It was only after being approved by the house’s true owner that Aidan finally let go of his suitcase and took a good look around. Other than the unnerving order, Chris’ place looked no different than it did the last time he came to visit. The open space that included the modern, well-equipped kitchen, dining area and living room flowed into the furthest wall that was not a wall at all, but a big floor-to-ceiling window. With the blinds open as they were now, it provided an unobstructed view of the city lights pouring and pooling underneath them into a dynamic, colorful ocean. Far away and distant, almost like an entire world that existed out of the time and place that was Chris’ apartment. 

“Did it take you long to get here?”

Aidan tore himself away from the mesmerizing live picture to look at Chris, already standing in the kitchen, tying a dark gray apron over his shirt. 

“It wasn’t too bad. Besides, I left early.”

He tried, very hard, not to think about how he should have been at the cafe right now, only him and Ben after the rest of the staff went home. They would be laughing about some peculiar customer or at one of their inside jokes, talking about what to get for dinner or Ben’s latest brilliant recipe he couldn’t wait to try as they switched off the lights and walked the short ten minutes to their apartment. They’d probably spend the rest of the evening on the couch, in front of the TV, chatting until they got so warm and sleepy they’d have to scrape themselves off it. It would only be later, alone in his room, that he would allow himself to feel the pain as well.

But tonight… tonight was different.  Instead, it was only Ben who was closing up and going back home. Back to Leah, who must have been waiting for him by now. They would probably eat and laugh too, watch TV on the same familiar couch, but when they go to sleep, they’ll do so happily wrapped in each other’s arms. Together.

The rustling of fabric or perhaps a soft cough made Aidan blink rapidly as his gaze focused on Chris again. He was watching him silently, a deep crease running between his eyebrows and his lips pursed tight. It was only then that he felt the thin, damp trail on his cheek.

“Well… dinner’s going to be a minute,” he said with a tentative smile Aidan despised with all his being. “I didn’t think you’d change your entire routine for me.”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” he snorted, quickly using the back of his hand to erase the incriminating, pathetic evidence. He pushed his sleeves up, circling the kitchen island to come stand next to Chris. “But if I’m already here so you might as well let me help. What can I do?”

“Nothing, I got it.” Chris waved his hand, back already turned to Aidan. He opened the drawers and cupboards, pulling out a cutting board, a knife and a pile of bowls. “Why don’t you go take a shower in the meantime?”

“I’m fine Chris,” he rolled his eyes and took another step closer to him, grabbing his arm. “Come on, let me-”

It all happened far too fast. The speed in which Chris turned around sent every single item in his hands, along with a pepper shaker his elbow bumped into and an apple that stood at the wrong place in the fruit bowl, flying into the air then onto the floor with a loud clatter. Aidan flinched, Chris froze, and Hermann, judging by the sound disappearing down the hallway, scurried away to look for cover. 

“Oh my god…” he exhaled loudly when the last of the echo died down, rubbing his temples. “Yeah I’m definitely helping. You shouldn’t be allowed in the kitchen unsupervised.”

“Don’t be so dramatic,” Chris was already crouching, collecting the items that scattered all around them. “It’s just a few more dishes. Actually not even, five seconds rule. Nothing happened.”

“Nothing happened?” Aidan bent down as well. He lifted the knife, which was about the size of his head, and held it up. “What if this would have dropped on your foot? You’re not even wearing shoes!” He pointed to the other’s slippers, in the exact same gray color of his apron. “You’re a safety hazard Chris.”

Chris looked up at him, expression just as shocked as it was offended.

“Oh, that’s rich coming from you.”

“Well, as fun as a field trip to the ER sounds, I think I’ll pass.”

“Better a few stitches than food poisoning.”

Aidan narrowed his eyes at Chris and arched a brow. His grip on the knife tightened. There was a short silence before Chris put the bowl he was holding down and slowly reached for the weapon in Aidan’s hand.

“Alright Dexter, don’t get mad. Just for tonight okay?” He gently pried it from his fingers. “Tomorrow you can… call whichever place we get takeout from all by yourself. I didn’t invite you to stay here as a guest, this is just first night privilege, so use it. Because if you don’t get your things out of that suitcase soon, Hermann might never let you. That’s his favorite type of chair, you know. And he will bite.”

At that warning, Aidan threw a glance towards the living room. It seemed Hermann had returned to it and was now tentatively sniffing the only piece of luggage he brought with him with what was growing to be enough curiosity to cost him at least one life. He didn’t even look at them when Aidan clicked his tongue.

“Fine,” he sighed and straightened up. He regretted it as soon as he saw the pleased expression on Chris’ face.

“Just for tonight! And I’m doing the dishes,” he muttered under his breath as he went to rescue his belongings from Hermann’s claws. “Otherwise we’ll be eating out of pots and pans before the week ends…”