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asphaltcowgrrlTitle: In a Week or Two Chapter 8
Fandom: Romani Detective Original Fiction
Pairing: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 3,150
Summary: Andrej calls Zayne to come save him from himself. Things get messy.
Author’s Note: James Rosewood is currently in protective custody so put those pitchforks down. Thank you.
“What changed your mind,” Zayne asked, setting out containers of Thai food onto the counter. He’d uncharacteristically offered to stop and pickup dinner on his way over. It’d given him a chance to get a grip on himself before coming face to face with his partner, something he desperately needed to do after the conversation he’d had with Hilary and Trish earlier. Never mind the fact he didn’t care for the way Zeklos had sounded on the phone either.
“Jay,” Andrej said, sounding defeated. He pulled a couple wide bowls out of the cupboard and set them beside the food. “He came to see me this afternoon.”
“That bastard,” Zayne growled. He grabbed a bowl and set it down a little too hard, causing it to clink against the counter. “Sorry, Zek. He just pisses me off.”
“Me, too.” He spooned some pad see ew into his bowl. “He told me Carter and his business were involved in shady things.”
“He’s lying, right,” Zayne asked. He reached for the shrimp curry, something Zeklos had gotten him hooked on. “You didn’t say anything, but I know you checked into him. Shit, I think Hilary checked into me before she agreed to go out with me.”
That got a small chuckle out of Zeklos at least.
“I did,” he finally said, handing Zayne a fork. “I even called my friend in the FBI and had him look as well since he has resources that we do not.”
“And he didn’t find anything?”
Zeklos shook his head. “Nothing. I am not sure if Jay has information from a contact or if he is making things up to upset me, but either way, I am not happy.”
“Can’t blame you,” Zayne said. “Come on, let’s go sit.”
“I did not tell you,” Andrej said a few minutes later, “but Jake Hansen also came to see me today.” He took a bite of his dinner and chewed slowly. “He came by after you and the girls left, but before James came over.”
“What did Hansen want?” Zayne forked a piece of shrimp and stuck it into his mouth.
“To warn me,” he said. “Or, rather, make me aware of James’ odd behavior lately. He insinuated that Jay was stalking Carter.”
Zayne sat back in his chair and stared at his partner. “You’re joking, right? I mean, I have my issues with the narco, but I never thought he’d get to this point.”
“Neither did I,” Zeklos admitted. “But I am officially worried.”
Zayne sipped on his beer, watching Zeklos eat. “Tell me what happened between you,” he finally said. “What did he want that you couldn’t give him?”
Zeklos’ shoulders slumped. “I do not want to talk about this, Zayne.”
“I know, baby,” Zayne said, cringing at the endearment. He was really going to have to watch that shit, especially now. “But I have this feeling that it has something to do with the way he’s been acting since you started getting involved with Mr. Hottie Architect.”
Andrej set his food aside. “I do not want you to hate him, Zayne, no matter what. He was unhappy and I was not going to make him stay if it was going to make him miserable.”
“You know what,” Zayne said. “If he hurt you for the right reasons, I won’t hate him. But if he fucking hurt you just to hurt you? I’m going to beat his ass. And then I’m going to tell Trish and let her have at him.”
“You are not making me want to tell you anything,” Zeklos muttered darkly.
“I’m just trying to tell you that we care about you.” He looked away, swallowing down his anxiety. “That we love you.”
“I know, Zayne,” Zeklos said, voice flat. He fiddled with the case on his phone for a second before looking up. “He said we were drifting apart. That I was more involved with you, with the girls, with the job, than I was with him. That I wanted to be with any of you more than I wanted to be with him.”
“You weren’t any more involved with the job than he was,” Zayne said. “But we all fall into that trap in this damn profession. The rest just makes him a jealous ass.”
“I said the same, but he did not agree.” Zek rubbed the back of his neck with one hand, avoiding Zayne’s gaze. “He thought my feelings for you were stronger than the ones I had for him, right up until the end. It never mattered to him that you were never going to be interested in me like that. Or that I was committed to being with him.”
Zayne stared at his feet, getting his emotions under control. Not just because he’d finally figured his real feelings out, but also because he knew where this was headed. “He broke up with you because of me.” His voice sounded wispy and weak.
“No,” Zeklos said, strongly, almost angrily. “He broke up with me because I refused to keep you, Hilary, and Trish at arm’s length. I refused to stop being your friend to spare his feelings.”
He rose to his feet and stormed out of the living room. When he returned, he looked a little less rattled. Zeklos was also carrying the remnants of the bottle of tequila from their previous drunken adventure and Zayne wasn’t sure if he should laugh or cry at the sight of it. “Zek, honey, are you okay?”
“No, I am not,” he said, the threat of tears pressing against his words. He set the tequila and two shot glasses on the coffee table. “I have kept this to myself for too long. I did not want you or the girls or anyone to feel responsible, so I did not say a word. But he wanted me to choose him over all of you, to give up the only friends that I have. I could not. I would not.”
Something broke inside of him when Zeklos’ voice cracked. Zayne got up from where he sat in the recliner and joined Zek on the couch. He wrapped his arms around his partner and held him tight. “He shouldn’t have ever asked you to do that. How could you, any of us, make that choice?”
“He walked away from his entire family, Zayne,” Andrej said. “They did not understand him, wanted to change the very thing that made him who he is, so he left. Washed his hands to everything he’d ever known. I cannot blame him, he did what was right, but…”
“But he thought you should do the same with us,” Zayne finished. “Just walk away.”
“Not completely,” Andrej said. “But he did not believe we should be spending as much time together outside of work as we do.” He glanced at Zayne. “That includes Hilary and Trish as well. I do not have any other friends, Zayne. I do not know what he expected, but I have already given up everything that mattered to me once. I could not do it again.”
“This is what he wanted that you couldn’t give him then,” Zayne asked.
“Yeah,” he breathed.
Zek was right, he wanted to go beat the crap out of the idiot for even suggesting it. On one hand, he couldn’t blame the narco for wanting him out of their relationship. Zeklos had more than admitted to having feelings for him, and any sane man would consider that a threat. But what the fuck had Hil or Rollins done?
“Asshole.”
“No,” Andrej said. “He had every right to be wary of my feelings for you. Even now, they are stronger than I’d like them to be. If I had been better able to let you go, if I had been more of what he needed, then he would have stayed. This is not your fault, Zayne, it is mine. My failings, my fault.”
“That’s bullshit,” Zayne said, getting angry all over again. “I’d never, and I mean never, intentionally try and lure you away from someone you were happy with. And honestly, as flattering as it is knowing you’re that damn attracted to me, I’d never let you cross that line either. What is his actual problem?”
“I do not know,” Andrej said, sagging against the back of the couch. “But when I told him I could not go without seeing you all outside of work, he told me that he thought I was better than that.”
“Better than what?” Zayne picked up the bottle of tequila and poured them both a shot. “Because as far as I can tell, you’re better than all of us.”
“Better than the kind of person who puts his friends over his boyfriend, I guess,” Andrej said. He took the shot glass Zayne handed him and toasted the room before knocking it back. “It does not matter any longer because I was not able to live up to the standards he expected and therefore he left.”
Zayne made quick work of his shot and poured them another round. “I think he’s full of it,” he said, handing over the refill. They tapped their shot glasses together and drank. “You want to know what his real problem is, Zek?”
“I would love to hear your theory,” Andrej said.
Zeklos’ eyes had always been unbelievably blue, but now, with his dark lashes wet from tears, they seemed to be darker, more inviting. Why the hell was he noticing this now, at the worst possible moment?
“He got scared,” Zayne said, shaking off the draw of those eyes. “Things between you were good, right?” Zeklos nodded and he continued. “You were happy, in love, and I know you, you were hoping he’d move in soon.”
Andrej shook his head. “I knew that was not an option, but I had offered him room in my dresser, a place to put some spare clothes.” He rubbed his eyes and held out his shot glass for a refill. “If nothing else, I asked him if he’d start staying over more because our time together was so limited.”
Zayne nodded and poured the tequila. “Yeah, shit got real, he caught serious feelings, and he got scared.” He brought the alcohol to his lips and paused. “That’s the real reason why he dumped you, baby. More than anything else, he realized how much you meant to him and he was terrified of fucking it all up.” He drank and Andrej followed suit.
“How do you know for sure,” Zeklos asked.
“Because I did it over and over again with Hilary,” he said with a shrug. “She knew it, too. Which is why she’s with Hansen now. At least I know he’ll take care of her.”
“He is a good man,” Andrej said, his words starting to slur a bit. “But so are you, Zayne. You are handsome and kind and loyal. Any woman would be lucky to have you by her side.”
“You’re pretty fucking amazing yourself,” Zayne said. He tugged Zeklos towards him, enveloping his partner in another giant hug. This time, he buried his face in the space between Zek’s ear and shoulder, inhaling the scent of vanilla bodywash and tequila. “And I damn well love you.”
Andrej leaned into the embrace for several heartbeats. With a chuckle, he patted Zayne on the back and pulled away. “I love you, too, Zayne. You are a good friend to me.”
“That’s – that’s not what I meant,” Zayne said. He cupped the side of Zeklos’ face in one hand, staring into the blue eyes he knew so well.
Zek blinked, then smiled drunkenly. His lifted his hand and wrapped his fingers around Zayne’s wrist. “You are the most handsome man I have ever known.”
“You need to get out more,” Zayne said with a grin. His thumb traced a path along the curve of Zeklos’ cheek. “There are so many better-looking men than me out there.”
“But none of them are you, Zayne,” he said. “You are special to me.”
Zayne closed his eyes, inhaling the scent of vanilla and raspberries tinged with tequila rising off Zeklos’ skin. He was losing his grip, wanting things he knew he shouldn’t. Because really, the most fucked up thing he could do would be to lean forward two inches, close that immense canyon between them, and press his lips against Zeklos’.
He swallowed, took a deep breath. Breached the gap to find Zeklos’ mouth waiting for him.
His hand drifted from Zeklos’ face, found the back of his neck, and drew him closer. A muffled whimper escaped Zek and Zayne pulled him even closer. Andrej’s lips parted in invitation and, after the briefest of hesitations, Zayne took the offer.
It was wrong to be kissing his partner like this. They were drunk and Zeklos was emotionally vulnerable. That made Zayne an opportunistic prick at best. But he couldn’t stop himself either. He hadn’t known how long he’d wanted this, needed it, until their lips met. It felt so right, righter than anything had before that moment. Maybe he’d feel differently in the morning, hell, he might not even remember that this happened in the bright light of day, but for now, he was exactly where he needed to be.
Zeklos drew back, focused wide, blue eyes on Zayne. “Stay with me tonight, Zayne? Please?”
“Of course,” he said, brushing a wayward curl out of Zeklos’ eyes. “I’m here for you, baby. I’m always here for you.”
Rising to his feet, Zeklos held out his hand. “Come on. Let’s go to bed before we wind up on the floor.”
Zayne took his hand and allowed himself to be led away. “I’ve slept in worse places,” he joked. “A couple you even shared with me.”
“Like the apartment we shared on that three-day stakeout,” Zeklos asked.
Zayne cringed at the thought of that dirty, rundown little box of a dwelling. “God, that place was gross. I had the urge to drag us both into the shower and scrub until we were glowing the second we left it.”
A riotous bout of laughter burst out of Zeklos, infecting Zayne immediately. Zek’s uncharacteristic show of joy was impossible to resist. Clinging to one another, they fell onto the bed, still laughing.
“I am so lucky to have you,” Zeklos said when their laughter died down. They clung to one another as if they were afraid to let go.
“Nah, I’m lucky to have you,” Zayne replied. “You have no idea how much you do for me.”
“You would do the same for me,” Zeklos said. “Because we’re partners and we’re friends.”
“Right,” Zayne said. “Because we’re friends.” And then he passed out.
Zayne opened his eyes and regretted it immediately. Bright sunlight streamed in through the curtains, blinding him. “Fuck,” he muttered.
Squinting against the angry morning, he found his way to the bathroom. He washed his hands once he was done and splashed some water on his face. Blearily, he stared at the haggard face looking back at him and sighed. What the hell happened?
“Ah, so you are alive,” Zeklos said lightly, poking his head into the bedroom. “I have Tylenol and coffee in the kitchen. Now that you are awake, I can go get us some breakfast. Do you not always say that grease and carbs are the best hangover cure?”
“If you’re hungover, I’ll eat my damn hat. Once I dig it out of the closet anyway. Haven’t seen the fucking thing in a year.” He glanced at Zeklos and caught his partner smiling at him. “What’s so funny? There’s no damn way you’re as bad off as I am.”
“I have been up for an hour,” Zeklos said, handing Zayne clean clothes. “I have had time to wake up and…” He waved his hand vaguely in the air.
“Caffeinate,” Zayne offered, finally smiling. “You are such an asshole sometimes.”
Zeklos laughed. “Shower and get dressed. I will go get us some food.”
“Thank you,” Zayne said. “I don’t deserve you.”
“You came when I needed you,” Zek said with a shrug. “You did not even ask any questions other than ‘are you hungry’. That is not something most people would do for me. I think even Hilary would be asking a million questions as she was heading to her car.”
“I knew something was wrong as soon as you called,” he said, setting the clothes on the counter. “I had to come help. What kind of shitty partner would I be if I didn’t?”
“You are an amazing partner,” Zeklos said. “Now, shower so I can retrieve us food.”
“And then?” Zayne pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it into the laundry basket. He was ashamed of how much of his laundry Zek did for him, but this was an unusual situation, even for them.
“And then,” Zeklos said, taking a deep breath and letting it go slowly. “Then, we figure out what to do about James because I am at my wit’s end.”
“I’m going to guess that strangling the son of a bitch is out of the question,” Zayne deadpanned. “So, maybe we ought to involve our more rational, reasonable halves in this discussion.” He quirked an eyebrow up, waiting.
“I am not sure who Hilary will be bringing with her, but sure,” he said, laughing. He shot a look at Zayne. “But do not tell Trish I said that.”
Zayne grinned. “She’d agree, but I promise, not a word.” His stomach rumbled and Zayne grimaced. “Okay, shower time. I’m starving.”
“I will be right back,” Zeklos said. “Do not go through my cupboards looking for snacks while I am gone.”
“But you have all the best snacks, baby,” he teased. “Okay, for real now, go.”
“I am on my way, Zayne,” Zeklos said. “I will not be long.”
He waited until he heard the sound of the garage door closing before he started the shower. Damn, but he was hung the hell over. One of these days, he’d learn that he was not capable of pacing Zeklos when it came to drinking. The boy might look sweet and innocent, but he could hold his liquor like no one’s business. Ducking under the warm spray, Zayne sighed and let the water run over him.
Zayne grabbed Zeklos’ body wash and squirted some into his hand. The scent wafted up in the steam and grabbed him by the throat. A flash of memory assaulted him, knocking the breath from his body. They were so close, his lips waiting and eager.
“Fuck,” he shouted, smacking his fist against the wall of the shower. There was no way. None. He couldn’t have. He knew he wanted to, fuck, how could he not? But shit, if he did kiss Zeklos last night – and if Zeklos remembered? Yeah, he was in a metric ton of trouble.
Fandom: Romani Detective Original Fiction
Pairing: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 3,150
Summary: Andrej calls Zayne to come save him from himself. Things get messy.
Author’s Note: James Rosewood is currently in protective custody so put those pitchforks down. Thank you.
“What changed your mind,” Zayne asked, setting out containers of Thai food onto the counter. He’d uncharacteristically offered to stop and pickup dinner on his way over. It’d given him a chance to get a grip on himself before coming face to face with his partner, something he desperately needed to do after the conversation he’d had with Hilary and Trish earlier. Never mind the fact he didn’t care for the way Zeklos had sounded on the phone either.
“Jay,” Andrej said, sounding defeated. He pulled a couple wide bowls out of the cupboard and set them beside the food. “He came to see me this afternoon.”
“That bastard,” Zayne growled. He grabbed a bowl and set it down a little too hard, causing it to clink against the counter. “Sorry, Zek. He just pisses me off.”
“Me, too.” He spooned some pad see ew into his bowl. “He told me Carter and his business were involved in shady things.”
“He’s lying, right,” Zayne asked. He reached for the shrimp curry, something Zeklos had gotten him hooked on. “You didn’t say anything, but I know you checked into him. Shit, I think Hilary checked into me before she agreed to go out with me.”
That got a small chuckle out of Zeklos at least.
“I did,” he finally said, handing Zayne a fork. “I even called my friend in the FBI and had him look as well since he has resources that we do not.”
“And he didn’t find anything?”
Zeklos shook his head. “Nothing. I am not sure if Jay has information from a contact or if he is making things up to upset me, but either way, I am not happy.”
“Can’t blame you,” Zayne said. “Come on, let’s go sit.”
“I did not tell you,” Andrej said a few minutes later, “but Jake Hansen also came to see me today.” He took a bite of his dinner and chewed slowly. “He came by after you and the girls left, but before James came over.”
“What did Hansen want?” Zayne forked a piece of shrimp and stuck it into his mouth.
“To warn me,” he said. “Or, rather, make me aware of James’ odd behavior lately. He insinuated that Jay was stalking Carter.”
Zayne sat back in his chair and stared at his partner. “You’re joking, right? I mean, I have my issues with the narco, but I never thought he’d get to this point.”
“Neither did I,” Zeklos admitted. “But I am officially worried.”
Zayne sipped on his beer, watching Zeklos eat. “Tell me what happened between you,” he finally said. “What did he want that you couldn’t give him?”
Zeklos’ shoulders slumped. “I do not want to talk about this, Zayne.”
“I know, baby,” Zayne said, cringing at the endearment. He was really going to have to watch that shit, especially now. “But I have this feeling that it has something to do with the way he’s been acting since you started getting involved with Mr. Hottie Architect.”
Andrej set his food aside. “I do not want you to hate him, Zayne, no matter what. He was unhappy and I was not going to make him stay if it was going to make him miserable.”
“You know what,” Zayne said. “If he hurt you for the right reasons, I won’t hate him. But if he fucking hurt you just to hurt you? I’m going to beat his ass. And then I’m going to tell Trish and let her have at him.”
“You are not making me want to tell you anything,” Zeklos muttered darkly.
“I’m just trying to tell you that we care about you.” He looked away, swallowing down his anxiety. “That we love you.”
“I know, Zayne,” Zeklos said, voice flat. He fiddled with the case on his phone for a second before looking up. “He said we were drifting apart. That I was more involved with you, with the girls, with the job, than I was with him. That I wanted to be with any of you more than I wanted to be with him.”
“You weren’t any more involved with the job than he was,” Zayne said. “But we all fall into that trap in this damn profession. The rest just makes him a jealous ass.”
“I said the same, but he did not agree.” Zek rubbed the back of his neck with one hand, avoiding Zayne’s gaze. “He thought my feelings for you were stronger than the ones I had for him, right up until the end. It never mattered to him that you were never going to be interested in me like that. Or that I was committed to being with him.”
Zayne stared at his feet, getting his emotions under control. Not just because he’d finally figured his real feelings out, but also because he knew where this was headed. “He broke up with you because of me.” His voice sounded wispy and weak.
“No,” Zeklos said, strongly, almost angrily. “He broke up with me because I refused to keep you, Hilary, and Trish at arm’s length. I refused to stop being your friend to spare his feelings.”
He rose to his feet and stormed out of the living room. When he returned, he looked a little less rattled. Zeklos was also carrying the remnants of the bottle of tequila from their previous drunken adventure and Zayne wasn’t sure if he should laugh or cry at the sight of it. “Zek, honey, are you okay?”
“No, I am not,” he said, the threat of tears pressing against his words. He set the tequila and two shot glasses on the coffee table. “I have kept this to myself for too long. I did not want you or the girls or anyone to feel responsible, so I did not say a word. But he wanted me to choose him over all of you, to give up the only friends that I have. I could not. I would not.”
Something broke inside of him when Zeklos’ voice cracked. Zayne got up from where he sat in the recliner and joined Zek on the couch. He wrapped his arms around his partner and held him tight. “He shouldn’t have ever asked you to do that. How could you, any of us, make that choice?”
“He walked away from his entire family, Zayne,” Andrej said. “They did not understand him, wanted to change the very thing that made him who he is, so he left. Washed his hands to everything he’d ever known. I cannot blame him, he did what was right, but…”
“But he thought you should do the same with us,” Zayne finished. “Just walk away.”
“Not completely,” Andrej said. “But he did not believe we should be spending as much time together outside of work as we do.” He glanced at Zayne. “That includes Hilary and Trish as well. I do not have any other friends, Zayne. I do not know what he expected, but I have already given up everything that mattered to me once. I could not do it again.”
“This is what he wanted that you couldn’t give him then,” Zayne asked.
“Yeah,” he breathed.
Zek was right, he wanted to go beat the crap out of the idiot for even suggesting it. On one hand, he couldn’t blame the narco for wanting him out of their relationship. Zeklos had more than admitted to having feelings for him, and any sane man would consider that a threat. But what the fuck had Hil or Rollins done?
“Asshole.”
“No,” Andrej said. “He had every right to be wary of my feelings for you. Even now, they are stronger than I’d like them to be. If I had been better able to let you go, if I had been more of what he needed, then he would have stayed. This is not your fault, Zayne, it is mine. My failings, my fault.”
“That’s bullshit,” Zayne said, getting angry all over again. “I’d never, and I mean never, intentionally try and lure you away from someone you were happy with. And honestly, as flattering as it is knowing you’re that damn attracted to me, I’d never let you cross that line either. What is his actual problem?”
“I do not know,” Andrej said, sagging against the back of the couch. “But when I told him I could not go without seeing you all outside of work, he told me that he thought I was better than that.”
“Better than what?” Zayne picked up the bottle of tequila and poured them both a shot. “Because as far as I can tell, you’re better than all of us.”
“Better than the kind of person who puts his friends over his boyfriend, I guess,” Andrej said. He took the shot glass Zayne handed him and toasted the room before knocking it back. “It does not matter any longer because I was not able to live up to the standards he expected and therefore he left.”
Zayne made quick work of his shot and poured them another round. “I think he’s full of it,” he said, handing over the refill. They tapped their shot glasses together and drank. “You want to know what his real problem is, Zek?”
“I would love to hear your theory,” Andrej said.
Zeklos’ eyes had always been unbelievably blue, but now, with his dark lashes wet from tears, they seemed to be darker, more inviting. Why the hell was he noticing this now, at the worst possible moment?
“He got scared,” Zayne said, shaking off the draw of those eyes. “Things between you were good, right?” Zeklos nodded and he continued. “You were happy, in love, and I know you, you were hoping he’d move in soon.”
Andrej shook his head. “I knew that was not an option, but I had offered him room in my dresser, a place to put some spare clothes.” He rubbed his eyes and held out his shot glass for a refill. “If nothing else, I asked him if he’d start staying over more because our time together was so limited.”
Zayne nodded and poured the tequila. “Yeah, shit got real, he caught serious feelings, and he got scared.” He brought the alcohol to his lips and paused. “That’s the real reason why he dumped you, baby. More than anything else, he realized how much you meant to him and he was terrified of fucking it all up.” He drank and Andrej followed suit.
“How do you know for sure,” Zeklos asked.
“Because I did it over and over again with Hilary,” he said with a shrug. “She knew it, too. Which is why she’s with Hansen now. At least I know he’ll take care of her.”
“He is a good man,” Andrej said, his words starting to slur a bit. “But so are you, Zayne. You are handsome and kind and loyal. Any woman would be lucky to have you by her side.”
“You’re pretty fucking amazing yourself,” Zayne said. He tugged Zeklos towards him, enveloping his partner in another giant hug. This time, he buried his face in the space between Zek’s ear and shoulder, inhaling the scent of vanilla bodywash and tequila. “And I damn well love you.”
Andrej leaned into the embrace for several heartbeats. With a chuckle, he patted Zayne on the back and pulled away. “I love you, too, Zayne. You are a good friend to me.”
“That’s – that’s not what I meant,” Zayne said. He cupped the side of Zeklos’ face in one hand, staring into the blue eyes he knew so well.
Zek blinked, then smiled drunkenly. His lifted his hand and wrapped his fingers around Zayne’s wrist. “You are the most handsome man I have ever known.”
“You need to get out more,” Zayne said with a grin. His thumb traced a path along the curve of Zeklos’ cheek. “There are so many better-looking men than me out there.”
“But none of them are you, Zayne,” he said. “You are special to me.”
Zayne closed his eyes, inhaling the scent of vanilla and raspberries tinged with tequila rising off Zeklos’ skin. He was losing his grip, wanting things he knew he shouldn’t. Because really, the most fucked up thing he could do would be to lean forward two inches, close that immense canyon between them, and press his lips against Zeklos’.
He swallowed, took a deep breath. Breached the gap to find Zeklos’ mouth waiting for him.
His hand drifted from Zeklos’ face, found the back of his neck, and drew him closer. A muffled whimper escaped Zek and Zayne pulled him even closer. Andrej’s lips parted in invitation and, after the briefest of hesitations, Zayne took the offer.
It was wrong to be kissing his partner like this. They were drunk and Zeklos was emotionally vulnerable. That made Zayne an opportunistic prick at best. But he couldn’t stop himself either. He hadn’t known how long he’d wanted this, needed it, until their lips met. It felt so right, righter than anything had before that moment. Maybe he’d feel differently in the morning, hell, he might not even remember that this happened in the bright light of day, but for now, he was exactly where he needed to be.
Zeklos drew back, focused wide, blue eyes on Zayne. “Stay with me tonight, Zayne? Please?”
“Of course,” he said, brushing a wayward curl out of Zeklos’ eyes. “I’m here for you, baby. I’m always here for you.”
Rising to his feet, Zeklos held out his hand. “Come on. Let’s go to bed before we wind up on the floor.”
Zayne took his hand and allowed himself to be led away. “I’ve slept in worse places,” he joked. “A couple you even shared with me.”
“Like the apartment we shared on that three-day stakeout,” Zeklos asked.
Zayne cringed at the thought of that dirty, rundown little box of a dwelling. “God, that place was gross. I had the urge to drag us both into the shower and scrub until we were glowing the second we left it.”
A riotous bout of laughter burst out of Zeklos, infecting Zayne immediately. Zek’s uncharacteristic show of joy was impossible to resist. Clinging to one another, they fell onto the bed, still laughing.
“I am so lucky to have you,” Zeklos said when their laughter died down. They clung to one another as if they were afraid to let go.
“Nah, I’m lucky to have you,” Zayne replied. “You have no idea how much you do for me.”
“You would do the same for me,” Zeklos said. “Because we’re partners and we’re friends.”
“Right,” Zayne said. “Because we’re friends.” And then he passed out.
Zayne opened his eyes and regretted it immediately. Bright sunlight streamed in through the curtains, blinding him. “Fuck,” he muttered.
Squinting against the angry morning, he found his way to the bathroom. He washed his hands once he was done and splashed some water on his face. Blearily, he stared at the haggard face looking back at him and sighed. What the hell happened?
“Ah, so you are alive,” Zeklos said lightly, poking his head into the bedroom. “I have Tylenol and coffee in the kitchen. Now that you are awake, I can go get us some breakfast. Do you not always say that grease and carbs are the best hangover cure?”
“If you’re hungover, I’ll eat my damn hat. Once I dig it out of the closet anyway. Haven’t seen the fucking thing in a year.” He glanced at Zeklos and caught his partner smiling at him. “What’s so funny? There’s no damn way you’re as bad off as I am.”
“I have been up for an hour,” Zeklos said, handing Zayne clean clothes. “I have had time to wake up and…” He waved his hand vaguely in the air.
“Caffeinate,” Zayne offered, finally smiling. “You are such an asshole sometimes.”
Zeklos laughed. “Shower and get dressed. I will go get us some food.”
“Thank you,” Zayne said. “I don’t deserve you.”
“You came when I needed you,” Zek said with a shrug. “You did not even ask any questions other than ‘are you hungry’. That is not something most people would do for me. I think even Hilary would be asking a million questions as she was heading to her car.”
“I knew something was wrong as soon as you called,” he said, setting the clothes on the counter. “I had to come help. What kind of shitty partner would I be if I didn’t?”
“You are an amazing partner,” Zeklos said. “Now, shower so I can retrieve us food.”
“And then?” Zayne pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it into the laundry basket. He was ashamed of how much of his laundry Zek did for him, but this was an unusual situation, even for them.
“And then,” Zeklos said, taking a deep breath and letting it go slowly. “Then, we figure out what to do about James because I am at my wit’s end.”
“I’m going to guess that strangling the son of a bitch is out of the question,” Zayne deadpanned. “So, maybe we ought to involve our more rational, reasonable halves in this discussion.” He quirked an eyebrow up, waiting.
“I am not sure who Hilary will be bringing with her, but sure,” he said, laughing. He shot a look at Zayne. “But do not tell Trish I said that.”
Zayne grinned. “She’d agree, but I promise, not a word.” His stomach rumbled and Zayne grimaced. “Okay, shower time. I’m starving.”
“I will be right back,” Zeklos said. “Do not go through my cupboards looking for snacks while I am gone.”
“But you have all the best snacks, baby,” he teased. “Okay, for real now, go.”
“I am on my way, Zayne,” Zeklos said. “I will not be long.”
He waited until he heard the sound of the garage door closing before he started the shower. Damn, but he was hung the hell over. One of these days, he’d learn that he was not capable of pacing Zeklos when it came to drinking. The boy might look sweet and innocent, but he could hold his liquor like no one’s business. Ducking under the warm spray, Zayne sighed and let the water run over him.
Zayne grabbed Zeklos’ body wash and squirted some into his hand. The scent wafted up in the steam and grabbed him by the throat. A flash of memory assaulted him, knocking the breath from his body. They were so close, his lips waiting and eager.
“Fuck,” he shouted, smacking his fist against the wall of the shower. There was no way. None. He couldn’t have. He knew he wanted to, fuck, how could he not? But shit, if he did kiss Zeklos last night – and if Zeklos remembered? Yeah, he was in a metric ton of trouble.
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no subject
Date: 2020-10-07 10:49 pm (UTC)I don't say this often, but poor cowboy. He's up the creek without a paddle.
Chapter 9 soonish?
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Date: 2020-10-07 10:54 pm (UTC)I know, he's got all these feels and doesn't know what to do with them.
It's done. If you poke me, I'll post it tomorrow. I just need to wrap this darn thing up. :)
no subject
Date: 2020-10-08 01:10 am (UTC)Yeah, he really doesn't do feelings well.
*sharpens poking stick*
no subject
Date: 2020-10-08 12:16 pm (UTC)Nope, but he's getting better. Sort of.
OUCH. *rubs butt* Keep that thing away from the cowboy, would you? He's dangerous.