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“Oh my God.”
Cold laughed as he brought Jimmy to the bathroom, and he placed him on the edge of the big tub. He turned the water on, tested the temperature, and then gestured for Jimmy to get in. “Go on. I’ll bring you some fresh clothes.”
“Thank you.” Jimmy swung his legs around to slide in, groaning as he melted into the hot water. It soothed his lingering aches, and he loved that he could stretch out his long legs. He loved how happy he was too.
Satisfied.
Adored.
Worshipped.
He loved Cold.
Jimmy smiled brightly when Cold returned, Cold pausing only to set his phone on the bathroom counter. Jimmy watched as he removed his silk pajamas, letting himself enjoy the gorgeous display of flesh before him. It was still brief, as Cold didn’t waste any time getting into the tub behind Jimmy, but he appreciated the display as the gift it was meant to be.
Because it wasn’t just about being naked.
No, Jimmy understood now all too well that this was a presentation based on trust. Cold trusted Jimmy to see all of him, every single scar—the ones inside and out—and that was what made it so precious.
He snuggled back into Cold’s arms with a happy sigh. “I guess it’s probably too soon to ask, but…?”
“Yes?” Cold asked, a smile in his voice.
“How soon before we can get my dad out?”
“As soon as I can. The courts will move quickly. They’re very motivated by money, if you can believe such a thing.” Cold chuckled idly. “But trust the cost is no issue, and while he is still incarcerated, I will make sure he is very comfortable.”
“Thank you.” Jimmy pulled Cold’s hands around him and gave them a squeeze. “I… I can’t believe it’s really happening.”
“Believe it.” Cold kissed the side of Jimmy’s neck.
“He’s gonna be out. My dad is gonna be free.”
“Yes.”
“I’m gonna be able to hug him. Whenever I want. Talk to him, hug him some more, watch all the movies he missed, talk about the news and—”
“Easy,” Cold soothed. “Adjusting from life in prison can be difficult.”
“Oh.” Jimmy fidgeted a bit. “Was it… difficult for you?”
“Not especially.” Cold’s thumb idly stroked Jimmy’s stomach. “You have to understand that the life I lived for a long time was already equivalent to a prison in many ways. Being told what to do, what to think, where to go, how to act—” He paused. “I have seen how other men have struggled with the change. Above all else, your joy for your father’s freedom must be tempered with patience.”
“Patience?” Jimmy scoffed. “I’ve already been patient for a million years while he’s been rotting in a cell.”
“Patience for him. And yes, some for yourself as well. This is going to be quite a drastic change for both of you, however happy of an occasion it is.”
“Okay. Got it. Be patient for him. Patient for me too. Yeah, I can do that.”
“Mmm.” Cold sounded oddly smug, and he grabbed a washcloth and some warm scented body wash from the side of the tub. He lathered up the washcloth so he could scrub Jimmy’s arms. “I am happy for you, and I promise I will do everything I can to help your father too.”
“Thank you.” Jimmy closed his eyes as Cold washed around his neck, his shoulders, and chest. It was relaxing, and each loving swipe of the washcloth washed the lingering twinges around his heart away.
Cold scrubbed several areas of Jimmy’s body more than once, and eventually he dropped the washcloth entirely so he could touch Jimmy with his bare hands. He massaged lightly, pausing here and there to explore the curve of his collarbone or to trace around the healing bullet wound. His touch was adoring, sweet, and reverent, and when he was finally done, he wrapped his arms back around Jimmy’s middle and hugged him close.
Jimmy’s muscles felt heavy as he draped his arms over Cold’s to return the embrace. His eyes were weighted too, and it would have been easy to doze off after so much lovely petting. He was warm all over, his heart impossibly full, and he mumbled, “So. How about a nap?”
Cold chuckled. “If you’d like, yes. I do believe you’ve earned one.”
