Nikolai held in a sigh and tore his shirt over his head."Where can I put it?"
Frode made a noncommittal sound."There is no contamination between items, so wherever is fine."Then he waved toward a chair in the corner where the jeans Frode had worn before were slung over the backrest.
Nikolai went over to it, folded his shirt, and put it on the seat.He'd need to swing by his apartment before work tomorrow to get clean clothes.Then he undid his jeans, pushed them off, and removed his socks without looking at Frode.
When he turned toward the bed, Frode slid his gaze over him."Underwear."
"What?"He looked down at his black boxer briefs; glad he'd picked a flattering pair today.
"Remove them."
"What?"This time his tone was a little shriller than he wanted it to be.
"You don't have any piercings, right?"
Nikolai looked down at himself despite knowing he didn't have any piercings."No."
"No watch, rings, necklaces, earrings, hair ties."
Nikolai scowled at him and held his arms out as if he was in a security check at an airport."No.You have a hair tie, though."
"I know, but no one's touched it but me, so it's fine."Frode held his gaze for a second or two."Underwear, Nesterova.Drop 'em."
Nikolai huffed but tucked his thumbs under the waistband and pulled them off.
"Nice."Frode sounded amused.
"Fuck you."
"Nah, I think I'm too tired tonight."He finished the sentence with a yawn, and Nikolai stared at him.Heat curled around him, and he resisted the urge to cover his dick when it twitched.
"Come to bed."Frode moved closer to the wall and held the covers up for him.Nikolai hurried over to the bed and slipped in.
"Are you sure this is safe?"
"Is there anything on you?"
Nikolai shook his head.Nope, he was as naked as the day he'd been born.
"Then it's safe.There is nothing on you, and there is nothing on me."
Heat washed over him, and he wanted to run his hands over Frode, feel his naked skin."What about the bedding."
"Mmm.You're touching it now.It won't register until you stop touching it."
"And no one else has touched it?"
"Nope.Machine-made, machine-folded, and packed."He burrowed down and closed his eyes.
"But after I've left the bed, you'll get triggered by it."
"Let's worry tomorrow.Touching something only one person has touched isn't too bad.I've had bed partners before.I lived with Chance, remember?"He spoke with his eyes shut, and Nikolai allowed himself to study his face.He didn't want to think about any of Frode's previous partners when he was in bed with him, but he didn't want to accidentally do anything, so he listened.
"Should I turn off the light, or do you want to do it?I touched the light switch in the bathroom."
Frode pushed up and leaned over Nikolai, his chest brushing against Nikolai's as he reached for the bedside table lamp.Without thinking, Nikolai ran a hand up his back.Soft, warm skin.
Darkness filled the room, and Frode slid back, but Nikolai's arm was around him, and since he wasn't snarling at him to let go, he guided Frode to rest against him.Fuck yeah.He hadn't had skin-to-skin contact with anyone for months.
