"Let me know if you need anything," Rob told him.
"Thank you," Julian said as he went to watch over his little brother.
Rob was hoping Julian would give him something to do that would keep him close. When he didn't, Rob was left to pass the time on his own.
As he hung out in his room, sitting up in bed, streaming some shows, scenes on the screen played out but couldn't catch his attention. That's because Rob kept listening for Julian's voice or his footsteps. When he finally heard him moving around in the hall, Rob was out of bed in a flash.
He didn't rush out of the room though. Stopping, he grabbed a glass and took it with him so it would look like he was just going to the kitchen for a refill or something.
Rob opened his door just in time to see Julian out in the hall with his iPad in front of him.
"Working?" Rob said.
"This isn't work," Julian told him and came over to show him what he was looking at. "I wanted to stock the library with children's books."
Julian had come to stand right next to Rob as he scrolled through some of what he has picked out. With him so close, Rob was distracted but he still noticed how many books he ordered.
"You'll need another library for all this," Rob told him.
"I'll make room," Julian said then he eyed Rob. "Actually, I'll have you do it. You can clear the shelves of anything that doesn't look interesting." He gave Rob a smile then looked back at the iPad. Watching him closely, Rob had a feeling he wasn't really seeing the screen, just staring at it. Maybe he was uncomfortable. It was true that they were only inches apart, but Julian wasn't moving away.
To fill the tense silence Rob grasped for the last threads of their conversation. "No problem. I'll do whatever you want," Rob told him and Julian jumped.
Turning to look at him, he seemed startled as he said, "What?"
"The shelves. In the library," Rob said while noticing how beautiful Julian was, as well as slightly embarrassed and breathing a little faster. Was he flushed too or was it just a trick of the light?
"Right. Thank you. And thank you for today," Julian told him, casting his eyes down.
"Me?" Rob said.
"Today wouldn't have turned out like it did without you. Since we set off for this place, I think everything has gone so well because you're here," Julian told him while still not meeting his gaze. Rob saw his mouth curve into a shy smile though. "I wondered at myself when I hired you so impulsively. That wasn't like me at all, but I can see it was the right decision. Good night."
With that he went off abruptly and Rob sighed. Honestly, he had been holding his breath afraid that Julian might say he didn't need him, and hoping that he would say he wanted him desperately.
Rob couldn't ever remember feeling such a keen sense of anticipation when just exchanging a few simple words with someone. Most of the time, the two of them were with Danny, but Rob still noticed what a sharp effect Julian had on him.
Julian was such a serious, earnest guy and so unbelievably hot. If only the circumstances were different, Rob would be hitting on him so hard even if he didn't stand a chance in hell with a guy like him.
