With his belly full, Chris is settled on the sofa, his legs tucked underneath one hip. He cradles a hot cup of tea, the radio quietly playing in the background, whilst Kate finishes the last of the dishes.
Taking a sip of his tea, he can faintly hear the sound of the dish water draining away. He moves his legs, clearing a space for Kate to cuddle into him, as she always does.
Kate walks around the sofa and, sure enough, settles herself in next to Chris. He smiles at her as she does so, then returns his attention back to his tea.
"You're quiet tonight, babe" Kate asks, placing a tender hand on his thigh. "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, I'm okay," he faintly responds, placing a hand on top of hers.
Kate can't help but sigh. She moves her hand away, and turns her body to face him.
"Is this about earlier?" Kate asks. "We will figure this out, no matter what Fisher says, there is a way around this, Chris, we'll find it."
"No," Chris smiles lovingly. "No, it's not that."
He puts his tea down on the coffee table, and finally gives her all of his attention.
"So there is something then," she confirms, absent-midedly stroking his arm. "What is it, babe?"
"My parents were asking after you again today," he begins, with a disheartened smile.
But Kate knows where he is going with this, before Chris says anymore.
"I know it's tough, baby," she reassures him, "but we don't have any other options here."
"No, I know, I know," Chris reluctantly agrees. "It just gets to me sometimes, knowing that I can't be open with them. Or anyone else for that matter. I love you, and they don't even know who you are. I just… I hate lying to them, you know? They're my parents."
"I know," she caresses his arm some more, and kisses him gently. "I know."
She cradles his neck a little, as she breaks her lips away from his.
"Not for much longer," she smiles.
Chris sighs, but agrees. He takes her hand from his neck and places it on his lap, holding her hand.
"It's not just them though," he admits. "I need to be more careful in general."
"What makes you say that?" she enquires, caressing his arm again, with her other hand.
"Just something Tom said to me earlier," Chris smiles back.
There is a moment of silence, where Chris doesn't seem to want to say any more.
"...which was?" Kate pushes.
"Oh no," Chris laughs, as he lets go of her hand. "I'm not telling you that!"
"Why not?" she requests, nudging his shoulder.
"It's too embarrassing!" Chris replies, turning himself away from her a little.
"Well, now you have to tell me!" she giggles.
She grabs Chris' waist and tries to turn him back around to face her. He playfully pushes her arms away, turning his head further and further in the opposite direction to her. Kate stands up in front of him, but he turns his head to the side. She sniggers, as she nestles each of her legs either side of his and straddles him. Leaning over him, she smirks as she tries to give him a scornful look, and force him into telling her. But her attempt back fires, as he jokingly flips her to the side and onto her back on the sofa, now straddling her. She cant help but giggle as he towers over her, smirking.
"Come on," she playfully pushes his shoulder. "What did Mr Clarkson say?"
He smiles at her, genuinely this time, and groans under his breath.
"He saaaaiiid," Chris finally replies, still a little hesitant. "...that I haven't shut up about you all week."
He climbs off her, bashfully, and curls himself back up in his corner of the sofa. With an uncontrollable grin on her face, she balances on her elbows, looking over at him for a moment. His smile grows into a grin when he glances back over at her. She clambers along the sofa to snuggle into his side, as he instinctively puts an arm around her.
"I love you," he reminds her, as he kisses her on the forehead.
"I love you too," she replies, wrapping an arm around his torso and pulling him in closer.