Page 61 of Refraction

“Yessir.” Tucker was laughing softly as he took Calvin’s lips, the kiss sweet and soft, just barely tickling.

He couldn’t help but giggle back at Tucker, the exhaustion making him silly. He took a couple of those lovely kisses, smiling against Tucker’s lips. “You found scissors.”

“I did. Just for you.” Tucker drew him over to the bed. “You want it with cream cheese or anything? The bagel, not the scissors.”

“Just a really light schmear, please. And you’re a nut.” He dumped his coat on the floor and stripped down to his T-shirt and briefs. “Hey, you got the paint out of the sheets.” He climbed up into the center of the bed and crossed his legs, watching Tucker putter around the studio.

“I did. Well, I bought new sheets, which is basically the same thing, right?” Tucker wore a pair of loose sweats that looked like they were made for that tight ass.

He had to remind himself he was tired. Then he had to remind his dick that he was tired. “Sure. It’s a valid plan B. It’s the same thing as, like, fucking up dinner and ordering a pizza.”

“Exactly.” Tucker brought him half a bagel on a paper plate. “Using my fine china.”

“I hate dishes. Oh my God, it smells so good.” Bread. God, bread always smelled so good. He picked up the bagel, took a bite of absolute heaven, and did a little happy food dance. “M-m-mmm.”

“You want water? Coffee? There’s Dr Pepper.”

“Water, please.” He’d scarfed down half the bagel already. Three or four more bites and he’d be done. It felt good in his stomach. Heavy and filling. It was the perfect “pre pass out for half a day or so” meal.

Tucker brought him a bottle, then sat with one arm wrapped around him, quiet and easy.

He took a couple of big swigs from the water bottle and then leaned into Tucker, feeling all the stress start to let him go. “You feel so good, tiger. I know you have work to do, but will you stay here until I’m asleep?”

“I’ve been wanting to nap with you for hours, honey. We’ll just lay our burdens down a little while.”

That sounded so romantic. The million little ways Tucker took care of him filled his bucket to overflowing. If he was half as comforting for Tucker, he’d be pretty damn proud of himself. He turned his head and kissed Tucker’s neck, then popped the last bite of bagel into his mouth.

Tomorrow, he’d decided on the way to his audition that morning. He’d ask what Tucker’s plans were tomorrow.

He took one last swig from his bottle and set it and the plate on the floor.

Tucker pulled him into the curve of his body, settling them both down into the sheets.

“Good night, Tucker.” The last thing he remembered thinking was how comfortable he was and how warm.

* * *

Jesus,heneeded to pee.

Calvin forced his eyes open and rolled over onto his back, stretching long and yawning. He needed to get up out of bed, but it was so warm under Tucker’s comforter, and the room was so dim. Must be… what? Really early morning or—a glance at his phone told him it was late afternoon. Oh, that was excellent. He might actually feel human in a bit.

He slipped out of bed and hurried to the bathroom where he heard the water running and poked his head in. “I’m coming in to pee!” he called and then went right in.

Tucker chuckled. “Morning, sleepyhead. You feelin’ better? You looked damn wore.”

“I don’t feel like I’m going to fall over, but I don’t think I’m actually awake yet. Can I make coffee?” He yawned again and peed for what seemed like forever.

“Whatever you want. I’ll be out in two shakes.”

“Fab.” He washed his hands and ducked out of the bathroom. It was starting to get dark, so he moved to the far wall where the light switches were and turned on some of those spots Tucker had all over. They were nice indirect lighting and didn’t make him squint.

He glanced curiously at a stack of paintings against the wall and went to flip through them. They were all really familiar, part of that captivating series of blackbirds, birdpeople, and subway tunnels that looked like black holes into nothing. The set that Tucker had been working on until a couple of weeks ago. So cool how they were all the same but all so different.

He really wanted coffee, so he headed to the kitchen next. It was a tiny efficiency, but it was clean and had all the basics. He opened the coffee can, took out a scoop, and then remembered that this kind of machine needed a filter.

He hunted around the counter but didn’t find one, so he started opening cabinets and looking around.

Tucker sure had a lot of cereal. Geez. And most of it wasn’t even actually real food. It was mostly sugar and a rainbow of artificial colors. Yuck.

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