NO MATTER WHAT
Author: Annie Riley
Email author: HERE
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Trent and Carlos
Series: Love Changes Everything -- Story Seven
NOTE:
Although this is story 7 in this series, this story is being written by just one of the 2 authors of the previous stories. Although I have tried to stay true to the characterizations from the first 6 stories, you will find some differences, I am sure, as well as some style changes.
Trent looked across the desk at Carlos and smiled to himself. His lover was busy working on paperwork from one of their cases. It was so good to have Carlos back at the office even if it was still on a limited basis.
Trent looked at his watch again for the second time in about five minutes. He was getting nervous. Carlos and he had driven to work separately today for the first time since Carlos had been hurt. For the last week or so they had managed to arrange things so they had come to work together and left together, but today he was staying to meet with a client and Carlos was going home -- alone. Trent knew he should stop acting like this but he couldn't help it. Even though Carlos hadn't been bothered by them as much or as severely recently, the thought of him having a dizzy spell, or one of the milder headaches, while he was driving and alone sent Trent into worry overload. Carlos was better, much better, but not well yet. It was still too real a possibility.
Looking back at Carlos, Trent asked, "You near a stopping point with that? It's getting to be about time for you to make like a banana and split." Trent put on his best innocent look before Carlos looked up at him, pretending not to know the double meaning behind his words.
Carlos looked up from his paperwork not buying Trent's innocent look for one minute. He smiled at his lover, a smile turned quickly to a wicked grin as he remembered the fun they had had at the lake with the teasing about the banana splits. But mostly he remembered the wonderful lovemaking the banana splits had inspired, especially the creative use of whipped cream.
"Yes, I'm almost ready to split," Carlos said, continuing the wicked grin, "And I'd be happy to provide you with a nice banana anytime you want one," he finished, noting his 'banana' responding to the idea.
"How nice of you, Carlos, thank you very much," Trent said, continuing the innocent act, "That's just so considerate of you." Finally unable to keep it up any longer, Trent dropped the innocent face in favor of his own wicked grin.
Carlos continued to smile then shook his head at his lover and went back to his paperwork. He was all but done and finished with just another quick look at the paper and his signature. He closed the file and looked up at Trent who was still grinning at him. He smiled brightly at his lover then got up and picked up the pile of files in front of him and headed towards the office door.
Trent hadn't realized Carlos was so close to being finished. He was just trying to get him to wrap up what he was doing. His stomach did a flip-flop as he tried very hard not to let it show on his face. "Didn't realize you were that close to ready," Trent said, a lame attempt at covering his panic. Seeing Carlos heading for the office door, Trent got up from his chair. "You'll call when you get home, won't you?" he asked, starting to follow his lover.
"I'll be right back, Trent. I'm just going to give Kim these files we're done with," Carlos said, smiling at his lover reassuringly before walking out of the office and over to Kim at her desk.
Trent stopped in his tracks realizing how foolish he'd been to think Carlos would get up and leave like that. He was really glad Carlos had left the room as he felt more than a little embarrassed by his actions. He was just so worried about his lover driving by himself.
Carlos handed Kim the files he had in his hand then turned around and went back to the inner office and found Trent standing there waiting for him.
Trent looked at Carlos and smiled a slightly embarrassed smile.
Carlos smiled back at Trent, knowing he was worried about him driving. He took Trent's hand and led him back towards the desk, turning him around and moving him so Trent was sitting on the desk. Carlos faced his lover and pulled him close and kissed him briefly yet passionately on the lips.
Trent put his arms around Carlos and hugged him, probably a bit tighter than normal, as they kissed.
Carlos pulled back just enough to look into Trent's eyes. "I promise I'll call you the minute I get home, OK?" he said, softly. "I'll be fine, so don't worry," Carlos added, knowing full well that Trent would worry until he was home safe and sound no matter what he said.
"I know you will be but I won't lie and say I won't worry," Trent said, "Hey, it's my right to worry about you, you know. Section six, paragraph four of the life partners contract. 'Trent gets to worry.' You did read it before you signed it didn't you?" He was trying to cover his growing worry and lighten the mood but he wasn't sure he was accomplishing it.
"Yes, I read it, and I know it's your right," Carlos said, smiling again at his wonderful lover whose beautiful blue eyes were so full of concern for his safety. He put his hand to his lover's face, smiling reassuringly, "I'll call you when I get home, baby." With one more quick kiss, Carlos let go of Trent and headed out the door.
Trent continued to sit where Carlos had left him on the desk. He heard the outer door to the building open and close as his lover left for the day. He took a deep breath trying to unknot the knots in his stomach then moved off the desk and sat back down in his chair. He tried to concentrate on the paperwork in front of him, but after reading the page three times and still being totally in the dark about what it said, he didn't even try anymore. He wasn't getting anything done until Carlos called him and he knew it.
Carlos drove home. He knew this was hard on Trent, it was hard on him, too, but it couldn't be helped. He also knew Trent would continue to worry about him until his spells were completely over.
Completely over. That sounded SO good.
Before very long Carlos was pulling into the parking lot at Trent's place -- *their* place -- and parking his truck. He got out, still moving a little cautiously, and went up to their apartment. Their apartment. That sounded good, too. Actually, it sounded beyond good, he thought, as he opened the door and went inside.
After shutting and locking the door, Carlos went to the phone and picked it up and called the office. After saying hello to Kim, then waiting a moment, he heard Trent's voice. It sounded so good. "Hi, baby, I'm home," he said. "You doing OK?" he added, hoping his lover was feeling more reassured now that he was home safely.
"Yes, I'm fine -- now," Trent said in a kidding fashion but totally not kidding. He really felt like a weight had been lifted off him but he was going to try not to let it be too obvious. "You didn't run into any problems then I take it? You made good time," Trent asked, realizing he was babbling in his post worry mode. "Not much traffic this time of day I guess," he finished, trying to recover his brain from worryland.
"No problems at all," Carlos said, trying to take his lover's fears away. He knew that was impossible, of course, but he hoped that it would help Trent some to know that the drive was uneventful. "There was no traffic at all and I couldn't wait to get here so I could call you and let you know I was OK," he added, the sound of Trent's voice filling him with so much love. "I love you so much, baby," he said softly and sensually.
Trent decided enough was enough. Carlos was home safely and he was simply not going to dwell on this any further. Shoving the last half hour out of his mind completely, Trent said, "I'm glad to hear that, Lucky Bear. I love you, too. It's still going to be a few hours before I can leave." He needed to wait for an appointment at 3pm and it might take some time. "But I should be home in plenty of time to feed Snoopy before he gets to whining *too* loudly," Trent added, his face breaking out in a smile thinking about rubbing Carlos's noisy stomach and the reaction it always got.
Carlos laughed at his lover's reference to his stomach, Snoopy, and couldn't wait until Trent was home petting it. That particular ritual had become one of the small things between them that meant so much on both sides, strengthening their already strong bond. "We definitely can't have Snoopy whining too loudly or the neighbors might complain," he said, laughing even harder at the thought. "We're both looking forward to you coming home and feeding us," he added, teasing his lover about his saying that there were three of them in the relationship -- Carlos, Trent and Snoopy the Stomach.
"I think if the neighbors were going to complain about noises they might find something *else* we do that's a little louder to complain about," Trent laughed, referring to their usually noisy lovemaking. "Your stomach is the least of the noises around there," he added.
"I'm really not sure exactly when I'm going to get out of here," Trent said, knowing his client meeting really might run long or be over quickly, "How about I stop and pick up dinner on the way home? How do you and Snoopy feel about KFC? Got any special requests?" Trent was sure there was going to be something Carlos was going to want he wouldn't think of.
Carlos smiled brightly at the thought of KFC, one of his -- and Snoopy's -- favorites. "We like the idea of KFC," he said, "How about some Original Recipe all white meat, coleslaw and mashed potatoes?" he said, not sure if Snoopy could wait until Trent got home with everything. "And don't forget the gravy," he added, supressing a chuckle.
"Original Recipe all white meat... coleslaw... mashed potatoes...," Trent repeated each item back outloud, but more to himself, as he wrote down what Carlos wanted. "And don't forget the gravy," he added, finishing writing out the list and chuckling, "Got it."
"I really miss you, baby -- can't wait until you get here," Carlos said, putting all of the love he had in his voice.
"You're sure it's not just the chicken you can't wait for?" Trent teased Carlos. His lover's enthusiasm at the dinner menu suggestion hadn't escaped his notice.
Carlos laughed. "You do realize that *you* are who and what I wait for each and every moment that we're apart, don't you?" he asked, but he already knew the answer to that question. They both felt the same way. "However, KFC does come in at a close second," he added very sensually, licking his lips in anticipation of both his lover coming home and the dinner he would be bringing for the 'three' of them.
"It's nice to know where I stand here. Ahead of the Colonel is good," Trent chuckled.
"When you get home I've got plans for you," Carlos said softly. He tried once more to growl like a bear. He didn't think he was very good at his growl, but he did give a fairly good representation of it, and he *was* getting better.
"Thanks for the warning," Trent said, noting his body's immediate uplifting reaction to his lover's growl, "I'll get some extra honey packets to distract you with. Might not get past the front door otherwise." Trent was also aware of the additional uplifting reaction thinking about Carlos not letting him get past the front door again had.
"Mmmm..., honey... those honey packets will definitely do the trick. You've definitely learned the proper care and feeding of bears," Carlos said, his arousal, which started when he first heard his lover's voice, getting more noticeable.
"The honey was meant to distract you, not encourage you," Trent laughed, wondering if he was going to be washing honey out of their sheets tomorrow. "You take care of yourself for the rest of the day, OK? Don't over do? Get some rest? Yes?" Trent said, not even caring anymore that he was lapsing into mother hen mode. Carlos needed his rest and if he wasn't staying in bed Trent was darn well going to remind him to rest whether he liked it or not.
"I promise to rest. I'm here at home, *our* home, and I'm very ready to just take it easy and save up my energy for when you get here," Carlos said, the tightness of his pants making it very apparent to him that he would have to change very soon into something a little more roomy. It was truly amazing the effect his lover had on him and he was only talking to him on the phone. Smiling brightly he growled once more.
"Oh, dear," Trent said in mock fear of Carlos's growling, "Maybe I shouldn't have taken that sword back to the costume shop." Carlos really was getting good at the growling and it really did seem to have an immediate effect on Trent's own sword.
Carlos started laughing as he remembered their sword fighting -- with two different 'types' of swords. It brought back all of the wonderful memories of their incredible lovemaking and he sighed deeply. "Don't worry, I'm a very friendly bear," he said lovingly.
"Yes, I've noticed you can be *very* friendly," Trent said still laughing. Changing his tone, he said, "I'll see you when I get there, Lucky Bear. I love you."
"I love you, too -- I'll see you when you get home. Bye, baby," he added, then hung up the phone, smiling brightly.
Trent hung up the phone and looked again at the paperwork in front of him. Now that he knew Carlos was home and safe he thought he could work on it and have it actually make sense. He did want to have it done so he could leave right after the client meeting later. **Can't leave a hungry bear at home alone, after all,** he thought and smiled, thinking about his lover's growl. He turned his attention back to the paperwork.
Carlos went and put on his robe, then went back into the livingroom. Seeing his favorite chair he ran his hand across the back of it and down the arm, remembering the wonderful way they had made love in it the other night. Grabbing the TV remote first, he sat down made himself comfortable. He turned on the TV and started to flip through the channels trying to find something to watch to pass the time.
Carlos's thoughts once again drifted to Trent and he smiled brightly, anticipating the moment when his lover would walk through the door. He could hardly wait. He noted a similar anxiousness for his lover's return by his shaft. He smiled more wickedly then turned his attention back to the TV, hoping the afternoon would pass quickly.
Trent finished up the paperwork with some time to spare, but not a lot. Their client was right on time. He was glad he'd been able to finish the rest of what needed to be done so he could leave as soon as this meeting was over.
Carlos settled back in the chair some more and, part way through the show he was watching, he fell into a deep, sound sleep, the remote control in his lap, the TV still on.
The meeting with the client was neither short nor was it as long as it might have been. Trent locked up the office and left. He noted that once he stopped to pick up dinner he'd be getting back to the apartment in plenty of time to keep Snoopy from whining too much or too loudly. He smiled to himself as he pulled into KFC.
Getting back home after picking up the food, Trent parked, gathered up the bags containing dinner, then headed up to the apartment. He was hoping Carlos would remember he was going to have his hands full with dinner and not yank him into the apartment on his arrival. He would miss that. Opening the door Trent was very surprised to find Carlos not even waiting for him.
Trent shut the door and, moving farther into the apartment, saw Carlos sound asleep in his chair. He smiled brightly, both at the fact Carlos was getting his needed rest and at the lovely picture his lover was making, yet again, in that chair. Trent moved quietly, so as not to disturb Carlos, into the kitchen and put everything down on the table then headed back into the livingroom to wake his sleeping lover for dinner.
Approaching quietly, still looking at his lover, heart overflowing with love for him, Trent gently retrieved the remote from Carlos's lap and turned off the TV. Putting the remote on the coffee table, Trent moved to the chair and sat down on the arm very quietly. Still smiling a smile full of total love, Trent reached out his hand to the still sleeping Carlos's face, stroking it gently. "Carlos?" Trent said softly. "Carlos? Time for dinner," he added as Carlos stirred a bit.
Carlos felt a soft, loving touch on his face and he smiled knowing it was his lover's hand. Slowly he opened his eyes and took in the sight of his lover sitting on the arm of the chair. He realized he hadn't heard Trent come through the door. Actually, he hadn't thought he would fall asleep. He woke up a little more and grinned at Trent. "Welcome home, baby," he said smiling brightly.
Trent smiled back at Carlos, his smile still filled with so much love, then leaned down and kissed his lover. "Thank you. Nice to be here," he said still smiling happily. "Even nicer to have you here waiting for me," he added, going back for another of Carlos's sweet kisses.
Carlos suddenly got a very wicked look on his face. With no warning, he put his arms around Trent's waist and pulled him into his lap, kissing him hard on the lips, his tongue demanding entry into his lover's mouth to taste the sweetness he knew would be there waiting for him.
Trent had known something was on his lover's mind the minute he saw that wonderful sparkle in his eyes, but he wasn't expecting what he got and couldn't have been happier. Kissing Carlos back with great passion, Trent's arms went around his lover as he adjusted to his new seating position in Carlos's lap.
Carlos tightened his hold on Trent pulling him closer, deepening the kiss even further. His tongue dueled with Trent's and when he finally broke the kiss, out of the need for air, his heart was racing and he was breathing hard. "You sure are something else," he said, looking deeply into his lover's eyes.
"Oh is that so?" Trent asked, just loving the look on Carlos's face, "I thought I was just the guy that brought you your dinner." Trent moved one hand, putting it inside Carlos's robe and moving his hand to rub his lover's stomach. "Then again, you better not do this to every delivery person who comes to the door," he teased, still smiling at Carlos and rubbing his stomach.
Carlos's smiled at his lover's words. The look on Trent's face turning the smile into a wicked grin. He put his hand on his lover's as Trent rubbed his stomach -- it made him feel so good. "Mmmm..., no way, baby, this is reserved for you and you alone," he said softly. He went back for another kiss that again left him breathing hard. He pulled back to look at Trent. "You're my delivery person, the only one I need," he said.
Trent's grin turned wicked at that announcement. "And just wait until you see what I brought you," Trent said in a sensuous voice. His grin getting even more wicked, he added, "Just need to decide on the method of delivery." With that he caught Carlos's mouth in another kiss. After a few minutes Trent had decided on his method of delivery.
Breaking the kiss and grinning at Carlos, Trent said, "Put the footrest down." After Carlos had done so, Trent brought his legs around and down off the arm of the chair. Continuing to grin at Carlos, his grin getting more wicked by the minute, Trent slipped from Carlos's lap and on to the floor on his knees, never breaking eye contact with his lover nor stopping the grinning.
Carlos had watched as his lover moved to the floor in front of the chair. He kept his eyes on Trent's, smiling back at him, totally loving Trent's grin. His heart was racing in anticipation of the pleasure Trent was about to give him.
Trent put one hand on each of Carlos's knees and ran his palms up the top of each of his lover's thighs. Getting his hands under Carlos's robe when he encountered it, he pushed it open a bit as he moved. Getting most of the way up his lover's leg, but not all the way, Trent moved his hands down to Carlos's inner thighs, both his hands between his lover's legs, which were still fairly close together. Trent moved his hands back slowly towards Carlos's knees, stopping when he reached them.
Carlos couldn't take his eyes off Trent as he ran his hands up his legs. He moaned very softly and continued to look at his lover's face, but when Trent's hands had reached his inner thighs, he moaned louder and closed his eyes, putting his head back as he did. The things this man could do to him with a touch was beyond real. He whimpered every so softly as Trent moved his hands down his legs again to his knees.
Carlos was just so beautiful, sitting in his chair, eyes closed, whimpering at his touch. Trent smiled again, that smile full of pure love, as he looked at Carlos enjoying himself. Trent pushed his lover's knees apart and moved up so his body was pressed up against the chair, Carlos's knees on either side of him, Carlos crying out softly as he did so.
Continuing to watch his lover enjoy himself, Trent reached forward and untied his lover's bathrobe, which caused Carlos to moan then open his eyes.
Carlos looked at Trent watching him. The way his lover was looking at him, the look of love in his eyes and on his face, made Carlos's heart skip a beat. It was very powerful.
Trent put his hands back on Carlos's knees and slid his hands back up the top of his lover's thighs, causing Carlos to whimpered softly. After pausing briefly to run his hands back and forth over Carlos's upper thighs, which drew a moan from him, Trent continued up to Carlos's abdomen, opening his robe as he went. Carlos closed his eyes again and moaned louder.
**How does he DO this to me?** Trent wondered for the umpteenth time, his own body responding so strongly to just watching and hearing Carlos enjoy himself. Ignoring his own arousal, Trent continued to caress his lover, sliding his hands slowly back down to Carlos's thighs where he ran them over his lover's legs as he leaned forward and began to caress his lover's abdomen with his mouth and tongue.
Trent licked and kissed and nipped his way around Carlos's abdomen, coming close to but not touching his lover's navel. Carlos arched his back and moaned loudly as soon as Trent's tongue touched him. Finally unable to take it any more -- his lover's navel was so inviting -- Trent moved his mouth to Carlos's navel and dipped his tongue into it.
Carlos whimpered then moaned over and over again when his lover's tongue finally found his navel. It was driving him crazy, causing him to arch his back. He could never get enough of this -- not ever. "So good, baby..., soooo... good...," he said, not even sure where he found his voice to say anything at all.
After licking and nipping and kissing it thoroughly, Trent closed his mouth around Carlos's navel and sucked on it as he again dipped his tongue into it. It was just so good, so very good. Carlos began to mumble in Spanish and Trent grinned inwardly as he continued to suck on his lover's navel, knowing his lover was enjoying himself immensely.
Unable to ignore Carlos's erection anymore, Trent released his lover's navel and moved his mouth to his lover's shaft. Putting out his tongue, Trent licked the fluid from the head first, savoring the flavor, then returned his tongue to thoroughly bathe the head of his lover's shaft. Satisfied that he'd done a thorough job on the head, Trent moved his tongue down and ran it up and down and around the rest of his lover's shaft, pressing down just hard enough with his tongue so Carlos could feel each and every move he made.
Carlos grabbed the arms of the chair, one in each hand and squeezed them. He moaned loudly, feeling his lover bathing him with his tongue, loving him so expertly, bringing him such pleasure. "God, Trent..., more... please...," Carols begged, then arched his back and whimpered some more.
As soon as Carlos grabbed at the chair, Trent knew lover was close to the edge. He couldn't help but smile a little as he continued to lick his lover's shaft, knowing how much he was pleasing Carlos, and himself as well.
Carlos opened his eyes again to look at Trent, his beautiful Trent. He couldn't take his eyes off his lover, especially his tongue, as he continued to lick him, continued to give him such pleasure.
Moving his licking deliberately upwards, Trent went back to the head of his lover's shaft, giving it a few kisses before taking just the head in his mouth and sucking on it lovingly.
Carlos watched as Trent moved closer to the head of his shaft and when his lover's mouth closed over it he arched his back higher than before, crying out loudly then whimpering. There simply wasn't much left of his climb to that edge, he was going to fall off it soon. He wanted to.
When Carlos cried out then whimpered, Trent felt his own shaft respond noticeably once again to just the sound of his lover's pleasure. It still amazed him, but he didn't dwell on it, there were more important things to attend to at the moment.
Knowing his lover was very close, Trent took Carlos into his mouth as far as he could before moving his mouth back up again, sucking hard as he moved. He knew it wouldn't take much more before his lover fell off that edge he was balanced on.
Carlos wanted to close his eyes but he was also fascinated watching his lover's obvious pleasure in this act. It meant so much to him to know that Trent was enjoying himself, too. It added to his own pleasure.
Taking his lover's shaft into his mouth a few more times, Trent felt Carlos's orgasm begin and he took his lover deep into his mouth as he came -- sending his essence down his throat -- Trent enjoying everything about it.
Carlos cried out loudly and arched his back as he came, pouring his essence into his lover's mouth, feeling such an amazing orgasm. He was breathing fast and hard, totally unable to speak at the moment. He needed Trent in his arms, he needed to hug him tightly as he recovered from the amazing journey his lover had just sent him on.
Trent continued to suck on Carlos after his orgasm, unwilling to miss any of his lover's essence. Releasing him finally from his mouth, Trent licked Carlos a few more times, not that he'd missed anything, but just out of pure pleasure of doing so. Straightening up, Trent pulled Carlos's robe shut and tied it again for him before he got up from the floor and crawled back in his lover's lap. He rearranged himself once he was there so he was sitting in pretty much the same position he had been before, his arms around Carlos, his legs over the side of the chair. Trent put his head on his lover's shoulder and hugged him tight, waiting for him to come down from his climax.
Carlos just adored the loving attention Trent always gave him, from the gentle licking and cleaning of his penis to returning to his lap to hug him so tight, it was so special. He wrapped his arms around his lover when he was back in his lap and he hugged him. He was still panting but it was easing up some. "You're so wonderful. That was great, baby, thank you," he said softly.
"You're very welcome," Trent said, smiling at Carlos, "But it really was my pleasure." He wasn't lying either. He really did enjoy it, almost as much as Carlos. Almost. "I take it you liked what I brought you as well as how I delivered it then?" Trent grinned at Carlos then hugged him tighter and snuggled against him a little more, sighing as he did so. He really loved it when Carlos held him like this in his lap. It was so good.
Carlos smiled and held Trent even tighter. He knew how much Trent enjoyed pleasing him. "Yes, baby, your delivery was excellent," he said softly and sensually, smiling at him.
Trent's smile got even bigger if that was possible and he snuggled even further into Carlos's embrace if that was possible. "I'm glad you liked it," he said, still smiling, "I brought chicken, too," he added chuckling and moving his hand to rub Carlos's stomach again. He really didn't want to move, it felt so good here in his lover's arms, but he knew Snoopy would be making himself known anytime now.
"That sounds good, too," Carlos said, putting his hand over Trent's. "But nothing is ever as good as you," he added, moving the arm that was around Trent, finding his rear end and patting it lightly.
"We'll never eat if you keep that up," Trent said, grinning.
"I don't mind," Carlos said and smiled back, his eyes dancing.
"Well, I do. I think my own stomach is going to take over for Snoopy if we don't...," Trent didn't finish, his stomach did it for him.
Carlos broke up laughing, hugging Trent tightly to him as Trent snuggled further into his embrace, laughing happily, too. When the laughter had eased up a bit, Trent said, "Come on, before it goes off again." But just as he finished his sentence, his stomach did just that, sending Carlos off in a laughing fit again.
"I'm getting out of here before that happens again," Trent said, looking at his lover so happy, his heart overflowing with love for him once again.
Trent managed to untangle himself from Carlos, which wasn't too hard since Carlos was still laughing, and get out of the chair. Looking down at his handsome lover, still laughing and looking up at him, his eyes dancing, Trent just shook his head at Carlos. "Come on, you," he said, reaching out both his hands to Carlos to help him up.
Carlos took Trent's hands. Trent pulled him from the chair and to his feet and into his embrace. Trent kissed him and smiled. Carlos's heart melted.
"Come on, let's eat, OK?" Trent said, and turned Carlos towards the kitchen, swatting his backside to get him moving. He really was hungry.
"I'm going, I'm going," Carlos said, still laughing happily and starting towards the kitchen, "But you didn't give me a chance to give you your tip." Carlos headed to the table to unpack the food. "It's customary to tip a delivery person, you know," he added looking in Trent's direction and leering at him.
Trent was turned away from Carlos at this point, getting drinks from the refrigerator, but he smiled his biggest smile anyway. How he loved this man who could make his heart sing with the simplest things. "I know," Trent said, getting what he wanted from the refrigerator, "How about you top me -- I mean tip me -- after we eat?" Trent said, as he turned and looked at Carlos who was grinning at him.
"Sounds good to me," Carlos said and turned his attention back to unpacking the food.
As Carlos unpacked the bags of food, he didn't quite believe what he was seeing as he took one container after another out of the bags. "Hey Trent? You think you got enough coleslaw?" he asked after he had taken all six containers of coleslaw out of the bag and put them on the table with everything else.
Trent was just heading to the table his arms full when Carlos asked about the coleslaw. He had a thing for KFC coleslaw. "You said you wanted some, didn't you?" Trent asked, setting the silverware and plates down on the table trying to maintain the pretense it was perfectly normal to buy six containers of coleslaw for two people. He put Carlos's drink at his place and his own at his then looked at Carlos, waiting for an answer, trying not to blush or laugh.
Carlos broke up laughing as he heard what his lover said. "Yes, I did say that," he said, looking at Trent and rolling his eyes, "But SIX containers for the two of us? Isn't that a bit much?"
Keeping up the pretense of normalcy, Trent said, "I beg to differ with you, Carlos, but isn't this the right amount for two?" Trent sat down in his chair then helped himself to chicken and some of each of the other things, as did Carlos, putting them on his plate. He then grabbed one of the containers of coleslaw and his spoon and started eating the coleslaw directly out of the container. He looked across the table at Carlos who had stopped helping himself and was watching him. Trent smiled at him and continued to eat his coleslaw.
Carlos just stared.
"What?" Trent said, still trying to pretend he was acting perfectly normal.
"Nothing," Carlos said, shaking his head and trying not to laugh, "Absolutely nothing." He picked up one of the other containers of coleslaw and put some on his plate then looked back at Trent who grinned at him and continued to eat his coleslaw right out of the container.
They ate in a comfortable silence, each satisfying their appetites. About halfway through the meal Trent said, "Walker called today after you left the office." Carlos looked over at Trent as he continued to speak. "He said he was going to be near the office tomorrow around noon and wanted to know if we wanted to have lunch. I said yes. Thought it might be a good opportunity to talk to him," Trent said. "About us I mean," he added when Carlos just continued to look at him.
Carlos felt his stomach flip-flop. He knew they would have to actually start telling people soon, but it still made him anxious. He nodded his head at Trent.
"I know we were going to start with our families, but the opportunity just presented itself," Trent said, "And Walker is practically family anyway." He was very nervous about this. He really had no idea how Walker was going to react to this, to them, to them as a couple. Losing Walker's respect, or worse yet his friendship, would be very hard if it happened.
"It'll be all right, Trent," Carlos said, reaching across the table and finding his lover's hand and squeezing it, "Really it will." Carlos knew what this would mean to Trent if the reaction was bad. He himself would find it hard to lose Walker in his life, but it would really devastate Trent. He knew that.
Trent looked up at Carlos. Carlos smiled at him and squeezed his hand again. He smiled back at his lover who's eyes were so full of concern for him. "I hope so, Carlos," Trent said, sounding more confident than he felt.
"Well, I *know* so," Carlos said, smiling again, only brighter and squeezing his lover's hand again before letting go so they could both eat again. Whatever tomorrow brought, they would face it and get through it together.
"Any ideas on the right way to tell him?" Carlos asked, turning his attention back to his meal. In addition to Trent knowing Walker better than he did, Trent had been through the telling part before.
"I don't think there really is a right way to tell people," Trent said, "But I have heard a few wrong ways."
"Like?" Carlos asked, his curiosity showing.
"Bryan and I knew this guy who told us how he told his parents," Trent said, "He marched in and without so much as a 'hello', he said, 'Mama and Daddy, I have something to tell you. I have a brain tumor. I have three months to live.' Well, of course his parents became hysterical." He looked at Carlos who nodded in agreement, then he continued, "Then he said, 'Hey, folks, I'm only kidding, I'm just gay.'"
"That was his idea of breaking the news gently?" Carlos asked, totally amazed someone would actually do such a thing.
"Marshall was always very theatrical," Trent said, shaking his head in disbelief at the memory.
"I don't think we'll go with that," Carlos said.
"No," Trent said, chuckling.
They finished their meal, Trent polishing off two containers of coleslaw, much to Carlos's surprise. He just shook his head smiling at Trent as he picked up the empty containers to throw out. Trent continued to look totally innocent and pretend it was normal as he picked up their dishes and headed to the sink with them.
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