David insists heâs not old. You insist the evidence says otherwise. And unfortunately for him, the evidence usually sounds like his knees cracking every time he stands up.
One morning youâre both getting ready, and David bends down to pull on his socks before immediately grimacing at the loud pop from his knee.
âThat sounded prehistoric.â
âYouâre deteriorating.â
He glares at you while sitting on the edge of the bed, sock half on.
You walk over, barely holding back a grin. âOkay grandpa, let me help before you throw your back out.â
But heâs already smiling despite himself.
And somehow, after that day, it becomes a thing.
Just the ones where heâs especially tired, or sore after the gym, or moving slower because heâs been working too much.
Youâll walk into the bedroom and find him sitting on the edge of the bed rubbing a hand over his knee.
And immediately⌠âOh, your joints are acting up again?â
He rolls his eyes every single time.
âYou are deeply annoying.â
You wiggle your fingers impatiently.
After a second, he finally lifts his foot toward you with a long-suffering sigh.
âThis is humiliating.â
âThatâs unrelated.â
You snort and crouch in front of him, sliding the sock properly over his foot.
âYou know,â you say conversationally, âmost elderly people are supposed to stretch regularly.â
âYou made a noise getting out of bed yesterday.â
âMine was emotional exhaustion.â
He laughs quietly at that, watching you pull the sock up carefully.
Thereâs something domestic about it that he secretly loves.
You between his knees, muttering insults while taking care of him anyway.
You finish one foot and immediately hold your hand out.
âThis feels like abuse.â
âYouâre lucky I donât put you in compression socks.â
You grin wickedly. âA nice orthopedic shoe perhaps?â
He catches your wrist lightly before you can move away, tugging you closer until youâre standing between his legs.
âYou done?â he asks, amused.
âNo. I still need to schedule your retirement home tour.â
He shakes his head, smiling despite himself.
Then his hands slide around your waist.
âYou know,â he murmurs, looking up at you, ânormal people donât bully the person theyâre helping.â
âIâm keeping you humble.â
âAnd thriving. Unlike your knees.â
He laughs properly then, head tipping back slightly.
âThere he is,â you say smugly. âSee? Good for your circulation.â
âYouâre ridiculous.â
âBut your socks are on.â
You start to pull away, but his grip tightens slightly around your waist.
âThank you,â he says quietly.
Your expression softens immediately.
Because beneath all the teasing, you know what this really is, love in tiny routines.
So you lean down and kiss his forehead gently.
âYouâre welcome, old man.â
âYou ruin every nice moment.â
His hands pull you closer instantly, forehead resting against your stomach.