' Tommy , you ain't got no job ! '
Erik chuckles.
It's rare when he gets to catch something decent on TV. The door beeps, T is home. He walks right across, barely acknowledging him. He picks up the remote from the night stand and switches off the TV.
' I was watching that. '
He silently undresses, slips into bed and turns out the lights. No explanation whatsoever. He's been acting up, like a moody bipolar bitch. He thought he'd been solely at the receiving end but the guards and servants are on high alert too.
There's a vintage black rotary phone in the bedroom. It looked like a decorative piece till it started ringing, about a month ago. T'challa stays up having many late night conversations.
He's never been the nosey type but he tends to wonder who's on the other end.
E slips out in the middle of the night to his apartment for a much needed break. Morning comes and there's no change. Breakfast is turning out to be quite an event. He can hear him muttering something under his breath. Looking for an opportunity to start an argument. He opts for a takeaway box.
In the driveway the car door jams each time he tries to open it. He gives up after the fifth try and seats by the sidewalk. The window rolls down. He walks up to T'challa's side and kisses his cheek.
' You have a safe journey. '
' Your not going ? '
' No. '
' Get. in. the. car ! '
The ride to the airport is long and tense. They board the Presidential plane. Erik goes to the tiny office and locks himself in. He hears the door knob turning. Good ! He dims the light and leans back in the recliner chair.
It's 1400 hrs. He's back in his seat for landing. Whole body is stiff and sore. That nap wasn't worth it. The ride to the hotel is rather short. At check in, he asks for his own key at check in. T looks at him like he's crazy. At the presidential suite he is busy viewing the living room. The couch doesn't look too comfortable. It's only one night, he consoles himself.
T walks in. He seems to be in a better mood.
' I was thinking maybe we could get dinner, then go out somewhere nice. '
' Can't. Need to nap. '
' But you slept on the plane. '
' Have a nasty headache . '
' What about a late lunch ? '
' I'm fasting. '
T'challa retreats back to the master bedroom room.
Erik takes out the laptop. Pretends to be working when he's just bullshiting around the internet. In the evening he sneaks out for some fast food. He comes back to find a candle lit dinner set up for two. He pokes at his food disinterested.
' Your not hungry. '
' No. '
' Let's go to bed. '
He comes dressed in a full blue pajama suit. T is disappointed. They turn out the lights, he feels t rub him down.
' Baby, I was hoping.....'
' Your hands are cold. '
' Sorry. '
In the middle of the night he's shaken awake.
' I'm freezing. ' T complains.
Erik has hogged the sheets and taken up majority of the bed. He turns to see T all bundled up looking cold. He tries to distribute the covers to Ts side but it's all crooked now. He steps down, goes to the base of the bed, spreads it out afresh, tucks the base and switches on the electric blanket. When T is warm enough, E switches it off and slips back into bed. T curls up around him.
' This is not working out. '
' I know... I have been unbearable the last few days. '
That was fast he fessed up. He was expecting a fight.
' How you gon make it up to me ? '
