Home is Where the Heart is 10.2
Title: Home is Where the Heart is
Fandom: RPS
Story: Highway: Co-Location 10.2
Characters: Alan Davies and Robert Sean Leonard
Authors: michelleann68 + evila_elf = evila_ann
Prompt: coclaim100 34 Colors
Word Count: 1728
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Alan and Robert settle in, have dinner, explore, and make plans for a fun night.
Authors’ Notes:
Where it all began:
Big table of prompts is here:
Order of the story is here:
Previous story:
Destination Location
"Honey, we're home!"
Alan chuckled and followed Robert, watching him unload his armful of foodstuffs on the kitchen counter before dragging his eyes away to look around. The ceiling was high, adding to the spacious feeling. The kitchen was small, with cabinets lining the wall above the sink and stove and a table and a trio of chairs off to one side. His shoes made a clicking sound as he stepped further in. There was a scattering of furniture, some chairs and a couch in the living room, all covered with sheets to keep the dust off. But it was the large fireplace that drew his attention. He was so busy staring at it, remembering back to a place in his childhood where he had sat before a roaring fire on cold nights with a cup of hot cocoa from his Mom, that he didn’t hear Robert approach.
“What are you thinking about?” Robert asked, relieving Alan of the forgotten bag in his arms.
Alan tried to dismiss the memory with a wave of his hand. “Nothing.”
“I lost you for a good five minutes. Doesn’t sound like nothing.”
“Memories. Parents’ house used to have a fireplace like this one.”
Robert wrapped his arms around Alan’s middle. “What do you say to creating some new memories?”
Alan tilted his head back and to the side so he could catch Robert’s eye. He raised his eyebrows and tried to untuck Robert’s shirt.
“But first, we need to officially move in.”
Alan groaned as Robert stepped away and straightened his shirt. “Pure torture! I’ll leave you to the kitchen and go fetch the personals from the car.” He pulled Robert in for a quick bruising kiss before strolling towards the door. “Back in a few, love.”
Once outside, Alan paused at the bottom of the porch steps and closed his eyes, breathing in the clean and crisp air. He heard a bird chirping off to his right and flapping its wings. Chattering followed and he opened his eyes to see a squirrel scolding him from a high perch. He shivered as the wind picked up and he realized that it was almost December and his coat, and Robert’s, were both still in the car. He hurried over to the vehicle and reached into the backseat, grabbing both the jackets. He got one arm into his before a slow smile crossed his features and he put on Robert’s instead, warmed more by the scent than the material.
He found Robert’s duffel behind the seat and pulled it free. He slung it over his shoulder, then grabbed his own and, lastly, his jacket. Eager to be back inside, he hurried back down the small dirt walkway, ignoring the still-agitated squirrel.
When he got back inside, Robert was removing the covers from the furniture and folding them up. Alan joined him in folding up the last sheet, giving him a kiss as they stepped close to bring the ends together.
“My coat looks good on you,” Robert managed to say before the lips were back against his. “Was just going to make us some food,” he added at the next opportunity.
“Only hungry for one thing.”
Robert laughed and pulled away. “I have plans for us tonight. If you are still hungry, you can get your fill then.”
Alan took the two bags and headed up a small staircase to what he hopped was the bedroom. He was right, the room was at the top of the stairs in a loft. It was an open bright space. The sleigh bed was piled with old quilts and cotton blankets. Alan set the bags down and poked around looking about, getting a sense of the room. He stopped at the railing and looked down at the living room. It was neat and tidy. Nothing remarkable, but it was comfortable. Alan decided that he liked this place.
He leaned over and saw Robert in the kitchen, scurrying around to put away the last of the groceries and deciding on what to cook. Alan knew he could stand here all night and just watch Robert: He had a dancer’s grace as he moved around the small space, his frustration at not knowing where everything belonged creeping across his face. Alan figured he should go down and help, but he loved the eagle’s eye view.
Finally, he walked down the stairs and toed his shoes off as he headed to the kitchen to see how his boyfriend was coping with a foreign kitchen.
Alan sneaked in as Robert was pondering the fridge. He wrapped his arms around his waist before kissing the side of his neck. “Everything okay?”
“Yes, just trying to get the feel for what goes where.”
Alan nibbled on Robert’s ear, gently dragging his teeth across the fleshy lobe, enjoying the shiver that created. “The bedroom is cozy. If you are feeling a little nippy, I will be happy to warm you up.”
Robert wrestled free, and turned around, giving Alan a quick kiss. “You need to eat. I’m sure the airplane meal was as good as rubber, so I am sure you are hungry. The food should be ready in a minute, please sit.” He reached for the counter behind him and gave Alan a bottle of Root Beer before scooting him towards the table.
Alan sat, taking small drinks of his soda and watched Robert bustle about the kitchen, trying to remember where he had placed things as he made grilled cheese sandwiches and warmed up some tomato soup for their late lunch and early dinner. Despite having to search in several spots every time he wanted something, Robert looked at home. Even more so than in New York or even LA. Alan felt an unfamiliar pain stabbing through him as he wondered if this is what they were somehow missing out on by staying closeted.
Robert saw the similar look in Alan’s eyes as before, in front of the fireplace. He set the bowl of soup down in front of Alan and gave him a peck on his cheek before retrieving a plate of the golden brown sandwiches and sitting down next to him. “So. What do you think of the place?” He badly wanted to ask how he was doing, but he didn’t want to pry if Alan didn’t want to talk.
Alan inhaled the steam from the bowl and smiled softly. “It is wonderful. Sorry for going all quiet like. I am just a little overwhelmed with…with everything,” he gestured with his spoon before stirring the soup, cooling it a little before he reached for one of the sandwiches.
“Well, after we are done eating, there should be enough light to go out and get a little fresh air. There is a little shed out back where extra firewood is kept, which we will need if we are planning on having a roaring fire to snuggle up in front of tonight. Sound like a plan?”
“A crackin’ idea!” He tucked into his meal, wanting to get it eaten as soon as possible. Robert was more subtle, but he was doing the same.
***
Not too long after the dishes lay drying beside the sink, the two men ventured outdoors. Robert had wordlessly handed his coat back over and had claimed Alan’s, the coats being a close enough fit. Now their collars were turned up against the wind as the evening chill started to settle with a vengeance, sides touching, arms loosely across backs. The crisp orange, yellow, and red newly fallen leaves crunched under their feet as they made a wide loop around the outer circumference of the building
By the time they reached the little lean-to shed where the wood was kept, both were ready to get back inside and get each other warmed up. Robert blew into his fists as Alan filled a large wooden box that had rope handles with an assortment of half-split logs and kindling. Once full to Alan’s liking, they each grabbed one of the handles and hurried back the way they came.
When they reached the porch, Robert glanced out through the trees and pointed with his free hand for Alan to do the same. Through a large gap in the trees, they could see brilliant reds, oranges, and pinks from the setting sun as it painted the sky. “Wish I had my camera,” Alan said.
“And have you trying to take obscene pictures of me when you aren’t photographing the scenery?”
“Tomato, tomahto. Same thing. Come on, love,” he gave a little tug, “I’m freezing my arse off and I need someone to help warm it up.”
“Gladly.”
***
As Alan arranged the kindling in the fire along with a few spare pages from his journal, donated as a good cause, Robert was pulling extra blankets from the linen cabinet and grabbing a couple pillows from the bed. He spread them out as close to the fireplace as he dared-even though it had a wire grate that fit around it, he wanted to be cautious-and sat back to watch Alan as he gave a whoop of delight. “Mastered the art of making fire?” Robert asked him.
“I believe so.” Alan spoke slowly as he fed the tiny flames a few smaller sticks before upgrading to the larger ones. Soon the fire was blazing and Alan had his hands outstretched towards the heat, sighing in pleasure. Robert scooted up behind him and reached his hands around either side of Alan to get his own warm and give him an excuse to snuggle. Alan leaned back so his head was resting on Robert’s chest and looked up at him, not able to see his eyes because of the reflection of the flames on his glasses.
Robert kissed Alan softly on the side of his neck. “Why don’t you make yourself comfortable and I’ll be right back.”
“Already comfortable,” he said, but allowed himself to be tilted forward to Robert could stand. He stood with him, giving him a kiss before watching him go. Then he stripped off his shirt, shivering in the chilly air. He lowered himself back down amongst the fluffy blankets, tugging off his socks and pulling some blankets over his lap as he stared into the flames, feeling their heat seep into him and waiting for Robert to return.
10.03 Baby, Light My Fire
Fandom: RPS
Story: Highway: Co-Location 10.2
Characters: Alan Davies and Robert Sean Leonard
Authors: michelleann68 + evila_elf = evila_ann
Prompt: coclaim100 34 Colors
Word Count: 1728
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Alan and Robert settle in, have dinner, explore, and make plans for a fun night.
Authors’ Notes:
Where it all began:
Big table of prompts is here:
Order of the story is here:
Previous story:
Destination Location
"Honey, we're home!"
Alan chuckled and followed Robert, watching him unload his armful of foodstuffs on the kitchen counter before dragging his eyes away to look around. The ceiling was high, adding to the spacious feeling. The kitchen was small, with cabinets lining the wall above the sink and stove and a table and a trio of chairs off to one side. His shoes made a clicking sound as he stepped further in. There was a scattering of furniture, some chairs and a couch in the living room, all covered with sheets to keep the dust off. But it was the large fireplace that drew his attention. He was so busy staring at it, remembering back to a place in his childhood where he had sat before a roaring fire on cold nights with a cup of hot cocoa from his Mom, that he didn’t hear Robert approach.
“What are you thinking about?” Robert asked, relieving Alan of the forgotten bag in his arms.
Alan tried to dismiss the memory with a wave of his hand. “Nothing.”
“I lost you for a good five minutes. Doesn’t sound like nothing.”
“Memories. Parents’ house used to have a fireplace like this one.”
Robert wrapped his arms around Alan’s middle. “What do you say to creating some new memories?”
Alan tilted his head back and to the side so he could catch Robert’s eye. He raised his eyebrows and tried to untuck Robert’s shirt.
“But first, we need to officially move in.”
Alan groaned as Robert stepped away and straightened his shirt. “Pure torture! I’ll leave you to the kitchen and go fetch the personals from the car.” He pulled Robert in for a quick bruising kiss before strolling towards the door. “Back in a few, love.”
Once outside, Alan paused at the bottom of the porch steps and closed his eyes, breathing in the clean and crisp air. He heard a bird chirping off to his right and flapping its wings. Chattering followed and he opened his eyes to see a squirrel scolding him from a high perch. He shivered as the wind picked up and he realized that it was almost December and his coat, and Robert’s, were both still in the car. He hurried over to the vehicle and reached into the backseat, grabbing both the jackets. He got one arm into his before a slow smile crossed his features and he put on Robert’s instead, warmed more by the scent than the material.
He found Robert’s duffel behind the seat and pulled it free. He slung it over his shoulder, then grabbed his own and, lastly, his jacket. Eager to be back inside, he hurried back down the small dirt walkway, ignoring the still-agitated squirrel.
When he got back inside, Robert was removing the covers from the furniture and folding them up. Alan joined him in folding up the last sheet, giving him a kiss as they stepped close to bring the ends together.
“My coat looks good on you,” Robert managed to say before the lips were back against his. “Was just going to make us some food,” he added at the next opportunity.
“Only hungry for one thing.”
Robert laughed and pulled away. “I have plans for us tonight. If you are still hungry, you can get your fill then.”
Alan took the two bags and headed up a small staircase to what he hopped was the bedroom. He was right, the room was at the top of the stairs in a loft. It was an open bright space. The sleigh bed was piled with old quilts and cotton blankets. Alan set the bags down and poked around looking about, getting a sense of the room. He stopped at the railing and looked down at the living room. It was neat and tidy. Nothing remarkable, but it was comfortable. Alan decided that he liked this place.
He leaned over and saw Robert in the kitchen, scurrying around to put away the last of the groceries and deciding on what to cook. Alan knew he could stand here all night and just watch Robert: He had a dancer’s grace as he moved around the small space, his frustration at not knowing where everything belonged creeping across his face. Alan figured he should go down and help, but he loved the eagle’s eye view.
Finally, he walked down the stairs and toed his shoes off as he headed to the kitchen to see how his boyfriend was coping with a foreign kitchen.
Alan sneaked in as Robert was pondering the fridge. He wrapped his arms around his waist before kissing the side of his neck. “Everything okay?”
“Yes, just trying to get the feel for what goes where.”
Alan nibbled on Robert’s ear, gently dragging his teeth across the fleshy lobe, enjoying the shiver that created. “The bedroom is cozy. If you are feeling a little nippy, I will be happy to warm you up.”
Robert wrestled free, and turned around, giving Alan a quick kiss. “You need to eat. I’m sure the airplane meal was as good as rubber, so I am sure you are hungry. The food should be ready in a minute, please sit.” He reached for the counter behind him and gave Alan a bottle of Root Beer before scooting him towards the table.
Alan sat, taking small drinks of his soda and watched Robert bustle about the kitchen, trying to remember where he had placed things as he made grilled cheese sandwiches and warmed up some tomato soup for their late lunch and early dinner. Despite having to search in several spots every time he wanted something, Robert looked at home. Even more so than in New York or even LA. Alan felt an unfamiliar pain stabbing through him as he wondered if this is what they were somehow missing out on by staying closeted.
Robert saw the similar look in Alan’s eyes as before, in front of the fireplace. He set the bowl of soup down in front of Alan and gave him a peck on his cheek before retrieving a plate of the golden brown sandwiches and sitting down next to him. “So. What do you think of the place?” He badly wanted to ask how he was doing, but he didn’t want to pry if Alan didn’t want to talk.
Alan inhaled the steam from the bowl and smiled softly. “It is wonderful. Sorry for going all quiet like. I am just a little overwhelmed with…with everything,” he gestured with his spoon before stirring the soup, cooling it a little before he reached for one of the sandwiches.
“Well, after we are done eating, there should be enough light to go out and get a little fresh air. There is a little shed out back where extra firewood is kept, which we will need if we are planning on having a roaring fire to snuggle up in front of tonight. Sound like a plan?”
“A crackin’ idea!” He tucked into his meal, wanting to get it eaten as soon as possible. Robert was more subtle, but he was doing the same.
***
Not too long after the dishes lay drying beside the sink, the two men ventured outdoors. Robert had wordlessly handed his coat back over and had claimed Alan’s, the coats being a close enough fit. Now their collars were turned up against the wind as the evening chill started to settle with a vengeance, sides touching, arms loosely across backs. The crisp orange, yellow, and red newly fallen leaves crunched under their feet as they made a wide loop around the outer circumference of the building
By the time they reached the little lean-to shed where the wood was kept, both were ready to get back inside and get each other warmed up. Robert blew into his fists as Alan filled a large wooden box that had rope handles with an assortment of half-split logs and kindling. Once full to Alan’s liking, they each grabbed one of the handles and hurried back the way they came.
When they reached the porch, Robert glanced out through the trees and pointed with his free hand for Alan to do the same. Through a large gap in the trees, they could see brilliant reds, oranges, and pinks from the setting sun as it painted the sky. “Wish I had my camera,” Alan said.
“And have you trying to take obscene pictures of me when you aren’t photographing the scenery?”
“Tomato, tomahto. Same thing. Come on, love,” he gave a little tug, “I’m freezing my arse off and I need someone to help warm it up.”
“Gladly.”
***
As Alan arranged the kindling in the fire along with a few spare pages from his journal, donated as a good cause, Robert was pulling extra blankets from the linen cabinet and grabbing a couple pillows from the bed. He spread them out as close to the fireplace as he dared-even though it had a wire grate that fit around it, he wanted to be cautious-and sat back to watch Alan as he gave a whoop of delight. “Mastered the art of making fire?” Robert asked him.
“I believe so.” Alan spoke slowly as he fed the tiny flames a few smaller sticks before upgrading to the larger ones. Soon the fire was blazing and Alan had his hands outstretched towards the heat, sighing in pleasure. Robert scooted up behind him and reached his hands around either side of Alan to get his own warm and give him an excuse to snuggle. Alan leaned back so his head was resting on Robert’s chest and looked up at him, not able to see his eyes because of the reflection of the flames on his glasses.
Robert kissed Alan softly on the side of his neck. “Why don’t you make yourself comfortable and I’ll be right back.”
“Already comfortable,” he said, but allowed himself to be tilted forward to Robert could stand. He stood with him, giving him a kiss before watching him go. Then he stripped off his shirt, shivering in the chilly air. He lowered himself back down amongst the fluffy blankets, tugging off his socks and pulling some blankets over his lap as he stared into the flames, feeling their heat seep into him and waiting for Robert to return.
10.03 Baby, Light My Fire