* * * *
Nikolai watched Frode out of the corner of his eye.Part of him was sorry he'd stolen his calm, but he preferred a tense and annoyed Frode to a dead one.
Several minutes had gone by when Frode spoke next."I don't have a guest room."
Had it been anyone else, Nikolai would've said something about sharing his bed, but would him being in Frode's bed trigger him?He didn't want to send him spiraling during the night.
"I can sleep on the couch."It was too short, and he was too old.
Frode gave him an unimpressed look."Hjalmar has tried.He didn't give it a glowing review."
"I'd love to cuddle with you, sweetheart, but I don't want to have you puking all over me during the night because I accidentally had you touch something."
There was an amused tug at the corner of Frode's mouth."The rule for being in my bed is to not bring anything I can accidentally touch.It's a rule I follow myself too."
Meaning?Nikolai nodded."Okay, sure.If you're fine with having me there, I'd love to share your bed."
For a moment, Frode looked like he would say no, then he shrugged."Fine."
"And you'll come with me in the morning to talk to Saylor and then to the station."Now, when he'd put words on how easy it would be for Altman to shoot Frode, he didn't want him out of sight.Medlin would most likely not be pleased, but Nikolai didn't care.
Frode made an affirmative noise, relaxed against the backrest, and watched the game.Nikolai removed his hand from his and wanted to pull him close like they'd been the night before, but with Frode not wearing his gloves, he was afraid to do something to accidentally trigger him.
When Frode had yawned three times in short succession, Nikolai bumped him with his shoulder."Maybe it's time to go to bed."
"I want to see the end."
There were thirteen minutes left of the third period, so Nikolai settled back and watched.When the signal sounded and the players lined up to thank their opponents, Nikolai nudged Frode."Bedtime."
He nodded and got up.Then he slid his fingers into his gloves and used his teeth to slide them on before heading toward the bathroom."I'll dig out a toothbrush for you."
Nikolai remained on the couch and watched the experts talk about the highlights of the night while listening to the water running in the bathroom.
He was going to share a bed with Frode Bakke.
Teenage him would've been jittery with excitement, but while he wanted nothing more than to hold Frode all night long, there was dread in the pit of his stomach.What if he hurt him?What if there was something he hadn't considered that would send him spiraling?How would he explain to Hjalmar he hadn't meant to put his brother in a coma, but he'd accidentally made Frode touch something?
Cold filled his soul.No wonder Hjalmar had been furious with him when he'd made Frode touch the rug, and now he wanted to touch another one.
Fuck.
"I put a toothbrush on the sink."Frode stretched and yawned, then he went to lock the front door.Nikolai got up, groaned when his back popped, and headed to the bathroom to get ready for bed.
When he exited, the house was dark apart from a soft glow coming from the bedroom.His pulse picked up as he made his way there.
Frode was in bed, his hair tied back in a braid.The sight made Nikolai still.He'd never seen him with braided hair.The duvet was pulled up to cover his chest, bare arms resting on top, hands glove-free.
"Strip."
"What?"Nikolai looked into Frode's eyes.
"Strip."
"Right."Nikolai had never been shy or self-conscious, but he felt exposed now.This wasn't tearing your clothes off to tumble into bed with someone; this was Frode watching his every move.
He started with his gun, which he put on the bedside table.His phone followed.He placed it next to the gun, both within easy reach of the bed.Frode watched the gun for a second but didn't comment.Nikolai was pretty sure Hjalmar was armed most of the time, so he was used to weapons being around.
When he didn't move, Frode raised an eyebrow at him.
