Of Flowers and Fire

Chapter 14

Sawyer was awakened by Diego turning around and wedging his head down by Sawyer's stomach. Sawyer combed his hair back with his fingers and watched him sleep. He had himself tucked snugly against Sawyer's front. The room was dark, and Sawyer silently thanked his Nona for suggesting that he put timed lights in his room. There was soft music playing in the room and Sawyer couldn't come up with the source. Sawyer couldn't see his clock, but he determined that it couldn't be later than four in the morning. Diego touched Sawyer's shirt and grabbed at it cheaply.

"Diego," Sawyer whispered gently, moving hair out of his eyes. "You're okay." Diego made a noise but didn't wake up, he just pushed himself closer. Sawyer looked up at the ceiling and sighed. He couldn't lie to himself anymore. He missed having someone to hold like this. Someone pressed against him. He slept easier with someone else in the room. Someone else in the bed. Diego looked so relaxed. So peaceful. His eyes were moving in a dream and a small smile was gracing his lips. Sawyer played with his hair and soon fell back to sleep.

When he woke up the next time, Diego was gone, and in his place was a note. 'I went home to grab some clothes, I'll be back soon. - D.' Sawyer smiled and got out of bed, making his way easily to his bathroom where he took a quick shower, washing pollen from his hair and sleep from his eyes. When he got out, he put on some clothes and went downstairs to the shop. Sawyer sat down at his desk and made two sales before Diego came back, complete with damp hair and new clothes.

He leaned on the desk and pulled Sawyer's arms up to settle them around Diego's neck. "Hey, what're you doing?" He asked, grinning. Diego kissed him quietly, yanking away when the door opened. "Welcome to Coming Up Roses, can I help you?" Sawyer asked wiping his mouth and blushing. Diego went to his office and closed the door.

Diego thumped the back of his head on the door and sighed, "Fuck." The woman who had come into the shop was old and stout with silver hair and narrow eyes. She was smiling instead of scowling, but Diego still felt attacked. He was going to hide until Sawyer came to get him.

Diego had emailed the sign design to his vinyl guy Harry. They weren't friends, but they weren't active enemies. They used to work for the same company and once, they'd kissed at the office Christmas party. It wasn't good. Too spitty. But they'd remained in contact after Diego was fired, and sometimes Harry was willing to do big things for him. Like signs. Harry told him that he'd have the sign ready in a week or so.

There was a knock on the office door and Diego turned to open it. Sawyer was smiling, still blushing. "Hey," Sawyer said, "can I come in?"

"Yeah," Diego answered taking a step back and letting him in.

"How are you today?" Sawyer asked.

"Good, I'm good," Diego nodded and scratched the back of his head, "Hey, I wanted to, like, ask you if you wanted to go to, uh, to dinner. With me. Tonight?" Sawyer smirked and ran his hands in his hair. "I mean, we haven't, uh, had a real date or anything yet."

"Of course I'll go on a date with you," Sawyer said pulling Diego close by the lapels of his jacket. Diego's face was flushed and he smiled shyly, "I was going to ask you."

Diego kissed him, this time making no effort to silence himself as Sawyer's hands slipped under his shirt. "What about customers?" He asked.

"I locked up," Sawyer said, hands flat on Diego's stomach.

"Sawyer," Diego murmured, "I think you're maravilloso."

"Your father said that to your mom," Sawyer whispered into Diego's ear.

"Sí," Diego pressed his mouth, hot, against Sawyer's chin.

That was the first time Sawyer considered telling Diego he loved him.