Cal opened his eyes and groaned rolling in bed. Reaching out he touched empty space and frowned glancing around the apartment. “Babe where you at?” he called lazily.
“I’m over here Cal,” he called back and Cal guessed he was in the bathroom. Getting out of bed slowly he cracked his neck and felt like he didn’t sleep at all. His relationship with the meeting place wasn’t exactly off to a great start. It was like dreaming but being awake at the same time. His mind and body didn’t know how to handle it.
As he moved to find him, Ben walked in wearing his baby blue bath robe and smiled at him. His bronze skin was still glistening with shower water and he came over to sit beside him. He was taller than Cal, his hair buzz cut very low but sporting a neatly trimmed beard and mustache. He had strong facial features and lines on his face from the amount of smiling he did. But now he frowned looking at his significant other.
“What’s wrong Cal? Sleep bad?”
“Something like that,” Cal leaned his head on his shoulder and sighed. “Just this guy in my class this past week. He’s a jerk. Always says rude things or putting people down. No consideration for others feelings. He just likes being right I guess.”
“That does sound frustrating. Do you have to work with him?” he asked brushing his fingers through Cal’s hair.
“Unfortunately. It’s a team project. Five of us,” Cal sighed and frowned harder. Calling saving the world a class project felt wrong. “Maybe I’m just being unreasonable?”
“No, he does sound like a dick. And if you’re stuck working with him you’re going to have to make lemonade somewhere. So, tolerate him when he’s around and get your project done. Then you don’t ever have to see him again.”
Cal sighed and looked up at him. “You always give me solid advice. Even if it’s hard.”
“I do my best,” he kissed him lightly. “Now don’t you have class today?”
“Yes,” he stretched and then wrapped his arm around Ben’s chest. “But I’m comfortable here. I don’t want to move.”
“Ha nice try. But I also have work soon. Meaning I can’t stay in bed with you.”
“That’s not fair,” Cal pouted folding his arms and Ben just laughed stroking his cheek and jaw. “I don’t want to go deal with the project guy.”
“Come on. I just gave you some solid advice remember? Now go put it into action and tell me how right or wrong I am afterwards.”
Letting out a breath he sat up slowly and nodded. “I guess. I know Kat’s supposed to come by soon so we can catch the train and complain together about the morning. Maybe she’ll bring me coffee too. Knowing you, you won’t leave me any of yours.”
Ben shook his head and tapped him on the ass lightly. “Go get dressed. I’ll see you this evening. And I might even cook something for us.”
“Don’t tempt me with a good time Ben. I might have to keep you around forever.”
“Oh were you considering getting rid of me?”
“Never,” Cal sighed as he walked to the bathroom door. Turning on the shower he really thought about the last night. The Taq-Law were coming to cleanse all life and that meant Ben included. He met Ben during his senior year of college and fell in love with him soon after. He’d been with him for only three and a half years but he truly couldn’t imagine living without him.
Cal laughed to himself leaning back in the shower but frowned hard thinking about everything they’d learn. He may have been chosen by the stones to protect the earth but at the end of the day he was going to protect Ben with all he had. And if that meant he had to work together with Seth then he’d just grin and bear it.
Stepping out of the shower wearing his own sharp pink bath robe he tussled his hair slowly and walked around the corner to see Ben in the kitchen pouring himself a mug of coffee, fully dressed and on his phone. Cal walked over and peaked around his shoulder to see what he was scrolling through.
“Nothing for you. Back,” he said and tapped Cal’s nose moving away from him and smiled. “It’s just the news before you ask.”
“Maybe I like the news now. I could be getting far more sophisticated.”
“Reading the news does not make you sophisticated.”
“And what does?”
“Being able to dress like me and make it work,” he spread his arms looking at his button up shirt tight across his chest and tucked into his pants. Cal stared at him for a moment and leaned over and looked around to stare at his ass and smirked.
“You know I can dress like that just fine.” Cal shrugged.
Ben raised his eyebrow and chuckled. “That so? And when do I get to see you do that hm? I’ve tried many a time.”
“Well maybe you weren’t quite persuasive enough. Besides when working with the stars I don’t need to wear a suit and tie.” Cal pointed out.
“Is there a dress code for astronomers?”
“I’m not sure but I can maybe try and establish one just for your sake. You can visit me discovering new species and civilizations while wearing a very well cut Italian suit.” He struck a quick pose then sighed hearing the soft beeping of a cell phone.
“Now I really have to go,” Ben said setting the empty coffee mug in the sink. Stepping over he and Cal shared a kiss. “No there’s no coffee left for you. But don’t worry, I know you love my Italian cooking and I’m already thinking of a few dishes for us.”
“I can’t wait,”
“Love you Cal.”
“Love you too,” Cal watched him leave and sighed once the door close.
The apartment was small and homey, something that they had managed to find after house hunting for half a year. It had a bedroom, bathroom, living room and kitchen. It was a short train ride away from Ben’s job and an even shorter one from Cal’s graduate school job.
Not willing to waste more time he went back to their bedroom, changed into some jeans, a t-shirt and a sweater coat combination that Ben had got him. Readying his bag for school he checked his phone and was just in time as Kathryn was calling him.
“Is that you Kat?”
“Yes Cal.”
“I’m downstairs with coffee.
“You’re speaking my language. I’m on my way down now.”
The Harlequin Library 