Olli did not have to hear "love," from Christian to know it was there. He felt it, coming home from work, in the long minutes spent in Christian's embrace, his tight hug that said "welcome home", or "I missed you", or the ever unsaid "I love you." He saw it when he caught Christian staring at him, something like disbelief or awe coloring his fair features, a shy smile on his full lips. Olli had heard "love" plenty, from Tom, various strangers on the ship, all so quick with their ardent declarations. All of which proved meaningless in the end. It had been nice enough, but until Christian, he'd never felt it, seen it, or lived it. Christian never said it in words - he wasn't one to say much anyway - but with the light touch of his fingers in Olli's hair after they made love, outing himself in the boxing ring right after his big win, Olli's coffee just right in the morning, and never leaving his side in the hospital;To Olli Christian communicated just fine.

But, there was always a but.

The thing was, he had learned Christian's silent language over these months, even before they'd officially become a couple. He could sense the shuttered tension in his boyfriends' body. He could see how his eyes shone a bit less brightly, the almost microscopic falter in his smile. Something was wrong, and it bothered Olli that while his partner loved him, madly, he didn't trust Olli enough to tell him what was the matter, to let him in.

Olli chuckled wryly to himself as he polished yet another glass.

Wouldn't let him in literally and figuratively. 6 months, not counting the halunke fiasco. 6 months and Christian was still unable to give in. Though Olli wordlessly accepted his promises of "not yet, but soon;" though he understood that Christian was going through so many changes; and though he relished, quite a bit, feeling his lover inside him, the fact still remained. Olli's patience was rapidly unraveling, and it was a conventional wisdom that it was better to give than receive. And really, Olli was such a giving person. Besides, after all they'd been through, Olli was not about to allow the relationship to be undone by something like this.

He knew, just knew that Christian would love it. He blushed thinking of Christian's reaction the other night. It had only been two fingers, but the way he'd bucked and screamed, the sensation of that tight tight velvet hole...

"Oliver"

The young man spun around, embarrassed to be caught in his daydream, and furiously willed away his burgeoning erection.

"Yes Angelo?"

"The guests at the end of the bar, are being neglected."

"Sorry! right away," he responded, stoically ignoring Angelo's exasperated sighs.

It was time to turn on that Sabel charm, as well as that Sabel determination. He'd get what he wanted from Christian, or at the very least a proper a plan already half formed, he turned his full mega-watt smile on the neglected patrons.

"Hey" – Christian barely looked up from his anatomy textbook. Olli knew that with his shift tonight at NoLimits and the upcoming exam, the dreaded drama queen would most assuredly make an appearance before the week was out. Inwardly bracing himself, Olli knew there was nothing that could be done for it. He WAS going to have a conversation with his partner, and whether or not Christian liked it, they were having it tonight.

"Hello my sexy scholar!"

Olli managed with his usual enthusiasm, as he sauntered over. Christian responded with his usual one two combination of sarcastic eye-roll and amused lip twitch.

"Olli, when am I ever not your sexy something?" Christian teased.

"Well, god willing, never Schatz", Olli whispered, stepping behind his partner and kneading away the tension in those broad strong grinned softly as Christian leaned back and closed his eyes.

"I made dinner," Christian said lazily, his voice dipping a register as Olli's fingers worked their magic. "Cous-Cous something, s'on the stove.."

"So domestic" Olli growled, nipping at Christians neck.

"So insatiable" Christian laughed, "But not tonight Olli, there's a bachelorette party happening during my shift, I'm going to turn in in a few minutes, actually."

Olli felt Christian tense, anticipating a complaint from his lover, but Olli ran soothing fingers through golden brown hair.

"I'll set your alarm."

Christian relaxed. Thus far, everything was going according to plan.