![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
asphaltcowgrrlTitle: Date Night Blues Chapter 4
Fandom: Romani Detective Original Fiction
Pairing: Andrej Zeklos/James Rosewood/Zayne Reyes
Rating: PG-13-ish
Word Count: 3,207
Summary: Andrej and Zayne try to put things back together again.
Author’s Note: Had not planned this to go south so fast nor go on for this long. Sorry.
“Did you and Rosewood get things worked out,” Zayne asked, filling two mugs with steaming hot coffee.
“For the most part, yes,” Zeklos said, taking a seat at Zayne’s wobbly table.
“What does ‘for the most part’ mean?” He set the mugs on the table, bringing a carton of half and half with him.
“I have made him understand that working long hours is what I do,” he said. “I work until it is done, I do not know how else to operate. But he is still unwilling to believe that you contribute equally to our partnership.”
“Well, I don’t,” Zayne said. “You do the majority of the reports and I just help with the legwork and interviews. He’s not wrong to say that you do more than I do.” It sucked to admit it out loud, but it was the truth.
“Just because I do more paperwork does not mean that you do not do your part, Zayne.” There was a hint of frustration in his words, as if he’d had this conversation with the redhead already. “If it were not for you and your experience as a detective, I would not have half the information I needed to write those reports. We are a team and teams work together. Sometimes I might do more than you, but that does not make us less than a team.”
“Thanks,” Zayne said, not liking the praise, but accepting it all the same. He watched Zeklos bring the mug to his mouth and take a long, slow sip of the hot liquid. “So, if you and he are better, why are you here now? Couldn’t this have waited until morning?”
Zeklos set the mug down. “I owe you an apology. I have not been very pleasant lately.”
“It’s fine,” Zayne said, not wanting Zek to feel any worse than he had been. “Water under the bridge.”
“No,” he said. “It is not. I have been in a bad place, is that correct?” He shook his head, brushing it all away before Zayne could confirm. “I don’t know. But I received a letter from my sister a few days ago telling me that my father is very ill.”
“Shit,” Zayne muttered. “And you lost your mom a long time ago, didn’t you?”
Zeklos nodded. “Yes, when I was a teenager. My father and I were never close, but that does not make it any easier.”
“Has to be even worse being so far away.”
“It is very hard,” he said. “I must plan for the worst because he is elderly and does not have access to good healthcare. My sister does not think it is quite his time yet, but it will not be long, I am sure.”
“Are you going to go home?” The idea frightened Zayne for some reason.
“Not yet, not until I know for sure…”
He let his words trail off. Zayne got it though. He wouldn’t return home until he knew his father wasn’t going make it. Which, in a weird sort of way he could understand. It wasn’t like taking a trip back to Texas. Or hell, Mexico for that matter. Flying back to Romania was an event in and of itself.
“Let me know if you need anything, Zek,” he said. “I’m here for you, even if I’m shit when it comes to dealing with emotions.”
Andrej cracked a half smile. “You are better than you know.” He took another sip of his coffee and frowned. “Do you have anything I can put in this?”
Zayne lifted the carton of half and half. “Or do you mean creamer?”
“I was thinking alcohol.”
Laughing, Zayne got up and went into the kitchen, returning with a bottle of coffee liqueur. “Better,” he asked, pouring a measure into each of their cups.
“Much,” Andrej agreed. “I am in need of an escape tonight.”
“Have you told Rosewood,” Zayne asked. “About your dad?”
“Not yet,” Zeklos said. “We had so many other things to discuss that I did not want to get bogged down in that. Jay would have made that discussion a priority and, while it might be, it was not important tonight. I will tell him, however. Maybe on our next date night.”
“When’s that going to be,” Zayne asked bitterly. “Tomorrow?”
Zeklos gave him a look full of hurt. “No, on Wednesday. I told him I owed you the weekend. He may join us on Sunday, but that is at your discretion.”
“What about tonight?” Zayne tapped his fingers on the sides of his mug.
Andrej looked at his coffee. “By the time we finish this pot, I am not sure I will be in any shape to drive.”
“But you’ll be in perfect shape to share my bed,” he teased.
“It sounds like a wonderful plan to me, Zayne.”
Drunk sex for the win, he thought. Although sober sex with Zeklos was ten times more fun, he’d take any kind of naked time he could get. The biggest bonus to drunk sex was that Zek had a tendency to be very vocal and very, very horny. So, he wasn’t going to say no. Not by a long shot.
“You think the narco would be up for a bit of drinking and carousing on Sunday,” Zayne asked.
His partner looked at him and smiled. “It cannot hurt to ask, right?”
“Right,” Zayne said, suddenly thinking that having James around could be fun.
The sun was bright in his bedroom when he woke up. Pushing up onto an elbow, Zayne found Zeklos face down on the other side of his bed. A smile crossed his face at the sight. Zek’s normally neat hair was a mess of untidy waves, his skin marred with scratches and bites from the night before. He ran his fingers along the curve of Zeklos’ shoulder, happy to have him sleeping so soundly beside him.
“Zek, baby, you hungry?” Andrej muttered something in Romanian and Zayne laughed. “Okay, then, I guess you’re not ready to get up.”
He rolled out of bed and got into the shower. Giving himself a quick wash, he toweled off and got dressed. The morning after usually left him craving greasy breakfast sandwiches, but for some reason, he was craving donuts. If he moved quickly enough, he ought to be back before Zeklos woke up. Just in case, he scrawled a note so that Zek didn’t worry if he woke up alone.
“There you are,” Andrej said when Zayne let himself into the apartment half an hour later. “I was worried something happened.”
“I left a note,” Zayne said, setting the donuts down before kissing his partner.
“I saw,” Zeklos said wryly. “I was able to decipher the word donuts and your name at the end, but not much else.”
“Asshole,” Zayne laughed. “I smell coffee, thank you. I was going to buy some but figured you’d yell at me if I did.”
“You have coffee here, Zayne,” Zeklos reminded him.
“I do and I also have you to make it for me, so I didn’t need to buy any, did I?” He pulled two plates out of the cupboard and grabbed two coffee mugs out of the dish drainer. “Your coffee always tastes better than mine and I don’t know why.”
Andrej smiled at Zayne. “You will never know either.”
Zayne snorted. “I won’t have to as long as I have you so it’s a fair trade. Did you sleep okay?”
“I am always a little disoriented waking in your bed or Jay’s,” Zeklos said, gratefully accepting the coffee Zayne handed him. “However, I generally recover the moment I see who is beside me.”
Zayne winced. “And you woke up alone, I’m sorry. Probably should have waited until you woke up, but I was starving and I wanted to surprise you.”
“It is fine,” he said, taking the plate Zayne handed him. There was a chocolate frosted and an old fashioned on top of it. “Your room is nothing like mine or Jay’s, so it did not take long for me to remember.”
“Meaning mine’s a disaster and yours and his aren’t,” Zayne joked. He knew it was true, he might as well admit to it.
“Maybe,” Zeklos hedged. “But your bedroom is also comfortable and safe,” he said. He cocked his head to the side, thinking. “Yes, very much like a nest with all the blankets and pillows.”
Zayne hadn’t ever thought of it that way, but it made him feel a little better about the pile of clean clothes in the corner and his perpetually unmade bed.
“I still want to tidy it up, but when we are sleeping, it is more than okay.”
“Our little love nest,” Zayne laughed. “We can compromise and I will put my laundry away.”
“That would help,” Zeklos said, smiling. He picked up his donut and took a bite. “These are very good, better than the ones you usually buy.”
“There’s a new non-chain shop down the road,” Zayne said, lifting one of his donuts. “They have the best breakfast sandwiches, too.”
Andrej picked at his donut for a moment. “Zayne? Jay called while you were gone. He woke me up actually.”
A shiver of petty pride at Zek being asleep in his bed when Rosewood called coursed through him. Tamping down on it, he asked, “Does he want to see you?”
“Of course he wants to see me, Zayne, he’s my boyfriend. However, I told him I was with you. I thought maybe we could have dinner together at my house later, if that is okay with you.”
He’d hoped he’d have Zek to himself until Sunday, but maybe it’d be better if they all faced one another sooner. “Yeah, sure, that’s fine. Are you going to cook or should I spring for pizzas?”
“Let me call Jay and let him know when to meet us at my house. I will ask which he prefers and we can decide from there.”
“That’s fair,” Zayne said, even if he was bitter that he wasn’t going to get all night with Zek like he’d hoped.
“Finish your donuts while I call him,” Zeklos said, rising from his seat. “When I am done, maybe we can go back to bed?”
Laughter rumbled out of Zayne’s chest. “As if I’d turn that offer down. Go, make your call and get back here. I have plans for you.”
Zeklos rubbed his face against Zayne’s sweat-slicked chest. “We ought to get out of bed.”
“Why,” Zayne asked, wrapping his arms around Zek, squeezing him tight. “I’m happy right here.”
“Mmm,” Zeklos agreed. “I am, too, but we promised to meet Jay at my house at five. It is quarter to four now and I still need to get groceries.”
“I thought we were ordering food,” Zayne said, kissing his boyfriend’s forehead.
“No,” Andrej said, placing a hand on Zayne’s chest and gently pushing.
“Staaaahp,” Zayne joked, crushing Zeklos to him. Laughing, he pressed a kiss to Andrej’s mouth and let him go. “So, you’re cooking?”
“Yes, I thought it would be better that way.” He sat up and stretched, the sheet falling to his waist. Zayne let his eyes roam over Zek’s slim frame, his slender body carrying more muscle than you’d expect. Andrej looked at Zayne. “No arguing over where to get pizza or what goes on top.”
“So, Dan Dan noodles?”
Chuckling, Andrej kissed Zayne. “I was thinking more along the lines of pad see ew. It is still noodles so you will like it, but it is also not your favorite so Jay will not feel like I am favoring you.”
Zayne made a face. “Okay, I can live with that.”
“Thank you,” Andrej said, getting out of bed. “I will make you the Dan Dan noodles another time.”
“It’s okay, Zek,” he said, finding that he meant it. “I’m just grateful you’re willing to cook for me. Us.”
“You are welcome, Zayne.” He stretched again, giving Zayne two eyeballs full of naked, golden skin. “I am going to get into the shower. While you are cleaning up, I will make my grocery list and we can stop on the way to my house. Is that okay?”
“Sounds perfect,” he said. “I will start a list for you if that’s okay.”
“I am not sure I need to be reminded to buy dessert and beer,” he said, winking at Zayne. “But if you would like, please go ahead.”
“Get in the shower before I drag you back to bed,” Zayne threatened.
They arrived at Zeklos’ house at ten till five, leaving just enough time to get the groceries put away and dinner prepped. Zek was mixing the sauce for their dinner when James arrived fifteen minutes later.
“Hey,” James said, coming into the kitchen and giving Andrej a kiss, “I thought we were getting pizza?”
“I thought a home cooked meal might be better considering why we’re all here tonight.” Zek looked at James. “I hope that is okay?”
“It’s great,” James said, leaning against the counter. “Food is food and as long as my belly’s full, I’m happy.”
“You sound like Zayne,” Andrej said, smiling.
“I heard my name,” Zayne said, coming into the kitchen. “You’d better not be taking it in vain, boy.”
“He’s accusing me of being like you,” James said with a smirk. “Because tonight I don’t care what I eat as long as I get fed.”
“Yanno, that’s one of my better personality traits,” Zayne said, without a trace of humor.
“Can’t disagree with that,” James agreed. “Although it looks like you had some say in what Andy’s making.”
“Nope,” Zayne said, leaning against the counter next to James. “All his idea. Promise.”
“I can believe that,” James said. “He’d want to make both of us happy.”
“Speaking of making everyone happy,” Andrej said, with a look over his shoulder. “Maybe you and Zayne can take a beer and go sit in the living room and be nice to one another while I finish dinner?”
“Eeew,” Zayne teased. “I don’t wanna be nice to him.”
“Feeling’s mutual, cowboy,” James teased back. “But I’ll happily take a beer.”
Zeklos shook his head. “Whatever you choose, please get out of my kitchen so I can work in peace.”
“Yes, sir,” Zayne said, giving a mock salute before grabbing four bottles of beer out of the fridge.
“Do we need four, Reyes,” James asked, curious.
“Well, we’ll finish these pretty quick,” Zayne explained, holding up one hand holding two bottles. “And since he’s being all cranky-pants about us being in his kitchen, I figured we’d be smart to bring the second round with us so we don’t disturb him.”
“Prietenii mei sunt bețivi,” Zeklos muttered.
“I’m not sure what he just said,” James said, grinning, “but I think it’s our cue to get out of here.”
“Right behind you, gingerbread,” Zayne said, shooing James out of the kitchen with a beer bottle.
“I think I know what he’s trying to do,” James said as they settled onto the couch.
“Yeah, me too, Rosewood,” Zayne agreed. “And I can’t blame him, either. I don’t want you fighting with him because of me.”
James gave him a look. “It wasn’t because of you. It was because he does too much way too often. He’s going to work himself into an early grave.”
“But you made it very clear that you think he has to work that hard because I don’t work hard enough.” He took a sip of his beer. “Or at all.”
“Shit,” James muttered. “I didn’t mean it like that. Don’t take this the wrong way because I know you’re a good detective. Everyone who knows you says as much.”
“But?” Zayne set his bottle down and gave James his full attention.
“But,” James said, looking Zayne squarely in the face. “I don’t think you put in nearly as much effort as you could. Andy definitely carries your partnership.”
“Well,” Zayne said, looking away from James’ piercing blue eyes. “That’s what you think?”
“It’s what I know, Reyes,” he insisted. “From what I’ve seen and heard, it’s true. God only knows you never take work home with you or stay late to help Andy out.”
“Great, thanks for that, Rosewood,” Zayne said, rising to his feet. “You think I’m a slacker detective, Zek thinks I’m a shitty boyfriend. Why am I even here? Maybe I ought to quit my job and this relationship.”
“That’s not what I said, Zayne,” James growled. “And you know it.”
“You’re right, you didn’t tell me to quit my job, but you pretty much insinuated that I was worthless.” He knocked back the rest of his beer. “Forget it.”
“What’s going on,” Andrej asked, standing with his favorite bamboo spatula in his hand, holding it like a weapon. “Can you not go five minutes without arguing?”
“No, we can’t,” Zayne said. “Mainly because I’m such a disappointment to both of you. So, I’ll solve the problem and go home now.” He did the unthinkable and set his empty beer bottle on the end table without a coaster and headed for the door.
“Zayne,” Zeklos said. “Wait.”
“I can’t,” Zayne said. “Please don’t ask me to stay.”
“Don’t,” Andrej said, voice breaking. “All I wanted was to try and fix things.”
“I know,” Zayne said, softening. “Maybe removing myself will fix things for you. I’ve tried, man, I really have. I’m cleaning my apartment, showing up for work on time, being nice to Rosewood even when he’s on my last nerve, but none of it seems to be enough. He still thinks I’m lazy and you think I’m not holding up my end of the boyfriend bargain. I don’t know what else to do.”
“So, you’re giving up.”
He looked at James, surprised he’d said anything. “I guess you could look at it that way but what choice do I have? Zek and I spent all of last week here until midnight every night, going through all the usual paperwork, trying to find a link between the victims we were dealing with and you still said I was half-assing it. I don’t know if I can ever do enough to make you think I’m pulling my weight.”
James opened his mouth and then closed it quickly.
“I’ll see you on Monday, I guess,” he said to Zeklos. “I’m sorry I keep ruining, well, everything.”
Zayne tried hard not to slam the door as he left Zek’s house, but it still wound up closing harder than he wanted it to, because he was mad. No, scratch that – he was pissed. Pissed and frustrated and, shit, heartbroken. How had he found everything he could have ever wanted only to be forced to give it up? The easy answer was that he should fight for it and not let anything stand in his way. But he also wondered what the point was because the more he fought, the harder it’d be on Zeklos in the end. Fuck the narco, he could go to hell as far as Zayne was concerned, but Zek? He couldn’t hurt Zek and the longer he dragged this out, the more Andrej would wind up suffering.
God, his life sucked right now.
Fandom: Romani Detective Original Fiction
Pairing: Andrej Zeklos/James Rosewood/Zayne Reyes
Rating: PG-13-ish
Word Count: 3,207
Summary: Andrej and Zayne try to put things back together again.
Author’s Note: Had not planned this to go south so fast nor go on for this long. Sorry.
“Did you and Rosewood get things worked out,” Zayne asked, filling two mugs with steaming hot coffee.
“For the most part, yes,” Zeklos said, taking a seat at Zayne’s wobbly table.
“What does ‘for the most part’ mean?” He set the mugs on the table, bringing a carton of half and half with him.
“I have made him understand that working long hours is what I do,” he said. “I work until it is done, I do not know how else to operate. But he is still unwilling to believe that you contribute equally to our partnership.”
“Well, I don’t,” Zayne said. “You do the majority of the reports and I just help with the legwork and interviews. He’s not wrong to say that you do more than I do.” It sucked to admit it out loud, but it was the truth.
“Just because I do more paperwork does not mean that you do not do your part, Zayne.” There was a hint of frustration in his words, as if he’d had this conversation with the redhead already. “If it were not for you and your experience as a detective, I would not have half the information I needed to write those reports. We are a team and teams work together. Sometimes I might do more than you, but that does not make us less than a team.”
“Thanks,” Zayne said, not liking the praise, but accepting it all the same. He watched Zeklos bring the mug to his mouth and take a long, slow sip of the hot liquid. “So, if you and he are better, why are you here now? Couldn’t this have waited until morning?”
Zeklos set the mug down. “I owe you an apology. I have not been very pleasant lately.”
“It’s fine,” Zayne said, not wanting Zek to feel any worse than he had been. “Water under the bridge.”
“No,” he said. “It is not. I have been in a bad place, is that correct?” He shook his head, brushing it all away before Zayne could confirm. “I don’t know. But I received a letter from my sister a few days ago telling me that my father is very ill.”
“Shit,” Zayne muttered. “And you lost your mom a long time ago, didn’t you?”
Zeklos nodded. “Yes, when I was a teenager. My father and I were never close, but that does not make it any easier.”
“Has to be even worse being so far away.”
“It is very hard,” he said. “I must plan for the worst because he is elderly and does not have access to good healthcare. My sister does not think it is quite his time yet, but it will not be long, I am sure.”
“Are you going to go home?” The idea frightened Zayne for some reason.
“Not yet, not until I know for sure…”
He let his words trail off. Zayne got it though. He wouldn’t return home until he knew his father wasn’t going make it. Which, in a weird sort of way he could understand. It wasn’t like taking a trip back to Texas. Or hell, Mexico for that matter. Flying back to Romania was an event in and of itself.
“Let me know if you need anything, Zek,” he said. “I’m here for you, even if I’m shit when it comes to dealing with emotions.”
Andrej cracked a half smile. “You are better than you know.” He took another sip of his coffee and frowned. “Do you have anything I can put in this?”
Zayne lifted the carton of half and half. “Or do you mean creamer?”
“I was thinking alcohol.”
Laughing, Zayne got up and went into the kitchen, returning with a bottle of coffee liqueur. “Better,” he asked, pouring a measure into each of their cups.
“Much,” Andrej agreed. “I am in need of an escape tonight.”
“Have you told Rosewood,” Zayne asked. “About your dad?”
“Not yet,” Zeklos said. “We had so many other things to discuss that I did not want to get bogged down in that. Jay would have made that discussion a priority and, while it might be, it was not important tonight. I will tell him, however. Maybe on our next date night.”
“When’s that going to be,” Zayne asked bitterly. “Tomorrow?”
Zeklos gave him a look full of hurt. “No, on Wednesday. I told him I owed you the weekend. He may join us on Sunday, but that is at your discretion.”
“What about tonight?” Zayne tapped his fingers on the sides of his mug.
Andrej looked at his coffee. “By the time we finish this pot, I am not sure I will be in any shape to drive.”
“But you’ll be in perfect shape to share my bed,” he teased.
“It sounds like a wonderful plan to me, Zayne.”
Drunk sex for the win, he thought. Although sober sex with Zeklos was ten times more fun, he’d take any kind of naked time he could get. The biggest bonus to drunk sex was that Zek had a tendency to be very vocal and very, very horny. So, he wasn’t going to say no. Not by a long shot.
“You think the narco would be up for a bit of drinking and carousing on Sunday,” Zayne asked.
His partner looked at him and smiled. “It cannot hurt to ask, right?”
“Right,” Zayne said, suddenly thinking that having James around could be fun.
The sun was bright in his bedroom when he woke up. Pushing up onto an elbow, Zayne found Zeklos face down on the other side of his bed. A smile crossed his face at the sight. Zek’s normally neat hair was a mess of untidy waves, his skin marred with scratches and bites from the night before. He ran his fingers along the curve of Zeklos’ shoulder, happy to have him sleeping so soundly beside him.
“Zek, baby, you hungry?” Andrej muttered something in Romanian and Zayne laughed. “Okay, then, I guess you’re not ready to get up.”
He rolled out of bed and got into the shower. Giving himself a quick wash, he toweled off and got dressed. The morning after usually left him craving greasy breakfast sandwiches, but for some reason, he was craving donuts. If he moved quickly enough, he ought to be back before Zeklos woke up. Just in case, he scrawled a note so that Zek didn’t worry if he woke up alone.
“There you are,” Andrej said when Zayne let himself into the apartment half an hour later. “I was worried something happened.”
“I left a note,” Zayne said, setting the donuts down before kissing his partner.
“I saw,” Zeklos said wryly. “I was able to decipher the word donuts and your name at the end, but not much else.”
“Asshole,” Zayne laughed. “I smell coffee, thank you. I was going to buy some but figured you’d yell at me if I did.”
“You have coffee here, Zayne,” Zeklos reminded him.
“I do and I also have you to make it for me, so I didn’t need to buy any, did I?” He pulled two plates out of the cupboard and grabbed two coffee mugs out of the dish drainer. “Your coffee always tastes better than mine and I don’t know why.”
Andrej smiled at Zayne. “You will never know either.”
Zayne snorted. “I won’t have to as long as I have you so it’s a fair trade. Did you sleep okay?”
“I am always a little disoriented waking in your bed or Jay’s,” Zeklos said, gratefully accepting the coffee Zayne handed him. “However, I generally recover the moment I see who is beside me.”
Zayne winced. “And you woke up alone, I’m sorry. Probably should have waited until you woke up, but I was starving and I wanted to surprise you.”
“It is fine,” he said, taking the plate Zayne handed him. There was a chocolate frosted and an old fashioned on top of it. “Your room is nothing like mine or Jay’s, so it did not take long for me to remember.”
“Meaning mine’s a disaster and yours and his aren’t,” Zayne joked. He knew it was true, he might as well admit to it.
“Maybe,” Zeklos hedged. “But your bedroom is also comfortable and safe,” he said. He cocked his head to the side, thinking. “Yes, very much like a nest with all the blankets and pillows.”
Zayne hadn’t ever thought of it that way, but it made him feel a little better about the pile of clean clothes in the corner and his perpetually unmade bed.
“I still want to tidy it up, but when we are sleeping, it is more than okay.”
“Our little love nest,” Zayne laughed. “We can compromise and I will put my laundry away.”
“That would help,” Zeklos said, smiling. He picked up his donut and took a bite. “These are very good, better than the ones you usually buy.”
“There’s a new non-chain shop down the road,” Zayne said, lifting one of his donuts. “They have the best breakfast sandwiches, too.”
Andrej picked at his donut for a moment. “Zayne? Jay called while you were gone. He woke me up actually.”
A shiver of petty pride at Zek being asleep in his bed when Rosewood called coursed through him. Tamping down on it, he asked, “Does he want to see you?”
“Of course he wants to see me, Zayne, he’s my boyfriend. However, I told him I was with you. I thought maybe we could have dinner together at my house later, if that is okay with you.”
He’d hoped he’d have Zek to himself until Sunday, but maybe it’d be better if they all faced one another sooner. “Yeah, sure, that’s fine. Are you going to cook or should I spring for pizzas?”
“Let me call Jay and let him know when to meet us at my house. I will ask which he prefers and we can decide from there.”
“That’s fair,” Zayne said, even if he was bitter that he wasn’t going to get all night with Zek like he’d hoped.
“Finish your donuts while I call him,” Zeklos said, rising from his seat. “When I am done, maybe we can go back to bed?”
Laughter rumbled out of Zayne’s chest. “As if I’d turn that offer down. Go, make your call and get back here. I have plans for you.”
Zeklos rubbed his face against Zayne’s sweat-slicked chest. “We ought to get out of bed.”
“Why,” Zayne asked, wrapping his arms around Zek, squeezing him tight. “I’m happy right here.”
“Mmm,” Zeklos agreed. “I am, too, but we promised to meet Jay at my house at five. It is quarter to four now and I still need to get groceries.”
“I thought we were ordering food,” Zayne said, kissing his boyfriend’s forehead.
“No,” Andrej said, placing a hand on Zayne’s chest and gently pushing.
“Staaaahp,” Zayne joked, crushing Zeklos to him. Laughing, he pressed a kiss to Andrej’s mouth and let him go. “So, you’re cooking?”
“Yes, I thought it would be better that way.” He sat up and stretched, the sheet falling to his waist. Zayne let his eyes roam over Zek’s slim frame, his slender body carrying more muscle than you’d expect. Andrej looked at Zayne. “No arguing over where to get pizza or what goes on top.”
“So, Dan Dan noodles?”
Chuckling, Andrej kissed Zayne. “I was thinking more along the lines of pad see ew. It is still noodles so you will like it, but it is also not your favorite so Jay will not feel like I am favoring you.”
Zayne made a face. “Okay, I can live with that.”
“Thank you,” Andrej said, getting out of bed. “I will make you the Dan Dan noodles another time.”
“It’s okay, Zek,” he said, finding that he meant it. “I’m just grateful you’re willing to cook for me. Us.”
“You are welcome, Zayne.” He stretched again, giving Zayne two eyeballs full of naked, golden skin. “I am going to get into the shower. While you are cleaning up, I will make my grocery list and we can stop on the way to my house. Is that okay?”
“Sounds perfect,” he said. “I will start a list for you if that’s okay.”
“I am not sure I need to be reminded to buy dessert and beer,” he said, winking at Zayne. “But if you would like, please go ahead.”
“Get in the shower before I drag you back to bed,” Zayne threatened.
They arrived at Zeklos’ house at ten till five, leaving just enough time to get the groceries put away and dinner prepped. Zek was mixing the sauce for their dinner when James arrived fifteen minutes later.
“Hey,” James said, coming into the kitchen and giving Andrej a kiss, “I thought we were getting pizza?”
“I thought a home cooked meal might be better considering why we’re all here tonight.” Zek looked at James. “I hope that is okay?”
“It’s great,” James said, leaning against the counter. “Food is food and as long as my belly’s full, I’m happy.”
“You sound like Zayne,” Andrej said, smiling.
“I heard my name,” Zayne said, coming into the kitchen. “You’d better not be taking it in vain, boy.”
“He’s accusing me of being like you,” James said with a smirk. “Because tonight I don’t care what I eat as long as I get fed.”
“Yanno, that’s one of my better personality traits,” Zayne said, without a trace of humor.
“Can’t disagree with that,” James agreed. “Although it looks like you had some say in what Andy’s making.”
“Nope,” Zayne said, leaning against the counter next to James. “All his idea. Promise.”
“I can believe that,” James said. “He’d want to make both of us happy.”
“Speaking of making everyone happy,” Andrej said, with a look over his shoulder. “Maybe you and Zayne can take a beer and go sit in the living room and be nice to one another while I finish dinner?”
“Eeew,” Zayne teased. “I don’t wanna be nice to him.”
“Feeling’s mutual, cowboy,” James teased back. “But I’ll happily take a beer.”
Zeklos shook his head. “Whatever you choose, please get out of my kitchen so I can work in peace.”
“Yes, sir,” Zayne said, giving a mock salute before grabbing four bottles of beer out of the fridge.
“Do we need four, Reyes,” James asked, curious.
“Well, we’ll finish these pretty quick,” Zayne explained, holding up one hand holding two bottles. “And since he’s being all cranky-pants about us being in his kitchen, I figured we’d be smart to bring the second round with us so we don’t disturb him.”
“Prietenii mei sunt bețivi,” Zeklos muttered.
“I’m not sure what he just said,” James said, grinning, “but I think it’s our cue to get out of here.”
“Right behind you, gingerbread,” Zayne said, shooing James out of the kitchen with a beer bottle.
“I think I know what he’s trying to do,” James said as they settled onto the couch.
“Yeah, me too, Rosewood,” Zayne agreed. “And I can’t blame him, either. I don’t want you fighting with him because of me.”
James gave him a look. “It wasn’t because of you. It was because he does too much way too often. He’s going to work himself into an early grave.”
“But you made it very clear that you think he has to work that hard because I don’t work hard enough.” He took a sip of his beer. “Or at all.”
“Shit,” James muttered. “I didn’t mean it like that. Don’t take this the wrong way because I know you’re a good detective. Everyone who knows you says as much.”
“But?” Zayne set his bottle down and gave James his full attention.
“But,” James said, looking Zayne squarely in the face. “I don’t think you put in nearly as much effort as you could. Andy definitely carries your partnership.”
“Well,” Zayne said, looking away from James’ piercing blue eyes. “That’s what you think?”
“It’s what I know, Reyes,” he insisted. “From what I’ve seen and heard, it’s true. God only knows you never take work home with you or stay late to help Andy out.”
“Great, thanks for that, Rosewood,” Zayne said, rising to his feet. “You think I’m a slacker detective, Zek thinks I’m a shitty boyfriend. Why am I even here? Maybe I ought to quit my job and this relationship.”
“That’s not what I said, Zayne,” James growled. “And you know it.”
“You’re right, you didn’t tell me to quit my job, but you pretty much insinuated that I was worthless.” He knocked back the rest of his beer. “Forget it.”
“What’s going on,” Andrej asked, standing with his favorite bamboo spatula in his hand, holding it like a weapon. “Can you not go five minutes without arguing?”
“No, we can’t,” Zayne said. “Mainly because I’m such a disappointment to both of you. So, I’ll solve the problem and go home now.” He did the unthinkable and set his empty beer bottle on the end table without a coaster and headed for the door.
“Zayne,” Zeklos said. “Wait.”
“I can’t,” Zayne said. “Please don’t ask me to stay.”
“Don’t,” Andrej said, voice breaking. “All I wanted was to try and fix things.”
“I know,” Zayne said, softening. “Maybe removing myself will fix things for you. I’ve tried, man, I really have. I’m cleaning my apartment, showing up for work on time, being nice to Rosewood even when he’s on my last nerve, but none of it seems to be enough. He still thinks I’m lazy and you think I’m not holding up my end of the boyfriend bargain. I don’t know what else to do.”
“So, you’re giving up.”
He looked at James, surprised he’d said anything. “I guess you could look at it that way but what choice do I have? Zek and I spent all of last week here until midnight every night, going through all the usual paperwork, trying to find a link between the victims we were dealing with and you still said I was half-assing it. I don’t know if I can ever do enough to make you think I’m pulling my weight.”
James opened his mouth and then closed it quickly.
“I’ll see you on Monday, I guess,” he said to Zeklos. “I’m sorry I keep ruining, well, everything.”
Zayne tried hard not to slam the door as he left Zek’s house, but it still wound up closing harder than he wanted it to, because he was mad. No, scratch that – he was pissed. Pissed and frustrated and, shit, heartbroken. How had he found everything he could have ever wanted only to be forced to give it up? The easy answer was that he should fight for it and not let anything stand in his way. But he also wondered what the point was because the more he fought, the harder it’d be on Zeklos in the end. Fuck the narco, he could go to hell as far as Zayne was concerned, but Zek? He couldn’t hurt Zek and the longer he dragged this out, the more Andrej would wind up suffering.
God, his life sucked right now.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2020-07-24 11:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 02:05 pm (UTC)Thanks - and always. I won't leave anything on a bad note, I'm too much of a romantic not to give them at least an HFN. Sharpiesgal keeps telling me Andrej needs a spa day and bitch session with Trish and Hilary. So, he might just disappear on those two. Oh, and being based in Las Vegas, they could easily escape to one of the hotels for a few days and *forget* to tell anyone.
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 01:03 am (UTC)Things will get back on track once enough tequila is consumed.
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 02:00 pm (UTC)Yeah, they're already sort of better. Y'all just don't know it yet. :)