A Bucket of Awkward (Septiplier AU)

The Hug

I began to rustle around in the kitchen with only the vaguest idea of what to make. It only occurred to me how much I knew about Mark from his webcam videos. I knew pretty much everything he loved sexually. His kinks and pleasures were all in every part of my mind, but what the hell did he like to eat for dinner? Was he a vegetarian?

I decided to go safe and baked some chicken along with mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables. There was bound to be something in the meal that he would like even if it wasn't completely what he enjoyed.

"Hey, what's smells so delicious in here," came his silky voice from behind me.

After I was sure nothing would burn if I looked away, I turned around to face him, still somewhat turned towards the stove though. The happy smile on his face instantly made me do the same, and the cute little tilt of his head only made it bigger.

"Just a bit of chicken, mashed potatoes, and some cooled vegetables. I didn't really know what you would want, and I didn't want to wake you up to ask, so I hope this is fine." I left out the fact I had already tried to wake him up, he might be a very well liked camboy, but that didn't mean he would be okay with me seeing him naked. Especially while he was so . . vulnerable.

"I would have been fine with a pizza, I'm not super picky." He sent me another smile, before turning his head to look around the room.

"Where do you keep the plates, it looks like you're almost done and I want to help in some way."

I opened my mouth to tell him that none of that was needed. That he should just relax and enjoy the food. He just moved in for fuck's sake so the last thing I was expecting was for him to help out with anything. He already was moving towards the correct set of cabinets to where the plates were at, and by the time I realized what he was doing it was too late.

The muscled hands were placing the white dishes on the kitchen table, and I could feel my heart beating fast in my ears when he glanced over and gave me a reassuring smile. How in the hell could anyone look that gorgeous? Didn't he just wake up from a nap?

"So, how long have you lived in LA?"

I was too taken in by his face to connect that he was asking me a question. It was only when his dark eyebrows quirked that my brain lurched forward.

"Sorry, what?"

He chuckled, and I already knew that my face must have been bright red.

"Los Angeles," he continued, with the patience of a saint, or so it seemed. "How long have you lived here?"

"Oh! Umm . . " I had to think about that for a minute, I always tended to mix the years together, even though I know it wasn't too long ago I left my home overseas. "Six, seven years I believe. I moved here after my core classes in Ireland were done, and finished up college here."

He seemed to be a little surprised by that, but no doubt interested from the somewhat wide eyed and curious look on his face. His smile had dimmed a bit, though it immediately bloomed again when I asked him the same question.

"I've only been here in LA for about two and a half years," he gracfully slid past me across the tile and opened a few cabinets near the fridge, eventually finding the glasses and cups, "I've lived in different cities here, but this one has the best opportunities, so I decided to stick around."

The way he made it sound, it was almost like he considered himself to be a drifter. Just floating from place to place trying to find somewhere to really call home. There was a romantic quality to the way that came across, and I chalked up yet another reason that he was incredible.

"You can stick around as long as you want here."

The surprised look in his eyes made me connect that I said that last sentence out loud.

Shit.

I opened my mouth to cover for my blurting that out, but I can't think of anything to say at all. He chuckled again, and I felt my heart twist in my chest as he walked over and wrapped his arms around me. He was hugging me, and I think I might be physically melting inside.

He has to have felt how fast my heart was beating, but he said nothing about it and just rested his chin on my shoulder. He gave me a small squeeze and chuckled quietly in my ear, and after a second I finally realized he wanted me to hug him back. I did, and as soon as my arms were stiffly wrapped around him, and my chin was on his shoulder as well, the warmth from his body made me relax.

It only lasted a moment or two, though it felt so much longer then that, and when he finally pulled away there was the smallest tinge of red on his cheeks, but it was hard to tell with how wide he was smiling.

"Sorry if that was a little awkward, I'm a pretty affectionate guy and hugs are my speciality." If he thought I was upset with it that was far from the truth, all I really wanted to do was push my face back against his chest and feel though strong, muscular arms around me.

Did he work out? I'd have to ask later.

"It wasn't awkward, just caught me off guard at first."

We stood there for a long moment. Decades it seemed by the hammering of my heart as I looked up into his stunning face.

"So, we probably should get to eating, huh?"

I blinked, suddenly realizing that food was just about done. How was he able to put me in such a haze so easily? Then I remembered that he was fucking gorgeous.

"Right," I said meekly, turning back to the stove. "Food will be ready in a few minutes. Just sit and relax. What part of the meat is your favorite?"

"I'm fine with anything," he replied smoothly. "But if you had to put my feet to the fire I'd say I'm a thigh guy. Love a nice set of thick and rounded thighs."

I could feel myself buckle at the way he said that last line. He practically purred in that low baritone voice of his. Was it getting hot in here, or was that just me standing too close to the stove?