Thoma hadn't wanted to be home when Luan woke up. He didn't want the latter to be embarrassed by his drunken behavior should he remember it.
The previous night after Luan had kissed Thoma, he'd paused in surprise. Haven gotten over his initial shock he softly pushed Luan away from him and held him by his shoulders.
"Bet you've never kissed a guy," Luan had said with a grin and Thoma laughed, having no idea how to respond.
Thoma had assisted Luan up and into his room but had only set him on the bed. He figured Luan might be able to sober up enough to take care of himself. Plus Thoma didn't want to cross any more boundaries.
As he walked out of the room and to his own he softly touched his lips remembering the feeling of Luans'.
"Bet you've never kissed a guy," Luan had teased him and he was right. Never had Thoma even considered doing anything with a guy. But having been kissed by Luan, even surprisingly, it hadn't bothered him at all. No, he thought he rather liked it.
For that reason Thoma had called up his old lawyer friend who had been his divorce attorney. Perhaps she could help Thoma figure out the logistics of a restraining order case. He didn't think it was a good idea to have Luan stay with him long term after last night. If Luan had feelings for Thoma it could complicate a lot, but all the same the idea made Thoma quite happy.
Bella had been so happy to hear from Thoma, mostly because she saw firsthand how bad he was doing after the divorce. However she couldn't help but comment about his immense change in demeanor.
"You seem... unlike yourself, Timothy. Almost giddy," she observed and Thoma nodded.
"Perhaps I am. I've recently made a new friend and he's been a good influence on me I suppose." Thoma said simply without giving anything away.
After receiving their breakfast from a waitress and catching up as they ate, Thoma settled on the more pressing matter at hand.
"So your friend is getting a restraining order from his ex. But he doesn't have enough evidence to support his claim so he has to go to court. How can I help you help him? I'm a divorce attorney, you're aware" Bella observed and Thoma nodded.
"I understand that but you must have had to learn something about court cases pertaining to small crimes?" Thoma begged and Bella rolled her eyes but nodded.
"I have other friends who work those kind of cases. I'll get in contact with them and send them your info if that'll help," she said and he sighed with relief.
"You seem very worked up over a friend you just made," she observed and Thoma shrugged.
"Good friends are hard to come by. I'm just doing my best to help him out."
Just then Thoma's phone buzzed and he flipped it over to see a text from Luan
Luan - Hey thanks for breakfast and coffee :) both were very good. Also thanks for taking care of me last night, I'm afraid I made a fool of myself. I was out after that delicious second drink ;). Hope you have a good day!
Thoma was unable to mask his grin and he looked up to see Bella watching his face.
"That your new 'friend'?" She asked with extra emphasis and Thoma started to defend himself but Bella seemed observed in her food.
"Hmmm," was all Bella said in reply to his ramblings.
They ended their breakfast and he offered to walk her back to her car.
"I hope your boy is doing alright with everything. Is he safe right now?" She asked and Thoma didn't feel exactly sure. He wasn't even aware of where Luan was currently.
"He will be." He assured her and she smiled as she drove away.
Thoma was worried for Luan and decided to call him but was surprised when the call was cut short. Realizing that Luan hung up on his he decided to shoot him a text.
Old Man Thoma - just called to check up on you. Hope you're doing okay today. Got some advice from a friend regarding your case. Would love to talk with you about it if you have any free time this week.
He put his phone away and decided to spend the rest of his weekend resting at home. He'd been nonstop moving and wanted some time to himself.
However after coming home and hanging up his coat, it was eerily quiet. Even after putting a record on to cut through the silence, he still felt very much alone. It hadn't ever bothered him before.
He dared to go into his guest room to check the state of things. The bed was made and there was a pile of towels and rags in the basket. He stripped the bed sheets and started a load of laundry before setting on cleaning the kitchen/dining room.
He found a piece of paper on the ground of the kitchen and he went to pick it up. Figuring it was the letter he'd written he went to crumble it up but saw unfamiliar handwriting on it.
Thoma - Thanks for letting me stay here and for once again handling my drunken self. See you at practice. - Lu
Thoma's heart swelled and he reread the note, realizing that there was no hidden message behind Luan's words. But nonetheless he felt comforted in knowing that though he'd felt very old fashioned writing a note when he could just text Luan, the latter hadn't felt that way. No, in fact, the letter in return assured Thoma that maybe Luan didn't see him as such an old man after all.
"The kiss should've proven that to you," Thoma realized and couldn't help but blush remembering Luan's lips on his.
Wanting to communicate with Luan in some way since he hadn't all day, he sent him another text.
Old Man Thoma - wanted to remind you that you promised me much needed cooking lessons. I'm down to learn whenever you're available to teach.
His phone rang just then and he quickly answered it.
"Hey man," Charlie said cheerfully and Thoma felt disappointed that it hadn't been Luan.
"Hey, Charlie. What's up?"
Charlie explained that he'd talk to Luan about him staying with him and all the information tied with that.
"Have you heard from Luan this afternoon or no?" Thoma asked trying to not sound as concerned as he was.
"No, he hasn't said anything more to me. Why are you freaking out? He might be just doing homework or working. He's got more going on than just this drama with his ex."
Charlie was right of course but it didn't help ease Thoma's mind.
They caught up with one another but even after they hung up, Thoma couldn't get Luan off of his mind. Once more he decided to call him but a thought stopped him.
Luan didn't owe him a constant update and Charlie was right. Luan was a college student and had a lot more going on then just the play and the drama with his ex. If he wanted to contact Thoma he would.
Thoma spent the rest of the day cleaning, ordered some food and then sat down with a drink to watch a movie.
"Was this really the way I always spent my free time?"
Without someone there, gasping or sitting in wide eyed wonder, watching movies wasn't nearly as exciting. It'd only been two days that Luan had stayed with him but he really missed having him around.
Thoma shut off the movie before it even ended and just went to bed. The sooner he went to bed, the sooner tomorrow came.
And with tomorrow, Thoma would get to see Luan again.
YOU ARE READING
Sincerely, Yours
RomanceLuan was doing well in his life. He had a stable job, a good circle of friends, good grades at the college he attended. His goals were bright and simple in front of him, all it was gonna take was time. Thoma had had a rough hand in life. He'd lost...
