out of the woods | Damon

Chapter Fifteen

David had moved in just a few days ago and Simon was finally getting used to having a third person always in the house. He loved living with David already. It turned out that David was a very good cook and he quickly decided that he should make dinners because of Simon's bachelor cooking the first couple of nights. David was currently in the shower while Simon got dressed. He put on a white t-shirt and a pair of jeans. They were planning on going out for the day as it was term break.

Simon saw his phone light up. He had been texting Alesha for the past couple of days. She was helping him find a ring that David would end up liking when Simon proposed to him. Simon had found a gold engagement band with a black strip going around the circumference of the band. He knew that David would like it. David never wore jewelry however so it had made the decision difficult.

Amanda had let it slip yesterday that David was in the process of picking out Simon's engagement ring so he could propose before Simon did to David. She didn't say what the ring looked like though.

Simon checked the text. Alesha had responded to a picture of the engagement ring and had said that she liked it and David would love it. Simon went to the website and ordered it just as David was coming back into the bedroom with just a towel wrapped around his waist. Hopefully he would be able to get to the mail before David did when it arrived.

"Whose car are we going to take today?" Simon asked. He already knew his wheelchair would need to go in the boot of the car because either he or David would be sitting in the passenger seat.

"I was thinking we take mine," David responded. "If that's alright." They were planning on taking the kids to a trampoline park. Simon wasn't sure how accessible it would be for him to be able to participate but he didn't want to limit Eric just because his father was disabled. David had been able to have Alfred for his term break, a rarity for him.

"Yeah," Simon responded. "My wheelchair should be able to fit and I can get in and out by myself." He wheeled out of their bedroom. It was strange calling it their bedroom when just last week it had been his bedroom but he was getting used to his boyfriend living with him.

_

Simon had been able to transfer onto one of the trampolines for Eric to be able to bounce him if he wanted. He sat by the edge so no kids would be able to trip over him while jumping. David sat next to him, out of breath and sweaty. David was doing a very good job of keeping up with the active boys.

"Having fun?" Simon asked. He could feel the bounces reverberating back towards him and David from the kids jumping in the center of the trampoline they were on. David nodded, catching his breath.

"A lot of fun. I know this isn't the ideal activity for you," David responded. "Are you having fun?" Simon nodded. Alfred came up to Simon.

"Do you want to jump, Simon?" Alfred asked. He knew that Simon had the spinal injury that had paralyzed him so Simon furrowed his brows in confusion. Alfred grinned. He looked a lot like his father when he grinned.  "Eric and I can bounce you so high that you'll be jumping!"

"I'd love that," Simon responded. Alfred was such a sweet boy and it was clear how much time David invested into parenting for him. He was one of the most loving, kind boys that Simon knew, apart from his own son. Simon began the process of scooting himself to the center of the trampoline where Eric was waiting for him.

Eric grinned upon seeing his father come to the center of the trampoline. He began to bounce, jiggling Simon from where he was seated. Alfred joined him and Simon began to bounce higher with the boys' help.

_

Term break had gone very smoothly but Simon had needed to send his usual wheelchair off for repairs, having seen that the spokes were breaking on the wheels at the end of the break. That required David driving him to the school so he could get his standing frame wheelchair to be able to use for the last two days of break.

Simon's wheelchair wouldn't be ready for a week and he hadn't been able to rent one since he owned the standing frame wheelchair and could use that in the meantime. The spare wheelchair didn't quite fit him right and his regular wheelchair would be gone for too long.

It was different using the standing frame wheelchair at home. He normally kept it at school in the corner of his office for whenever he taught classes. It very rarely left school property. David had found that he loved it whenever Simon was in the standing frame wheelchair because it meant he could kiss Simon without having to lean down to Simon's level.

Break had ended yesterday so Simon was in his standing frame wheelchair.

"Darling, we need to get going or we'll be late," Simon spoke. David was putting together his lunch and putting it into the backpack he used for work.

"I know. I'm hurrying as quickly as I can," David responded. "Why don't you get in the car while you're waiting on me? I'll make sure Eric is ready to go."

"I just need to put on my backpack and shoes," Eric spoke, pulling on his sneakers. Simon went out of the house. The morning air was still chilly as he transferred into David's car. David was planning on driving today.

The standing frame was unable to come apart like his normal wheelchair for him to put in the car so David would need to put it in the boot for him. Eric and David were both coming out of the house. Eric got into the car and David put his bag in. He put Simon's wheelchair in the boot with a smile.

They drove to Eric's school and dropped him off. They arrived at their work. David got out Simon's wheelchair and brought it to the passenger door. Simon opened the door and transferred into the wheelchair. It would feel funny today teaching from the same wheelchair all day. He normally swapped between the two wheelchairs.

"Ready to go in?" David asked. Simon nodded. He checked to make sure he had everything.

"Shit. I left my lunch at home," Simon spoke, realizing when he was grabbing his bag. It wasn't often he swore.

"That's alright. I can always go home during prep and get it for you," David offered. Simon noticed that he didn't call it Simon's house but he was calling it home. Maybe David already felt at home, living with him. That was an extremely good sign that they had made the right decision to have David move in.

"Thank you," Simon responded. He wheeled up to the front doors of the school and pressed the button to automatically open the doors. He wheeled in with David following behind him. They would part directions here and David would go to his classroom while Simon would go to his office.

"I'll see you later today, darling," Simon spoke. "I love you."

"I love you too," David responded. He went to the stairs to go up to his classroom.