The princess & the detective

4. The spell

"What are you doing?" Fluke asked, watching Ohm moving some blankets and pillows to the living room sofa.

"I'll sleep here and you can have the bed for yourself, princess!" Ohm said reassuringly.

"Then I'll get a pillow and sleep here too! You don't even need to look at me like that, handsome! I can't imagine spending a peaceful night sleeping alone!", Fluke replied and was already entering the room when Ohm hugged him from behind.

"It's okay, we can share the bed. I thought this way you would feel more comfortable, that's all!", the detective explained.

"There's nothing that will make me feel comfortable until I get the news that the serial killer has been arrested. But having your presence by my side makes me feel good… sounds silly, doesn't it?", Fluke replied as he rested his hands on Ohm's forearms.

"You can trust me princess…" Ohm whispered softly as if it were a precious secret he was sharing with the most important person in the world. And maybe it was.

********

Just like that the days and nights passed in a way that no one seemed to feel. Everyone was somehow anesthetized by the great anxiety to discover the serial killer's identity.

However, in Ohm's cozy apartment, the two occupants had established a pleasant routine that allowed them for a moment to forget about the world's problems. Almost like a spell covering the pain they felt in their skin.

One of those mornings when Ohm was getting ready to leave for the Police Station, Fluke was at the door watching him. The taller man stood in front of the bathroom mirror with only a towel around his waist and the rest of his defined torso exposed.

Fluke felt almost enchanted as he watched the detective's precise movements with the razor. Noticing the presence of the youngest, Ohm smiled at the reflection in the mirror and asked:

"Do you want to help me?"

"Hmm?" Fluke felt his cheeks burning as if he'd been caught, even though he wasn't doing anything wrong.

"Come here!" Ohm offered a hand, which Fluke accepted.

As the younger one approached Ohm, he lifted him by the armpits, making him sit on the top of the sink, facing him. The closeness between the bodies caused a tension they were both starting to get used to due to their daily coexistence, but that didn't mean it had lessened. On the contrary, it was possible to see the sparks between them.

"Can you help me, please?" Ohm repeated again, now offering Fluke the razor.

Just as Ohm had done before, Fluke now gently ran the blade over the man's skin in front of him. Fluke's touches were so gentle that Ohm didn't even notice himself closing his eyes to enjoy the moment.

Inside that bathroom right now, Ohm and Fluke felt as safe as in a shelter. If the world was attacked by aliens or became involved in a major war, they might not even notice, as all they could see and feel was just each other.

"Finished it!" Fluke said, wiping with the towel over Ohm's face.

"Thank you.", Ohm said opening his eyes and looking at the person in front of him.

Somehow the gravity center between the bodies had shifted and Ohm felt himself being physically drawn towards Fluke. Every millisecond their bodies moved closer until his phone rang, waking them both out of their trance.

"I need to get this…", Ohm said with a sad smile.

"Go on, detective!", Fluke replied, mirroring the other's expression.