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It had been a long day.
Although he’d come back physically unscathed this time, the number that had come up was Leon Tao’s again. And just like every other time it had involved him, it had been epic, frustrating, and incredibly exhausting for John.
He felt like he hadn’t accomplished anything, and all he wanted was to finally get home.
Harold told that he would be waiting for him for dinner at his loft once John had dropped Leon off at home safe and sound. As he got out of his car, the sight of the lit windows on the top floor gave John a sense of relief.
No sooner had he crossed the threshold that he kicked off his shoes, set his things down in the entryway, and began to untie the tie he’d had to wear for appearances' sake but hated.
As he sighed, releasing the tension, a pleasant smell reached his nose. His stomach growled, and he realized he had barely eaten anything since the doughnuts that morning. John headed toward the kitchen and stopped in the doorway, smiling at the scene before him.
Harold was preparing dinner while being watched by Bear. The dog followed his every move, no doubt hoping for a treat.
When he spotted John, Bear barked once and ran over to him to get petted.
After doing his best to avoid tripping under the dog’s enthusiastic affection, John bent down to scratch his head and at that moment, Harold turned around and said gently, "I’m glad you’re finally here, John."
John stood up and, once he was in front of Harold, rested his forehead on his lover’s shoulder while Harold wrapped his arms around him.
"...A tough day, huh?" Harold said, giving John an affectionate kiss on the temple.
"You have no idea," John whispered, wrapping his arms around Harold's waist.
"Which is always the case whenever Mr. Tao is involved. I’ve prepared..."
He was interrupted by John’s rumbling stomach and continued with a soft laugh, "Something that will fill you up, I hope."
John looked up and said, "That smells divine," before kissing Harold lightly on the lips and burying his face in his neck.
They stayed like that for another two minutes until Harold tried to pull away. John held him back, and Harold chuckled softly.
"Mr. Reese, if you want to eat, you're going to have to let me go so I can finish cooking."
John reluctantly released Harold. Harold turned toward the pot on the stove and, as he began stirring the contents, he felt two arms wrap around his waist and John’s chin rest on his shoulder.
Harold chuckled softly but made no move to break free from John’s embrace.
Honestly, even though John wasn’t shy about kisses and touches, there was something endearing about the way he clung to Harold. It was a side Harold wouldn’t have suspected before getting to know the younger man more intimately.
So Harold continued to bustle about in the kitchen without dislodging the "octopus" that had made itself at home against him.
After the food finished cooking, he turned off the burner under the pot. Then, turning back into John’s arms, he kissed him on the forehead.
"Do you think you could let go of me so we could eat?"
Reluctantly, John let go of Harold and went to sit at the table. Harold brought two steaming plates over to him. They began to eat in silence and after a moment, John’s hand slid across the table to take Harold’s hand, which was resting near his plate.
He brought it to his lips, kissed it, and said softly, "Thank you..."
Harold looked taken aback and asked, "Thank you for what?"
"For this." John gestured broadly toward their plates.
Harold frowned. "Isn’t that normal?"
John nodded.
"That's it. It's normal. Thank you for giving me this. This sort of normality."
Seeing Harold’s puzzled expression, John explained, "Our lives are pretty hectic, even chaotic. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? But when I’m sitting here with you like this, I can leave all that behind for a few moments. Just because you’re here and take care of those normal things as you say."
Visibly embarrassed, Harold nodded and grumbled, "Eat, or it'll get cold."
John picked up his fork but noticed the slight blush rising to Harold’s cheeks.
His lover had gotten up to pour them two glasses of wine. When he was near John, John called out to him softly.
"Harold?"
"Hm?" Harold looked up. John cupped Harold's face and pulled him closer, lightly brushing the corner of his mouth with the tip of his tongue.
"What was that for, Mr. Reese?"
John put on an innocent face and said, "You've got a little sauce on there."
Harold, who wasn’t fooled for a second, shot John a fake look of disapproval while pointing at him. "You..."
John burst out laughing, and Harold quickly joined him, delighted to see his lover laughing and having fun so openly.
Tomorrow would bring chaos, but for a few hours, they could experience what all couples experienced.
A normal life.
A happy one.