Page 71 of The Chemist

Who would have guessed that Diesel was into stained glass? While driving through a small town, they came across a little farmhouse where the owner made stained glass pictures and other small trinkets. Of course they had to stop inside.

Lost in the sea of artwork, Diesel kept eyeing a particular stained glass picture of an old church sitting in front of one of the most beautiful sunsets Zero had ever seen. There was something about the colors—purples, oranges, reds, and greens. They were all mixed together as if supporting one another to create one of the most spectacular views imaginable.

When it was clear that Diesel had no intention of buying the picture for himself, Zero waited until he went to use the bathroom before discreetly purchasing the item and shoving it into the trunk of their rental. He would give it to Diesel once they got back home.

“Hold up a sec?” Zero asked, just as Diesel was about to walk up the pathway when they got back home. There were no driveways, so everyone had to use street parking.

Zero reached into the trunk, pulled out the tissue-wrapped picture, and handed it to the confused young man.

“What’s this?” Diesel asked, taking the item and flipping it around in his hand.

“I saw you staring at it in the shop and couldn’t figure out why you wouldn’t buy it. So I did.”

Pulling the paper away, piece by piece, Diesel unwrapped the item and gasped when he realized what it was.

“But… why?”

The question was innocent enough, but it still caught him off guard.

“Because… I wanted to.” That was the truth. He saw something that appeared to make Diesel happy, and he wanted to always see that look on the growly young man’s face.

People didn’t realize how good-looking Diesel was when he wasn’t scowling or busy insulting your ass.

“Zero… I—” He paused, staring down at the gift, seeming lost for words. “Thank you. This was really nice of you.”

Now it was Zero’s turn to be stunned when Diesel wrapped his arms around him and gave him a hug.

What. Was. Happening?

“Tell anyone that I’m hugging you, and I’ll stab you in the neck,” Diesel whispered into his ear.

Ahh, that was more like it. Diesel wasn’t himself if he wasn’t making smart-ass comments or threatening to stab your ass.

Zero hugged him back with one arm.

“You boys done boning? I want to hear about your trip,” Jared shouted from the living room window.

Always the gentleman.

Groaning, Diesel pulled away and headed inside.

When they entered the house, Chase was huddled over his laptop at the kitchen table while Jared was flipping through the TV.

“Want a pop?” Jared asked, holding up a can of soda.

They both shook their heads. They had been snacking and drinking sodas the whole drive home. Zero wanted nothing more than to hit the gym and eat something healthy for a change.

“So, how did it go?” Chase asked, walking into the living room.

“I’m going to review the footage tonight, and I’ll let you know,” Zero responded, hoping that was the end of the conversation. It wasn’t.

“What do you mean, let me know? What did you guys see last night? Did the doc meet with anybody?”

“I’m not sure,” Zero choked out, not really sure how to respond to his boss.

“It’s a simple question. What did you guys see? Did he meet with anybody? Was he there fucking some chick? Some dude? What?”

Chase’s cheeks were beginning to flush, the more annoyed he became. The one thing that Chase didn’t have patience for was beating around the bush.

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