At the penthouse of the Phoenicia, Caleb had been reveling in his role as caregiver. Beyond providing his meals and medicine, he had devoted his entire day to ensuring Tristan's comfort. Unfortunately, Tristan was happy enough to sit on the couch reading one one of Tibur's books, so all Caleb could do was watch him, and replenish his water every time the level got low. 

"Are you sure you don't need to work at all..?" Tristan asked him, "You know... I don't remember what it is that you do..."

Three glasses filled, and many pages turned, and this was the first time since breakfast that Tristan had spoken to him. What's more, he'd even gone so far as to ask him a question.

"At the heart of it, I guess I'm still just a computer programmer..." said Caleb, "But the kind that did well, and was able to start a business off the back of it. It's not all that exciting, but it means that when everything is working as it should, I get to take the time I need to spend with you."

Tristan nodded and returned to his book, leaving the optimistic Caleb to be content with only a few sentences exchanged between them. After lunch, he hoped to find another way to engage with his 'husband'.

"Shall we watch something..?" Caleb asked him, switching on the projector before he'd had time to find his page in the book. 

The list of movies filled the illuminated screen, and every title seemed to be one of Tristan's favorites. The startling coincidence was not lost on him. His eyes widened as Caleb scrolled down. 

"That one" he said without thinking, the book in his hand casually discarded as his eyes were glued to the screen. 

It had been one of dad's favorites. And one that they would always sit down and watch when it was shown on TV. Before long, Caleb found himself watching the movie in the reflection of Tristan's eyes. He lowered the blinds, turned down the A/C, and brought him snacks and a blanket. 

"The actor was nearing thirty at the time, but he was playing a college kid... you never would have guessed that he was almost as old as the lead actress..." Tristan explained as Caleb listened intently. 

"Do you think they could remake it?" asked Caleb, "They seem to remake everything these days." 

Tristan remained transfixed by the familiar images, hardly even noticing who it was that was asking him the question.

"They could try..." he replied as he watched, "but I don't think anyone would touch it nowadays... the topic is too old fashioned. Some things are better left in the past." 

Like your ex... Caleb thought to himself.

Tristan was still engrossed by the movie, failing to notice anything else around him. 

"The line just then was an ad-lib... the director kept the camera rolling after the scene. It's become iconic though, don't you think?" 

The light in his eyes was brighter than Caleb had seen it since the night of the incident, brighter even than he'd seen in Modesh. If he could look at him the way he looked at this old movie, then every risk he'd taken would be worth it. Shuffling closer, Caleb sneaked his legs beneath the corner of Tristan's blanket, hoping he was too absorbed to pull away.

The heat of his body lingered on the fabric, and the warmth brought a comforting reassurance. Tristan was there. Another inch closer and their hands would be on the verge of touching. 

"Do you think Tibur would like this one?" Tristan asked, as Caleb's intrepid fingers curled back into a fist and settled down against his thigh. 

"I don't know" he replied. 

From the day that Caleb had brought Tristan home there had always been the possibility... that he would fall for someone else before he had the chance to stake his claim. Tibur seemed like a harmless enough friend, but after the disaster that had been his relationship with Jed, there was no telling what Tristan would be looking for in a partner. 

He had to do better. He couldn't let him slip away this time, not when he was so close. Only an inch... he only needed to close that gap between them. Hardening his resolve, Caleb reached across and took Tristan's hand in his.

For a moment, Tristan didn't react; as though his body remembered what it was to be touched. But as the realization dawned, he began to instinctively pull his fingers away from the unfamiliar heat of someone else's body. 

"We usually hold hands like this..." Caleb lied, interlocking his hand with Tristan's in an attempt to keep it within his grasp, "You like the feeling of connection, of safety... sometimes you even hold your own hand when you go to sleep..."

Tristan hadn't been able to indulge in such comforting actions since he'd broken his arm. But Caleb was oddly correct about his usual sleeping habits, many nights laid next to Jed he would do just that. The problem was how the hell Caleb had come to know about it. His hand sweated as it lay limp in Caleb's clutches, his eyes remaining fixed on the movie. 

As he listened to the familiar lines, the unfamiliarity of holding hands with another subsided. 'It doesn't matter how many times I let go' said the hero on screen, 'I always find myself coming back to this place... I can't fight the fate that keeps pulling me towards you.'

When the movie ended, Tristan found that Caleb was still attached to him. Before he could use needing the bathroom as an excuse to break free, Caleb had gently pulled him to his feet.

"You should get some fresh air" he said, examining Tristan's pallid complexion, "Would you like to go out on the terrace, or are you up for going out in the car? I can drive you along the coast if you want?" 

It was rare that Tristan had options to choose from. He was so used to Jed and Sarah telling him what they were doing, that he'd simply forgotten how to make his own decisions.

"Whatever you want" said Tristan, his brow beginning to furrow. 

Caleb squeezed his hand, and Tristan's eyes widened. 

"Where do you want to go?" Caleb asked him again, "All I want is the opportunity to take you there." 

Tristan looked at his feet and tried to take back his hand. 

"You can let go now..." he said meekly. 

"You could fall" said Caleb, searching once more for a believable reason to retain the hand he'd long coveted, "You've been unwell, and you've been sitting for a long time... I'm worried you'll get light-headed."

"I feel fine..." Tristan told him, a flush rising to his cheeks. 

Caleb checked his temperature with the back of his free hand. 

"No fever" he stated, "maybe you just need some air." 

Leading him out onto the terrace, Caleb sat Tristan beneath the shade of the patio umbrella and crouched down before him. 

"Is it too hot?" he asked, "Should I bring you a drink?" 

If only so he could get his hand back, Tristan nodded his head. As Caleb marched back inside, Tristan felt the air against his clammy fingers; wondering how long it had been since someone had last held his hand so tightly.

The heat was a little stifling, and he couldn't help but stare into the shimmering blue of the pool water as the light struck the gentle ripples on its surface.

"Want to go for a dip..?" Caleb asked him, returning with a pitcher of ice water. 

Tristan immediately shook his head. He'd have to ask for a pair of trunks, his arm could get wet... plus Caleb would have to see him almost naked. As inviting as it looked, it was better to sit and suffer the heat until it was time to go back inside. But the flicker of longing he'd witnessed was enough for Caleb to press the issue. 

"You really should get some gentle exercise" he told him, "Just to stretch your legs a little at least. There's a pair of swim shorts in your underwear drawer..." 

He'd picked them out himself, along with everything else in Tristan's closet. It had been one of the first things he'd chosen in that moment of insanity when he'd decided to take him home. However pure his intentions may have been, it was images of Tristan in various states of undress that had prompted the detailed level of attention he'd given to his shopping spree; anything he might need was readied for each and every occasion.

Before he had time to refuse him, Caleb led Tristan back inside to change. The teal trunks he found were definitely shorter than he would have chosen for himself, but like everything tucked into the drawers and cupboards of the Phoenicia apartment, they were a perfect fit. If Tristan had really lost his memory, he might truly have come to believe this was his home.

Waiting for him on the couch was a nervously seated half-naked man clutching a waterproof cast protector. As he saw Tristan enter from the bedroom, all pretense of decency went out the window; he was staring openly at the smooth, tanned skin, the shapely legs covered in scars, and the soft round protrusion of his stomach. The bright teal shorts were suitably snug, and it took all his willpower for Caleb not to ask him to turn around. Fortunately, Tristan was shyly looking at his feet, and failed to notice the hungry eyes searing into his skin.

"Here" said Caleb, delicately slipping the cover over Tristan's broken arm and securing it in place. 

Taking him by the hand, Caleb led him back into the shade, where a large bottle of sunblock had been positioned. Tristan tried in vain to reach for it. 

"Your arm is broken" Caleb told him as he grabbed it first, "I'll have to help you..." 

Already warmed from the heat of the afternoon sun, Caleb pooled the lotion into his hand and laid his moistened fingers on Tristan's shoulder. Recoiling at first from his touch, Tristan allowed his arm to be manoeuvred, as Caleb coated it in the sticky lotion. He was thankful that the hot weather could hide the warmth that was spreading across his cheeks.

Gliding skillfully, Caleb's hands moved swiftly over Tristan's arm, his back, and slowed as they reached his chest. It was better not to think at all, and yet Caleb couldn't help but be conscious of Tristan's nipples, and how much attention he could give them before venturing into dangerous predation. Closing his eyes, his hands slid deftly over his front, his palms tracing the outline of his skin as they reached the edge of his bathing suit. 

"Sit down" he told Tristan, wiping the sweat from his brow before taking more of the lotion into his hands.

The dark hairs on Tristan's legs were smoothed in all directions as Caleb's hands worked across his calves, massaging their way along Tristan's thighs. As his thumb dug against the muscle, Tristan's body shuddered. Curious, Caleb rubbed again, hoping to elicit a similar response. Tristan's hand landed on his to stop him. 

"It was an oversight..." said Caleb cryptically. 

Tristan's puzzled eyes found his. 

"I should have realized sooner, all this lying around; I'll have to work your muscles every day so they don't tighten up." 

The thought was too much. Tristan didn't care if he'd burn, he got to his feet as quickly as he could and climbed into the water.

"Wait!" said Caleb, coming to the edge of the pool and pulling Tristan to him by his good arm. He smoothed the lotion over Tristan's red-hued face before he had the chance to escape. As he waded away from him, Caleb took his chance and slipped into the water, hoping to disguise the evidence of his lust that was threatening to burst free from his trunks. 

"What about you...?" said Tristan, daring to speak as his limbs floated freely in the water; the constraints of his mind beginning to loosen as his body relaxed into the pool's embrace. Caleb hadn't given himself a second thought. 

"I'll put some on... soon" he said, willing his erection to go down, "For now I need to cool down a little..."