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“Okay fine. Guess we're taking a break then.” Angel laments as they drop the paintbrush again, another ache shooting through their hand. “Fuck it right? Why would I need to use my joints anyways.”
Struggling to their feet they try and pull themselves up before falling back into the chair with a groan. Everything hurts, aches settling into every crevice of their body.
‘What a waste of a day off.’ They think bitterly. They needed help today, and as much as logically they knew that was fine, it didn't stop the sting of embarrassment or guilt from weaving through their brain.
“Davey?” They call out to the house. Half of them hoped he wouldn't hear them so they could wallow, but David never ignored them, and he always answered their call.
They hear his footsteps pad down the hall from his office. “Angel? Everything okay?”
“I mean yeah it's me, I'm the greatest.” They swallow. They don't miss how his gaze focuses on their face, they don't miss how easily he reads them. “I just need some help getting to the bed.” They hold up shaking hands with a wry smile.
“Want me to carry you?”
“Only if you can handle all this, big boy.” They throw in a wink for good measure.
He snorts, “I think I've proven that I'm more than capable of handling you.”
“And if you want to again, my door is always open.”
“It's our door Angel.” He pulls back their chair and scoops them up into his arms. “Comfortable?”
“In your arms? Always.”
He rolls his eyes, “I'll take that as a yes then.” As he lays them on the bed, they feel their heart skip a beat at the reverence in his hold. His touch is always warm, despite how much he protests that they're a furnace; they will never feel anything but warmth from David Shaw.
“Join me?” They wiggle their eyebrows up at him.
“Alright. I'm mostly done for the day anyways.” He pulls off his shirt and trousers before climbing into the bed by their side.
Angel whistles “I mean I was just asking for company, but a free show too? I'll take it.”
Unable to hide the smile on his face, David turns to face them. “Who said it was free, you little snot? I'll need at least a kiss for that.”
They giggle as he leans over, capturing their mouth with his.
“Where is it worst?” He inquires as he pulls away.
“Everywhere is seeming like a promising option for this answer, but if I could humbly request that there's a secret bonus option of you giving me kisses on my oh so sore lips, then I would not be complaining.”
“You'll get your kisses Angel.” He gently takes their hand, kissing the palm before massaging it between his fingers. “But I'm asking you what hurts most, so I can help.”
They don't answer for a moment, watching him holding their hand.
“Knees and ankles.” They concede, “but seriously, I'm fine you don't have to.”
“I know I don't. But I want to.” He runs his hands down their sides making them shiver. “Let me?” Always a question, always an offer.
“Okay. Only since you're so insistent.” They whisper.
“Can you tell me about what you were painting?” David asks, as he gently massages one of their knee joints between two large hands.
“Just woods again, nothing too exciting.” They murmur, running a hand through his hair.
“I’m interested, and there's normally a story behind what you're painting.” A kiss to the top of the joint once his hands are done with that section.
“Just thinking about the solstice coming up: we'll need to start planning soon.”
He hums in affirmation, moving to their other knee. “The run?”
“Yeah.” Wistful tone slipping in, “you look so in your element when you do. Feels good to see.”
“I'm glad you enjoy seeing it.” His touches are practiced and familiar, a testimony to their relationship. “Is it the woods from last year?”
“No. I'm just painting trees close enough together. Forest of the mind.”
“Very poetic.”
“What can I say? I'm incredibly profound.”
“You are.”
The room quiets after that. The pair slipping into a familiar peace, the day having stripped the layers away. The sunset weaves its way through the window, draping itself across the bed, igniting Angel’s hair in a fiery halo. David pauses a moment in his ministrations to watch them, eyes closed and calm. Until one eye peaks open to look at him.
“Can I just say what a view?” They tease, playing with the hair on the nape of his neck.
His rumbling laugh fills their heart to bursting. “That should be my line.” He slowly gets back into motion, gentle circles on their ankles.
“Mmm, too bad I stole it.”
“Not the only thing you stole.”
“Your heart?” They bat their eyelids.
“Yes you brat.” He grumbles at how easily they can read him.
“Don't pout, I'll get ideas.” They gesture him upwards. “Come here.”
How could he ignore such a sweet call? David rises to settle beside them, pulling them carefully onto his chest.
“Better?”
“Yeah.”
“Good.” He nuzzles into their hair, breathing them in.
“Thank you Davey.”
“Always, Angel.”