Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 7

took in his surroundings. The grey room was pleasantly illuminated; yet, the door ajar took his attention. It provided a harsh slither of light, highlighting the sideboard in the corridor and the emptiness screaming at him in the room. Quickly tying the sheet loosely around his hips, he exited the room in a hurry.
    Marching through the corridors, he smelt a rich aroma that made his stomach growl as loud he had last night. He smacked his lips together, his mouth moistening with growing need. Refusing to think about the musky aftertaste in his mouth, he stalked through the corridors towards the origin of the fragrance. The white sheet swished uncomfortably against the fine hairs on his legs, restricting his movement as it tangled in his rush, slowing him down to a regular pace.
    As Jacob silently entered the – sparkling, even with the evident activity – kitchen, Jeremy's sixth sense activated without prompt. He talked, with his face studying the concoctions cooking in preparation on, and around, the stove to Jacob's left.
    "Sorry I didn't wake you, but I thought you needed your rest," he smiled with approval.
    With a sigh, he continued, "Your breakfast is ready – on the countertop, by the stool that you haven't broken yet – something light to start you off, but rich with nutrition." Jacob's head ducked as he shuffled to his meal, his feet squeaking on the cold hard surface, mortified at Jeremy's casual reference to his misdemeanour the previous day, at a loss with what to do or where to look.
    Jeremy began dictating Jacob's orders for the day, "It's small because I saw your discomfort after eating through the stocks, so after your bath – as we definitely had fun last night – if you are up to it, you can have some more – food that is. Little and often, is the cure for privation, I think – you can choose which is more important…"
    Jeremy's face ran through a spectrum of expressions throughout this diatribe. Jacob was baffled at the bold insinuations coming from a person who seemed so reserved, while seemingly reacquainting himself with his dramatic expressions. Until last night , Jacob thought with a smile, watching Jeremy move with intent.
    "Then I must go and do my work," Jeremy sighed in exasperation.
    Jeremy suddenly turned to face the bemused Jacob. Foreboding rumbled in Jacob's gut as Jeremy smiled at a seemingly impromptu idea. "Perhaps, you could keep me company?" Jeremy's apparent eagerness left no room for Jacob to decline – he felt he could climb a mountain – the food was so good after so long without.
    Between a mouthful of moreish delight, Jacob responded, "Um, yeah, okay." Another mouthful swallowed afterwards, "Um, what shall I wear?"
    A look of consternation crossed Jeremy's forehead. The question of clothing obviously forgotten while he also realised the swaying spectacle he displayed for Jacob's personal viewing, standing naked in front of him. Snatching the infamous baking tray from the drying rack close by, he covered himself, both blushing at the familiarity of settling into each other's lives.
    Jacob ate another mouthful, focusing on swallowing; while the sheet tented at his acknowledged voyeurism. Jeremy stood as awkwardly as Jacob had the previous day as a complicated thought crossed Jeremy's eyes.
    After a pregnant pause, Jeremy sighed and relinquished the baking tray to a new pile of washing with a flick of his wrist, baring all, again. Jeremy elucidated, "It is not like you haven't seen this before. And I think the baking tray has seen enough action." His passion sparkled in his eyes again as he strolled around the kitchen audaciously, causing Jacob to choke as he tried to take a mistimed swallow and chuckle.
    "Is there a problem Jacob?" Jeremy asked over his shoulder as he fiddled with the knobs of the nearest appliance. Jacob gulped at the sudden, molten stare focused at him, caught by Jeremy's flexing figure, a dribble of breakfast escaping out of the corner of his mouth.
    "No," Jacob said with a strangled cough and a wipe of his mouth. To digress, he asked politely, "Aren't you going to have breakfast?"
    "Not hungry," Jeremy dismissed simply, mumbling into the metallic machine. He finished his actions with a flourish and bounced to the exit, on the opposite side of the kitchen.
    Mesmerised by the resumed dance of taut muscle and swaying, pert flesh, Jacob almost missed Jeremy say, "When you are done, go up and bathe – everything is ready for you and the water is hot.