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Even with the elevator, Ferris took the stairs; two at a time, like he always did, so that he was puffing by the time he reached the third level. His right hand jangled the keys in his jacket pocket absent-mindedly, his quick strides bringing him to a stop outside the apartment door. It was already getting to be the evening, and Ferris had been looking forward to nothing more than getting through the very door in front of him, and hopefully into the arms of the person who lived in the apartment beyond it. He adjusted his grip on the plastic bag holding the food he'd picked up for them both on the way home - burgers, from Tony's Kitchen. It was a bit out of the way, but the extra travel time was worth it for the best take out in Raccoon City.
Ferris unlocked the door with the key that had been gifted to him quite a few years ago at this point; despite his usual knack for misplacing small items, he'd never had to replace it, and he harboured a small sense of pride that he still had the original copy. The key turned easily, and Ferris twisted the knob with that small burst of excitement he always got whenever he did, hoping he'd find what he yearned for on the other side of the door. It only took one quick glance around the apartment for him to see he was in luck.
Albert was stretched across the couch, his boot-clad feet hanging off one end, while one arm was extended at an angle above his head. The other hung at his side, his fingertips brushing the floor. He hadn't even removed his sunglasses; Ferris pictured him collapsing there as soon as he had gotten through the door, and a wave of frustration caused his brow to furrow slightly. He'd been overworking himself again, spending all day at the precinct and all night doing God knows what work - because Ferris certainly didn't. Albert had his secrets, which Ferris was content to respect, but not when they came at the expense of his own health. And not when the scene he'd walked into had started to become a somewhat common occurrence. It wasn't the first time Ferris had encountered him in this state, and the initial fondness it had mustered had begun to shift to concern.
His excitement somewhat diminished, Ferris sighed audibly. He put his keys and the food down slowly on the table by the door, removed his shoes, and moved over to where his clearly exhausted partner lay sprawled out on the couch. As he plucked the sunglasses off of Albert's face, he couldn't help but admire him in his slumber, folding the eyewear carefully and putting them aside.
A few strands of Albert's perfectly coiffed hair had come out of place and rested against his temple in a way Ferris found maddeningly endearing. He often ran his fingers through Albert's hair in an attempt to loosen the bonds of the copious amounts of hair product he packed it with, just to see it sit naturally. There were dark circles under his eyes, reminiscent of their city's namesake, evidence of the sleepless nights he'd been far too frequently having. Slight wrinkles were forming there too, and upon his brow, almost unnoticeable and impressively so for a man approaching his 40s; Albert's strict skin care routine he'd roped Ferris into had been doing its work evidently, and Ferris often found himself hoping he aged as gracefully. Finally, the few familiar beauty spots on his face, most notably under his right eye and in the centre of his forehead, spots Ferris' lips were well acquainted with, used like indicators to show him where to kiss.
Ferris was struck every time he looked at him by just how pretty he found him, and he fought the urge to kiss him or run his thumb over his cheekbone. Instead, he moved to the other end of the couch and removed the heavy boots from his feet, moving them next to his own over by the door. Ferris looked back over at Albert, wishing he could undress him from the rest of his uncomfortable looking uniform, but knowing it would be close to impossible to do without waking him up; with how lightly Albert slept, he was surprised he hadn't stirred while Ferris was removing his boots. Surely an indication of just how tired he was.
Ferris gave him one more lingering look over, full of mixed feelings of fondness and exasperation, before he turned back to the front door and locked it as he swiped the bag of take-out back up off the table. Although he would have liked for them to have eaten it while it was still hot and fresh, Ferris was hesitant to wake Albert when it was clear he so needed this rest. Even so, he wondered how long it had been since Albert had eaten as well; Ferris hadn't had time to visit him at the police station today, like he did when he worked night shifts at the lab, and so hadn't been able to bring him lunch. It wasn't out of the question that he'd skipped it if he was busy and Ferris wasn't there to make him, though he held out hope that one of the other STARS members had brought something for the squad to snack on at least - Chris often brought a box of some kind of baked goods for his fellow STARS officers.
Wandering past the couch and into the kitchen while he pondered these thoughts, Ferris began unpacking the two burger boxes and the share of fries from the rustling plastic bag when he heard a sharp exhale. Glancing over, he saw Albert's head appear as he sat up, frowning slightly and rubbing his eyes. He turned towards to sound that must have awoken him.
"Ferris." His voice was still slightly rough and slurred with sleep.
"That's me. How was your sleep?"
Albert grumbled slightly. "Insufficient." He got off the couch and wandered over to where Ferris stood behind the counter in the open-plan kitchen.
"Well, I'm not surprised. You barely got through the door," Ferris complained. "I got food, but-" he held up a finger as Albert approached. "You don't get any until you change." Despite his tiredness, Albert let out a light laugh and moved to his side.
"Such a demanding thing you are." He murmured, and Ferris felt his heart warm as Albert stroked the top of his head. He looked up to meet Albert's gaze, tilting his head and giving him a winning smile.
"Comfy. Now." He pointed to the bedroom.
"Yes, yes, I understand." Albert waved a hand in faux dismissal, and Ferris watched him disappear through the door, stretching his neck and yawning as he went.
He could hear Albert moving around as he busied himself with setting out their dinner. That warm glow still lingered inside him, and the grin had faded to a soft smile. Albert exited the bedroom just as Ferris picked up the plates from the kitchen counter - a burger on each, with the fries split between the two. Ferris always gave more of his share to Albert, otherwise he'd just end up finishing them for him anyway. Ferris raised an eyebrow to himself as he saw Albert head back to the couch rather than the dining table, but followed obediently regardless. He must be tired; it wasn't often he allowed them to have a meal down there.
He was already sinking back into the couch cushions as Ferris set the plates down on the coffee table in front of him. He was wearing a plain grey tee, and the pyjama pants Ferris had bought him; light pink and white plaid flannel. He'd stared at them for a moment when Ferris first presented him with them, eyes and smile big and hopeful, before thanking him with the hint of a crooked smile of his own. Now they were a regular staple when the two were at Albert's apartment together; he even appreciated the slightly wonky heart Ferris had embroidered himself onto the back pocket.
Ferris sat down next to him, a few fries already in his mouth, and looked up at him. Though he could tell Albert was trying to hide it, he was met with an exhausted gaze in return, and his eyebrows came together in a concerned frown. Ferris briefly considered interrogating him over whether he'd eaten lunch, but judging from the way Albert had only just begun picking at his food, Ferris was satisfied that he'd fed.
"Albert, what time did you get home?" Albert took a moment to answer as he took his time chewing.
"I believe it was about 6:30pm." Ferris glanced at the clock and his heart sank in dismay. It was just after 7. Albert had barely been asleep for half an hour.
"And how long before that had it been since you last slept?"
"About 24 hours."
Ferris frowned at him pointedly.
"Perhaps it was closer to 36."
"Albert!" Ferris scolded. "This is the third time in 2 weeks I've come home to you passed out on the couch, still in your uniform. You're running yourself into the ground, it's not good for you."
Albert smiled slyly. "You consider my apartment your home?"
Ferris rolled his eyes, but it was accompanied by his own smile he wasn't able to suppress. "Don't try and change the subject, I'm telling you off here. I'm being serious, what am I supposed to do if you keel over, huh?"
"You know, I'm very lucky to have you to look after me," Albert held out his hand, and when Ferris placed his own in it, he intertwined their fingers together, lightly tugging him closer. "Alright, I see your point. I'll do my best to comply with your demands." He said it teasingly, but Ferris was satisfied with his victory and allowed himself to be pulled closer.
"I'd ask for your word, but I'm not so sure it would stand for much, so I'll just have to trust you." Ferris said as his weight pushed Albert back onto the couch.
"Such a cutting remark. You know I'd never lie to you, sweetness." Albert took Ferris' chin between his finger and thumb, and ran it over his lips, drawing him forward.
"Mmmhmm, yes I'm sure." Ferris' tone was playful and light as he met Albert's lips with his own, his eyes closing and his body sinking into his lover's sturdy body below him. Albert let out a hum, and his arms snaked around Ferris' smaller frame. His grasp was strong yet just barely restrained; Ferris had a feeling it wouldn't take much for the much stronger man to simply snap him in half. He also felt that it might not be such a bad way to go out. Even so, Albert's gentleness with him always fascinated him. His conscious consideration of the differing level of fragility between them made Ferris swoon, making him feel like some precious thing Albert didn't want to damage, and yet still safe while held tight in his grasp.
The kiss was interrupted by a yawn, Albert politely turning his face away so not to do it right in Ferris' face. Ferris' eyes softened fondly.
"Albert," he placed his hand on the side of Albert's face and gently guided his gaze back to him. "You need to sleep. Come on." He planted one more sweet kiss to his lips, and stood up from the couch as Albert somewhat unwillingly loosened his grip on him and followed his lead.
"I suppose I can't argue with you," He stifled another yawn, and muttered, "My body has betrayed me."
"We can pick up where we left off once we get into bed." Ferris promised with a crafty smile.
"That's hardly sounds like an activity condusive for sleep. Not that I'm complaining."
"Don't worry, I'll put you to sleep alright." Ferris winked at him. Albert produced a soft laugh.
"I think you'll have to worry about something else being the death of me."