Rebirth – Chapter 21: House Call
-Notes-
Hey guys, sorry it took so long to update. It's been crazy to try and find the time for lately.
Merry-2004: Ah yes, enjoy it…while it lasts. MWAHAHAHaaa..ah…Okay.
AngelGardian666: Let's see, well…judging by the age of his daughter, I guess him to be about in his early to mid thirties? That's what I'm thinkin', anyway. While Adam is probably early to mid twenties. Oh no! Don't cook any more things-hides-
Janrearay: Aw, shucks, I don't think we should kill her! XD I mean, I'd feel pretty damn worthless if my husband turned from a harrowing ordeal into the arms of a younger, prettier…man. :D But we'll just have to see. Thanks!
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Adam bolted upright as the knock at his door echoed through his walls, shattering his contemplations sharply. Stretching his back for a moment, he tossed down the stack of papers in his hand back onto his desk and went for the door, worrying about who it could be. He didn't want to see anyone around here now. It was either a hounding client or a drinking buddy, or maybe even his building super, but what they wanted was left to be guessed. "Yeah, hang on!" he barked out, stumbling over a tipped chair and stepping over a stack of photos. As he made it to the door, he fell against it slightly, cursing himself and pawing at the chain. It opened with a click and a groan.
"Did I interupt something?" said his visitor with a grin.
"Lawrence?" Adam stared in surprise.
"What, no Dr. Gordon?" Lawrence cocked his head to the side and Adam backed away, allowing him to enter. Lawrence took the opportunity and pushed past him, a paper bag in his one crutchless arm.
"I-I thought you weren't coming by until tonight." Adam pointed out, swiveling around as Lawrence continued on into his home.
"Yeah, I know," Lawrence nodded, setting his bag down on the surface of Adam's counter once he made it into the kitchen.
Adam shut the door and curiously followed him.
"But I was out. I needed some things at the store and I sort of…picked up some things for you." Lawrence explained, digging through the bag for a minute before leaving it alone.
"Like what?" Adam came into the kitchen area as well.
"Essentials I noticed you lacking." Was his reply. He smiled slyly over a shoulder as he glanced at Adam. "You know…food?"
"Oh. Well," he scratched the back of his head, feeling a wrench of pain as he touched his still-healing wound. "…what for?"
Lawrence smirked. "There's a guy who lives here. He's about your age, good build—his name's Adam. You've gotta feed him a couple times a day to keep him going. And let him sleep, you can't keep him up all hours of the night. Take care of him for me, huh?"
"You don't have to buy me anything, Lawrence." Adam lowered his head indignantly.
"Yeah, but if I didn't, you wouldn't." Lawrence accused. "Okay. Well. Sorry I can't stay. Allison expects me home pretty quick, so…" he turned, gazing over Adam, who was leaning against the wall casually.
Adam felt himself going slightly flushed as he held his eyes away, aware that he was being looked at. "Thanks…"
"Let me know if there's anything else you need. Really. I mean it. And especially tell me if, you know, something doesn't feel right. If your head's bothering you, or your shoulder."
"Why bother you when I've got Dr. Phil on speed dail?" Adam said sarcastically. He got a look for that. "Relax. I'll be fine." He shrugged.
"Alright." Lawrence looked around. "What were you doing before I got here, anyway?"
"I was sort of cleaning up, if you're so interested." Adam motioned to his desk, which now, instead of aimless piles, there were at least sorted stacks.
Lawrence held a hand to his chest dramatically. "For me?"
"…Yeah, actually." Adam swallowed.
Lawrence turned a little more serious and smiled. "Eat something, okay? I'm serious here. It scares me to think the only thing you've eaten in the past week is peanut butter."
"It's not so bad. Cigarettes surpress the appetite, you know. Useful little drug." Adam shook his head.
"…Smoking is one of the few things I overlook when considering you." Lawrence declared ruefully.
"Oh yeah? Well I've always hated doctors. So there. We're both compromising." He defended.
Lawrence laughed and looked around, coming towards him and back out into the main living area. "I've gotta go. I'll be back around…eight?"
"Sure." Adam agreed, meeting Lawrence's eyes. They faced each other unsurely for a few moments. …What? Should I kiss him…? Does he want to be kissed right now? I mean…he's going home to his wife…But then why is he looking at me like that? Adam pondered for another moment before deciding against it, holding up a hand hesitantly in a small wave. "See ya."
"Yeah." Lawrence nodded back, and Adam opened the door for him.
"Thanks again."
"Any time." Lawrence said back, and Adam felt rather sure that he meant that. That in and of itself enthralled him.
"Bye." He slowly shut the door and stood there for a moment, looking down at the hand that was touching the handle and thinking over it. Part of him was still in semi-shock of seeing him when he was not expected, and the other part was questioning why that pleased him so much. Naturally he was happy to see him. But it was strange, suddenly being so cared for.
He turned away from the door and trudged back into his living room, a slow march towards the kitchen as he contemplated his feelings. He was stubborn, of course. No grown man wants someone 'taking care' of him. But at the same time, he owed a lot to Lawrence just for that. He had at last fallen asleep the previous night somehow, and he readily admitted that his morale had improved. And that he enjoyed, if not craved, Lawrence's company. He was grateful, but not naïve about it. After all, things between them right now, while nice, were still…a mess.
Adam sighed and tried not to think on that subject as he prodded the paper bag on the counter in wonderment. He looked down into it and began pulling out some of the items for study. Bananas. He put them down on the table and plucked one off the cluster, lazily tearing peel down by the stem with his teeth and shoving it into his mouth as he continued searching the bag. Tomato sauce and dry pasta…obviously assuming he knew how to make spaghetti. A box of Corn Flakes, a carton of milk, some orange juice, bread and strawberry jelly, and lastly, but most to Adam's thankfulness, a bottle of asprin.
He couldn't help but smile a little as he picked it up, relieved to have a means to lessen the pain. He turned it over in his hand a few times with a sigh.
Man…Should've kissed him…
