When Hank woke next, he found that the storm hadn't abated at all. He also discovered that he definitely shouldn't sleep in an armchair again. His back was stiff and sore and his neck and head ached from the slouched position that he had ended up in. He got out of the chair slowly, giving his muscles time to adjust to the change, and made his way towards his own room. He wanted to take a bath before he met up with Boris for lunch.
And now that he thought about it, Hank wasn't sure what the plans were for lunch. Were they supposed to meet in the overlarge dining room that Hank had been in earlier? Or was there another room, a more intimate room, where they would or could eat? What were they going to have for lunch? His stomach started doing flips just as he reached his bedroom door. It dropped completely to the floor when he found Boris waiting for him.
The German was dressed in a baby blue button-down shirt with a charcoal grey suit jacket set over it. The color brought out his eyes and Hank found himself staring. Having expected to see the corresponding grey slacks, his mouth almost fell open when he saw the dark blue jeans. They fit fairly snugly in the hip but were loose through the thigh and leg, ending just above the floor. He looked GOOD and Hank couldn't hide his attraction to the man.
"Ah, Hank," Boris said, smiling upon seeing his approach. He seemed…relieved to see him standing in the hall. "I had knocked but there was no answer." His eyes raked Hank for a second before he said, "Now I understand why."
"I'm sorry if I'm late," Hank said, now coming even with the bedroom door. "I fell asleep in the library and just woke up." He moved his head to look in the direction in which he had come but stopped with a slight wince when his neck reminded him that it wasn't happy with him.
"I gather that it was not a comfortable position that you found yourself in?" Boris asked with more attentiveness in his voice.
Hank smiled a little. "No, no it wasn't. I was just about to shower and get ready."
"Surely a warm bath would be more beneficial," Boris suggested. He stepped aside in order to allow Hank to enter the room then followed quickly behind.
"It probably would," Hank conceded as he led Boris to the sitting area in the living room. He didn't sit down and neither did Boris but the silent offer was there. "But a shower is quicker and easier to do with my injury."
Boris' face revealed nothing yet Hank had the idea that he was unhappy with Hank's answer. Or perhaps that was just what Hank would have felt if he had received that reply. "Perhaps we should do dinner rather than lunch," Boris suggested. "I am sure that you could use the rest."
"I appreciate the offer but that's not necessary." Hank offered as warm a smile as he could but he knew that it wasn't nearly what he could normally do. The truth of the matter was that he was tired and the events of earlier were still weighing heavily on his mind and heart. But he wasn't about to try and blow Boris off. For one thing, he was Hank's friend; for another, Hank wanted to get to know the man better and spending more time with him was a way to do that, though he wasn't confident that he would have much luck. "Would a half hour's delay be okay?"
As an answer, Boris sat down on the nearest sofa and waved a hand in an "by all means" gesture. Hank stood frozen for a minute, his mind trying to catch up to the idea that Boris planned on sitting and waiting for him while in Hank's room. Sure, it was separated from his bedroom but even so, it seemed a very intimate move. Then again, wasn't that what Hank had been wanting as he had made his way to get ready? Not that he believed that Boris would eat lunch in the room, of course; that would be unreasonable. But even so, he was willing to wait, which said a lot to Hank.
Hank almost offered to get him something to read or do while he waited but, with a shake of his head, he dismissed the idea. This was Boris' home, after all, if the man got bored or wanted something to do, he could find it much easier than Hank could. Without a word to his friend, Hank headed for the bedroom, sighing in relief when the door was closed behind him. With his stomach still full of flutters, Hank started to get ready for his…date with Boris.
oOo
Once he heard the shower turn on, Boris stood up and walked around the room. He made a mental note to commend Dieter for his work on the space. It was perfect for Hank's needs and the butler had had everything that would have made his doctor uneasy removed, leaving a more modest room than what had been there before. In spite of all that, he barely noticed any of it. His mind was solely focused on Hank. As much as he would like to, Boris wouldn't allow himself to fully believe that this lunch was anything beyond Hank attempting to become more comfortable at the main house. By having a fairly relaxed lunch, it would make it easier for the doctor to try and get to know him better which would, in turn, make him be less of a landlord and more of a friend. But then, why had Hank had such trouble coming up with the request? Was it simply due to his seeming inability to ask for a favor or was there more behind it?
In the blink of an eye, Boris dismissed the questions and thought of other things instead. The rumpled look on Hank had been quite appealing and Boris had been hard-pressed not to react to it. The same could not be said in the reverse. He had had no trouble reading Hank's hesitation when he found Boris on his doorstep. He also noticed the way that Hank had frozen upon seeing him fully but there had been something in it that made Boris believe that it wasn't from fear or reserve as it might have been with others. No, that had been discounted when Hank had blushed. Not for the first time Boris found himself wishing that he could read Hank's mind so that he could be confident in what his doctor was thinking. All other people were easy to read. But not Hank. He was one of the only people whom Boris had any trouble with. Not because the man didn't express his feelings as others did but because it was done to a lesser degree of sorts, often leaving Boris to guess at the reasons for what he did see.
While Hank got ready, Boris left to go find Dieter. Not unexpectedly, the man was not far, leaving Boris able to be near enough to Hank's room to listen for signs of distress from his doctor while also giving directions to his butler. "Have Derek set lunch in Doctor Lawson's sitting room," he said. The plan had originally been to set it up in the library where Hank had appeared more comfortable but after seeing the man, Boris had changed his mind, choosing to keep Hank within his own quarters instead. "And have Josef rekindle the fire, please."
"Yes sir," Dieter answered with a bow. His face betrayed nothing but even so, Boris could tell that he was surprised by the changes.
When he left, Boris went back into Hank's sitting room and proceeded to grab a book from the shelf to the left of the entrance door before making himself comfortable on the sofa. Josef had just finished with the fire when the shower shut off and the bathroom door opened. With a brief flick of his eyes towards the closed bedroom door, Boris focused once more on his book. It wasn't long before he found his attention wrested from the novel to the fire which burned brightly and warmly. The heat was comforting as it guarded those around it from the cold of the storm outside and the light lent an atmosphere to the room that Boris approved of, even if he couldn't find it in himself to act on it.
The bedroom door opening drew his gaze from the fire to Hank who was slowly making his way into the room. His hair was wet, and Boris thought that he could see little drops of water still on the doctor's neck as well, but other than that, you wouldn't have been able to tell that Hank had done anything. Like Boris, he was dressed in jeans. They looked odd on him since Hank seemed to be more comfortable in khaki slacks but they didn't look unattractive. Evidently, Hank had decided to base his appearance off of Boris' since he too wore a button-down shirt, though he forwent the suit jacket. He stopped upon noticing the table which had been set up around where the sofas and coffee table should have been. "What's this?" he asked.
Boris had trouble pulling his gaze away from the rather appealing sight of Hank but he managed, looking to the table while motioning towards it with a wave of his hand. "I thought that it would be more comfortable for us to have lunch here."
"Who got the fire going?" Hank asked, still not moving.
"I asked Josef," Boris said, assuring and answering in one. Though Hank's tone hinted at curiosity, Boris thought that he could also hear a vague undercurrent of worry as well. The last thing that Hank would want was for Boris to have done anything that might appear to overtaxing; the doctor in him didn't like the idea of him causing himself pain on Hank's account. "Given the weather outside, I thought that it would be pleasant to have some added heat." When Hank still didn't move, Boris pulled out the chair that was closest to the doctor. "Sit." Hank did so, but not without his spine straightening significantly first.
"So, what is for lunch?" the doctor asked as Boris went over to the other side of the table and seated himself. "It occurred to me as I was leaving the library earlier that we hadn't actually settled on the meal."
"My chef, Derek, has prepared a duck dish, though what the specific name of it was, I cannot recall."
"I see," Hank answered with a nod of his head. "Is there some sort of signal or..?" He trailed off as the door opened. "Oh, never mind."
Rather than carrying it on trays, Dieter had evidently chosen to use a cart. He wasn't sure why but the fact bothered Boris. He could almost imagine that it looked sloppy of sorts to do it thus. As Hank didn't say a word on it, however, neither did he. The plates were placed in front of Hank first then himself but Boris barely noticed it. Though he did his best not to, he couldn't stop himself from looking at the man across from him. It had been quite a while since Boris had seen his doctor look so completely relaxed. Well, not completely relaxed, he amended after noticing the way Hank kept nervously eyeing Dieter, the food, and Boris. At first impression, Boris had believed it to be out of mistrust. But then he watched closer and he found, to his delight, that it was embarrassed nerves.
"This looks delicious," Hank commended, lifting his fork to begin eating. He waited only until Boris did the same before he took the first bite and when he did so, Boris found himself wanting to kiss his doctor as the man's eyes closed in pleasure.
Not bothering to waste words on questions that he already knew the answer to, Boris began to eat as well. It was good - he would have to flatter Derek after lunch was finished - but it was nothing in comparison to the man sitting across from him. Needless to say, Boris didn't really taste much of what he put into his mouth.
oOo
Hank watched Boris eat, wondering how the man could be so blasé about the meal. Maybe it was because the German was used to this form of food, having eaten it every day of his life, that he acted as though it were nothing special. Or maybe it was because Hank hadn't grown up eating it that he thought it was. Either way, it was delicious. Not quite as delicious as the sight of Boris sitting across from him, mind you, but it was still pretty good.
"How is your side?" he asked after finishing his last bite of the duck. He had been thinking of Boris' injury earlier that day but he had only thought to ask after it just now. No doubt it was fine and healing like it should be; even so, he wanted to check. He leaned back, satisfied and sated as far as the meal went. A twinge of pain peaked through his lower back as he moved but he ignored it, knowing that that would ache for a little while.
Boris mirrored Hank, leaning back and managing to look as though he were seated in a comfortable armchair rather than a dinner chair. "It is fine, Hank," he answered. His tone hinted at curiosity and exasperation and he folded his arms as though he were defensive as well.
Hank nodded, showing that he had heard. "May I take a look?"
Confusion took over Boris' face, making his head tilt to the side and his left eye twitch. He said nothing, choosing to study Hank for a time rather than speak. Whatever it was he was looking for, he must have found it for he lowered his arms and took off his suit jacket. Taking that as consent, Hank slowly and awkwardly made his way over to the other side of the table. As there was no third seat, he prepared to sit down on the coffee table when Boris forestalled him with, "Perhaps we should move so it will be easier on to you..examine me."
Since Boris had had most of the furniture in the sitting room moved out, there was only one place that Hank could think of where they both could sit and still be relatively comfortable and he didn't like the idea of suggesting it. There was nothing wrong with his bed, mind you, it was simply that he felt awkward inviting Boris there in case the German should take the invitation the wrong way. He pulled the smaller table closer to the dinner table so that he could examine Boris with little difficulty, saying, "I appreciate the offer, but this will do fine."
They both fell silent as Boris finished undressing enough so that Hank could see the bruise easily enough. For his part, Hank's mind was trying to remain focused on the task at hand. It wasn't a successful endeavor in the least. While Boris hadn't taken off all of his shirts, Hank still had a good view of his torso and the tanned skin combined with the hint of muscle definition kept distracting him. His hand was steady, however, as he lightly ran his fingers over the bruise that had taken up residence on Boris' side. As he had known, the injury was healing and healing well. Satisfied, Hank pulled away, reluctantly letting his hand fall down to his lap. "It looks good."
When there was no response, he looked up at Boris' face and found intense blue eyes staring back at him. The heat in them made Hank start and he had to stifle the urge to pull the German down to him so they could kiss. He needn't have worried. Not long after their eyes had met, Boris did it for him. He was a lot gentler than Hank suspected he would have been; rather than it feeling like a knee-jerk reaction, it felt like seduction at its best.
Their kiss was hesitant, careful almost, at first. Hank could tell that Boris was making sure that this was something that Hank wanted before anything further went on. More than okay with what was happening, Hank scooted slightly closer and deepened the kiss so that there was more pressure and passion behind it while still making sure not to be too forceful. Having been taken quite by surprise by the contact, Hank hadn't taken much of a breath beforehand and he soon broke the kiss so that he could get some air.
With the break came a flood of things that Hank didn't want to or feel the need to process right at that moment. He was pleased that Boris wanted the same thing that he did yet he was also reserved in his emotions and desires, cautious that they shouldn't say more than he was ready for them to; he definitely still had some reservations about any relationship that he and Boris could enter into, after all. On the other hand, the German looked so incredibly delectable that he found himself wanting to kiss him again, maybe even doing more this time around. Boris appeared to be having the same thoughts and feelings as Hank, though possibly on a lesser degree. His eyes were dilated with arousal and his breathing was noticeably faster, much like Hank's no doubt. But he didn't try to initiate any more contact and that more than anything had Hank pausing. Deciding to throw rationality out the window, Hank reached out and pulled Boris closer to him.
This time, things heated up quicker. With Hank beginning the kiss this time, Boris was more willing to go along with it and soon Hank felt Boris' teeth nibble at his lips. It was then that his brain decided to override his heart and he pulled away again, this time holding Boris' gaze with steely intent. The instant he met the other man's eyes, however, anything that he had intended to say went out the window and desire flooded through him once more and they kissed once again. This time there was nothing gentle or hesitant in it; they both allowed their desires to override their actions and they went with it without abandon.
Thunder, loud enough to shake the walls and rumble through Hank's chest, broke them apart the third time and this time they both put some distance in between one another. Rain renewed its beating against the walls with vigor, slamming into the outer walls with enough force to make it drown out much sound inside the house. Even so, Hank hard Boris' next words as though the man had been sitting right next to him.
"Do you truly want this, Hank?"
There was no hesitation in his reply, only certainty. "Yes. Do you?"
Rather than answer, Boris asked another question, "You seemed to be struggling with something the past few days. Was this it?"
Although Hank wasn't sure what Boris meant by 'this', he thought that he could guess well enough. "Yes," he answered, keeping his answer simple enough. When his friend chose to stare at him rather than reply, he continued, "There are many things that you do that I don't agree with. And while I can understand the necessity, I can't condone them. It took time for me to determine whether or not I could or should enter into a relationship with you, providing you were willing, of course."
"And have you made a decision?"
Hank smiled. "Why do you think we're having lunch?" He paused and then said, "You didn't answer my question, Boris. Do you want this, want me?"
Boris smirked, his blue eyes alight with pleasure and humor. When he kissed Hank this time, it was as gentle as the first time, though not as hesitant. His hand briefly cupped Hank's cheek before it slowly trailed down Hank's neck, floating over Hank's shoulder to end at his hand. When Boris' hand reached he end, he broke the kiss and brought Hank's hand to his mouth. "My dear doctor, I have wanted you since our first conversation in my office." And with that, he kissed Hank's hand, ghosting over his knuckles as he did so.
"That's good to know," Hank said, if a little breathlessly. Smiling, he pulled Boris in for yet another kiss.
They had only just begun when there was knock on the door and then Dieter entered. "Excuse me sir, but Ms. Katdare is at the door."
This got Hank's attention and he reluctantly pulled away from Boris so that he could pivot to face Dieter. "Divya, what is she doing here in this weather?"
"She has requested to look in on you, doctor."
"Send her in," Boris commanded and Hank felt movement behind him as the German stood up and walked around so that he stood in front of Hank. "We will finish this later, yes?"
Hank wasn't sure how much finished he would be able to do but he said nothing. Evidently taking his silence for assent, Boris dipped down and gave Hank one last kiss before he left. He whispered something to Dieter before he turned right and disappeared from Hank's view. When the butler remained standing, it occurred to Hank that he was waiting for Hank to tell him what he wanted the man to do. Hank looked around at the table and leftover food. As though that were some sort of clue, Dieter stepped forward and started piling the empty plates and trays onto the cart that he'd brought them in on.
"If you could please let Divya know that she can come see me, I would appreciate it, Dieter," Hank said. He hated the idea of giving the man commands but though the words were polite, that was essentially what he was doing and he winced in doing it.
"Of course, doctor," the butler answered, pushing the cart out of the room ahead of him. How the man managed to look so dignified while doing it, Hank didn't have a clue and he shook his head ruefully
When Dieter left, Hank went to use the restroom before Divya came. It would give him a chance to get his heart rate back down to normal as well as become master of his emotions once again. With one trouble off his mind, he was now able to focus solely on the other. If only that one would be able to solved as easily as the other. That thought made Hank stop for a moment. Why wasn't it? Wasn't it him, after all, that was creating a problem? Why couldn't he just make the decision to forgive his father and move on? Because things are rarely that easy, his rational side answered. Especially when they are problems of the heart.
With that cheery thought, Hank did what he came into the bedroom to do. When he reentered the sitting room, the table had been cleared and the furniture had been put back in its original position. Divya sat on the sofa facing his bedroom door and she looked angry. Wondering what had happened, Hank took a breath and slowly made his way to join her.
oOo
Divya was soaking wet but that wasn't what had her fuming. Nor was it the fact that she had learned of what had happened between Hank and his father from a very upset Evan, though that certainly didn't help. No, it was that she had called Hank several times during the day and he had no answered once. Naturally, she had believed that something was wrong and then she arrived to find that he was perfectly fine - or as fine as he was bound to be with a broken kneecap - and, evidently, having a date with Boris! While Hank went into his bedroom, Divya stewed, now more angry at herself than she was at Hank.
"Is everything okay?" Hank asked as he sat down on the sofa opposite her.
"I could ask you the same thing," she answered, staring at him and feeling her annoyance rise.
His brows furrowed in confusion. "I don't understand," he confirmed. "Why would you ask me the same thing?"
"Because I called you several times and you haven't answered once." Divya was proud of how gentle she managed to make her answer, given her anger. Now that she was able to assure herself that her friend was fine she felt calmer and more willing to simply talk with him rather than yell at him. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, sorry," he said while giving her a rather warm smile. "I fell asleep in the library earlier and must have left my cell phone in my room."
"That's not what I'm talking about," Divya confirmed. She almost added that he knew that but she stopped herself. The chances were good that Hank didn't actually have a clue why she was asking him that. Her theory was proved when he looked confused once again. "Evan told me about what happened this morning."
"Evan knows?" he asked with something akin to worry and anger in his voice.
"Your father told him when he returned to the guesthouse," Divya confirmed. She paused a moment then added. "I don't know how Evan initially reacted but he sounded concerned when he spoke to me; worried almost."
"I'm fine."
The hardness in his voice was enough to tell Divya that he was not, in fact, fine, but she knew that she wasn't going to get anything out of him unless he wanted to tell her. Still she tried. "Are you?"
He reacted as she expected he would react. His spine straightened, his posture getting instantly better, and he distanced himself from her, sitting back on the sofa and looking even less receptive to her than she had thought he would be. "No," he answered, "I'm not."
"And since you're not sure of anything beyond that, you aren't going to say more," she continued, resigning herself to the truth of the situation. "I understand." She paused and then added, "For now." He visibly relaxed and she smiled. "How about your dinner with Boris? How did that go?"
"It was lunch," he corrected her, a smile on his face. "But it was good."
"It seemed to be more than lunch, if the flush on your cheeks when I arrived was anything to go by." She smiled when he flushed again, this time from embarrassment. When he still said nothing, she sighed and stood. "Well, I won't push but I'm glad that you have chosen to go forward and I'm sorry that I interrupted; I just wanted to make sure that you were alright."
Lightening flashed, nearly blinding her. A few seconds later, thunder rumbled, telling her that the storm was passing, if slowly. While she had slowly begun to dry, she was still quite damp and she didn't relish going back out into the rain. But as she also wanted to be back at home, she swallowed her dismay and smiled. "Do you need anything before I go?"
"Are you sure that you should leave?" he asked, now standing as well. "The rain sounds heavier."
"And where would I stay?" she gently countered. "The guesthouse?"
"Or here," he answered, though they both knew that he had no authority to make to the offer. Unless he meant here, in this suite, in which case he had full authority to offer that.
"I appreciate the offer but I'd much rather go home," she answered. She loved hank like a brother but even so, sleeping next to him would be awkward at best. Oh, she knew full well that he would offer to take the sofa, which she would not allow, and since she had no intention whatsoever to sleep on the sofas the only other option was the one bed in the other room - that wasn't going to happen. "Call me if you need anything."
She kissed him on the forehead and left, knowing that he would rather be alone to figure things out. She needed to talk to Evan, of course, to find talk more about what happened between Eddie and Hank, as well as to figure out where Evan was at on the whole thing, but that could wait for the morning. For tonight, she simply wanted to take a hot bath and relax with a book and a cup of tea.
TBC