Sorry for the delay in updates. I am honestly trying to get better about it.

Time of Regrets

Chapter Four

Moving to New Territory

Marco gaped at Dylan on the other side of the door. "What are you doing here?"

"My whole building is being fumigated. We had to relocate for a week. I was hoping to make use of the guest room?" Dylan said, almost fearfully.

Marco stood back, "Technically it's still your house too. You could've used the key."

Dylan entered, "I wasn't sure…"

"Let's table this for now. I hate to be upset while I eat. It's bad for digestion. Care to join me?"

"That would be nice. It's been a long time since I've had your cooking." Dylan said with a small smile.

Marco looked like he wanted to say something else but shook his head instead. "Go put your stuff away while I finish dinner. It'll be ready in five minutes."

Dylan nodded as he walked down the hall.

Marco went into the kitchen to complete the meal he started.

Dylan stopped at the entrance of Marco's room. It looked the same as when they shared it. The same bed spread. The same furniture and pictures were where they'd always been. Nothing changed except Dylan's side was empty, untouched.

Dylan continued his walk to the guest room. He set everything down and sat on the bed. This might not have been the wisest idea to stay here but it seemed like the obvious choice. He needed to see if Marco missed him. He needed to know that Marco still loved him.

Before returning to Marco, Dylan picked up his cell phone and punched in Paige's number.

"Hey, sis. I just wanted you to know that I'm staying at Marco's for a few days while my apartment building is fumigated."

"No, this probably wasn't my smartest decision but I need to be close to him right now. I need to find out how he feels."

"I know you think he still loves me. This will help me know without a doubt."

"No, staying in the guest room."

"Okay, good night."

Dylan clicked his phone closed and stood slowly. He walked toward the kitchen and smelled something wonderful.

He pushed his way through the door as Marco was plating up their dinner.

"Hey, that didn't take long." Marco stated as he set the plates on the table.

"I'll unpack later." Dylan said with a one-shoulder shrug.

"Still a horrible procrastinator, I see." Marco said with a bemused smile.

Dylan chuckled slightly as they sat down. "Some things never change I guess."

"Yeah but so much else can change." Marco responded ruefully.

The two steered away from touchy subjects and turned toward job assignments, class assignments, hockey, and Paige's pregnancy.

"Paige is getting so big. She's almost as big around as she is tall. She has too much time to go to be this miserable." Dylan said with sympathy.

"I need to go see her. She's got to be bored being on bed rest and then having Chad worry all over her too. She's got to be going stir crazy." Marco said, with a trace of guilt.

"She knows you've been busy. Mom's coming down for the birth of her grandbabies. She's got a room set up at home and can't wait to see them." Dylan gushed.

"If she needs somewhere to stay since Paige only has two bedrooms, she's more than welcome to stay here." Marco offered.

They steered back onto school topics. Marco found Dylan hadn't started Marco's next assignment.

"You've got an advantage right now that 19 other students don't have. You've got 24 hour access to your teacher." Marco said.

Dylan smiled as he began to clear the table. "Everything still in the same place?"

Marco nodded as he watched his husband take up their old familiar routine without a thought. Marco would cook and Dylan would clean up. "I haven't moved a thing."

Marco watched as Dylan washed dishes, put food away and carried on a conversation. His eyes started to well up with tears. He didn't realize how much he missed to domesticity behind their routines. "Listen, Dyl. I'm going to lie down. If you need me, you know where to find me."

Dylan dried his hands as he watched Marco leave the kitchen. His confused expression would've spoken volumes had anyone else been there to see it. He couldn't figure out why Marco left in such a hurry. He thought they'd been having a nice time.

Marco lay on his bed and stared at the ceiling trying to control his emotions. He thought he'd dealt with all the emotion of Dylan leaving. He thought he'd be okay the next time he had to deal with him.

Dylan sat down and started to write his paper for Marco's class. He was getting a horrible start when he decided to switch over to his Business Calculus class. Unfortunately he'd run into a problem there as well. He hated to do this but he had to ask for help.

Marco had changed into his pajama pants and was reading a book when Dylan appeared in the doorway. He laid his book down on the nightstand and looked at Dylan. "Come on in and have a seat." Marco patted Dylan's side of the bed.

"I have a problem." Dylan said as he sat on the bed. "I tried to write the paper and couldn't figure out what movie to rewrite. Now, I'm trying to work on this damn calculus homework that is kicking my butt." Dylan started to whine a little.

Marco smiled slightly, "Okay, first the calculus and then I'll help you with an idea and a basic knowledge for your paper."

Marco helped Dylan finish his calculus and then started suggesting movies to rewrite.

"Clerks?"

"You can't rewrite the genius that is Kevin Smith, next…"

"Sweet Home Alabama?"

"Josh Lucas and Patrick Dempsey. Sounds good to me but can I write that they end up together instead of with Reese?"

"It's your story."

"Now just to watch the movie again. I need to refresh my memory."

Marco smiled, "Go get it. It's in the living room. I'll watch it with you."

Dylan grinned like a little boy as he jumped up with his calculus book and ran out of the room.

Marco laughed as his exuberance.

Dylan returned a few minutes later with the DVD in his hand. Marco smiled, "Do you want to get comfortable before I start this?"

Dylan nodded and left the room. He returned as Marco was settling back in the bed with the remote control. He was similarly attired as Marco in just a pair of pajama pants.

Marco was stunned to figure out that he'd forgotten just how good Dylan looked without a shirt on. This led to another memory of Dylan unclothed all together, resulting in a flush to creep onto his face.

Dylan settled against the headboard and waited for Marco to hit play.

The couple watched the movie twice. Dylan jotted notes during the first viewing and then just enjoyed the second watching.

The next morning, Marco woke up with a strange feeling. It took a moment to figure out that he wasn't alone. He was pressed up against a strong, warm, very male chest. The prior evening came flooding back. It seems that he and Dylan fell asleep during the second viewing. Strangely enough, it felt right.

Dylan started to wake up. He snuggled closer to Marco before waking fully.

"Um?"

"Good morning."

"How? When? What?"

"We fell asleep. I've got a class in two hours so I'd better get moving. You still have your key, right?" Marco questioned.

Dylan nodded.

"Come and go as you please. I'll be home about 7 tonight."

"I have practice tonight so I won't be home until about 8 or 9 depending on the coach's mood."

"See you then." Marco said as he entered his bathroom. He took a shower, shaved and prolonged his time in there. When he emerged, Dylan was shut up in the guest room. Marco left the house without much of a second thought.

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