Doug set the box of tools down on the deli floor sighing as he did so.

"You alright mate?" Ste asked concern etched on his face, stopping the continuous and repetitive motion of slapping paint on the wall to look over. Doug, still bent over, looked up with a grimace.

"My back plays up every now and then. It'll be fine in a moment." He replied slowly straightening from his arched position. The movement sent a jolt of pain down his spine and he gasped.
"Whoa. Here, let me help you!" Ste exclaimed dropping the brush on a step ladder and rushing over to the front end of the shop.

"Seriously, I'll be fine." Doug started to protest but to no avail as Ste gently placed his hands on Doug's shoulders starting another rhythmic routine. The sensation felt amazing and Doug couldn't stop the moan from escaping his lips. Ste instantly stopped with the back rub and Doug's face became engulfed in redness.
"Err…I just… well…" Doug stuttered trying to explain the moan away. Behind him Ste burst into fits of laughter, spinning Doug round to face him. Upon seeing the sight of Doug's face he collapsed into more belts of laughter. The laughter soon spread to Doug and before they knew it 5 minutes had passed.
"Is your back all good now?" Ste asked, sucking in air.
"Yeah. Although, now I think my stomach is jerking." Doug gasped between small chuckles.
"I think a backrub is the best I can do." Ste replied smirking and began to make his way to the back of the shop.
Doug smiled to himself taking a hammer out of the tool box and began to knock up a shelf. The two boys remained silent as decorating the deli became the only thing on their mind. Hours passed silently until the quiet was broken then the deli front door opened. Riley stepped in dropping his gym bag on the floor. The thud startled the boys out of their lone thoughts.
"Jesus Riley!" Doug exclaimed sending a glare in his direction.
"Sorry." Riley uttered. "But seriously, you guys have been at it for, well, forever. I think it's time for a break."

"The deli isn't going to do itself."

"Doug, you are such a bore." Riley moaned throwing back a glare.

"I've kind of got to agree with Riley here." Ste stopped as Doug turned to look at him. "It's true. We haven't had a break in ages. Seeing you smile today was a rare thing. You're getting kind of, boring."

"Thanks." Doug couldn't stop the snarky tone that accompanied his thanks.

Riley raised his eyebrows. "That's exactly what I mean. Now let's say I'll steal you away for, say, an hour or so. How's that sound?"

Doug looked at Ste to see if it was ok to which Ste nodded.

Ste checked his watch for the third time. Doug and Riley had been gone for over two hours now. It was getting close to four and Ste was almost ready to give up and shut the shop. After coming to the conclusion that shutting the unfinished shop would be ideal, Ste began to tidy up. At that moment the deli door sprung open and a dishevelled Doug entered. His hair was sticking up, his face wet with moisture. Ste would have though it quite sexy if it weren't for the smell he was broadcasting.

"Next time Riley offers a break," Doug said his voice filling with sarcasm at the word break. "Tell him you need me here; that you can't spare me for an hour. No, you can't spare me for even five minutes!" Talking seemed to have taken up the last segment of energy he had left because Doug flopped sown onto the recently bought couch.

"Get your stink off of that!" Ste shouted running over and grabbing Doug's arm. Doug groaned in protest retracting his arm from Ste's grip. His eyes shutting as the effort to keep them open grew to be too much. Ste sighed in annoyance but didn't have the energy to fight him. Plus, he looked so peaceful resting on the sofa. Ste supposed a couple more hours of light work couldn't kill him and, if it did, he'd make sure to haunt Dough throughout his afterlife.

The next two hours passed quite quickly. Doug's sleep remained undisturbed and Ste finished painting the wall he had started this morning. Progress was slow but the deli was getting there. It was time to wake Doug and lock up. Ste shook Doug's shoulder gently rousing a few grunts of displeasure from him. Finally he forced his eyes open and with much effort, moved into a seating position.

"What? When? What time can be?"

Ste smirked at Doug's incoherent response. "I'm locking up. It's time to go home." Doug's face still remained confused and Ste couldn't bring himself to leave him like this. "Who knew a nap could make someone so confused?" Ste muttered, more to himself than anyone else. "Come on, you're coming back to mine and the first thing you are going to do is shower!"

Surprisingly, Doug managed to hoist himself from the couch and walk to Ste's. The cold air began to wake him up meaning Ste could make some conversation with him on the way to the flat, mostly consisting of him mocking Doug from his prior disorientation. This caused him to get some playful punches from Doug who failed to look annoyed.

"Shhhh," Ste ordered Doug to stop laughing. "It's late and the kids will be asleep."

"Sure," Doug obeyed stifling his laughter. Ste let them both into the flat nodding at Amy who peeked her head round from her position in the kitchen.

"Oh, hey Doug," She waved before grabbing her nose. "What is that smell?"

Hurt flickered across Doug's face as he realised the smell was him. "Riley is trying to get me a six pack. He says it will help with my conquest with the ladies."

Ste laughed but couldn't help but feel a slight hint of jealousy at the mention of Doug with girls. Brushing it aside Ste began to push Doug in the way of the bathroom.

"You need to shower. Now!" Ste said. "Use any of the shower gels. Towels are on the rack. Oh, and hand out your clothes I'll put them in the washer."

Doug walked into the bathroom pulling off his top as he did so. Riley had a long way to go to get Doug a six pack but Ste couldn't help but admire his form. The guy had a nice shape to him. Doug began to pull down his joggers pulling Ste out of his daze. Ste turned away from Doug and waited for the joggers to be thrown to the door.

"Ste, its fine I've still got my boxers on."

"I know," Ste replied. "I just didn't want you to think I was perving on you." He turned round to face Doug again. It was true, Doug was stood in just his boxers; well, boxer briefs. They cuddled his private area in the right places. Suddenly Doug's jogging bottoms hit him in the face causing him to crash out from his daze.

"I'm going to shower now," Doug said moving toward the bathroom door to close it.

"Alright, cool, call me if you need me… anything. Call me if you need anything." The door shut and Ste's face reddened. What had just happened? He had just checked out his best mate getting undressed, that's what. By the looks of it Doug had noticed. Inside the bathroom Doug shed the remaining clothing he had on and grinned. His back still burned from Ste's stares. He turned on the shower and hopped in. What was he even thinking? He should be freaked out that a guy was checking him out. But, it had made him feel good. Anyone checking him out would cause these feelings right? Doug continued to reassure himself and by the end of his shower had convinced himself that it was nice to feel appreciated… from anyone.

"Nice shower?" Amy asked a towel clad Doug.

"Yeah, thanks. Are my clothes done?"

"They're just drying. I'm sure Ste has some clothes you could borrow for now. Right, Ste?"

"Yeah, sure. I'll go fetch some." Ste left the room and Amy began to pull food out of the oven Doug grabbed plates from the side and set the table. Ste soon came back with a plain black t-shirt and some grey jogging bottoms. Doug left the room to put them on and when he came back dinner was ready.

"Thanks Amy." Doug said as he began to tuck in. After half an hour dinner was done and cleared.

"Well, I best be getting home." Doug said.

"Awh, do you have to? I got beers." Ste teased Doug by dangling the lager in front of him. Doug groaned as he silently debated on whether to or not.

"Well, if it helps with the decision me and Michaela are going out. So you boys are free to play your video games; as long as you don't wake the kids."

"I guess a few beers won't hurt," Doug joked, Ste pretended to look hurt but laughed.

"Alright you two I'm off. Please, don't wake the kids!"

"Amy I'm capable of being a responsible dad. Just go!" Ste joked. Amy waved goodbye and closed the door behind her.

"So," Ste said, clapping his hands together. "What do you want to do?"

"Well, I suck at video games so if you want to sit with an annoyed me all evening go ahead and put Fifa on. I guess a film will be cool though."

"Sounds good. DVDS are there, I'm just going to go check the kids."

Doug scanned the DVD rack looking for a watchable film. Stopping at Fellowship of the Ring he pulled it out turning to grin at a returned Ste.

"Really?" Ste questioned. "You planning on being here all night?"

"It's a good film!" Doug protested throwing puppy dog eyes at Ste. They impacted and Ste backed down. "I'll get some crisps, you stick it in." He said making his way to the kitchen.

"Chips. You'll get some chips." Doug muttered under his breath as he started the film. They settled down and began to watch the film. Every now and then Ste would get up to fetch some more beers.

"I love this bit." Doug exclaimed, turning to Ste. "My precious." He growled, rubbing his hand down Ste's face. "Me wants it." With 5 beers in him Doug had begun to act hyper and giddy causing Ste to produce small bouts of laughter here and there. Ste missed the contact as soon as Doug returned to watching the film. He ever so slightly inched closer to Doug to regain some form of contact, their thighs touched and Ste felt the warmth in his stomach returning.

Amy returned to the flat at just gone midnight. She was welcomed to the main menu of Lord of the Rings on repeat. Assuming Doug had left and Ste had fallen asleep on the couch she crept to the TV. However, movement caught her eye and she turned to focus her attention on the couch. Instead of seeing one figure she was startled to see another. Doug's head was rested on Ste's chest who had slouched down on the sofa. The boys were practically hugging one another. Amy smiled, knowing she could use this against the boys later.