Toy Box: Submission

Better Than Peanut Butter

Jeremy counted the steps from the driveway to the house, every bone in his body reminding him that he'd spent a full day at the forge, working hard. Now he was thinking peanut butter sandwiches and bed. Maybe just peanut butter on a spoon, beer, and sofa. Jeremy stood in front of the stairs, thinking. Man, he could walk around to the ramp, but that was more steps altogether. Right? Right.

Before he could decide, Simon's car turned into the drive and pulled up behind his. His lover got out and waved, giving him a warm smile.

"Hey, beautiful." He couldn't let go of the rail to wave, so he nodded.

Simon beamed at him and came up, arm wrapping around his waist. "You look sooty and sweaty and that's not a complaint."

"Been a long day. Good day, though. I worked hard."

"Good, good. You feel like a pizza for supper?" Simon took a step up, encouraging him to come along.

"Sure. I was considering just dying, but pizza works, too." One step, then another.

"Oh, dying seems like a lot of work. You want a shower while we wait for it?" They went up the last step, Simon quietly helping him.

"I want my chair, I think." He'd been on his prostheses for ten hours. His muscles were screaming and his stumps felt hot and sore.

"Let's get you in the shower seat and cleaned up, then." Simon opened the front door and then leaned up to give him a soft kiss, one hand on his belly.

"Hey." He swayed toward the touch.

"Hey." Smiling, Simon took another kiss. "Let's get you on that shower seat before we get distracted."

He nodded, braced himself for the stairs. It was a long flight up and, by the middle, he was sweating it, growling a little under his breath. Simon was right there, offering quiet support. His lover knew he didn't need a noisy cheerleader.

"Tell me why I do this again?"

"Because you're a very stubborn man."