Not sure where y'all live, but right now I'm on day 19 of self quarantine. Every day I wake up hoping that this'll all have been some horrible nightmare I had as a result of too much gin and tonic but I'm always disappointed.

Anyway, give it up for chapter 13!

It was yet another lovely Wednesday morning in the Windy City, around the crack of dawn.

The sun was rising.

The birds were just waking up from a night of...WHATEVER THE HELL BIRDS DO AT NIGHT.

And our beloved Chief of Staff and Head of Surgery, Robert Romano, was slowly awakening, instantly aware of the large form that held him tightly in its arms, making him feel warm and fuzzy inside. He tried to move even closer to the man, craving the heat coming off him within the relatively cool bedroom.

Robert rest his head against the man's chest, taking part in the time-honored action of listening to his heart beating in that broad, solid chest of his. He pulled his hand up then, stroking Peter's chest lightly as to not wake him up. He continued to do so absentmindedly, recounting the events of the previous night in his head.

After their little discussion...and another round of heated discussion AFTER that particular discussion, plus a hit to the shower, the two had agreed to spend the night together. Our favorite surgical attending, Peter Benton, had even arranged for yet another candle lit dinner for the two.

Well, the 'candle lit dinner' in question had actually turned out to be a large meatlover's pizza and one of Peter's vintage bottles of Merlot served over his kitchen table. Despite the low budget, or rather both men's unwillingness to get fully dressed and venture somewhere nice, Romano honestly couldn't care less whether they were dining on raw oysters and Filet Mignon or a grimy cup of noodles they'd scooped out of the dumpster behind a strip club. It was the company that counted.

Especially when that company would often stare him down in between bites of pizza and light talk about the day to day detritus of their hectic lives. And as you probably already know, it wasn't the kind of stare you'd give your annoying coworker Karen when she brought her pungent egg salad sandwiches into work on Mondays, consequently making them worse.

Oh no. It was the 'I'd rather be eating you than this cheap slice of American staple every day of the fucking week' type of stare.

And eventually, his stares had become so fervent, so damn distracting that they'd resorted to quitting that menial process of chatting and eating entirely, their dark eyes making contact over that half-finished pizza, both knowing exactly what the other was craving, yet not having to say a word on the subject.

Needless to say, neither of the two finished that pizza, and it was left to cool, forgotten on the table as Romano allowed himself to be pushed into Peter's nice warm bed, letting the man love him all over again.

The bald man felt something stir in him at the memory. Something in his chest. He felt himself falling for the man, falling farther than he ever thought he would, or could fall for him. As much as he wanted to distance himself from Peter, he just couldn't help the feelings that just kept on getting stronger for him.

He noticed it the most whenever they had a discussion. At least, that's what they still called it, although they knew damn well what they were doing wasn't some cold, professional, no-strings-attached meeting between a boss and his employee. Some may argue that if they actually did call it what it was outside the heat of the moment, it would make it too much on them. It'd make it too real for the two of them to bear.

But, despite this walking on eggshells, the fact was simple;

Whenever they made love, Robert felt like he had died and went to heaven.

And, as much as he'd been trying to deny it, he was beginning to feel as if he could spend the rest of his damn life making love with this man. Hell, he wasn't sure after this long that he could stand to settle for anything else, anything less.

They'd repeated that 3 letter phrase twice now. It's a big testament for any relationship, let alone one that fell more on the more casual side of things. At times, Robert had questioned whether the man beside him had ever meant it in the first place.

But any time he took a look at that dark-eyed, handsome face of his, whether they were behind closed doors, giving each other every bit of their time and energy or under the glow of an OR light, working on some poor schmuck who'd needed a laparotomy or something, exchanging quick glances at each other. Anyone on the outside wouldn't suspect a thing outside of the ordinary. But Robert could see it in his eyes. Peter wasn't lying, he couldn't be lying. Especially after the weekend they'd spent together.

And even after all the time they've spent together, all of their graceless acts of passion, the countless times in the hospital they'd shared meals together, the enjoyment the both of them got from talking to each other, the cold Autumn nights they'd spent in each other's arms, falling asleep to the sound of each other's slow, even breaths as they settled in together—he still couldn't help but feel scared.

He loved Peter. He was in love with Peter. Yet he couldn't help but recognize his infamous shortcomings when it came to people in general, never mind past lovers. And, he couldn't help but wonder when those shortcomings would manifest themselves into their relationship and leave him alone and heart broken, before he'd even have time to fully register what he'd done wrong.

His stomach churned at the idea of driving Peter away. Earlier on, yeah, it wouldn't be so devastating. But now...the very thought was enough to make Romano's heart sink.

"Quit thinking," a familiar voice tore Robert from his quickly escalating session of worry and overthinking. He swore that Peter could read his mind sometimes. It was kind of unsettling.

"It's too damn early to think. Go back to sleep." He kissed his head sluggishly, his eyes still shut against the soft light from the rising sun. The taller man pulled him closer, burying his head into his shoulder as he curled up to him.

"I can't sleep. I'm kept up by some rather invasive thoughts of this tall hot guy who took me to bed with him last night..." Romano joked, his insecurities melting away as an idea sprung to his head. He moved his hands around to his back, rubbing it in little circles.

"Oh really?" Benton deadpanned, his words muffled against Romano's shoulder. "Well something tells me this tall hot guy you have in mind probably wants another hour or two of sleep before he has to get to work."

"Well I for one think that my guy shouldn't be such a wet blanket." Robert continued humoring the sleepy surgeon, his hands moving lower on his back. "After all, he had been the one to solicit me into taking part in sexual relations in the workplace when I'd made it very clear that I had work to do..."

"Robert, not at this ungodly hour," Benton growled sternly, as Romano's hands had found their way to his ass, caressing the firm muscle there. "Aren't you sore?"

"I bounce back fast," Romano purred into his ear, not giving up. "Come on, Petey. It's not like you to evade one of our little discussions like this..."

Peter rolled away from him then, attempting to ignore his antics. "Wake me up in an hour, Robbie. We can talk when I can at least see my damn hand in front of my face."

Romano scooted closer to him, not having any of it. He wrapped his arms back around the grumpy surgeon, his hands wandering down his abdomen. He kissed and nipped at the sleek skin on Peter's neck, inviting him.

"Robert..." Benton whined, his resistance wearing thin as Romano sucked and licked at one of his favorite spots on his neck, working on leaving behind a little bruise there.

"C'mon, Petey. You know you want to..." Romano murmured into his ear. His hands ventured lower on Peter's body, groping between his thighs.

"Robert..." he whined again, rolling on to his back to look at him. Robert took this opportunity to climb on top of Peter, straddling his hips as he did. The taller man quit complaining after that, drinking in the sight of Romano's naked form set before him, his large member standing up, already wanting more of him.

"Just lie back and relax, love. I'll do all the work..." Romano said, his voice a silky, alluring tone. He reached off to one side, his hand seeking out the bottle of lubricant that was still on Peter's nightstand. They were both wide awake now, aching for each other yet again.

Romano plunged his slick fingers into his own entrance, moaning as he pushed them into just the right spot. He drew them in and out slowly as Peter watched him, hardening at the sight of the man preparing himself.

"My, my. Dr. Romano," Peter drawled, licking his lips as he gazed at Romano as he gave another hit to his own prostate, eyes slamming shut for a brief moment as the sensation threatened to overcome him. "How will I ever be able to say no to you?"

Romano groaned loudly as he added another slick finger, stretching himself for Peter's now completely swollen prick. The sound only made the taller surgeon grow larger. "Well I suppose I could say the same for you as well, Dr. Benton."

Benton stroked his own member as he observed the man pumping his digits in and out of himself until he just couldn't bear to watch any longer. He grasped at the hand connected to those digits, pulling it away. He snatched the bottle from where Romano had tossed it off to the side, opening it and dispensing a dollop into the man's already slick hand.

Romano stroked Peter's length, covering it in the slick, glistening fluid before moving himself higher up Peter's bare form. He aligned himself with the other man perfectly before lowering himself, slowly piercing himself with his turgid member.

They both moaned softly, adjusting to the all too familiar feeling of their disrobed bodies being connected as one. They seemed to fit perfectly together, both as a couple and physically, whenever they made love. Romano began to move his hips against Peter's, rocking them at a slow, almost gentle pace, drawing an agonizing sense of pleasure from the both of them.

"God, you look so beautiful right now..." Peter rasped, his hips moving at the same pace as his eyes raked over the man on top of him. His face was flushed and his eyes full of luster, mixed with a sort of carnal desire despite how slow they were going. The taller man beneath him seemed able to do more to Romano with only his voice than most people could do with their hands.

Romano moaned loudly as Peter found the perfect angle, hitting his prostate head on with each movement of his pelvis. He began to move his hips harder and faster against the man, making frenzied attempts for purchase against that oh so responsive bundle of nerves inside of him.

Benton seemed to have picked up on his desperate need for friction as he gazed at the man's now shaking, perspiring form. He put both hands on Romano's hips, pulling him hard against him as he ground into him further, causing the man to cry out as his member pushed far deeper inside of him, hitting that sensitive spot as it went.

He couldn't help how much he loved seeing his boss like this; trembling against his naked body, his usual invulnerability and hard, professional attitude stripped away along with his clothes. The way he went from being completely in control of himself and often times in control of Peter, to being reduced to pleas and cries for mercy as he begged for his own release. He felt something stir in him at the thought that he could get the man so comfortable around him, allowing him to relinquish that control whenever they were alone together.

In that man's eyes, Robert Romano was a two-sided coin. Of course, there was the side of him he showed to everyone. Cold, mean spirited, snarky, uncaring of almost anybody but himself. Anyone giving him a quick glance would brush him off as some short-tempered, opportunistic asshole without a heart. Unless, of course, it came to his own concern. He'd always seemed to gain some sort of sadistic pleasure out of others' misfortune and despair, yet he'd never dared to show anyone any other side of him.

And, as of almost a month ago, Peter had stopped falling under that category of just anyone.

Ever since he'd fucked Robert in that office, things between them had changed. Even the day after, Robert had stopped showing him the same face he'd show everyone in that damned hospital. The look in his eyes changed whenever Peter would even enter the room, his whole mood shifting. He'd go from making his usual sarcastic remarks, giving everyone else in the room his usual snide comments to almost becoming timid, giving Peter those looks when he thought he wasn't looking, an expression on his face that seemed reserved just for him to gaze upon.

After that point, it'd been like he was looking at Romano with a new pair of eyes. He quit seeing him as that stubborn, cold hearted jackass and saw him for what he really was. A decent man, who at times, especially when it came to Peter, could even manage to be kind. Sweet, even.

It'd always be the small things he only did around Peter; giving him that bright, dimpled smile, holding the door for him, listening patiently to whatever Peter had to say about yet another shift in the Cook County Cesspool—all of those little things that helped him see his seemingly callous, cruel boss in a new light.

And he'd never been able to fully register the emotion that crossed the bald man's face whenever he'd look at him. That was until recently. Until they said that phrase—when Robert had been the first to say that big, three lettered phrase. Those three words made it all make sense.

Love. That's what had been in the man's eyes whenever he'd given Peter a passing glance. Even from the very beginning, it'd been there to some degree. Maybe it'd started as some form of admiration or favoritism of him above his other colleagues, but it'd eventually morphed into love, he knew that much.

And love was what continued to show in his eyes as Peter continued to thrust into him, working every little bit of pleasure from him that he could. He gazed up at him, mouth parted slightly as he panted, moans gradually becoming louder and higher in pitch, falling from his lips with every jolt against his body.

"Peter!" He never tired of hearing that name come out of his mouth. "Oh god, right there!" Romano cried, his hips moving harder against him. He was getting close, Peter could tell. He held the man tighter against him, restraining his movements, wanting to watch him for longer.

Romano wriggled against his strong hands, desperately trying with little success to regain friction against the man.

"Peter," he whined, his control over this particular discussion fading fast, his chest heaving with his heavy, uneven breaths. "Come on, don't do this to me! I'm almost there!"

"Why're you in such a hurry, Dr. Romano?" Peter slowed himself down, putting measured thrusts into the man. Robert whimpered as his member slid against his prostate at an excruciating pace, keeping him on the edge but not letting allowing him the sweet release he craved. "You're the one that pushed for this little discussion. Why don't we make it last?"

"P-Peter, I swear...if you don't speed up in the next 5 God damn seconds you're fired." He warned weakly, his voice a few octaves higher than usual. Peter reached his hand up to Romano's aching member, dragging his thumb across the tip, making the man yell.

"What, and give up all of this?" Benton purred, grinning at him. He continued rubbing the tip of his length, his member still pressed hard against his throbbing gland. "What's the magic word, Dr. Romano?"

"Please...please, Peter! Please let me come!" Romano shouted, his hands holding on tightly to Peter's wrists, his knuckles whitening from his tight grip.

Peter relented almost immediately, placing both hands back on Robert's hips, thrusting hard into him, not holding back.

Romano's begging was broken down into nearly incoherent proclamations of his reaching oblivion, his mouth just barely managing to work around Peter's name. The other man jolted harder and harder until Romano cried out, erupting his hot, sticky spent all over himself. Peter followed suit, his hands seeking out his ass, nails digging into the tense muscle there.

Romano pulled himself off of the man after a moment, his hot spent oozing out of his entrance. He lay beside Peter, wrapping an arm around him, trembling still from their intense lovemaking.

"Now will you let me sleep?" Peter snarked after a quiet moment, looking into the man's beautiful dark eyes. Robert chuckled, cleaning himself off briefly from their discussion with the sheet that covered them.

"I suppose you've earned the right to sleep in, Dr. Benton..." He snarked back, curling closer to Peter, heat still radiating from him like the rays of sun that now flowed through the window at the far wall of the room. Peter just pulled him closer, kissing his head.

"If you decide you want more and go wakin' me up, I swear to God, Robert," Benton warned, his usual bitchy tone returning. "The next time I do that thing with my mouth you like, I'm using my teeth."

"You wouldn't dare, Petey!" Romano said sweetly, wrapping both arms around the man's chest, finally feeling tired again. He rest his head against him, the thumping of his heart serving as his own personal lullaby. "You wouldn't do that to your boss. Especially with you paycheck on the line..."

"Who says I give a shit about my paycheck where you're concerned?" Peter grumbled at Romano, bringing a hand up to stroke the soft hair on the side of his fat head. "Shut up and sleep. You need your rest."

They were both quiet for a while, slowly dozing off against each other.

And it wasn't until Romano was almost completely asleep that Peter said something, his tone so quiet, the man had just barely heard him.

"I love you, Robert..." he whispered in Romano's ear, kissing the top of his head again. "So much."

"I love you, too." Robert mumbled, his lips against Peter's chest. He suddenly felt an almost overwhelming amount of emotion flow through him. 'Oh my God he said it first.'

He squeezed the man tighter to him, nuzzling his chest, getting as close as he could to him.

"You're everything to me." Robert admitted, half expecting Peter to just laugh at him, or throw him out right then and there, for his earlier proclamation of love just being made so he could keep him as a fuck buddy, so he could keep using him just to throw him away like trash.

But instead, Peter rest a hand on his chin, gently pulling his face up to meet his own. Their lips met in a soft, loving kiss. When they pulled away, he brought his head closer, pressing their foreheads together.

"You're everything to me too, Robert..." he murmured, exhaustion getting the best of him on top of the warm, fuzzy feeling he was feeling in his chest. "Now get some rest...I've got plans for you later."

To be continued...