Sunlight began to pour into the windows as morning arrived slow and creeping, prodding at the fair-skinned man pressed tightly to his bronzed lover and causing him to slightly stir.

"Mmm, ugh, no." He began to toss and twist away from the sun, coincidentally making him fall slightly out of Anderson's embrace.

A short sound of displeasure came from the slumbering man at the feel of his coveted ward slipping away and he pulled him back, clutching the man back to him in an unrelenting hold. He purred with an instinctive happiness when the warmth and form of his lover was pressed to him once more, snuggling back into the covers with a smile.

The jostling only managed to stir the sleepy prince awake and his lips parted with confused murmurs. Hus bleary eyes opened to see nothing but the wall of Anderson's chest, gently rising and falling as the giant man obliviously slept on.

Enrico turned his head and winced at the sunlight pouring in. With a groan he rebelled against the encroaching day and retreated into Anderson's shade, snuggling up close and burying his face into the crook of the man's neck. With a lofty sigh he gently pawed at Anderson's chest, playing with the hairs that ran between his fingers. The whole of last night was still a vague blur to the sleepy man and he remained in the dark about as to why the man he was numbly petting had a death grip about him.

"Alex, loosen your grip a bit." Yawning, Enrico poked Anderson's chest and got a stir in response. "Anderson." He huffed, giving the man's chest a weak punch as he tried to get comfortable in the grip.

"Huh, whit?" Anderson woke up in a daze, grumbling and growling like a bear being shaken out of its pleasant hibernation. Opening his eyes he was greeted by the sight of a tired, contemptuous face.

"You're squeezing me too hard, it's hard for me to move even an inch."

Anderson just stayed quiet for a moment, his brows creasing together as he tried to comprehend the feeling he got by looking at Enrico's heavy eyes. The pain and worry of feelings he had thought he was free of reared up again and he clasped Enrico to him in a vice-like grip.

"Ah! Anderson!" Enrico struggled against the rude awakening and thrashed, smacking Anderson on the side of his head hard. The memories of last night had returned to him, and Enrico had desire to see them repeated as they were now. "Stop that!"

Anderson whimpered sadly and let Enrico go. "Ah, Ah dinnae ken why Ah joos-"

"Oh don't start babbling again please. I'm tired and it's sunny and I just want to go back to sleep."

Anderson ran his hand down Enrico's hair. "Ah thought they 'ad left luv."

"It was just a dream Alex, you'll forget all that nonsense soon don't worry."

"Dinnae care." Anderson mumbled, holding Enrico's face and kissing the tip of his nose. "Et bothers meh."

"Anderson." The lips covering his face in kisses and speaking sweet nothings cut him off, making him squirm in Anderson's hug with a huff. "It shouldn't bother you-stop that let me talk!"

Anderson's face sunk as he was pushed away. "Dinnae dae tha' Enrico, Ah'm not doing anythang tae hurt ye."

"Last night you almost strangled me."

The memory stilled Anderson's lips and his demeanor sank even further. "Ah'm saerry aboot tha.' Ye think Ah want these thoughts plaguing meh as well?"

Enrico sighed, laying back down in the pillows and pulling Anderson down with him. "No, no I know you don't. You need to try control yourself though."

"Hmm." Anderson watched blindly as Enrico muttered and wrapped into the covers. Reaching out, he took Enrico in a soft, quiet hug, burying his face into the man's hair.

Enrico didn't say a word as those arms wrapped around him. He let himself be brought against that massive chest without even the slightest show of resistance. The gentle warmth brought back better memories of the night, softening Enrico's demeanor. "It's okay Anderson." He took a hold of Anderson's thick muscled arms and curled into him, kissing the man's neck. "It's morning and everything is quite lovely isn't it?"

"Mmm." Anderson shifted closer. "Et wis luvely last night as well."

"Si, that it was. And today will be the same." Enrico winced, the sun becoming brighter. "Whether we like it or not."

"Ah dinnae want tae git oop."

"Me neither but I have duties, not to mention the cleaning up we need."

Anderson chortled nervously and let go with a bright blush on his face. "Aye, almoost forgot aboot tha'."

""Almost" is an understatement. See you in a few minutes." Enrico gave Anderson a quick kiss and slid off the bed, stretching his long arms up in a yawning stretch. "As he reached the door he stopped, surprised to hear another pair of footsteps behind him. He looked back to see Anderson standing not too far behind him, looking down at the ground in embarrassment.

Sighing, he pulled Anderson in with him. "Fine, but we can't let this turn into anything that'll eat up my morning, si?"

"Aye."

Anderson hugged Enrico while they waited for the water to warm, held onto his arm when Enrico slipped away with a grunt to step into the water's stream, and stayed virtually plastered to Enrico in some way the entire time. He never strayed even an inch away from him as he began to wash his hair.

"Dae ye want any help wit tha'?" Anderson rubbed Enrico's slick, pale arm for attention.

"Hmm? If you wish." He turned around and stood against Anderson's chest while the man's large hands massaged his scalp. The work Alex did was always so heavenly. Enrico just stood there and let his body relax into his subordinate's careful hands. "A little to the left."

"Aye."

Enrico purred as the hands met their desired spot and failed to suppress a shiver.

A concerned grunt was heard very briefly before a hard body curled into him with an arm wrapping around his waist.

The contact was of love and concern, and didn't rub into him with lusty need but stayed still behind him as a stable, comforting backing.

A smile broke Enrico's emotionless face. "It was just a shiver Alex, brought upon by your own very talented hands."

Anderson said nothing and continued, his face set with concentration. "There, ye shuid beh doon."

"Oh, gracie." Enrico raised an eyebrow to Anderson's sullen demeanor but shrugged it off, moving into the water stream to rinse the lather away. "You should get yourself cleaned off as well Alexander."

"Oh, aye."

Enrico couldn't help but be reminded of a sad, wet dog when he looked at Anderson's face. "Do you want me to help you this time?"

The sullen man perked up at the offer. "Whit?"

"Come here." Enrico chuckled, bringing Anderson close and manipulating the man until it was easy for him to reach his wild forest of hair. "You know what I mean."

Even though his head was bent down Enrico could see the smile on Anderson's face as he washed his hair, including the silvery mane on the back on his neck.

The feel of rough, wet hands on the small of his hips was welcomed, saying nothing as he was pulled a little closer.

The gentle touch was pleasant and remained on Enrico's hips for the duration of the shower until the finishing touches were given. "There." He smiled, pulling Anderson into the water to rinse him off. The look of annoyance Anderson gave to the showerhead when water suddenly found its way into his eyes made Enrico suppress a chuckle. Instead he turned and went for the door.

Steam rushed out into the luxurious bathroom when Enrico stepped out, streaming out from behind the man and giving him a grand entrance onto the tiled floor. Plucking a fresh monogrammed towel from the rack he whipped it around his waist, letting the fabric hang precariously on the edges of his hips. The sound of a door loudly opening from behind him was heard as he made his way over to the sink and he looked back.

Anderson had rushed out of the shower and was now was shifting nervously under Enrico's confused gaze. Clearing his throat Anderson and acting as if there hadn't ever been a look of mild panic on his face, he tore a towel from the same rack and fumbled as he tied it around his waist tighter than usual. He scuffled over right next to where Enrico was standing, closely hanging near him as the man brushed his teeth.

Enrico just sighed and continued brushing. In all honesty he didn't feel the need to chide his unnecessarily vigilant guardian about his clinginess, seeing as there wasn't much to be gained by distressing the man when he was already in such a harried state.

"You're wearing a towel Anderson." Enrico spit and rinsed his mouth. "That's new."

"Hmm? Oh, aye, Ah am." Anderson looked down at his waist with surprise, as if he'd forgotten all about the modest covering.

"Yes, although I can't say that I like the change. Try not to make it a habit." He turned a sly smile to Anderson, watching the man blush furiously and turn away.

"Aye, whitever ye want."

"Good. Now come on, let's get dressed."

Anderson trailed behind Enrico on his way to the dresser, bumping into the man as he fetched his clothing at exactly the same time his partner leaned down to get his own.

"Ahh! Anderson!"

"Saerry, ye gae first."

Getting dressed took longer than usual that morning, with Anderson asking Enrico if he wanted any help at least five times every minute and the way he crowded him while Enrico stood in front of his vanity.

All Enrico could do to control his rising blood pressure was to heavily employ the deep-breathing method, although with each bump and jostle from his companion even that was becoming difficult.

"Anderson, I would appreciate it if you gave me some space for a few moments while I finish up." He took up a hairbrush in his hand and began to groom. "If you could be so kind as to go wait on the bed, I'll be right over."

Anderson grumbled but complied with heavy footsteps. It was an odd thing for Enrico to notice, but it was hard to not realize that his hands worked a bit faster this morning than usual, and soon his hair was done in matter of minutes.

He looked out of the corners of his eyes while he fixed his collar. Anderson was staring out the window with a serious expression, as if deep in thought.

"I've been thinking about that trip I'm taking in a few days." Enrico turned and walked to the bed, sitting down beside Anderson and placing a hand on his knee. "I was originally taking Heinkel as a guard, but considering the hostile undertones of the trip, I've decided that you'll be going in her place." He patted his thigh, smiling. "After all I do feel the safest when you're around."

Anderson's eyes widened, taken aback momentarily by the new mission, and then changed to a look of relieved happiness. He placed a hand on Enrico's, rubbing it lightly. "Ah'm honored Sir."

"Of course you are." Enrico smirked, placing a kiss to Anderson's forehead as he got up. "I'm afraid I must be off to a dreary meeting. You can come and go as you please but I'm going to try to not be away for too long." He turned from the doorknob to show Anderson a knowing smile. "It's much more enjoyable here after all."

"Enrico." Anderson made quick work of the long room and wrapped his well-dressed man in a hug. "Et's onlae enjoyable 'ere tae meh when yer aroond."

"Then you'll have to do your best and not wither away for the few hours I'll be gone si? I'd rather not come back to a glum pile of a man on my couch." He chuckled, swaying back and forth in Anderson's arms, playful and light.

"Nay, ye won't see th' glum part, ye'll onlae see meh joy at ye being back."

"You can be strangely pathetic for a man of your strength you know that?"

"Hey noo, there's nothang weak aboot admittin' wan's feelin's."

"And there's nothing strong in moping around for hours like a sad puppy without its master."

"Oh hush." He gave Enrico a slow, lingering kiss. "Ye need tae beh off dinnae ye?"

"That I do." Turning his wrist his eyes widened as he saw the time. "Damn it all. Anderson." He took Anderson's face in his hands and kissed him hard, pulling away after a few moments and leaving a stunned man behind. "I'll be back in a few hours like I said, don't wreck the place with your sorrows while I'm gone."

"Ah'll try mah best luv hehheh. Gae on noo." Anderson held the door open to let Enrico rush out.

"Gracie. Until later." Enrico pecked Anderson on the chin on his way out and walked briskly off while Anderson watched him go. When the last of his superior's image disappeared from view, he closed the door slowly with a heavy sigh.

Enrico was good on his word. It was only two and half-hours later before he was settled comfortably into Anderson's lap and scribbling on paperwork. There had been a moment of mutual understanding the instant their eyes met when Enrico had walked through the door, and neuroses or not, a warm seat on the couch snuggled up close to Anderson was always a preferably option to sitting at a cold hard desk.

Anderson left his book for a moment to lean down and kiss Enrico's cheek, for no reason but the pleasure of it and the contented hum he got in response.

"Luv ye Enrico."

"Ti amo Alexander."