucas I am so glad! You didn’t need this level of shit on top of end of year exams.”
Lucas shot her a quick look, the flinch of a smile, but nothing more. Cavan reached over and stroked his wrist. Lucas glanced down at Cavan’s fingers, almost as though he’d never seen them before. Grey eyes looked up into green ones. Cavan was unable to read any emotion in his lover’s face.
Finally, Lucas sighed and slowly stood up. “I think I need to lie down.”
Cavan made a move to follow, but Bonnie placed a hand on his arm, gently stopping him. Lucas disappeared through the doors, vanishing out of sight as he turned the corner. Cavan turned back to Bonnie with a frown, “Why did you stop me?”
“Give him a few moments,” she said, keeping her voice low. “It’s been hard on him. Let him process it.”
“What do you expect me to do?”
“Finish your breakfast and once it’s all cleared up, I’ll go back home and give you guys some space.”
Cavan wanted to argue that they could very well have their alone time right now, but he knew it’d be rude to tell Bonnie such a thing, especially since she’d been so kind to break-in and make him breakfast. She really was a strange woman. In the end, he relented, resuming his breakfast as it cooled on the plate. His mind was still on Lucas, just a few rooms away, warring with the turmoil his life had been recently inside his head. Guilt twisted his insides but there was no way to deal with it.
Once Bonnie had left the flat, Cavan looked from one end of the hall to the other. On the one hand he could go and wash the dishes. Bonnie had offered, but Cavan had insisted it’d make too much noise. On the other hand, he could go in the bedroom with Lucas. Even if they didn’t talk, he knew his presence would be appreciated.
Yeah, the dishes could wait.
The bedroom door barely whispered against the carpet beyond, as he peeked into the room. Lucas was stretched out on his side of the bed. He had his fingers laced over his abdomen and his eyes were closed. He looked so serene. Closing the door softly, he crawled up the length of the bed and eased himself down on the mattress. He held his breath and leaned closer to Lucas, near enough to feel the heat from his body but not close enough to touch –yet.
Gingerly, Cavan wrapped his arm around Lucas’s waist. The older man sighed softly in his sleep, his head turning a little towards Cavan. Holding his breath, Cavan waited for a moment, mentally counting as he watched Lucas relax. He scooted closer, leaning his head down against Lucas’s shoulder. Relaxing, he felt bliss wash through him. Lucas hummed sleepily and turned, bumping his nose against Cavan’s hair, and limply shifting his arm over Cavan’s. Faint rays of sunlight struggled to get through the slat-blinds, and it illuminated the room with a gentle glow. It made Lucas look even softer compared to his hard exterior.
Cavan pressed a gentle kiss to his boyfriend’s forehead before closing his eyes to sleep.
Chapter 28
Friday PM
Lucas awoke slowly, letting the warm afternoon air coax him back to consciousness. He felt comfortable and cosy, the sunlight pressing against the drawn blinds. He turned his head and looked down; Cavan was curled up under his arm with a strong arm curled over Lucas’s chest. Lucas realised, in that moment that he had never felt calmer. Even with Rodrick’s news nestled in that back of his mind, he couldn’t deny the tranquillity in his head.
Lazily, he combed his fingers through Cavan’s hair thinking about how easily they’d settled into a routine.
He’d slept more in the last week than he could ever remember. It was unsettling and he wasn’t used to not have a headache drilling him from the inside out, but it wasn’t unwelcome.
Cavan shifted against his chest.
From the nightstand, his phone buzzed with a new message. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He didn’t want to disturb this feeling of peacefulness. However, within five minutes another message buzzed, and Lucas got irritated that the noise might bother Cavan. He looked far too cute to disturb with a sodding text. Moving as little as possible, he reached over to take it from the nightstand.
From Bonnie:
[12:38] Hey, I know you guys are probably still asleep, but we were just wondering if you were still up for a Chinese tonight? X
[12:44] Also, Rodrick said he’s paying so … Yeah. Let me know x
[12:50] I can imagine the brat and I will be hungry by 6. Will confirm again when said brat stops drooling into my armpit.
[12:51] EWWWWWWWWWW!
[12:53] Is this a new kink you two have discovered?!
[12:55] ACTUALLY SCRATCH THAT! I don’t wanna know! >w<
Lucas smirked and then dropped his phone back onto the nightstand. He wrapped his arm loosely around Cavan’s shoulders, cradling him as his mind completely woke-up and thought about Bonnie’s invitation. It would be nice to see everyone again after his train-wreck of a week.
‘Well,’ he stopped himself. ‘It’s been quite nice having the kid all to myself.’ He glanced down at Cavan and felt his entire body grow fuzzy and warm. ‘Maybe it’d be nice … having him here permanently?’
No sooner had the thought crossed his mind that Lucas decided right there and then, that he would be asking Cavan to move in with him. He just needed to pick the right moment.
~0~
Cavan tweaked the collar of his denim jacket. It was the only casual one he owned. Ruffling his hair in the hallway mirror, he frowned down at his attire; with converses, blue jeans and a plain green Henley under his denim jacket he looked casual enough for their evening plans, but he still felt uneasy.
Perhaps it wasn’t the outfit.
Perhaps it was the news Rodrick had to tell them.
“Come on, kid, we need to go or we’re going to be late!” Lucas’s voice rang from the doorway. Cavan frowned one last time as his reflection before hurrying to meet up with him. Lucas glanced up from his phone. “Look at you all casual,” he smirked.
Cavan rolled his eyes, “When am I anything but casual?”
Lucas smirked wider before nipping Cavan’s lip. “Let’s take the bike. I have a spare helmet that should fit you.”
Cavan froze in the doorway. “L-Lucas I’ve never ridden on a bike before.”
“It’s fine. Just lean when I lean and don’t squeeze me to death.”
Cavan felt dread boil through him. He forced a small smile, “I don’t think I can make that promise.”
Lucas noted the anxious expression on the taller man’s face. “Hey,” he reached out and squeezed Cavan’s forearm. “I promise not to go too fast, okay?”
Still unconvinced, Cavan nodded. “Okay.”
As soon as he was stood in front of the bike, however, he felt all nerve flee his body. “Lucas –I can’t get on that!”
Lucas rolled his eyes as he swung his leg over the bike and settled comfortably into the seat. “Don’t be absurd of course you can,” he drawled as he held out the spare helmet he’d grabbed from his hallway cupboard. “Cram it on and let’s go.”
Cavan took the helmet in his hands. It was heavier than he’d thought. Forcing it onto his head, was like having his skull squeezed into a vice. How did cats do this with their entire bodies? It wasn’t natural! Adjusting his eyes to the darkened vision through the visor, Cavan mirror Lucas’s action and swung his leg over the back of the bike, positioned his feet and wound his arms around Lucas’s waist.
The engine roared to life, vibrating every bone in his body. It made his teeth quake.
Suddenly, the black beast was moving, gravel crunching as Lucas let the bike roll down towards the road. As soon as the wheels touched tarmac, they were off. Cavan couldn’t even hear his own thoughts other than the ‘NONONONONONONONONONO!’ he screamed inside his helmet as they sped down the road. The traffic shot by in a blur of dizzying lights and loud noises.
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