Maybe it was just a pause, a really long shavasana.
Troy could maybe live with that.
31
Saul was grateful for all the help Geoff and everybody was giving them.
Really.
Okay, so he did have to laugh at everyone’s interpretation of making sure Troy ate and rested. It was like when his mom used to leave him with Nanna and she’d give him cookies and turn on cartoons, and then he’d go home where he had to eat broccoli and there was no TV allowed on a school night.
Nanna was fun. Mom was mean.
It was a pretty decent analogy, actually.
He was looking forward to their date for a lot of reasons; they needed to get out of the house, he wouldn’t have to watch Troy every second to make sure his lover wasn’t trying to do things alone, like climb stairs or bend over. But mostly he was just hoping to lift Troy’s spirits, help Troy feel human. Have a little fun. Spoil the boy.
He knew Troy’s energy faded as the day went on, so he wasn’t going to be too ambitious. He’d seen it all week. Troy would have a decent day and by the time Saul got home from work, his boy was exhausted, impatient, hurting.
So, a short evening meal somewhere with different walls. That was as ambitious as he was going to get.
He parked his bike in the garage and keyed into the house, thinking maybe he’d grab a quick shower first.
He found his boy on his worn blue yoga mat, cross-legged, sound asleep, the expression on Troy’s face pure bliss.
Ben was sitting on the couch, reading. When he saw Saul, he whispered, “I didn’t want to wake him up.”
He nodded, moving close to Ben and whispering back. “Thank you. Was the day okay?”
“He’s been quiet, but not down really. Just quiet. He hasn’t eaten much, though. Says he’s saving up for your dinner.”
Oh. He glanced back at Troy, smiling. He’d started to feel disappointed, but now he understood. Troy was saving his energy, and his appetite, for their date. How sweet was that? “I’ve got him from here. Thank you so much for coming over. Will we see you next week?”
“Yes, Sir. I’ll be here Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday.” Ben was the most gentle person he’d ever met. It was the slightest bit unnerving.
Especially given that he was paired up with Doc at the moment. Dude.
“See you Sunday then.” He held the door for Ben, whose tiny car was parked in the driveway. “Thanks again.”
“Of course, Sir. It was my pleasure.”
He closed the door and then turned to watch Troy, wondering what the least jarring way to wake his boy up would be. Finally he went over and knelt in front of Troy, then reached out and touched his boy’s shoulder gently. “Hey, you. I’m home.”
“Mmm… You smell good.” Oh, that was a lovely smile, warm and relaxed. “How was work?”
“Easy. Quiet, compared to the last few days. More like normal. How was your day? Ben said you were pretty quiet.” He wanted to kiss those smiling lips so bad, but he was going to give Troy another minute or two to shake the sleep off.
“Solomon came and we did a restorative practice. I watched a movie with Ben, but my mat was calling me.”
Saul quietly approved. He didn’t want to push the yoga thing too hard and turn Troy off. But he was determined to help Troy start on a new path.
One that belonged to Troy, not Carter.
He didn’t mean any disrespect by that, just that it was time for that relationship to change somewhat. Let Carter just be Troy’s best friend’s Dom and not his employer.
“You look very relaxed. Are you still up for going out? I understand if you’re not.” He did understand. And he wanted to go out. Was that bad?
“Oh, I want out of this house. I want to go sit in a different chair. Maybe have a beer.”
He smiled, relieved. “I checked it out. You can totally have a little beer.” He stood up. “What do you want to wear? I can run up and grab it for you.”
“I saved a shirt and pair of jeans out of the laundry.” Before he could growl about doing laundry, Troy winked. “Don’t worry. Ben helped.”
“He better have. No lifting for you. Is it me or does Ben have a… thing? Something.” He had no idea how to explain why Ben wigged him out just a little.
He offered Troy both hands. “Ready? Up?”
“Ready.”
He almost had to lift all of Troy’s weight off the floor. His boy had stiffened up, and they rested together, breathing.
“You good? Do you need a hot shower or a stretch before we go?” Saul let Troy lean all he needed and just stayed patient. It wouldn’t do their evening any good to rush this.
“Mmm… No. This is perfect. I was soaking you in while I remembered how to stand up.”
He laughed softly. “Okay. Let’s get you changed, and then I’m going to run up and find something clean too.”
Dressing took a little while between getting Troy settled and then picking out what he wanted to wear. It sure was nice to have all his clothes here now, though. Most of his stuff was still in the garage, but he thought maybe he’d figure that all out on his day off.
He came downstairs in a plaid button-down, gray jeans, and his black Converse. He knew he was coming off hipster, but he really loved the shirt.
“Getting hungry? Did you decide where we’re going?”
Troy looked good, if skinny, in his jeans and green shirt. His hair was beginning to move from auburn stubble to soft, tiny curls. Best of all was the smile, warm and relaxed and ready to go. “I was thinking about Argentinian food. That place on Arapahoe has great empanadas.”
“Oh, I’m all over that. Great idea.” He moved into Troy’s space and kissed him. “You look good, baby.”
“Thank you. I’m feeling pretty solid today.” Troy wrapped around him, humming softly. “Almost healed.”
He wouldn’t go that far, but he was glad Troy felt good. He wanted them to have a nice dinner. Enjoy each other. “Truck, ho?”
“Who you calling a ho?” The joke was old and goofy, and it suited the mood he wanted to create.
“Heh. I set you up good, huh?” They made it out the door and into the truck, and he helped Troy put on the seatbelt. “Oh look, the stupid little pillow from the hospital is still in here.” He tucked it in between the seatbelt and Troy’s sternum. “Good?”
“Th-thank you, Sir.”
Okay, still very tender. Good to know. They were going to have the stitches removed Monday. He needed to make sure the pillow was in here still.
“I’ll take it slow.” The last thing he needed to do was slam on his brakes. “I went easy at lunch so I could eat tonight.” And he could definitely eat. He felt practically hollow.
“I want a criolla empanada. I’m craving caramelized onions. I might get a steak one too. Maybe chicken.” Troy chuckled, shook his head. “I think I might be hungry.”
That was excellent news. Even if Troy’s eyes were bigger than his stomach. This was the first time Troy had actually wanted food. “I’m having a steak one. Or the spicy chorizo. Both maybe. Oh, my mouth is watering now.” He wanted a margarita. Maybe he could just sip half of one.