Love Bingo Fic / "Cooling Embers" / Prompt: Keeping the Spark Alive
Written for Love Bingo. Fandom: Brothers and Sisters
Bingo!
Vertical - First Row
Author: ihrtmr
Works: 5 fanfics (Brothers & Sisters)
Love prompt list: Keeping the Spark Alive
*****
Name: Cooling embers
Fandom: Brothers & Sisters
Characters: Kevin and Scotty Walker
Rating: PG
Prompt used/word count: (2,570+)
Summary: Scotty desperately tries to get advice and find a way to bring back the spark in his marriage, when he comes up with an idea that just might get the attention he’s searching for.
Warnings: none
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Brothers & Sisters are the sole property of ABC
Scotty woke up, yawning sleepily as he tried to rub the tired out of his eyes. ‘8:00am already?’ he thought in disbelief as he looked at the small clock sitting at the bedside table. It felt as if his head had barely hit the pillow a few moments before. 'Thank goodness it was Saturday', thought Scotty as he reached towards the warmth of his husbands comforting arms, anticipating being embraced in his very own ‘Kevin-blanket’. But Scotty was disappointed to find he was once again alone in the large king-sized bed. He sat up in bed, startled by what he was feeling. Looking around the darkened, empty room, he realized that for the first time in his married life, he felt a twinge of unhappiness creeping in to taunt him. Not because his love for Kevin had wavered or faded through the years, but because being Kevin’s spouse could be a lonely place to live.
Scotty sighed before crawling out of bed, pulling on a robe and going in search of his husband. He quickly found Kevin finishing the last of a piece of jellied toast and pouring his second cup of steaming black coffee. “You didn’t wait for me?” asked Scotty with an obvious look of disappointment on his face. Scotty collected the empty dish and placed it in the sink wondering if he should talk to Kevin about how he was beginning to feel. “It was just toast babe,” was Kevin’s matter of fact reply, not even registering Scotty’s disillusionment. “I like toast,” mumbled Scotty softly. Especially if it was served hot and buttered, with a side of coffee and fresh fruit, and delivered to you in bed, fantasized Scotty without actually saying the words aloud. “There’s bread on the counter,” offered Kevin, not even sparing a glance in Scotty’s direction.
Kevin just didn’t get it. Certain things were important for couples, certain things were important for Scotty. While Kevin loved Scotty, he could take the act of sharing their meals together or building on their relationship as a couple for granted. For all intents and purposes, the men had come to act as roommates. Albeit, roommates with occasional benefits. But this was their life now. Each would come and go as they pleased, not investing the time in each other, as couples should.
Kevin looked up from his paper long enough to appreciate Scotty’s fit physique, tousled bedroom hair, and the soulful look in his eyes. Kevin sighed almost inaudibly, then got up kissing his husband lightly on the temple. “Actually, I’m surprised you’re even awake. I know it’s late by your standards, but it’s your first day off in weeks and you’ve barely gotten what? Five, six hours sleep? Why don’t you treat yourself to a day in bed?” Scotty smiled sweetly, momentarily excited by the thought. “Coming with?” he asked hopefully. “No, no. You need your rest. I’d just keep you up. I better go,” said Kevin as he got up from the dining table and collected his laptop case and keys. “Off to the library for some legal research. Maybe we can meet up later?” asked Kevin not waiting for a response, as he headed towards the front door.
“Kevin!” called out Scotty sounding overly anxious and concerned. Kevin stopped in his tracks looking back at his husband. “What’s wrong?” Kevin replied with some concern in his eyes. After a few moments of silence, Scotty reconsidered pleading for Kevin to stay. What could be gained by it? Guilting your partner into spending time with you simply didn’t sound like a particularly good method for fixing a relationship. “Nothing!” said Scotty abruptly shifting his eyes towards the ground. “Just didn’t want you to leave without saying goodbye,” he explained lamely. Kevin squinted his eyes and furrowed his brow suspiciously. “Okaaaay,” Kevin replied slowly. “Did you want me to...... stay?” “No. Of course not,” Scotty lied. “Bye then,” he said looking at Scotty, turning to leave, then briefly looking over his shoulder to get one last glimpse. Kevin shook his head in confusion, but closed the door and was on his way, incident forgotten.
Scotty walked over to the sink and washed the few dishes, meticulously drying them and putting each back in its place. Letting his emotions get the better of him, he wiped an angry tear that traitorously spilled down his cheek. But the one lone tear was nothing compared to the river of tears that threatened to follow. Stopping them was futile, so he walked into the living room allowing himself to feel what he was feeling, with no apologies or regrets. He collapsed onto the couch, lowered his face into his hands and just sobbed. At first he wasn’t quite sure why he needed to release the pent up emotion, but he came to realize that he felt isolated and unappreciated. His heart felt heavy and weighed down with the grief of it all. The couple spent so much time apart from each other to a ridiculous degree, the effects of which weren’t likely to be noticed by Kevin. He was just pulled in so many directions with his demanding family and workplace. But each moment Kevin spared for both family or the office, were moments Scotty felt lonely and abandoned.
****
Determined not to waste the day away feeling sorry for himself, Scotty got dressed and left the apartment. Not wanting to be alone, he settled on visiting Justin. Not only because his brother in law had become a close friend and confidant, but for the obvious reason that he felt comfortable venting about Kevin.
“Do you think he’s bored with me?” Scotty asked, once the topic arose.
“No. Of course not. He’s just as loopy over you as he ever was bro.”
“Well, um. Ok fine he loves me - sure, but do you think…..I mean, well……that he still finds me attractive?,” Scotty asked blushing a deep crimson that revealed his embarrassment.
“Are you freakin’ kidding me dude?” asked Justin dryly.
“I’m serious Justin, we don’t….. Well, we just don’t do it as much as we used to,” Scotty blurted out.
“Do what?” asked Justin absentmindedly, before catching on to the meaning of the phrase. “Oh gosh, no! TMI. I don’t need to be visualizing that Scotty. For Pete’s sakes. He’s my brother!,” Justin shouted with a visable shudder.
Scotty, suddenly gave in to silence, sitting on the couch across from Justin comforting himself by clinging to a pillow that was lying beside him. He looked dejected and incredibly sad.
"You're not gonna cry are you?” asked Justin moving nearer to Scotty, looking a bit more concerned. Scotty took the pillow and whacked it sharply over Justin’s head.
“No! I’m not gonna cry!” said Scotty with annoyance. “I’m afraid I’m all out of tears,” he then confessed quietly, as his brother in law rubbed the tender spot where he’d clocked him.
“Scotty, I’m sorry. It’s like, everyone wants to tell me their issues, and I don’t really get it. I’m the worst person to go to for help, trust me. But I’m sorry bro, and I mean it. Let me think for a sec……”. After briefly contemplating the issue Justin continued, “Ok, I just went to the bar with Kev last weekend, and Scotty honestly, he looked at no one. Not even a sidelong glance. He even told one dude he was married. Seriously! I’d say he still has the hot’s for you. Just look at you, you’ve still got it.”
“Got what?” shrugged Scotty in confusion.
“You know, you’re attractive…. For a man….. If I noticed such things…... Which I don’t. …. But since you’re asking, I’m making a special attempt to assess the situation, and I guess I would say you’re presentable.”
Scotty looked at Justin dryly with one raised eyebrow, mouthing the word ‘Presentable?’.
“Ok fine! You’re above average. If I liked dudes I’d probably think you’re sort of hot…” Justin uncomfortably admitted as his voice caught on the objectionable word.
Scotty smiled at Justin’s efforts to comfort him and thanked him sweetly, feeling somewhat encouraged by the awkward admission.
“….So anyway, I think it's all fine. He’s all about you, and you clearly want more of him” Justin had been rambling. “Sometimes couples just get in a bit of a rut that’s all. You need to reignite the spark.”
‘Reignite? Ain’t that the truth!,’ thought Scotty reminiscing of the once roaring fire that had been their love life, now not much more than cooling embers.
“Well how should I do that?” asked Scotty pensively.
“Um, I think I hear my phone ringing,” said Justin hesitantly as he slowly backed out of the living room.
“I don’t hear anything,” replied Scotty innocently, as he looked around listening for the phone. Then realizing he’d been had, he called out to Justin, “You don’t even have your phone with you; do you??!”
“It’s upstairs,” Justin mumbled from the staircase in the foyer as he high tailed it out of the room.
Scotty chuckled. Well, at least Justin had tried. He gave him credit for that, and he actually felt better. He felt reassured somehow. Now a plan to show Kevin the type of relationship he longed for.
Scotty had been to the library over the next few days, planning his strategy. He’d never been to the Los Angeles Central library and he immediately understood the appeal. ‘Who wanted to go to the office on the weekend or even work from home, when they could be here?’ he thought. The building was originally constructed in 1926 and was a city landmark. Part of the experience of visiting the library included looking at the beautiful and colorful tiles and paintings overhead. After taking a few moments to gaze at the frescos and old world architecture, Scotty busied himself with his plan. The legal section is where Kevin had a habit of frequenting. There were various desks with comfortable chairs and tiffany lamps, in the all but empty wing of the building. The warm wood shelves, architecture, art, and décor made the space appealing and comfortable. Not to mention the veritable silence - which must have been a liberating and peaceful utopia in which to work in. ‘No wonder’ Scotty murmured. ‘It’s lovely.’
Scotty looked for the book that Kevin had been consulting for a recent case. Finally locating it, he placed a note between the hard cover and plastic jacket. The note had Kevin’s name, so that it would be apparent that the note was intended for him. It also included a series of numbers that Kevin needed to decipher were the dewy decimal code for a specific book, a page number, chapter number, and the number of the word on the text. Scotty took hours preparing his message using several books; ones that Kevin had mentioned enjoying over the years. The Catcher in the Rye, How to win friends and influence people, The call of the wild, Titus, and The Naked Chef, among others. It would have been much simpler to just walk up to Kevin and tell him what he needed from him. But sometimes words spoken, simply could get lost on people. Whether it be not listening, not focusing, not considering the words or giving them serious thought. If this didn't get Kevin's attention, nothing would.
Before leaving, Scotty took the first volume, and placed it on hold under Kevin’s name, giving a heads up to the librarian on site, that the book was being held for Kevin Walker, offering a brief description of the man in question.
The following Saturday, Kevin walked into the library and was greeted by the librarian as usual. “Mr. Walker? she called out softly. “Yes?” he asked looking at her quizzically, not quite sure how she knew his name. “You’re the one researching from the Unwritten Constitution right?” she asked. “Yes” he replied hesitantly, “but no one ever goes to the legal section, I’m sure I can find the books I…” “This is on hold for you,” she interrupted handing him the huge volume. “Oh, ok. Thank you,” he replied in confusion as he made his way to his usual spot. Looking at the book for a few moments, he stared at the ‘Reserved’ sign, dated several days prior, referencing his name. He carefully removed the reserved notice and immediately saw the piece of paper folded and placed under the clear cover. The note had not been there the last time he’d borrowed the book, he immediately realized. Removing the piece of paper, he unfolded it and stared at the meticulous handwriting that looked suspiciously like Scotty’s. The code for the dewy decimal was obvious, the other numbers were anyone’s guess, but he set about to locate the book in question. The Catcher in the Rye, he soon found out. Spending a few minutes on the book, he deciphered the code that led him to nothing but one lone word - “Still”. On the page, was another paperclipped note. Kevin searched for the clue, which again led him to another book in another wing of the massive library. The clues took him upstairs, downstairs, to the legal section, fiction and non fiction, until he had all clues, making a list of the collection of words.
1.Still 2.You’re 3.You 4. Naked 5. In 6.Hard 7.For 8.Your 9.Arms 10.Waiting 11.Crazy 12. I’m 13. Chef 14.Until
The fact that the words were intended to give him a message was obvious. Kevin smiled as he thought of the trouble Scotty had taken to leave him the clues. He obviously had something important to say, he obviously wanted Kevin’s attention. That much was clear. Kevin had obtusely thought that spending time away from Scotty would lighten Scotty’s load, allow him spare time, and be easier on him somehow. When you cooked all day and night, the last thing you wanted was to come home and cook again, right? But what he’d failed to notice, was that in doing so, in allowing Scotty the free time he felt Scotty deserved, he also was spending less time with his husband and it warmed his heart to see that Scotty missed him. He missed Scotty too.
Focusing on the list he stared at it a few moments before a big grin spread across his lips. The message wasn’t complicated. It certainly wasn’t Scotty’s intention to stump him. Kevin shoved his laptop in his case, returned the books in the designated cart for them to be filed and took care to put away the clues in his wallet. He rushed out the door, quickly thanking the librarian and made his way to the Saab. Texting Scotty, before he left the parking lot, he simply said “Still going crazy, waiting hard and naked?.” A few seconds went by before he heard the ping of his text message. “LMAO!!!!,” followed by another text. “Still Crazy for you. Hard waiting until I’m in your arms. -Your Naked Chef.”
Kevin laughed heartily at his botched interpretation of the message, but he was in a lighter mood than he’d been in weeks. Heck, “naked” was on his jumbled word list. There was no such thing as ‘naked’ out of context, so far as he was concerned. He smiled at the phone when he reached the next stop light, texting a quick message. “Can u at least still b naked?” His quick reply: “I figured that would get you home on time for dinner. ;)”
Kevin's heart raced picturing his gorgeous husband. Would he be in his fitted black knit boxers, or maybe nothing but an apron? He unbuttoned the first few buttons of his dress shirt feeling a bit over dressed for the special dinner. His stomach flip flopped as he made a quick stop for a special bottle of wine to celebrate with. The rest of the way home Kevin thought of Scotty's message long and hard. It wasn't the words that had made such an impact on him, so much as the actions. 'I'm crazy about you too baby,' Kevin thought with nervous anticipation as he made his way home.
The end
Bingo!
Vertical - First Row
Author: ihrtmr
Works: 5 fanfics (Brothers & Sisters)
Love prompt list: Keeping the Spark Alive
*****
Name: Cooling embers
Fandom: Brothers & Sisters
Characters: Kevin and Scotty Walker
Rating: PG
Prompt used/word count: (2,570+)
Summary: Scotty desperately tries to get advice and find a way to bring back the spark in his marriage, when he comes up with an idea that just might get the attention he’s searching for.
Warnings: none
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Brothers & Sisters are the sole property of ABC
Scotty woke up, yawning sleepily as he tried to rub the tired out of his eyes. ‘8:00am already?’ he thought in disbelief as he looked at the small clock sitting at the bedside table. It felt as if his head had barely hit the pillow a few moments before. 'Thank goodness it was Saturday', thought Scotty as he reached towards the warmth of his husbands comforting arms, anticipating being embraced in his very own ‘Kevin-blanket’. But Scotty was disappointed to find he was once again alone in the large king-sized bed. He sat up in bed, startled by what he was feeling. Looking around the darkened, empty room, he realized that for the first time in his married life, he felt a twinge of unhappiness creeping in to taunt him. Not because his love for Kevin had wavered or faded through the years, but because being Kevin’s spouse could be a lonely place to live.
Scotty sighed before crawling out of bed, pulling on a robe and going in search of his husband. He quickly found Kevin finishing the last of a piece of jellied toast and pouring his second cup of steaming black coffee. “You didn’t wait for me?” asked Scotty with an obvious look of disappointment on his face. Scotty collected the empty dish and placed it in the sink wondering if he should talk to Kevin about how he was beginning to feel. “It was just toast babe,” was Kevin’s matter of fact reply, not even registering Scotty’s disillusionment. “I like toast,” mumbled Scotty softly. Especially if it was served hot and buttered, with a side of coffee and fresh fruit, and delivered to you in bed, fantasized Scotty without actually saying the words aloud. “There’s bread on the counter,” offered Kevin, not even sparing a glance in Scotty’s direction.
Kevin just didn’t get it. Certain things were important for couples, certain things were important for Scotty. While Kevin loved Scotty, he could take the act of sharing their meals together or building on their relationship as a couple for granted. For all intents and purposes, the men had come to act as roommates. Albeit, roommates with occasional benefits. But this was their life now. Each would come and go as they pleased, not investing the time in each other, as couples should.
Kevin looked up from his paper long enough to appreciate Scotty’s fit physique, tousled bedroom hair, and the soulful look in his eyes. Kevin sighed almost inaudibly, then got up kissing his husband lightly on the temple. “Actually, I’m surprised you’re even awake. I know it’s late by your standards, but it’s your first day off in weeks and you’ve barely gotten what? Five, six hours sleep? Why don’t you treat yourself to a day in bed?” Scotty smiled sweetly, momentarily excited by the thought. “Coming with?” he asked hopefully. “No, no. You need your rest. I’d just keep you up. I better go,” said Kevin as he got up from the dining table and collected his laptop case and keys. “Off to the library for some legal research. Maybe we can meet up later?” asked Kevin not waiting for a response, as he headed towards the front door.
“Kevin!” called out Scotty sounding overly anxious and concerned. Kevin stopped in his tracks looking back at his husband. “What’s wrong?” Kevin replied with some concern in his eyes. After a few moments of silence, Scotty reconsidered pleading for Kevin to stay. What could be gained by it? Guilting your partner into spending time with you simply didn’t sound like a particularly good method for fixing a relationship. “Nothing!” said Scotty abruptly shifting his eyes towards the ground. “Just didn’t want you to leave without saying goodbye,” he explained lamely. Kevin squinted his eyes and furrowed his brow suspiciously. “Okaaaay,” Kevin replied slowly. “Did you want me to...... stay?” “No. Of course not,” Scotty lied. “Bye then,” he said looking at Scotty, turning to leave, then briefly looking over his shoulder to get one last glimpse. Kevin shook his head in confusion, but closed the door and was on his way, incident forgotten.
Scotty walked over to the sink and washed the few dishes, meticulously drying them and putting each back in its place. Letting his emotions get the better of him, he wiped an angry tear that traitorously spilled down his cheek. But the one lone tear was nothing compared to the river of tears that threatened to follow. Stopping them was futile, so he walked into the living room allowing himself to feel what he was feeling, with no apologies or regrets. He collapsed onto the couch, lowered his face into his hands and just sobbed. At first he wasn’t quite sure why he needed to release the pent up emotion, but he came to realize that he felt isolated and unappreciated. His heart felt heavy and weighed down with the grief of it all. The couple spent so much time apart from each other to a ridiculous degree, the effects of which weren’t likely to be noticed by Kevin. He was just pulled in so many directions with his demanding family and workplace. But each moment Kevin spared for both family or the office, were moments Scotty felt lonely and abandoned.
****
Determined not to waste the day away feeling sorry for himself, Scotty got dressed and left the apartment. Not wanting to be alone, he settled on visiting Justin. Not only because his brother in law had become a close friend and confidant, but for the obvious reason that he felt comfortable venting about Kevin.
“Do you think he’s bored with me?” Scotty asked, once the topic arose.
“No. Of course not. He’s just as loopy over you as he ever was bro.”
“Well, um. Ok fine he loves me - sure, but do you think…..I mean, well……that he still finds me attractive?,” Scotty asked blushing a deep crimson that revealed his embarrassment.
“Are you freakin’ kidding me dude?” asked Justin dryly.
“I’m serious Justin, we don’t….. Well, we just don’t do it as much as we used to,” Scotty blurted out.
“Do what?” asked Justin absentmindedly, before catching on to the meaning of the phrase. “Oh gosh, no! TMI. I don’t need to be visualizing that Scotty. For Pete’s sakes. He’s my brother!,” Justin shouted with a visable shudder.
Scotty, suddenly gave in to silence, sitting on the couch across from Justin comforting himself by clinging to a pillow that was lying beside him. He looked dejected and incredibly sad.
"You're not gonna cry are you?” asked Justin moving nearer to Scotty, looking a bit more concerned. Scotty took the pillow and whacked it sharply over Justin’s head.
“No! I’m not gonna cry!” said Scotty with annoyance. “I’m afraid I’m all out of tears,” he then confessed quietly, as his brother in law rubbed the tender spot where he’d clocked him.
“Scotty, I’m sorry. It’s like, everyone wants to tell me their issues, and I don’t really get it. I’m the worst person to go to for help, trust me. But I’m sorry bro, and I mean it. Let me think for a sec……”. After briefly contemplating the issue Justin continued, “Ok, I just went to the bar with Kev last weekend, and Scotty honestly, he looked at no one. Not even a sidelong glance. He even told one dude he was married. Seriously! I’d say he still has the hot’s for you. Just look at you, you’ve still got it.”
“Got what?” shrugged Scotty in confusion.
“You know, you’re attractive…. For a man….. If I noticed such things…... Which I don’t. …. But since you’re asking, I’m making a special attempt to assess the situation, and I guess I would say you’re presentable.”
Scotty looked at Justin dryly with one raised eyebrow, mouthing the word ‘Presentable?’.
“Ok fine! You’re above average. If I liked dudes I’d probably think you’re sort of hot…” Justin uncomfortably admitted as his voice caught on the objectionable word.
Scotty smiled at Justin’s efforts to comfort him and thanked him sweetly, feeling somewhat encouraged by the awkward admission.
“….So anyway, I think it's all fine. He’s all about you, and you clearly want more of him” Justin had been rambling. “Sometimes couples just get in a bit of a rut that’s all. You need to reignite the spark.”
‘Reignite? Ain’t that the truth!,’ thought Scotty reminiscing of the once roaring fire that had been their love life, now not much more than cooling embers.
“Well how should I do that?” asked Scotty pensively.
“Um, I think I hear my phone ringing,” said Justin hesitantly as he slowly backed out of the living room.
“I don’t hear anything,” replied Scotty innocently, as he looked around listening for the phone. Then realizing he’d been had, he called out to Justin, “You don’t even have your phone with you; do you??!”
“It’s upstairs,” Justin mumbled from the staircase in the foyer as he high tailed it out of the room.
Scotty chuckled. Well, at least Justin had tried. He gave him credit for that, and he actually felt better. He felt reassured somehow. Now a plan to show Kevin the type of relationship he longed for.
Scotty had been to the library over the next few days, planning his strategy. He’d never been to the Los Angeles Central library and he immediately understood the appeal. ‘Who wanted to go to the office on the weekend or even work from home, when they could be here?’ he thought. The building was originally constructed in 1926 and was a city landmark. Part of the experience of visiting the library included looking at the beautiful and colorful tiles and paintings overhead. After taking a few moments to gaze at the frescos and old world architecture, Scotty busied himself with his plan. The legal section is where Kevin had a habit of frequenting. There were various desks with comfortable chairs and tiffany lamps, in the all but empty wing of the building. The warm wood shelves, architecture, art, and décor made the space appealing and comfortable. Not to mention the veritable silence - which must have been a liberating and peaceful utopia in which to work in. ‘No wonder’ Scotty murmured. ‘It’s lovely.’
Scotty looked for the book that Kevin had been consulting for a recent case. Finally locating it, he placed a note between the hard cover and plastic jacket. The note had Kevin’s name, so that it would be apparent that the note was intended for him. It also included a series of numbers that Kevin needed to decipher were the dewy decimal code for a specific book, a page number, chapter number, and the number of the word on the text. Scotty took hours preparing his message using several books; ones that Kevin had mentioned enjoying over the years. The Catcher in the Rye, How to win friends and influence people, The call of the wild, Titus, and The Naked Chef, among others. It would have been much simpler to just walk up to Kevin and tell him what he needed from him. But sometimes words spoken, simply could get lost on people. Whether it be not listening, not focusing, not considering the words or giving them serious thought. If this didn't get Kevin's attention, nothing would.
Before leaving, Scotty took the first volume, and placed it on hold under Kevin’s name, giving a heads up to the librarian on site, that the book was being held for Kevin Walker, offering a brief description of the man in question.
The following Saturday, Kevin walked into the library and was greeted by the librarian as usual. “Mr. Walker? she called out softly. “Yes?” he asked looking at her quizzically, not quite sure how she knew his name. “You’re the one researching from the Unwritten Constitution right?” she asked. “Yes” he replied hesitantly, “but no one ever goes to the legal section, I’m sure I can find the books I…” “This is on hold for you,” she interrupted handing him the huge volume. “Oh, ok. Thank you,” he replied in confusion as he made his way to his usual spot. Looking at the book for a few moments, he stared at the ‘Reserved’ sign, dated several days prior, referencing his name. He carefully removed the reserved notice and immediately saw the piece of paper folded and placed under the clear cover. The note had not been there the last time he’d borrowed the book, he immediately realized. Removing the piece of paper, he unfolded it and stared at the meticulous handwriting that looked suspiciously like Scotty’s. The code for the dewy decimal was obvious, the other numbers were anyone’s guess, but he set about to locate the book in question. The Catcher in the Rye, he soon found out. Spending a few minutes on the book, he deciphered the code that led him to nothing but one lone word - “Still”. On the page, was another paperclipped note. Kevin searched for the clue, which again led him to another book in another wing of the massive library. The clues took him upstairs, downstairs, to the legal section, fiction and non fiction, until he had all clues, making a list of the collection of words.
1.Still 2.You’re 3.You 4. Naked 5. In 6.Hard 7.For 8.Your 9.Arms 10.Waiting 11.Crazy 12. I’m 13. Chef 14.Until
The fact that the words were intended to give him a message was obvious. Kevin smiled as he thought of the trouble Scotty had taken to leave him the clues. He obviously had something important to say, he obviously wanted Kevin’s attention. That much was clear. Kevin had obtusely thought that spending time away from Scotty would lighten Scotty’s load, allow him spare time, and be easier on him somehow. When you cooked all day and night, the last thing you wanted was to come home and cook again, right? But what he’d failed to notice, was that in doing so, in allowing Scotty the free time he felt Scotty deserved, he also was spending less time with his husband and it warmed his heart to see that Scotty missed him. He missed Scotty too.
Focusing on the list he stared at it a few moments before a big grin spread across his lips. The message wasn’t complicated. It certainly wasn’t Scotty’s intention to stump him. Kevin shoved his laptop in his case, returned the books in the designated cart for them to be filed and took care to put away the clues in his wallet. He rushed out the door, quickly thanking the librarian and made his way to the Saab. Texting Scotty, before he left the parking lot, he simply said “Still going crazy, waiting hard and naked?.” A few seconds went by before he heard the ping of his text message. “LMAO!!!!,” followed by another text. “Still Crazy for you. Hard waiting until I’m in your arms. -Your Naked Chef.”
Kevin laughed heartily at his botched interpretation of the message, but he was in a lighter mood than he’d been in weeks. Heck, “naked” was on his jumbled word list. There was no such thing as ‘naked’ out of context, so far as he was concerned. He smiled at the phone when he reached the next stop light, texting a quick message. “Can u at least still b naked?” His quick reply: “I figured that would get you home on time for dinner. ;)”
Kevin's heart raced picturing his gorgeous husband. Would he be in his fitted black knit boxers, or maybe nothing but an apron? He unbuttoned the first few buttons of his dress shirt feeling a bit over dressed for the special dinner. His stomach flip flopped as he made a quick stop for a special bottle of wine to celebrate with. The rest of the way home Kevin thought of Scotty's message long and hard. It wasn't the words that had made such an impact on him, so much as the actions. 'I'm crazy about you too baby,' Kevin thought with nervous anticipation as he made his way home.
The end