'Black and White' - The White Bridge Crime Series 2 - LGBT, manXman

19

The pair spent the next week mostly at the house.

Rex finished his paperwork, read books that had been on his reading list for months, and caught up with some of the TV shows he liked to watch when he had a chance.

Eli read and marked what seemed like hundreds of mock exams, read thick textbooks and made notes for lessons, and wrote extensive lesson plans for the next two terms.

They worked their way steadily through the food Adrian had brought them, and ate several times at The Dinner Table.

Eli became firm friends with Tom and Freddie, and came home half-drunk twice because Freddie had kept giving him cocktails while they chatted.

Every night, they slept in the same bed, and every morning Eli awoke sprawled atop of Rex's body.

"Guess what." Eli danced into the office on Sunday night, and tapped Rex's shoulder.

"What?" Rex turned around with a grin.

"I sold my house today."

"Today? It's been on the market for a week."

"I know." Eli's face fell a little.  "But apparently, the houses of all of the victims have sold really quickly. And, I got ten thousand pounds over the asking price."

"You're kidding." Rex shook his head. "I swear, there's something wrong with some people."

Eli shrugged.

"The house is sold, and I've got an extra ten grand. I'm not complaining."

Eli handed Rex a mug of coffee and sank into a chair, still smiling.

"Well... I'm glad things are working out for you," Rex said, and immediately felt awkward about being so... formal.

Eli smiled and emptied his mug.

"I'm going up to bed," he said. "I'll... see you."

"I'll come up in a while." Rex grinned.

Eli blushed.

"Am I pathetic?" He asked self-consciously. "Having to sleep with you in the same room in order to be able to sleep at all?"

Rex shook his head.

"I don't mind," he said quietly.

Eli sighed and rubbed his eyes.

"I think... I should move out," he said quietly.

Rex looked at him in surprise.

"I need to move on with my life. And let you move on with yours. Let's face it, I can't stay here with you forever."

"I..."

Rex frowned.

"I don't mind," he said again, finally. "It's not like I have a girlfriend or anything."

"I know, but... Someday, we'll both be dating. It can't work, Rex."

Eli felt himself getting upset and scolded himself firmly.

Rex's dark eyes were probing his own, searching for something.

Eli didn't know what. "I'll... sleep on the sofa tonight."

Eli turned away, feeling tears springing to his eyes. He had barely opened the door when Rex's fingers gripped his wrist tightly. He found himself pulled down onto the big detective's lap, Rex's strong arms coming swiftly up to both support him and hold him in place.

"I don't want you to go." Rex ground out through gritted teeth. "I... like having you around."

"Rex-"