It was late by the time Mike finished unloading his things into Joe's garage. He'd taken Ryan and dropped him off at Talinda's first, insisting that he had done enough and thanking him for helping with both the drive and moving Mike's things out of Jason's houseboat. Now that the cargo van was unloaded, save for one painting, Mike was ready to get back on the road. He lifted his arm and sniffed at his flannel, scrunching his nose and making a face as scent of a seventeen hour drive and manual labor hit him. As much as he wanted to see Chester, he knew that going to Amir's smelling like sweat wasn't how he wanted to reunite with his boyfriend. Not when I've got his painting back. I want him to want it. I hope he wants it back. He did leave it when he left... when he was mad at me.
Mike's shoulders sagged at the thought of Chester leaving everything of their relationship behind when he'd moved out of the loft. Even though he'd deserved that crushing moment, coming home from work and finding Chester's things gone but the painting he'd made for him still hanging in the loft, it didn't make it easier when he remembered. All Mike wanted was for Chester to open the door, see him with the beach painting, and smile. A simple smile was all he needed to feel like things were truly on the road to recovery. But that smile would have to wait until he'd showered.
The house was still dark. Joe, Heidi, and Lola hadn't returned yet, and Mike was glad he didn't have to stop and make small talk. He was in and out of the shower quickly, barely running a comb through his damp hair before sliding into a clean pair of boxers and relaxed ripped jeans, a white t-shirt, and the first red and black flannel he came across in his neatly organized guest room closet. Mike didn't even take time to empty his backpack before he grabbed his phone, keys, and wallet, and was out the door, in a hurry to see Chester. Ches. Being away felt like forever. I know he's been worried. I've missed him. And sleep has been awful without him. I just want to lay next to him, I know I'll be out so fast. I hope he will let me stay. I hope he's okay. I went to Seattle and came right back, just like I said I would.
With the beach painting still in the back of the van, Mike backed out of Joe's driveway. It was too late to return the van tonight, so that was on his to do list for his lunch break on Monday. Right now all that he could think of was how fast he could get to his boyfriend. Fortunately traffic was light, and it wasn't long until he was parking in a familiar space at Amir's and pulling the painting from the back of the van. I really forgot how big this was. For a moment self-doubt hit him. He doesn't even really have a space for this. It will take up the whole wall in his room at Amir's. Amir might not even let him hang it. It's not Ches' walls.
Mike looked over the abstract, thinking of all it symbolized to him and to Chester, and to their relationship. He remembered the lonely feeling of Chester being away at work when they were dating, the first time he'd stayed at the loft alone, and before he'd known about YRS. He remembered layering the paint on the canvas and watching his beach scene take shape, and the way time seemed to pass faster when he was occupied. He remembered Chester coming home, the way they had hung the picture together, and how happy they had been together. It will be that way again, he decided resolutely, picking up the canvas and making his way inside. We'll hang it together - with Amir's permission - and everything will be good and right. It will be like the night I gave it to him.
His hands were clutched tight to the painting when Amir opened the front door, looking at Mike with a cocked eyebrow and an immediate gesture to the massive painting. He took a small step back and smiled apologetically. "Hey, Amir." Mike waited for the other man to make space for him to come inside.
"Why do I have a feeling that you're not bringing me a gift?" Amir said, thumping his chest with one finger. "It's my place, and Chaz gets all the housewarming stuff." He watched as Mike turned the painting to the side so he could bring it in the door, and his eyes coasted over the beach scene he'd seen in the loft apartment many times. "Oh, it's that one. I remember that painting."
YOU ARE READING
Devil's Effect
Fanfiction[Part Two to Devil's Drop] Finally safe from YRS, Mike and Chester hope to start creating a life both of them want. Relationships are reevaluated and rebuilt as they come to terms with their new freedom, close friendships, and what love really means...
