Good riddence (No Longer Updating)

Chapter 4

Ren unlocked the bathroom door, stepping out. The smell of cooked food drifted into his nostrils. Ren crept slowly to the kitchen, silently. He was still shook up about what had happened between him and Ahriman. He was even more shook up about what he had decided he felt in the bathroom. I love him. He was shocked at the realization. Ren heard Ahriman setting a small dining table. He peeked around the corner to see. Ahriman had already set up and cooked a whole meal. The floor boards underneath Ren creaked, causing him to grimace. Ahriman turned and noticed Ren.

"Hey, I'm glad you feel okay, if you're up to it, come eat." He offered.

Ren nodded, walking towards the table, wringing his hands a bit. A nervous habit he'd had since childhood. As Ren neared the table, Ahriman pulled a chair out for him before walking to his own. Ren sat looking at the meal laid out for him. A simple meal of grilled cheese and tomato soup. Something Ren hadn't eaten in a decade. Ahriman sat across from him before speaking up.

"I'm no cook, this is about the extent of my cooking." Ahriman rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment.

"This is just fine." Ren reassured, placing a paper towel in his lap.

Ahriman's eyes glinted with unspoken gratefulness. Ahriman served Ren a bowl of soup with a triangle of grilled cheese. Ren began to eat his meal, he was oddly enjoying it. It felt so plain to him after all the foods he had been eating for years. The meal was refreshing compared to the food he'd eat at meetings. Ren would often find himself at lunch or supper with the President. President only ever discussed work at the meetings over dinner, often leaving long, awkward silences in between. This meal with Ahriman on the other hand felt, natural, meaningful.

"Would you like to ask me more questions?" Ahriman asked after finishing his sandwich.

"Uhm...how do you know my name?"

Ahriman spooned soup in his mouth, swallowing. "Your name tag from work"

"Oh, I see." Ren replied bashfully. He remembered seeing it in his bag. Ren continued with his questions.

"Why can't I remember anything from yesterday night? Also, the bruise? It was you wasn't it?"

Evident pain flashed in Ahriman's face. He looked at his bowl of soup. "I...strangled you so you wouldn't tell your boss I was alive. Thats where you got the bruise. I promise I was very careful with you. I...even went back to get your bag." He said, rushing through his sentences.

Ahriman was obviously tormented with what he had done. His appetite no longer. He stood up to put his dishes in the sink, walking past Ren's chair. Ren grabbed his wrist, stopping him. Ahriman's eyes widened, he turned to look at the fellow male. Ren was staring at his lap. He spoke.

"I hold nothing against you, I blame myself more. You could have died."

Ahriman put his dishes on the table, sitting on his heels by Ren's side. Ahriman didn't let go of Ren's hand, he placed it against his cheek. Ren looked at him in confusion. Ahriman was....crying. Ren's heart dropped.

"What's wrong?" Ren asked worriedly.

Ahriman shook his head, chuckling. "I finally feel like somebody cares about me. Even if we just met, you've shown me kindness regardless of what I did to you." He said, tears trickling to his jaw bone.

Ren decided to be bold and wiped the tears from his face with his finger. "Its my turn to comfort you." He said with a light smile.

Ahriman pushed into Ren's hand, still against his face.

"Let's clean up, then get to know each other better." Ren suggested.

Ren and Ahriman cleaned up their dinner, washing dishes and tidying the table. Ahriman took the trash out, Ren busied himself with putting food away. After while they settled down into the couches, talking all the while. Ren was looking forward to learning more about Ahriman.