"Of course I'm coming back. Even if it's not to stay... I'll always visit." Noah assured. "Look, I don't know what I'm doing yet. You know I'm more of a 'play it by year' kind of guy. We'll see what happens when it happens, yeah?"
"Yeah." Cailen sighed. "Just going to miss you." Cailen admitted.
"I'm going to miss you too, but don't act like I'm never going to see you again." Noah said, the most stubborn sounding he's ever heard the man sound.
"Okay. But, I've got to go. Don't just disappear on me. Come say goodbye first." Cailen instructed.
"Of course." Noah smiled. "Now get out of here. I'm sure you and Ash have a special night planned." Noah winked, nodding towards the door.
Cailen choked out a laugh because they actually didn't. Honestly, they'd probably end up falling asleep on the couch.
"Yeah, okay. See you, Noah." Cailen said, backing away from the guy and towards the door.
Cailen made his way back to the flat, feeling happy he had settled that with Noah.
He was still a little anxious to leave Ezekiel there by himself but he supposed this was something he'd have to get used to. He had to trust that William would respect his rules, at least until William proved him wrong.
When they had asked Ezekiel if he wanted to spend the night with William and Noah, the boy had been overjoyed.
That was until he realized they meant at Eden's and without Asher and Cailen.
When they pointed that out to him, he was a little bit more hesitant, asking if Asher and Cailen could come with him.
They said they could if he really wanted but that Noah and William wanted it to just be them. And with a little re-assurance that everything would be fine and that they were just a phone call away, he was overjoyed again, declaring he didn't need them there and that's when Cailen started to freak out.
He had been happy that Ezekiel seemed to be so set on having them there, it just showed how much Ezekiel was beginning to trust them and need them.
But when Ezekiel said he would be fine without them, Cailen began to realize that he really would be fine and that maybe Ezekiel didn't need them as much as Cailen thought he did.
He wanted Ezekiel to need them, he wanted Ezekiel to want them there and if he didn't, then what did that mean?
Asher was quick to point out that Ezekiel was probably just trying to be brave like most kids try to do and that had assured Cailen a bit, but that didn't mean he was completely okay with this.
So many things could go wrong, aside from Ezekiel not needing them.
Ezekiel could get hurt because he knew Noah could get a little carried away with things.
Ezekiel would also probably eat a lifetime supply of sugar tonight because William was worse at saying ‘no’ than Asher was, and that was to everyday, grown-up, non-cute little kid, people.
He didn't stand a chance against Ezekiel.
Cailen wasn't even going to think about the possibility of a nightmare because he was sort of praying Ezekiel didn't get one tonight. He hadn't had one since that night, but with Cailen's luck... If Ezekiel was going to get one, tonight would probably be the night.
But there wasn't much he could do about that, he could only hope and wait to see what happens.
Maybe everything will be fine?
*****
When Cailen stepped into the flat, it was oddly calm and the only noise was soft music playing in another room.
There wasn't a black fur ball attacking his ankles, no television noises or the clanking of dishes being cleaned.
Cailen threw his jacket up on the hanger and stepped out of his shoes, walking into the flat slowly.
The music wasn't loud and it was rather romantic in a cheesy sort of way that had Cailen smiling to himself.
What was Asher up to?
Cailen followed the music into their bedroom where he was expecting to find Asher but he was nowhere to be seen.
The lights were off, save for a lamp by the bed that let off a soft glow, allowing Cailen to spot the outfit laid out on the bed with a single rose sitting on top, along with a note.
Cailen actually giggled, yes, giggled, and stepped towards the bed, picking up both the rose and note.
He brought the rose up to his nose and smelled it, the flowery scent filling his nose as he looked down and read the note that was clearly in Asher's writing.
‘Get dressed, love. Xx’
Cailen couldn't help the grin that crossed his face because, what? Was this really happening?
They haven't done anything like this in months... But who was he to disobey the note?
Cailen picked up the outfit Asher had laid out on the bed, looking it over and seeing a navy blue dress shirt with white buttons, a dark pair of tight pants, and a black blazer.
Cailen shrugged out of his current attire and slipped into the outfit, taking it upon himself to roll up the sleeves of the jacket and shirt because the classic suit and tie look really wasn't him.
Cailen then stepped into the bathroom to quickly do his hair, styling it into a messy windswept look because he didn't really know how much time he had.
Sure enough, as he was just putting the finishing touches on his hair, there was a knock at the door that had Cailen grinning in excitement.
He couldn't wait to see Asher and kiss him for being so sweet, even if he really didn't know what was going on. Cailen hurried to the door, stepping into a pair of his nicer shoes, then pulled open the door, expecting to find Asher standing there in an equally handsome outfit but was only met with an empty hallway, or so he thought.
There was a bark and Cailen looked down to his feet to see Loki sitting there, another rose and piece of paper that looked to have fallen to the ground when Loki barked.
Cailen knelt down to retrieve the note and rose, Loki misunderstanding and trying to greet Cailen by licking at his face.
"Oh, hello, Loki. Where's Ash?" He asked, petting the dog and trying to get his face out of reach from his tongue.
Obviously, Loki didn't answer but Cailen got his answer when he opened the note.
‘Come downstairs, Cai. Xx’
Cailen grinned at the note, too happy to care that Loki was licking his face still.
Cailen stood, turning to let Loki inside where he gave the dog a quick goodbye before dashing down the stairs, the rose still in his hand.
When Cailen got to the bottom, he didn't hesitate to throw the front doors open, stepping out into the cooling evening air.
The sun was beginning to set, giving everything an orange sort of glow, including Asher standing at the curb in an outfit that had Cailen sort of breathless.
He was wearing all black- black pants, black shirt and black blazer and damn, it looked good.
He was obviously dressed for Cailen because he had shaved but left a bit of stubble just for Cailen because he knew Cailen thought it looked sexy, even though Asher hated it and thought it itched.
Cailen grinned at his husband who had pushed himself off his truck that he had been leaning against, and made his way down the few steps of the building, right into Asher's arms where he captured his lips in a kiss, trying to convey how happy Asher just made him.
Asher chuckled slightly into the kiss, wrapping his arms around Cailen's waist and kissing him back.
They stayed like that for a moment longer before pulling away, Asher reaching up to brush the back of his fingers over Cailen's jaw until his finger hooked under his chin and lifted, bringing Cailen into another kiss- this one sweeter and much slower.
"You cheeseball." Cailen teased when they broke apart.
Asher snickered, burying his face in Cailen's neck briefly, kissing the skin there before lifting his head again to meet Cailen's eyes.
"I may have asked Wil and Noah to take Zeke tonight." Asher admitted, pecking Cailen's lips again, his arms still holding Cailen close.
Cailen laughed, feeling a bit stupid for not seeing that but he didn't really care. He just cared that Asher did all this for him.
"Well, I am pleasantly surprised." Cailen admitted, making Asher grin.
"Good. Now, come on. We have reservations."
*****
The night couldn't have gone better, Cailen thought as he cuddled close to Asher now, laying in their bed with his head resting on Asher's bare chest.
The pair were still a little out of breath and a lot sweaty but they didn't care.
The night had been amazing, like they were just starting to date again and had next to no responsibilities.
Cailen had forgotten about every worry of the night and just focused on Asher and his sweet smile, terrible jokes, and romantic gestures. Cailen thinks this is what they needed.
He realized there were worse relationships out there and that they were doing fine, but that was the thing. They should be more than just 'fine', they've always been more than just 'fine' and Cailen thought tonight helped them be more than just 'fine' again.
"I love you." Cailen spoke into the silence, twisting slightly to kiss Asher's chin.
He felt a kiss on the top of his head and Asher's arms tightening around him.
"I love you, too." Asher said, the unspoken apology from both of them going unsaid but still received.
Asher pushed Cailen on his back and hovered over him. Cailen bit his lower lip because he could still see the love and desire reflected in Asher’s eyes. He wound his arms around Asher’s neck while his husband surged forward to capture his still swollen lips.
Asher’s hands slid down from Cailen’s side, stopping by his thighs and squeezing the flesh, sending pleasant shivers down Cailen’s spine. Asher’s lips left his mouth to travel along his jaw and down his throat.
Cailen allowed Asher to spread his legs and slot his muscled body between them. Cailen bit the moan that was about to erupt from him when he felt how hard Asher is again.
Asher groaned against his skin, biting the skin on his shoulder as he pressed the tip of his manhood against Cailen’s entrance. Cailen was still sore and he could still feel how swollen that ring of muscles of his but he would never deny another lovemaking from Asher.
Cailen locked his ankles behind Asher’s waist, pulling him closer-
Somewhere in the room, in Cailen's pants, his phone started to ring.
"Ignore it." Asher said automatically, making Cailen grin.
He unlocked his ankles from behind Asher and gently pushed his husband so he could stand.
"It could be Wil," Cailen explained, climbing off the bed and going in search of his pants.
He found them hanging off the doorknob of their bedroom door and briefly thought that Asher had good aim before digging into his pocket. When Cailen pulled out his phone, he saw that it was, in fact, Wil and immediately answered it, his mind already running through the possibilities.
"Hello?"
"Cai, hey, um... I think you should come over." William said, his voice sounding concerned.