So just pull the trigger.

15. All the things I do for you

Misha felt his anxiety rising. It felt almost impossible to get any work done. Too often, he found himself staring at the clock on his computer screen. Had Chris already left the country? 

Joni hadn't called and Misha had to fight with himself not to make a check-up call to his fiancé. Surely everything would be alright, but for how long? The thought that Chris would later return to their lives in one way or another, gnawed on his mind.

Joni had done his best not to seem worried, but his nightmares had also startled Misha awake for several previous nights. They needed something that would distract both of their minds, and Misha had been chewing over an idea he had devised. The time was right. He was ready, as ready as he would ever be.

After the workday that had seemed almost impossibly long, he stopped by a nearby shopping center. He bought quality steaks, a couple of beers, and a nice bottle of red wine.

Joni was already home when Misha arrived. He sat on the couch twirling the remote control in his hands while attempting to watch some TV program.

"Hi," Misha greeted as he walked into the room. Joni turned his head to look at him. The younger man smiled, but his eyes couldn't hide the anxiety inside.

"Hi, how was work?" Joni asked in an exaggeratedly cheerful tone.

"Well, so and so... Are you hungry? I bought steaks."

"Yeah, okay... I suppose I should eat. I think I forgot to have lunch," Joni admitted, turned off the TV, and switched on the radio before following Misha into the kitchen. Misha unpacked the groceries and glanced at his partner, who now stood next to the window looking outside.

"Nasty weather," Joni spoke. "I hate this time of the year."

Misha smiled slightly and nodded. "Waiting for the snow and frost," he said, placing the groceries in the fridge and leaving the ingredients on the counter that he would use to make dinner.

"Better than this grey shit," Joni snorted. "Can I help with something?" he offered. 

 Misha gave him a cold beer. "Sit down and try to relax," he smiled.

"You're sweet, thank you," Joni smiled, walked closer, and kissed his neck before he returned to the table and took a seat.

"Did anything special happen today?" Misha asked, reaching to take a kettle to cook the rice in and a pan to cook the steaks.

"Well, let's see..." Joni took a pause. "I went to the gym and in the changing room, I helped one old man to search for his keys from the floor. Apparently, he couldn't reach down himself, but I got the feeling that he simply enjoyed watching me crawl on the floor." He gave a tired chuckle. "Because magically he found his keys in his pocket, after all."

Misha snorted with a smile. "I guess I can't blame him. Who wouldn't want to watch you?" He glanced at his boyfriend.

"Crawling on the floor, you mean?" Joni joked before continuing, "but seriously speaking, no, there was no word from the crazy ex-boyfriend," Joni assured. "That is what you wanted to ask, right?"

Misha nodded. "Just remember..." he started.

"I'll tell you straight away if he contacts me," Joni promised. "But I think Chris knows better. Adam is meeting him and he promised to help Chris if needed. He was able to arrange a job interview for Chis as well." Joni smiled and Misha gave him a concerned look. "Although, I'm slightly worried... When Adam leaves, does Chris have anyone to support him?"

Misha frowned. "You shouldn't concern yourself with such matters. He dug his own grave, so..." He snorted and opened a beer for himself before starting to wash the vegetables.