#carowrites

Adrian smiled, his body felt like jello as he lay in bed Arthur breathing against his neck as he lay on top of him while he caught his breath. He wiggled his wrists a little, the movement catching Arthur’s attention, as he finally let go of him and let Adrian lower his arms.

“I really needed that.” Adrian spoke quietly, not wanting to break the bubble they were in. Finally settling his hands, one on Arthur’s back and the other in his hair. They had gone so long without having sex, it felt nice to be connected with Arthur like that again.

“Me too,” Arthur’s response came after a moment of silence. His husband rolling off of him to lay on his side. A satisfied smile on his face. Arthur’s eyes watching him curiously. “Do you want to split that kit kat that was in the same bag with the condoms?”

He had forgotten about the chocolate, the one he had grabbed to try and make the gas station transaction less awkward. “Sure.” He laughed softly as Arthur rolled away for a moment to reach over the side of the bed and grab the bag he had thrown after grabbing what they needed.

Adrian shifted in the bed a little to get comfortable as Arthur rolled back with the chocolate bar in hand. Arthur settled on top of him in between Adrian’s legs careful not to squish him. He hadn’t mentioned it ever but Adrian was a big fan of having Arthur lay on top of him. It just felt nice to have Arthur’s weight over him it’s not like it was uncomfortable to have him there either.

Arthur worked on opening the package while Adrian tugged at the bed sheets to pull them up and keep them warm and covered. He was sure no one would bust into their room but if they did he wouldn’t want Arthur to flash them a bum cheek either. Those were for Adrian to see only.

“What do you think he want?” Arthur broke the comfortable silence between them. The question causing Adrian to tense up for a moment, his eyes darting from the door to Arthur who was still concentration in the package, finally opening the wrapper and meeting Adrian’s gaze. “What? I’m curious.”

“I don’t know, and I’m not sure I want to know.” Adrian took a stick of chocolate that Arthur held out for him to. “Though if I’d have to guess. He probably wants to comment on our marriage and life together.” He took a bite of the chocolate, keeping his gaze on Arthur.

“You don’t think he wants to apologize?”

“No.” Adrian shook his head.

“How can you be so sure?” Arthur was giving him a quizzical look, his lips pursed as he tried to comprehend how Adrian could easily write his father off. However, Arthur knew he’d stand by Adrian’s side no matter what his decision would be.

Adrian didn’t know what to say, he just had a feeling. One that told him to stay far away from his father. He may have forgiven his mother but he knew better than to try and patch things up with his dad. “It’s a feeling. I don’t want us to get involved with him.”

His mother had been a whole different story. She was a lot like him, and she had regretted ever letting her now ex-husband kick Adrian out. Apparently she had watched him from afar, keeping an eye on his social media and watching Canterbury Tales to make sure he was doing well. All behind her husband’s back. Adrian only knew this because she had confessed this to him when she had shown up at his front door a little over a year ago now.

Adrian finished his portion of the chocolate in silence, thinking about what Arthur had said and what his father wanted. Just to talk. Adrian could walk away at any time if he didn’t want to hear what he was saying.

“I’m sorry for ruining the mood.” Arthur’s voice broke through the silence. Catching Adrian’s attention. Those blue eyes held so much softness and love in them, Adrian couldn’t help but shake his head and smile.

“It’s okay Arthur.” Adrian shifted a little in bed, Arthur handing him the last of the chocolate to finish as he rolled off of him and placed the wrapper on the nightstand. Moving to lay on his back beside adrian.

He didn’t want to think about it anymore. Maybe he would talk to his dad tomorrow. Maybe. First he just wanted to enjoy his first not awkward night with Arthur in a long time. Adrian rolled to his side and cuddled close to his husband, placing his head on Arthur’s chest as Arthur wrapped an arm around him. “I love you.” Adrian whispered, smiling as he settled in for the night.

“I love you too.” Arthur’s responded before kissing the top of Adrian’s head. A gesture that Adrian had always found so sweet and loving. They had their rough patches but in the end they got through things as a team. Not long after that Adrian felt himself drifting off to sleep, his mind settling on pleasant thoughts about him and Arthur rather than what might happen tomorrow.

—

Adrian opened his eyes. There was a knock at the door which had caused him to wake up. Another knock.

“Adrian…Arthur are you two awake?” The voice was quiet as it came from the other side of the door.

“Stephen? Come in.” Adrian answered, Arthur grumbled, still asleep as he pulled the blanket up. The door cracked open, his brother walking in standing awkwardly at the door.

“You’re naked?” Stephen asked, though he probably didn’t want to know the answer.

“Yes,” Adrian had made sure they were both covered up. “What’s happening?” He didn’t want to rush Stephen but he didn’t want Arthur to wake up either.

“It’s Christmas morning. Mom was wondering if you and Arthur are coming down for gifts and coffee.” Right, they had Christmas traditions. Adrian looked over at Arthur who was still sleeping peacefully.

Maybe he shouldn’t wake him. “I’ll be down in a couple minutes. I’ll let Arthur sleep a little more and I’ll wake him up once brunch is ready so he can eat.” Adrian knew better than to make Arthur suffer through gifts and Christmas music without any food. Coffee wasn’t going to be enough to battle off his grumpy mood.

“Okay, I’ll let mom know.” Stephen smiled, giving Adrian a wink. “Merry Christmas.” He turned to leave, still smiling cheekily. Adrian didn’t even bother to protest. Despite his father’s sudden appearance, Christmas Eve hadn’t been that bad.

Carefully he climbed out of bed, getting dressed in a pair of jeans and a navy blue sweater with tiny grey reindeer sewn all over. Brushing his teeth he made sure to make as little noise as possible while he tip toed around the room and ensuite until he closed the door behind him and was in the hall.

Adrian could hear the chatter downstairs. Stephen and his girlfriend, along with his mother. Strangely enough he couldn’t hear his father. Making his way down the stairs he turned the corner and stood at the entrance to the living room. Quickly spotting his father sitting quietly reading a newspaper and drinking his coffee as the other three occupants chatted.

“Sorry for taking so long, we didn’t set an alarm and well…Arthur likes sleeping more than opening gifts.” Adrian smiled, avoiding his father’s gaze. Instead he took the coffee his mother offered him and took a seat beside her.

Adrian family had always been huge into Christmas. Which was funny because Arthur detested the holiday. The two of them kept a holiday pact. If Adrian let Arthur had whatever and do whatever he wanted on Halloween then Adrian got to do the same for Christmas. It worked well for them when they were in Canterbury, but it felt weird to do the gift opening without Arthur this year. Adrian didn’t touch any of the gifts that were marked for Arthur or the one that Arthur had wrapped for him. He’d do that later once his husband was up.

Instead he watched his family members, and Stephens girlfriend, open up their gifts. Adrian had only bought gifts for Stephen, Lindsay his girlfriend, and his mother, placing other his and Arthur’s name on the tags. They all seemed to like their gifts, Adrian had let Arthur know what he had bought them so he could at least pretend that he had helped.

Once the gifts were open and the ripped wrapping paper collected and thrown away. His mother announced that she was going to get started on brunch. Adrian stood to join her and Lindsay in the kitchen.

“Adrian,” his father spoke up catching everyone’s attention. Adrian looked over at his father’s gaze seemed to freeze him in his place. “Can I have that chat with you in the study?” His voice was commanding as ever, the little boy inside of him quivered in fear for a moment, scared of doing something that might displease his father.

“I…” Adrian looked over at Stephen who for some reason was giving him a pleading look. He probably didn’t want Lindsay to witness a shouting match between the two of them. “Okay.” He gave in with a sigh. Stephen gave him a thankful smile.

“Stephen can you wake Arthur up? Just take him a coffee and let him know brunch will be ready soon…please.” If he was going to have the displeasure of dealing with his father, than. Stephen would have to deal with grumpy Arthur.

Adrian waited for his father who folded up the newspaper and made his way past him and towards the study in the back of the house. Adrian followed, entering the room which had floor to ceiling windows looking out to the backyard and the bay. If you looked to the left you could just see the Golden Gate Bridge.

“I know you don’t want to talk to me, and I’m not here to ask for your forgiveness.” His father started as Adrian closed the door incase it did turn into a shouting match. It sounded like it was going to be. He crossed his arms and stood by the door watching.

His father was tall like Stephen, his hair, the way he dressed, his voice. It all shouted money and power. As a lawyer it’s exactly how you wanted to come off. It was intimidating. As much as Adrian wanted to hold his own against him, he knew that he probably couldn’t. “Okay.”

“As you know, your brother wants to go into politics.” Stephen had mentioned it a couple months ago. “He’s got a good shot at becoming a senator, however he still needs help.” His father moved to stand by the windows. “He’s become part of the Democratic Party. Or well he’s looking to be backed by them. I’m helping him with that. But of course there will be background checks. The press will dig into his past and into his family.” There was a pause, his father’s gaze became calculating.

“You and…your husband.” Adrian heard the hesitation. “You two can help his image in the eyes of the equal rights movement. You both are middle class, hard working Americans. What’s better is that you both have some media coverage. People can relate to you two. Arthur with his son, his small business. You struggling as a high school teacher. It’s all very heart warming.” So he had been right, his father wanted something from them.

“Stephen needs you two to endorse his image, but he also needs us to bury the hatchet and…there to be no controversy between us.” His father looked like he wasn't too happy with this. “I may disagree with your lifestyle choices, and your choice of…husband. However Im sure that the both of us can agree that we wouldn’t want to hurt Stephens chances of joining the senate in any way.”

Adrian was in shock. What was he supposed to say? He wanted Stephen to be happy and pursue his dream to join the senate and make a difference. Stephen had, all his life been helping Adrian out, the least he could do it help him now.However he didn’t want to pretend to get along with his father for the press. Nor did he want to have any contact with the man. “So what do you want from us?”

“You and Arthur need to throw support Stephens way, the two of you need to be more envolved in your family here in California. Be it with trips here for birthdays, campaign rally’s, or holidays. We need to pretend to get along, and Arthur needs to come clean about being HIV positive.” Adrian opened his mouth to protest the last part. How did his father even know about Arthur’s disease. It was all speculation but nothing had ever been confirmed. “Before you even ask, I have my ways, and Stephen told me when we sat down to seriously talk about his new career choice. Normally something like this would be a huge negative. However we can throw it in a positive spin. If Arthur and you become more involved in the AIDS community it would only shine more positively on Stephen.” His father had really thought this out. That smug lawyer confidence told him that. Adrian didn’t know what to say. There was so much to think about.

“Adrian, I can see you’re struggling to understand what I’m asking for.” Steven stepped closer. For the first time in nearly ten years he placed a hand on his shoulder. “I may never understand why you decided to throw away your chance to become something more than just a high school teacher in a mediocre public school in a small town in Connecticut. You had potential to be a great lawyer as well or a doctor, but you’re happy with what you have.” He had such a condescending manner to the way he spoke about his life that drove Adrian mad. “However your brother, he wants to do more with his life. Who knows, he may make it into the White House one day. He isn’t done yet. And it’s our job as his family to help him reach his goals.”

Adrian felt the grip on his shoulder tighten. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place. What was he supposed to say?

“I’ll talk to Arthur.” Adrian felt the grip loosen up and his father smiled, pleased with the result.

“Good.” He moved to walk around him, Adrian moved away from the door as his father placed his hand on the knob.

“I can’t promise anything.” Adrian didn’t know how he was going to explain this to Arthur.

“Please Adrian,” his father wasn’t asking he was telling him to do his part. “I’m sure you know how to be convincing…after all, you are my son.” With that he opened the door and closed it shut behind him. Adrian stood there shook to his very core.

Oh look it happened again.

 ---

It hadn’t taken long for them to drive to the gas station near his mother’s house. Adrian sat in the passenger seat with a giant smile on his face as he watched the glee on Arthur’s face as he tested out the car’s handling and speed. All while not being too reckless. After all it wasn’t their car that they had borrowed. Adrian had sent Stephen a text to let him know that they had gone out and borrowed the Audi, in case they noticed they were both missing or that the car wasn’t parked outside anymore.

“You know, B is getting a little old now. Maybe we can trade her in for a newer model…or an SUV. Something more child friendly.” Adrian shrugged, “Something to think about in the future maybe.”

“Yeah, maybe after we’ve figured out our budget with the house payments.” Arthur agreed, slowing down the car and signalling to turn into the gas station.

They had both started to seriously talk about a future with kids now. He knew it was going to change things in their lives a lot. It wasn’t going to be easy. There was going to be a lot of sleepless nights, stress, and tears. Raising a child from day one was going to be a huge challenge. Even raising Jude was hard and they only had him part-time. But they both wanted it now, they both wanted kids. So they began to lay out the ground work for their new addition to their family.

Arthur turned into the gas station, parking the car near the front of the store. Turning the engine off as he turned to Adrian, opening his mouth to as if he were about to say something.

“Nope, no. You go in and buy them.” Adrian shook his head and laughed as Arthur frowned. He had guessed correctly.

“Come on, I drove us here.”

Adrian sighed as Arthur gave him a pleading look. “Fine.” He unbuckled his seatbelt and opened the door, the cool night air hitting his sense again and sobering him up a little. Patting his back pockets to make sure he had his wallet walked past the front of the car. Arthur tapping the horn and winking at him as he glared back at him. Cheeky monkey.

It’s not like Adrian was ashamed of buying condoms. He had worked in a sex shop for a couple months while he had been in between jobs. It was the looks the cashier would give him that he hated so much. That dirty ‘enjoy’ look he hated so much. Adrian looked over and cringed. A pimply lanky teenager sat at the register, drinking out of a can of soda as he played on his phone. It wasn’t that busy. It was Christmas Eve after all. Adrian sighed, going down the health aisle. Walking past the tampons, baby formula, and pepto. Straight to the end where the boxes of condoms and small tubes of lube were kept.

Grabbing a box of their usual brand and a box with a small tube of lube he made his way to the counter, wondering if he should grab anything else. He looked around and grabbed a bag of gummy sour worms and a kitkat bar. Placing it all down on the counter, pretending like this wasn’t the most awkward exchange ever as the teen scanned the items and looked over at Adrian with that knowing look.

“Will that be all?”

“Umm, yes.” Adrian nodded.

“Cash or credit?”

“Credit” Adrian pulled out his wallet and tapped his card against the reader as the teen handed over the bag. “Thanks.” Adrian mumbled.

“Have a Merry Christmas!” The guy called out after him as Adrian quickly made his way out of the door and towards the car. Not looking over at Arthur until he had opened the door and sat down in the passenger seat.

“You’re buying them next time.” Adrian opened the bag and pulled out the gummy worms, opening the packet as he listed to Arthur laugh at him. His husbands hand snaking over and taking a gummy out of the bag.

“I’ll buy them next time.”

Adrian looked over at Arthur as he munched away on the gummy candy. “Brat.” He laughed softly. “Let’s go home.” He put the seatbelt back on as Arthur started the car again. Leaning over to press a peck on Arthur’s cheek before sitting back in his seat and watching Arthur as he drove back to the house.

It didn’t take too long for them to pull up into the driveway of the house. Adrian spotted his father’s car this time. He wasn’t surprised to see the luxury car his father was driving. He was an LA lawyer after all. It was all about appearances over there.

“Your father is outside.” Arthur’s voice made him tear his gaze away from the car and towards the front porch. He was outside. A glass of whisky in his hand and what looked like an e-cigarette. Adrian had no idea that he smoked. It must have been a habit he picked up later on in life.

Adrian stared at the man who just lifted his cigarette to his lips as he stared back at the car. Looking over at Arthur he sighed and shrugged. Arthur turned off the car and leaned over the center console.

“Kiss me.”

Adrian didn’t hesitate, meeting his husband’s lips, quickly turning the kiss from an innocent peck to something more passionate. Parting his lips and urging Arthur to do the same as he dropped the bag with their things on the car floor. He figured that his father would be disgusted with the display and head back into the house. Arthur could be so smart sometimes.

There was a knock at the window of the car. They pulled away, Adrian spotting his father’s face at the window on the drives side. “Oh god,” He groaned. It hadn’t worked. Arthur unlocked the car.

“Let’s see what he has to say.” 

Adrian opened his door, grabbing the bag and stepping out. “What do you need?” He asked coolly. His father stepping away from the driver side as Arthur opened the door and got out.

“I’d like to talk to you Adrian, privately if possible.” The older man kept his cool, acting polite as he took a drink from his glass. “Sorry to have interrupted. I figured you had both gone to sleep, but here you both are. Sneaking out for a joy ride.” Steven looked amused as if though he was proud of their choice to sneak away.

“I rather not.” He answered shortly, moving around the car and towards the front door. Looking back to make sure Arthur was coming with him.

“Perhaps tomorrow?” His father called out after them.

Adrian opened the front door and let Arthur go before him. “Not likely.” Adrian called back before entering the house. Arthur pressed the lock button on the keys before the headed past the entrance to the living room. All three occupants watching as they made their way from the entrance hall up the stairs. It wasn’t until he closed the door to the guestroom behind him that Adrian slowed down.

I dunno. I had feels tonight

Adrian stared out the window of the airplane as he tried to relax and get some sleep. Christmas this year had been interesting to say the least. It had started off horribly with his fight with Arthur the night before flying out to San Francisco and continued to be a tense affair throughout their travels and arrival. Things eased up a little when they were reunited with his mum or brother, but Stephen could quickly tell that something was off. His brother had pulled him aside on Christmas Eve to ask if something was wrong, but Adrian brushed it off on stress of traveling and nerves of meeting Stephens new girl friend and being around his mum again. Stephen didn’t seem to buy the explanation Adrian was selling but he backed off for the most part and did his observations from afar.

Things continued on in their strange pace during dinner where he spent most of his time getting to know Stephens girlfriend and catching up with his mum. Up until the doorbell rang. At first Adrian thought carolers, his family had always been big fans of Christmas and he wouldn’t have been surprised if his mother had asked carolers to come around to sing. He couldn’t have been more wrong. Stephen had gotten up to grab the door, the was voices coming from the hall before Stephen came back looking serious, though he seemed to flash an apologetic look over at Adrian before another man appeared behind him.

Ten years had past but Adrian knew who the man was the instant he laid eyes on him. As awkward as things were between them Adrian reached to grab Arthur’s hand under the table as he kept a steady gaze on his father. He wanted to get up and run. He felt like he was six years old again and had come home with a bad mark in spelling. Finally he broke away his gaze looking over at his mother who sat beside him and at the head of the table. She only gave him a calming stare before addressing her ex husband, inviting him to sit down at the other head of the table between Arthur and Stephen. Adrian barely registered Arthur’s thumb as it glided over the back of his hand in an attempt to comfort him. She introduced Adrian’s father by name to Arthur and back again, making it a point to mention Arthur as Adrian’s husband.

Adrian stayed silent as his father nodded politely and showed interest in getting to know Arthur. If Adrian didn’t know any better he would have believed that his father had changed but he knew he was faking his interest and any knowledge he gained would be used against them later on. He kept quiet for the rest of the night giving short polite answers when asked but he longed to go to his guest room and hide away for the rest of the trip.

As soon as dinner was over adrian excused himself, going up to his room he shared with Arthur and throwing himself down in bed. His head was spinning, probably from the copious amount of wine he had drank as the dinner progressed. His father had made no effort to speak to him, spending most of his attention on everyone else at the table. Adrian was bothered more by the complete lack of interest he had shown in him than he would have if his father had tried to speak to him.

Moments passed as he let his breath start to even out. His anger subsiding into exhaustion. A light knock came through the door before it cracked open, revealing his husband with a concerned expression as he entered the room and closed the door behind him. “Are you okay? That was a big shock to go through at dinner. I had no idea what to do.” Arthur moved to sit down on the edge of the bed beside him, turning to look at him as he continued to lay there legs dangling off the side of the bed and his arms flung out in either side of him. He didn’t know what to say so he just gazed back at Arthur silently. Was he okay? Was he in shock still? A ten year old wound had been ripped open again and he had no idea how to make it stop hurting.

“I’m not okay. I’m tired.” He finally spoke, quietly as he sat up placing his head on Arthur’s shoulder. For a moment forgetting how weird things still felt between them. “I get my mum is trying to reconcile some sort of friendship between them, but why did she need to involve us. I never wanted you to meet him.” Adrian confessed quietly as he felt Arthur wrap his arms around him. So much for that. Adrian may have forgiven his mother but he he doubted he would ever be able to forgive his father for what he had done.

–

They stayed quietly huddled together on the edge of the bed. The sound of Christmas music and chatter traveled up the stairs and through the closed door. It was only audible because they were being so quiet. “We don’t have to go back downstairs. We can call it a night. I’m sure your mom and brother will understand why.” Arthur broke the silence pulling him closer so he practically sat on his lap. Adrian’s arms instantly held onto him. “We can stay up here, and tomorrow we can go explore the city if you don’t want to be here.” He kept going, rubbing Adrian’s back as he tried to get him to relax.

He felt small and fragile as Arthur held him. He hated feeling this way. Yes he knew he was short and has a smaller frame but he always compensated with his personality and confidence. It made him feel bigger and stronger, like he could hold his own. However tonight he felt so small, so insignificant. Like a speck compared to his father. Adrian let out a big sigh as he contemplated Arthur’s words.

“Let’s stay upstairs.” It took a moment for Adrian to finally say those words. It was a hard decision to make. They had come to California to spend time with his family, but had they known Steven would show up they wouldn’t have made the trip. That’s probably why his mother had kept it a secret from him and Stephen who had been surprised but not as bothered as Adrian. It made sense the two worked together now, they at least got along.

Adrian pulled away from their embrace to look up at Arthur. The room was dark but he could still make out those blue eyes with the help of the light coming through the window. “I hate feeling this way.” He confessed, looking down at himself. “Like I’m not worth anything.” Adrian continued, he just wanted to go back to Canterbury where he and Arthur belonged. Where they were their best. Where they didn’t have to deal with people like his father. “We should have stayed home. I’m sorry we came…here” Adrian felt his throat constricting as he held back a sob. He hated crying. For such an empathetic person, crying just felt so wrong.

“Hey, no, no Adrian. Come on.” He heard Arthur’s soothing voice as he was pulled close again. Instantly turning his head to hide his face in the crook of Arthur’s neck. “Your dad’s an asshole, you and me, we both know that.” Arthur rubbed his back again, Adrian kept his face hidden as he tried to control his breathing and stop the soft sobs that escaped him. “You’re worth so much more than he can see, you’re worth the world to me Adrian. So fuck him!”

Adrian smiled at the words, hiccuping as he moved a hand up to wipe away any visible tears. “Fuck him,” he repeated, hiccuping as he looked up at Arthur. “I love you.” Adrian gave him a small smile, his heart overflowing his love for his husband, instantly removing any doubt he had held onto from before.

“I love you too.” Arthur smiled down at him, before leaning down for a kiss.

Adrian met him half way, sitting up so he could be closer to him as their lips parted. It had been a while since they had last had sex. With the stress of work back home and traveling here it had probably been the longest time they had gone without it since they started. Adrian wasn’t the only one feeling the urgency. Arthur’s hands went from gentle rubs to more dominant grabs.

He moaned into the kiss as Arthur grabbed his ass, pushing Arthur to lay down on the bed as he pulled away from the kiss. “Tell me you packed condoms” Adrian whined, he hadn’t since he was too caught up in their fight and he had no idea if Arthur had as well.

“Fuck!”

“Damn it! It’s the ski trip all over again!” Adrian exclaimed, ducking his head and laughing softly as he moved to straddle Arthur, leaning down to kiss him again.

“What are you doing? Don’t be cruel.” Arthur stopped him, placing a hand on Adrian’s chest to stop him in his tracks.

He whined softly pulling away but stayed where he was sitting on Arthur’s thighs hands on Arthur’s abdomen. “I can sneak into Stephen’s room and see if he brought any?” He suggested with a sneaky smile.

Arthur didn’t look sold on the suggestion. His gaze on Adrian was unsure until he threw his head back. “Fuck it, go check.”

Adrian smiled, he felt like a teenager sneaking around with Arthur. It definitely helped him forget about tonight’s dinner. He scrambled off Arthur’s lap and straightened his shirt. “You, don’t move a muscle. I’ll be right back.”

Arthur laughed, staying where he was in bed. Adrian gave him one final look before opening the door to their room and sliding into the hallway.

Quickly he made his way down the hall, past the bathroom and into the room to the left where he had seen Stephen go in the last few nights. The room looked out to the front of the house. Adrian turned on the lights and looked around to see if maybe they were out on the bedside table or something. No.

He moved further into the room, heading to the jet back carrier bag that was so obviously Stephens, the other was a teal and white chevron design. He opened the bag. It was all clothes on top. He patted around. Nothing. He opened the zippers and ran his hands through the pockets. Nothing. “What the hell?”

Adrian stood up and walked to the drawers. Nothing in them except for towels. He turned and ran a hand through his already tussled hair. Then he say it. A small packet on the other side of the bed. With pills. Damn it.

He sighed. Knowing full well what that meant. Turning the lights off he closed the door behind him and made his way back to their room in defeat. Opening the door and frowning over at Arthur as his husband looked up from where he had dutifully waited. “She’s on the pill.”

“Of course.” Arthur sat up, giving Adrian puppy eyes.

He couldn’t resist going over to him and grabbing Arthur’s face in his hands and pressing multiple quick pecks to his lips. Arthur’s arms were around his hips instantly. “We can go buy some tomorrow. The gas stations are still open on Christmas Day. We can do that.” Adrian suggested as Arthur groaned. “I’m sorry baby.”

“I can give you a hand job tonight?” Arthur suggested, but Adrian shook his head.

“Let wait till tomorrow. Are we really going to die if we wait one more day?”

“I will.”

Adrian laughed softly while he hand his hands through Arthur’s short curls. “Do you want to sneak out and go buy some right now?”

Arthur smiled at him coyly.

“Come on then.” Adrian stepped back and let Arthur stand up on his own. “You have to drive. I’ve had too much to drink. We’ll take my moms car. It’s out front I saw it from the window in Stephens room.”

“You sure you never snuck out when you were a teen?” Arthur asked with a smirk as he followed Adrian out of the room. Down the stairs and ran past the archway into the living room where Adrian’s family sat talking and drinking. The music was loud enough that they could easily make their escape.

“I never said I didn’t sneak out.” He grinned over at Arthur as they made it out of the house, having swiped the car keys off the entryway table. He threw the keys to Arthur as he lights flashed in the sporty Audi his mother had bought herself after the divorce. “Merry Christmas Arthur.”