Oliver was making it difficult to fight. He would sell his house? Theyâd go to open houses on the weekend? TheyâdâŚcombine their income? Landon inhaled, his brows furrowed together and his face scrunched up as Oliver spoke. Why would Oliver want to live with him? The answer couldnât have been as simple as love. There needed to be an ulterior motive. Landon needed there to be a motive.Â
Both men were well off financiallyâ a doctor and a software developer. Logistically, they could afford a decent sized house with enough space for Landon to stomp off and be dramatic when he needed to. He pulled away when Oliver nudged him teasingly. It was so much to comprehendâ he needed his mom.Â
âYou spoke to Allison?â he asked. Landon pulled out of Oliverâs grasp, using one hand to poke at the sides of his lips while the other ran through his hair. If his sister-in-law couldnât talk Oliver out of this request, Landon was a goner. âIâm not going to complain about accent walls when yourâ,â eyes darted down, ânevermind. This is a lot for me, Ollie. YouâŚyou understand that, donât you?â
Slinking down to the floor, the dogs came over and sat in front of him. It felt like a family. âWeâre going to have to figure out what neighborhood we want to live in,â Landon explained, âAnd I reserve the right to say no to any house without reason, okay? Iâm going to need an office for days when I work from home, andâŚ,â a pause. âWhy do you want to live with me?â
As he listened, he felt the need to give the man some space. A little space when a long way, and learning to communicate effectively was at the top of his radar. In some aspects, it was okay the way that they were-- going to separate houses after a few days stretch of being together, knowing that they had a place to go if a fight broke out, or a disagreement. It was a safe space. It was comforting.
When Landon fully pulled away, Oliver felt his chest rising in anticipation for exactly what he was afraid of. The bomb, the explosion, the aftermath. The screaming, the disagreeing. The moments that werenât fun. From what it looked like on the surface, the body language spoke for itself.
Oliver tensed. The question seemed a bit accusatory, a bit like he wasnât expecting Oliver to go to someone and ask for advice, specifically someone who he may not want in their business. But, he felt that Alli was one person that he could trust. Someone who knew them both, and could give an unbiased opinion. âI did talk to her, yes, Iâm sorry if that was a bit forward,â The manâs eyes looked at Landonâs stance away from him, wondering if this was a mistake. At the same time, he recognized that this was at least an okay reaction. There wasnât screaming, there wasnât crying. It seemed to be civil.Â
âI know this is a lot.â His voice softened, a bit of silence filling the air in the kitchen. âThatâs why I just... wanted space to open up and talk about it. We donât have to make any decisions right now.â He watched the man sit on the ground, the movement a bit childish, but seemingly sweet as he watched them climb into his lap willingly. âThose are all things we can talk about,â He leaned on the counter, his other hand resting on his hip as his eyes narrowed down at the man. His smile growing on his face at the manâs request, âI donât see any problem with that. Iâll give you the moon, but only if you ask nicely. And, say please.âÂ
Oliver paused. His throat tightening at the words; his innate reaction was to clear his throat promptly. âBecause,â He bit his lip, âI love you. Itâs important to me that we can navigate big decisions together,â He could bait him-- he really knew what it was that could hook, line, and sink it. âPlus,â He sat on the floor in front of Landon, their knees touching. âThink about the room we can build together for your niece. The yard, the playroom-- I want to help you with that. An apartment is not going to facilitate that as well, you know?â