"I really can take care of myself," Jefferson argued as he and Killian unloaded the firewood from the back of the rusted Chevy bed.
"Debatable," Killian retorted with a shrug.
They were nearly done, the sun was nearly set and the snow had just started to fall. Had Killian not worked overtime they could have been done with this an hour ago but he didn't mind it. The cold didn't seem to faze him although Jefferson was noticeably shivering.
Killian hauled the last of the logs onto the rack and closed the tailgate as Jefferson pulled the garage door closed. "A simple 'thank you' would suffice."
"Well thank you. I appreciate it. Just because I'm insistent doesn't mean I'm ungrateful." He didn't want to seem too desperate for company but he really did want Killian to come in. He jerked his head in the direction of the front door and pulled his jacket closed. "Wanna come in? I have roast in the oven. It's the least I could do."
Killian looked as if he didn't want to bother with going in. He was tired from work but the expression on Jefferson's face swayed his decision. He nodded and followed Jefferson inside. The warmth of the house took Killian by surprise and he wondered if he really was that cold and just didn't realize it. He shed his coat and plopped down in front of the roaring fireplace.
"Coffee?" Jefferson asked as he walked into the kitchen.
"Please," Killian nodded. He let his head fall back and sighed deeply. He certainly could have drifted to sleep had Jefferson not come back minutes later with a cup of coffee for him and a cup of tea for himself. Jefferson handed the coffee over and curled his legs under him as he sat on the opposite end of the couch.
Several sips of tea later, Jefferson felt obligated to say something. He noted the bags under Killian's eyes. "You look exhausted," he admitted.
He looked over to Jefferson without moving. "I am exhausted."
"The roast should be done in about fifteen minutes; you can eat and then go home and sleep."
"Sounds good to me."
They sipped their warm beverages until the oven timer beeped, breaking the silence. Jefferson got up and dawdled around the kitchen, dishing up their plates and filling water goblets. He called for Killian who came into the kitchen slowly, all but dragging his feet. He plopped into a chair at the breakfast table and waited to be served.
Jefferson brought their glasses and then their plates, to which Killian was grateful. He caught Jefferson's hand as he retracted it and pressed a soft kiss to Jefferson's forearm. "Thanks, love."
In an unexpected move, Jefferson ruffled his fingers through Killian's hair with a small smile. "You're welcome."
After dinner Jefferson cleaned up the kitchen as Killian remained at the table. He felt self-conscious as Killian's eyes drifted back and forth and knew he was being watched. It shouldn't have bothered him but it did. Part of him wanted to ask Killian to stay the night but he thought it selfish to ask him to say when he was so clearly exhausted from work.
When the kitchen was clean they migrated to the living room and sprawled on the couch. Killian sat at the same end as before and this time Jefferson joined him, stretched across his lap with his head on the arm rest. It wasn't the most comfortable but Killian didn't mind. A nameless made-for-TV movie played on the flat screen and neither of them had much interest in the matter, but they watched it. From what Jefferson could gather it was about a woman whose ex-boyfriend had found her and her child where they hid out in a small town.
After a while Jefferson felt a hand at his hand as fingers began to stroke his hair. "That feels nice," he hummed. He turned his head and smiled up almost shyly.
Killian smiled down at him just as shyly. "You've been doing that more," he said.
"What?"
"Smiling."
Jefferson turned back to the TV. "Oh."
"It's not a bad thing."
"I know."
"Hm." Killian leaned his head back, closed his eyes, and told himself it was just for a moment.
Presumably they fell asleep sometime around the beginning of the second made-for-TV movie. Jefferson woke first, stiff and sore from sleeping across Killian's lap. He sat up and looked around. The clock above the fireplace read it was nearly midnight. He nudged Killian awake, his voice thick from sleep. "Wake up."
"Hm?"
"We fell asleep."
"Time's it?" Killian asked.
"Almost midnight." Jefferson pulled himself off the sofa and went to the closest window. The snow was coming down in sheets. There were already several inches on the ground and the wind was whipping it hard enough to make driving in the mess nearly impossible and definitely unsafe. This discovery was somewhat joyous. This weather meant Killian had no choice but to stay put.
"How's it looking out there?"
Jefferson put on his best disappointed face and turned back to the man on the couch. "Bad. Impossible to drive in, probably."
"I'll be the judge of that." Killian rose to his feet and crossed to where Jefferson stood. With one glance, he sighed. There was no way he'd be leaving any time soon.
"I mean it's not bad, right? You don't have work or anything?"
"No." His eyes remained on the snow for a minute longer before he turned to Jefferson with a smirk. "Looks like I'm stuck here for the time being."
Jefferson offered a small smile of his own. "That's not so bad, is it?"
In a bold move Killian took Jefferson by the waist, pulling him in and kissing him fully on the mouth.