AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Yunho putout a huge platter of fruits, cheese, cold meat, and bread, and Harry was happy to see Asher pick at it for most of the afternoon. Then for dinner, he did small portions of grilled fish with mango that were amazing, and Asher devoured that too. Chewing only on one side of his mouth, but eating all the same.
He sat in the fading tropical sun on the glorious patio, talking and laughing with Yunho and Lucas. Even though they had a history that didn’t involve Harry, he never once felt like a third wheel, he never felt as if he were intruding. He listened to their stories, and Asher would smile at him and touch Harry’s leg or hold his hand like it was the most natural thing in the world.
He was relaxed, and even as he grew tired in the late evening, he was still happy.
Harry would do anything to see him like that all the time.
But it wasn’t long before Asher’s blinks were getting longer and he couldn’t seem to pay attention. “Okay,” Harry said, getting to his feet. “I think we need to call it a day. Come on, sleepyhead.” He gently helped Asher up from his chair. He turned back to Yunho and Lucas. “Thank you for dinner, and for everything really, but the first hot shower and comfortable bed in weeks is calling.”
Harry got Asher into the shower, and the sounds he’d made bordered on explicit. He scrubbed himself and let the hot water stream over his tired and aching body, and Harry didn’t have the heart to hurry him along. He still couldn’t brush his teeth properly; it wasn’t likely he’d lose his other bottom molar on the right side of his jaw. It didn’t feel loose anymore, but his jaw was still swollen and tender.
When Asher finally got into bed, he couldn’t even keep his eyes open. “That was the best shower of my life,” he mumbled.
Harry kissed his freshly washed hair and left him to sleep.
And holy hell, the shower was sublime.
Washing away the dirt and dust, yes. But also the stress, the worry, the fear. The hot water and soap were wonderful, but knowing they were safe here, being able to finally breathe... that was the best part.
When Harry finally climbed into the bed, Asher was fast asleep. The bed was huge, the room was huge, everything was on a grand scale. And the one thing about all the days and nights he and Asher had spent together in the last few weeks was the cramped space. The shared rooms, the shared beds. And now this huge space felt too vast. He wouldn’t be able to sleep, worrying where Asher was, if he was okay.
So Harry shuffled over, closer and closer. And as soon as he touched Asher, he mumbled in his sleep and snuggled into Harry’s side.
That was so much better.
Harry closed his eyes with a smile, and sinking down in the most comfortable bed in the world, he had the best night’s sleep he’d ever had.
