Cold Oatmeal 13.02
Title: Cold Oatmeal
Fandom: RPS
Story: Highway: Reconnecting 13.02
Characters: Alan Davies and Robert Sean Leonard
Authors: michelleann68 + evila_elf = evila_ann
Prompt: coclaim100 23 Hatred
Word Count: 1325
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Morning comes and tensions are illuminated.
Authors’ Notes: Feel free to friend us if you want to read a day ahead of the communities.
Where it all began:
Big table of prompts is here:
Order of the story is here:
Previous story:
Back at the Beginning
Alan was aware of the dawn breaking around him. His eyes flitted open slowly, adjusting to the bright light while trying to make sense of what was real and what was just a dream. He felt the distant heat behind him, but didn’t turn. Robert was back. That part wasn't a dream. But what did this mean? All the events from the previous night jumped back into the forefront of his mind and he remembered…they were going to give their relationship another go. Move forward and try to fix the holes that had been caused. Alan carefully turned onto his back so he could look at the huddled body that was carefully keeping to his side of the bed. Robert had finally told him that he loved him. The last piece of the puzzle clicked into place and it both elated and scared him. He was still feeling a little nervous and unsure of how to navigate this new landscape. But excited that the person he loved really and honestly loved him back. Alan fought every urge to curl his body around the sleeping one and inhale, bringing all of this into reality. Alan stretched his arms over his head and rolled out of bed, careful not to jiggle the springs too much. He smiled as Robert continued to sleep on, enjoying the tufts of brown hair sticking out haphazardly against the white sheets.
Alan slipped track pants over his boxers and a jersey over his t-shirt as he slowly walked towards the kitchen. He was hungry and set about making something to eat. Sticking to his morning routine would help him think and focus his thoughts.
***
Robert stretched his body, like a cat waking up from a long nap, not surprised to find the other side of the bed empty, but sad because he could not watch Alan as he slept while he let the events of the last 24 hours sink in. He switched over onto his back and laid still, trying to listen to where Alan was, finally hearing the sounds of feet shuffling in the kitchen. He stayed for a few minutes, enjoying the domestic sounds and daydreaming of what could be if they both managed to make this work and kept committed to the relationship. Running his hands through his hair, he rolled out of bed and went to the bathroom before heading out in search of his early riser of a boyfriend.
***
Alan was so lost in the process of preparing food that he jumped when he was enveloped in a warm embrace, his neck peppered with kisses. He squirmed with surprised laughter, pulling away and turning around, feeling Robert’s arms settle lightly around his hips. He tensed for a moment before forcing himself to relax and meet Robert’s eyes.
“Good morning,” Robert greeted him.
“Morning, Lo…Robert.” He tried not to wince and hoped Robert hadn’t noticed the slip up. He turned back to his food, not sure if he wanted to know.
“Smells good.”
“Woke up hungry. How about you?”
“Famished.”
Alan laughed and some of the tension was released. He turned back and hesitated a moment before wrapping his arms around Robert, feeling Robert’s arms tighten around him. Alan waited a few moments, reacquainting himself with the closeness, then tilted back and dropped a gentle kiss on Robert’s cheek.
“Alan, I hate what happened. I’m so very sorry,” Robert started.
”Robert,” Alan leaned back to look into his eyes, “unless we both forgive ourselves, we can never forgive each other.”
Robert smirked. That was not his Alan. “Have you been reading Hallmark cards for fun?”
“No, that’s me sister. She came storming over and told me I was a wanker for shutting you out like I did.”
“I think I’m going to really like her.”
”Well she already likes you.”
Robert leaned forward this time and kissed Alan’s cheek. He really wanted to kiss the smiling lips, but he had noticed some unease in Alan and didn’t want to do anything to amplify those vibes. He instead loosened his hold around Alan, but didn’t back away, allowing Alan to turn and tend to his boiling water. He rested his head on Alan’s shoulder and watched him toss some oats into the water, stirring gently. He felt content to just hold on tight and listen to the coffee brewing as the oats rolled in the water, Alan’s curls tickling his nose.
“Leaving soon?” Robert asked looking at the clock and stifling a yawn into Alan’s shoulder.
“Yes, in about an hour or so. You are welcome to come if you want.”
“I should check out of the hotel and do some shopping. Maybe it’s best if I take care of that today and make you dinner? I would like to stay in tonight.”
“That sounds like a good idea.” Good idea, then why did he feel a stab of disappointment? “The last show tapes in three days on Thursday. There is a party afterwards, if you are up to it.”
“Great, we can see how it goes,” Robert said, being careful about committing to anything just yet.
Alan stepped back and Robert dropped the embrace. He felt cold now, without Robert to wrap around him. He put oatmeal into two bowls and turned to set them onto the table.
Sitting across from each other, Alan picked up his spoon and looked over at Robert. He was happy Robert was here, but missed the ease of their shared company and hoped it would return. “How did you sleep?”
“Really good. I didn’t think I was that tired until my head hit the pillow. I might take a nap today. I think I am still catching up with the time change. You?”
“Good. I slept all the way through the night.” He didn’t mention the times during the past month when he had shot up in the middle of the night, feeling lost and alone with no Robert next to him. This was the first real sleep it had felt like he had gotten. “I hope I didn’t wake you this morning?”
Robert looked down at his bowl. This was ridiculous. All he wanted to do was jump across the table and kiss Alan, but it didn’t seem very appropriate. He looked at the clock. Alan had to leave soon. He would have to settle for more awkward conversation.
“No, it was time for me to wake up. Lots to get done. Home around 6 again?”
“Yes, hopefully sooner. We can have dinner around 6, if that works?”
“Sure. Want anything special?”
You was Alan’s first thought. He hated this. He just wanted to pull Robert close and smell him, kiss him, trace every part of his body and rediscover the nooks and crannies that he had loved so much. Alan glanced at the clock. “No, whatever you feel up to. I think I better take a quick shower. Hopefully if we can start the meeting on time, I can get home a little earlier.” He stood and walked towards the doorway.
“Okay, I will clean up here,” Robert said, gesturing to the barely touched breakfast.
Alan stopped and turned around, returning to Robert’s side, giving his shoulder a little squeeze, trying to reconnect with him. “I will eat after the shower. Let it cool a bit more.”
Robert tilted his head, resting it gently on Alan’s hand, knowing that he was trying. “Sounds good. I am just going to watch the news while I eat.”
Alan reluctantly removed his hand and stopped in the door jamb. He watched Robert move to the couch and slowly sit, glasses perched on his nose, spoon poised in his hand as he switched on the news. Alan felt bad for ditching him over breakfast, but he felt like the walls had been closing in. With a sigh and one more glance at Robert, he turned and headed to the shower.
13.03 Balancing Act
Fandom: RPS
Story: Highway: Reconnecting 13.02
Characters: Alan Davies and Robert Sean Leonard
Authors: michelleann68 + evila_elf = evila_ann
Prompt: coclaim100 23 Hatred
Word Count: 1325
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Morning comes and tensions are illuminated.
Authors’ Notes: Feel free to friend us if you want to read a day ahead of the communities.
Where it all began:
Big table of prompts is here:
Order of the story is here:
Previous story:
Back at the Beginning
Alan was aware of the dawn breaking around him. His eyes flitted open slowly, adjusting to the bright light while trying to make sense of what was real and what was just a dream. He felt the distant heat behind him, but didn’t turn. Robert was back. That part wasn't a dream. But what did this mean? All the events from the previous night jumped back into the forefront of his mind and he remembered…they were going to give their relationship another go. Move forward and try to fix the holes that had been caused. Alan carefully turned onto his back so he could look at the huddled body that was carefully keeping to his side of the bed. Robert had finally told him that he loved him. The last piece of the puzzle clicked into place and it both elated and scared him. He was still feeling a little nervous and unsure of how to navigate this new landscape. But excited that the person he loved really and honestly loved him back. Alan fought every urge to curl his body around the sleeping one and inhale, bringing all of this into reality. Alan stretched his arms over his head and rolled out of bed, careful not to jiggle the springs too much. He smiled as Robert continued to sleep on, enjoying the tufts of brown hair sticking out haphazardly against the white sheets.
Alan slipped track pants over his boxers and a jersey over his t-shirt as he slowly walked towards the kitchen. He was hungry and set about making something to eat. Sticking to his morning routine would help him think and focus his thoughts.
***
Robert stretched his body, like a cat waking up from a long nap, not surprised to find the other side of the bed empty, but sad because he could not watch Alan as he slept while he let the events of the last 24 hours sink in. He switched over onto his back and laid still, trying to listen to where Alan was, finally hearing the sounds of feet shuffling in the kitchen. He stayed for a few minutes, enjoying the domestic sounds and daydreaming of what could be if they both managed to make this work and kept committed to the relationship. Running his hands through his hair, he rolled out of bed and went to the bathroom before heading out in search of his early riser of a boyfriend.
***
Alan was so lost in the process of preparing food that he jumped when he was enveloped in a warm embrace, his neck peppered with kisses. He squirmed with surprised laughter, pulling away and turning around, feeling Robert’s arms settle lightly around his hips. He tensed for a moment before forcing himself to relax and meet Robert’s eyes.
“Good morning,” Robert greeted him.
“Morning, Lo…Robert.” He tried not to wince and hoped Robert hadn’t noticed the slip up. He turned back to his food, not sure if he wanted to know.
“Smells good.”
“Woke up hungry. How about you?”
“Famished.”
Alan laughed and some of the tension was released. He turned back and hesitated a moment before wrapping his arms around Robert, feeling Robert’s arms tighten around him. Alan waited a few moments, reacquainting himself with the closeness, then tilted back and dropped a gentle kiss on Robert’s cheek.
“Alan, I hate what happened. I’m so very sorry,” Robert started.
”Robert,” Alan leaned back to look into his eyes, “unless we both forgive ourselves, we can never forgive each other.”
Robert smirked. That was not his Alan. “Have you been reading Hallmark cards for fun?”
“No, that’s me sister. She came storming over and told me I was a wanker for shutting you out like I did.”
“I think I’m going to really like her.”
”Well she already likes you.”
Robert leaned forward this time and kissed Alan’s cheek. He really wanted to kiss the smiling lips, but he had noticed some unease in Alan and didn’t want to do anything to amplify those vibes. He instead loosened his hold around Alan, but didn’t back away, allowing Alan to turn and tend to his boiling water. He rested his head on Alan’s shoulder and watched him toss some oats into the water, stirring gently. He felt content to just hold on tight and listen to the coffee brewing as the oats rolled in the water, Alan’s curls tickling his nose.
“Leaving soon?” Robert asked looking at the clock and stifling a yawn into Alan’s shoulder.
“Yes, in about an hour or so. You are welcome to come if you want.”
“I should check out of the hotel and do some shopping. Maybe it’s best if I take care of that today and make you dinner? I would like to stay in tonight.”
“That sounds like a good idea.” Good idea, then why did he feel a stab of disappointment? “The last show tapes in three days on Thursday. There is a party afterwards, if you are up to it.”
“Great, we can see how it goes,” Robert said, being careful about committing to anything just yet.
Alan stepped back and Robert dropped the embrace. He felt cold now, without Robert to wrap around him. He put oatmeal into two bowls and turned to set them onto the table.
Sitting across from each other, Alan picked up his spoon and looked over at Robert. He was happy Robert was here, but missed the ease of their shared company and hoped it would return. “How did you sleep?”
“Really good. I didn’t think I was that tired until my head hit the pillow. I might take a nap today. I think I am still catching up with the time change. You?”
“Good. I slept all the way through the night.” He didn’t mention the times during the past month when he had shot up in the middle of the night, feeling lost and alone with no Robert next to him. This was the first real sleep it had felt like he had gotten. “I hope I didn’t wake you this morning?”
Robert looked down at his bowl. This was ridiculous. All he wanted to do was jump across the table and kiss Alan, but it didn’t seem very appropriate. He looked at the clock. Alan had to leave soon. He would have to settle for more awkward conversation.
“No, it was time for me to wake up. Lots to get done. Home around 6 again?”
“Yes, hopefully sooner. We can have dinner around 6, if that works?”
“Sure. Want anything special?”
You was Alan’s first thought. He hated this. He just wanted to pull Robert close and smell him, kiss him, trace every part of his body and rediscover the nooks and crannies that he had loved so much. Alan glanced at the clock. “No, whatever you feel up to. I think I better take a quick shower. Hopefully if we can start the meeting on time, I can get home a little earlier.” He stood and walked towards the doorway.
“Okay, I will clean up here,” Robert said, gesturing to the barely touched breakfast.
Alan stopped and turned around, returning to Robert’s side, giving his shoulder a little squeeze, trying to reconnect with him. “I will eat after the shower. Let it cool a bit more.”
Robert tilted his head, resting it gently on Alan’s hand, knowing that he was trying. “Sounds good. I am just going to watch the news while I eat.”
Alan reluctantly removed his hand and stopped in the door jamb. He watched Robert move to the couch and slowly sit, glasses perched on his nose, spoon poised in his hand as he switched on the news. Alan felt bad for ditching him over breakfast, but he felt like the walls had been closing in. With a sigh and one more glance at Robert, he turned and headed to the shower.
13.03 Balancing Act