LoveAffair( mxm )

21

As they sat there facing each other, Archibald's hand holding Timothy's to his chest, he wished that moment would last forever.
That simple yet meaningful gesture was all that Timothy wanted or needed.
It was more than the excitement, happiness and content he felt for Arch's confession. Not to belittle that blissful event because surely nothing could match the euphoria he felt from hearing the man he desired and loved express the same feelings towards him.
But it was more than he ever wished for, unknowingly he was gifted with what he exactly needed to repair and mend the pieces he didn't even know were broken. It shone hope upon his darkness .
He knew he had to face his parents sooner or later but right now he didn't care, he allowed himself to be selfish for once and concentrate on his own happiness.
He felt warm inside , appreciating that foreign feeling of being loved. He could see all the reassurance he craved for in Arch's eyes.
"Um... so... " Archibald bit his lip nervously. " You do feel the same right?"
Timothy rolled his eyes and grinned as he leaned to kiss him on the cheek.
"What do you think?" he looked at him amused.
"Well I don't want to assume things or anything, I guess I hope you feel the same. I mean it's logical no? or am I coming off as arrogant assuming you do feel the same? But your behavior--"
Timothy cut him off with a deep kiss, pouring all of his feelings into it before he pulled abruptly and took Arch's hand and placed it on his chest.
"I think this is a clear enough indication that I do love you ".
He let Arch feel the way his heart was going off wildly in his chest just because of him.
"I think for me it was right from the start, but I didn't want to admit it to myself ."
Timothy smiled at him sadly, holding now Arch's hand with both of his hands.
He needed to tell him , he wanted him to know exactly why he was so afraid to be open about his feelings,  what held him back.
But he just sat there and stared deep into Arch's eyes, not daring to say something that might ruin this peaceful moment.
Holding onto Arch's hands, he felt like he had it all. He achieved the one thing he truly craved from the bottom of his heart, the forbidden fruit that was always out of reach.
And he would never let go, even if he had to deal with his parents,  this was too precious to lose.
It was his time to dare and be selfish.
He knew the consequences would not be in his favor once his parents would be aware of it. He knew it could affect his father's health badly.
Both his parents would hate him, resent him and be so disappointed with him.
It could be just like back then when they sat around that table at that damned day when it all took turn for the worst.
But that wasn't at the top of his priorities,  not anymore .
He was no longer that young innocent  boy  that knew no better. He matured,  he knew what he wanted and he wasn't about to let it slip from his grasp.
Sure he was concerned of how it would affect his father,  but his top priority right now was Archibald.
The latter stared intently at Timothy,  he felt concerned when he saw that darkness inside his lover's eyes.
The same barely noticeable darkness that made Timothy look exhausted all of a sudden and detached.
Whatever he was thinking about,  Archibald could tell it pained him and he wanted to know why and what and how he could sooth him. But he could also tell that whatever it was Timothy didn't want to talk about it at the moment,  so despite his need to know he made the only thing he could offer him without making him feel pressured.
Archibald pulled Timothy to him, hugging him closely to let him know that he loved him and he was there to support and protect him.
Timothy sighed in relief as he leaned into Arch's chest, appreciating the warmth and comfort.
"This is too good to be true "
He murmured to himself,  he knew Arch heard as he felt him squeeze tighter.
"I know it's just the beginning of something, but I really want it to work out..."
Timothy confessed .
"You sound like you're not so sure it will. " Arch chuckled.
"Let's be honest here, you probably never have been in a decent relationship with someone and my last proper relationship was back in high school. " Timothy snorted.
"We're quite the match then no?" Arch gently brushed his hair as he looked at him.
I'd like to think we are...  Timothy thought.  He knew it was just the start and everything looked so bright in that moment.
They were hugged,  in each others arms, in their own perfect bubble, in their own little world...
But Timothy knew that things were far from perfect. He had to worry about his parents and he honestly couldn't see himself go through it calmly.
"So now that you confessed your undying love for me, can we eat something? I'm pretty hungry ... "
He grinned and tried to separate himself from Arch,  but the man didn't let him move.
"Stay with me just a bit more and then we can order whatever you want ."
"Okay but we're not ordering anything,  I want real food ." Timothy said and leaned back.
"Um... I think ordering pizza or something is better. " Arch said.
"How exactly is that better?" Timothy rolled his eyes, "I just got released from the hospital, the last thing I need is fast food ."
There was no response from Arch and Timothy pulled away to look at him to figure out what was wrong. He looked at him expectantly.
Arch sighed.
"I don't really know how to... cook "
Timothy's eyes widened.
"What do you mean you don't know how to cook? you must be able to prepare something! "
"Eggs..." Arch muttered .
"That's it? how come? "
Timothy wondered how it was possible for a man his age that lived by himself to not know how to cook.
"Since I can remember we always had a chef to cook my family's meals so I didn't have a chance to really do anything. And once I moved here I didn't really had to worry about it because I'm mostly busy at work and eat outside, when I do get home I just order food,  I guess it's the easy way." Arch shrugged.
In a way it reminded Timothy of how he and Lizzy got around by eating outside most of the time , but still even if not often he still cooked some simple dishes that anyone could make.
"Well that changes today, " he announced and got up. "I'm going to teach you whatever I know, which is not a lot but still ."
He made his way to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator to check for ingredients, he was shocked to only see drinks and a few fruits ,vegetables and eggs, no other basic ingredients. "You got to be kidding me..."
"Can we just order pizza? we can do the whole cooking class tomorrow after getting some ingredients ." Arch came behind him, a bit embarrassed that despite all his money his fridge was pretty empty, he just never needed anything except for what he had there.
"No way, we're going to get those ingredients right now and make a proper meal. Let's go ."
Arch wanted to protest but he knew better once he saw the persistent look on Timothy's face- it was a lost cause.
Timothy on his part still felt exhausted but he wanted him and Archibald to have some relatively healthy food, he couldn't believe the man was living like that, he'd make sure that fridge would be stocked.

______________________________________

Shopping for groceries together was a weird experience.
First there was the matter of them being together as a couple, doing something that couples do.
It's not like they seemed like a couple though. They didn't touch each other or referred to one another intimately.
Arch sure would have liked to express his affection, he wasn't used to conceal himself like that , but for the sake of Timothy he did. He knew Timothy wasn't  truly comfortable with it so he didn't pressure him and Timothy appreciated that. He wasn't ready yet to let others see a side of him he hid for years,  but deep down he knew his true fear was that someone might someohow see them together and notify his parents before he had the chance to talk to them.
He had to talk with them, to let them know - even if he was more than likely to not get approval - of the relationship he had with Arch.
He felt that he at least owed them that much, a warning before they'd hear it from some other source. If he was going to disappoint them, he wanted it to come from him and not some random person.
Other than that, it was really weird to see Archibald reacting to the whole shopping for groceries idea.
Of course it wasn't the man's first time at a grocery shop, but he never actually bought anything that had to be cooked except for eggs.
Timothy tried to involve him as much as possible in this experience by asking him what he'd like to eat or learn to cook. It was funny to watch him struggle with uncertainty at first but as they continued he grew more comfortable.
When they finally returned and placed what they bought in the proper place, they got to work.
"Even if you don't know how to cook you can easily follow instructions at the back if there are any or dig up recipes. " Timothy explained and showed Arch the instructions for the pasta.
"It seems easy enough " Arch said as he read quickly.
" It is, the slightly tricky part is the sauce, not everyone can pull a decent one. Well that's unless they follow a recipe but I like to go freestyle. " Timothy grinned.
"What would you like to start with, salad or pasta?"
"Um pasta? "
"Okay then. Follow the instructions and if you need correction I'll tell you."
An hour later they sat at the table and Arch smirked, satisfied with the results.
The pasta was actually very good and even though the salad was cut a bit awkwardly,  Timothy was still proud of the effort - Arch cut himself lightly.
After that they settled on the couch next to each other, watching some show on TV.
Oscar came and jumped up, flopping between them with his head in Timothy's lap.
"Who's a good boy? " Timothy said affectionately as he scratched behind his ear, Oscar wiggled his tail excitedly,  hitting Arch unintentionally.
"Stop spoiling him. " Arch grunted as he fought back the tail.
Timothy just ignored him and continued to pet the big dog until Oscar got tired and just hopped off and ran to the corner, biting one of his toys.
"Now that the brat is gone,  want to go to bed?"
Arch smirked suggestively.
"Sure ." Timothy said and got up, followed by Arch as they made their way to the bedroom.
Timothy took off his clothes carefully,  only leaving his underwear on and got in the bed.
Archibald hurried to follow enthusiastically, leaving his underwear as well as he flopped next to Timothy and leaned to give him a deep kiss.
Their tongues played lazily and Arch had his hands exploring Timothy's body,  going lower and lower and lower.
Timothy grabbed one of Arch's hands and rolled to lay on his side with his back pressed to Arch's chest while taking the hand he grabbed to warp around him and settle on his stomach. "What..." Arch started confused.
He was very hard and he didn't understand why Timothy stopped.
"If you think that I have any energy to have sex after all this day you're sorely mistaken . It's time to show off your cuddle abilities. "
Arch chuckled and pressed to Timothy,  tightening his hold. Oh he didn't mind that at all. Cuddling with his lover, he liked the idea.
"Get used to what's poking your ass, it won't go down I assure you ."
He whispered to Timothy before kissing his shoulder and they both went to sleep.