When Seri awoke the next morning, he kept his eyes squeezed shut. After spending so many days wrapped in an anxious fog, he knew that the few moments before he came fully awake and remembered the worries of the previous night would likely be the most peaceful moments of the day.
His stomach twisted. Right. I chased Richard off and worked the whole office to the bone while he was gone. I really should apologize. Seri grimaced with his eyes still squeezed tightly shut. Anxiety was always such a heavy burden to carry around.
Seri felt an arm settle over his shoulders as someone shifted next to him in bed. His eyes flew open and he turned over, coming face to face with Richard, who pulled Seri closer to him even as he continued to sleep.
That’s right! Last night I-! Last night…
As memories of the previous night slowly penetrated the haze of Seri’s thoughts, he was relieved to feel the twisting in his stomach fade away. For once, instead of starting his morning under the weight of his worries, he was here, tucked up against Richard’s shoulder. Seri relaxed and sighed contentedly as he nuzzled up to Richard’s chest, breathing in the clean smell of his skin. He was starting to doze off again.
I really hope this isn’t a dream.
Seri opened his eyes just a crack and glanced upwards. It looks real. He reached up to stroke Richard’s cheek. That feels real. He twirled a finger around a lock of Richard’s hair. That feels real too. Seri snuck a quick glance upwards to verify Richard was still sleeping, then moved his hand lower over Richard’s muscular chest. His thumb brushed against a nipple, and Seri’s heartbeat quickened as it stiffened beneath his touch. He moved his thumb in little circles.
“Mmm, now that’s a nice way to wake up in the morning.”
Seri guiltily snatched his hand back. “Richard! I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you. I was just thinking that maybe I was… dreaming…”
Richard squeezed him close and ran a hand across the back of Seri’s neck and up into his hair, making him shiver. “Well, I had thought you’re supposed to pinch yourself if you think you’re dreaming, but I like your idea better. I’d better check to see if I’m awake too.”
Seri dissolved into laughter as he tried to squirm away from Richard’s seeking hands.
By the time Richard proclaimed that he, too, was awake, Seri was breathless from laughter and spooned against Richard under the now-rumpled bedcovers. He sighed and placed his own hands over Richard’s, which gripped him at the waist. For the first time, Seri became aware that he was wearing just a pair of underwear.
“Uh, Richard? About last night…”
“Mmm?” Richard sounded like he was dozing off.
“I don’t really remember… Did we, ah… What happened after we took a bath?”
“Mmm.”
Seri glanced back. “Richard?”
“Mpphf?” Richard jerked slightly, then reopened his eyes and smiled at Seri. “Sorry, I must have gotten a little too comfortable. Last night you said? After you got out of the bath, you almost fell asleep as you were brushing your teeth, so I just tucked us both into bed.” He kissed Seri’s neck. “You seemed very worn out.”
Seri was a bit relieved. He wanted nothing more than to sleep with Richard, but he wanted to make sure he remembered it. “Ah. Sorry. I haven’t been sleeping too well.” Now that he knew what happened last night, he was starting to feel drowsy himself.
Richard stirred again and Seri blinked sleepily as he slipped from under the covers and tucked the blanket back around Seri’s shoulders.
“I’ll start on breakfast. You just rest here for a little longer, hmm?”
Eyelids already drooping, Seri mumbled an affirmation and tried not to stare too much as Richard left the room wearing only a pair of boxers.
--
Sometime later, Seri stumbled into the kitchen in a soft, loose sweater Richard had left out for him. Richard claimed he didn’t have anything more suitable for Seri to borrow, but he suspected that wasn’t entirely truthful. Richard’s eyes had immediately gone to the bottom hem of the sweater, which ended just below Seri’s ass and barely covered his underwear. After spinning Seri around for an “inspection,” Richard had handed him a cup of fragrant coffee and returned to the kitchen.
Richard’s living room was small but neatly decorated. Although a TV was tucked into a corner, the sofa in the middle of the room was turned to take full advantage of the large window that afforded a sweeping cityscape view from the 21st floor of the apartment building. The room was filled with multiple potted plants, and trailing vines creeped toward the splash of morning sun in the center of the room. Seri tucked himself into an overstuffed chair, sipping his coffee as he watched Richard prepare a large breakfast.
Richard glanced over his shoulder and smiled. In his cotton yukata and with his hair spilling back behind him, Seri thought Richard looked good enough to eat. Seri wanted to pull that yukata off, shove him down onto the couch… Seri blushed and his stomach growled again. One thing at a time.
Richard placed a bowl on a small table and cheerily called Seri over.
--
Breakfast was eaten in companionable silence. Richard ate with as much gusto as Seri, and Seri guiltily wondered if he had interrupted Richard before he had a chance to eat the previous night. After his hunger faded, Seri began to wonder what else he might be interrupting.
“You know, Richard, if you already had plans…”
Richard sat his coffee cup down and shook his head vigorously. “Not at all, not at all! In fact, sitting here with you feels like the first breath of air I’ve had in some days.” He breathed deeply to demonstrate.
Seri smiled. “I know what you mean. I haven’t been sleeping or eating too well myself.”
“Don’t worry Seri, you can rest easy this weekend. I’m sure everyone else can pick up the slack at the office. I could go there later this morning too, help get things started for next week.”
“No, they won’t be working this weekend and neither will you. I sent everyone home last night and told them to not even check their emails until Monday.” Seri dipped his head sheepishly. “I felt guilty for pushing everyone so hard…” He trailed off at the look of profound shock on Richard’s face.
Then Seri’s heart skipped a beat as an enormous smile bloomed across Richard’s face. “I have fallen in love with such a kind and caring man!” He took Seri’s free hand in his as he smiled.
Seri looked down at their hands and blushed. “I mean, it’s the least I could do, really…” Seri stood up to hide his embarrassment, the borrowed sweater not quite hiding a flash of his underwear beneath. “Why don’t I get started on dishes…”
Richard stood too. “No.”
Seri turned back in surprise, thinking that maybe he’d overstayed his welcome after all.
Richard crossed the distance between them in three steps, and was suddenly standing hip to hip with Seri, hands gently directing Seri’s gaze up into Richard’s eyes. “I think I’m at my limit.”
“Your…limit? Wah-!” Seri yelped as Richard bent forward and threw Seri over his shoulder. As he dangled upside down behind Richard, Seri could feel a breeze against his skin as the baggy sweater rode up around his chest. This didn’t escape Richard’s notice, and he reached up with his free hand to squeeze Seri’s ass.
“I’ve held back as long as I could.”
Richard returned them to his bedroom and tossed Seri forward and onto the bed.
“Now, you’re mine.”
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