Chapter 18

Unfortunately, Monday rolled around and work separated them ever so slightly. Prin could still locate Scott during the day. His voice tended to travel. Prin smiled now when he heard it.

By the time it got to Wednesday, Scott had dropped another not-so-subtle hint for Prin to spend the night at his place.

Prophetically, it was Tyler who brought Prin out of his daydream.

"Hi, Prin," Tyler said, grinning. "Away in the clouds, are we?"

"It looks like it. What can I do for you, Tyler?"

"My mouse is being weird. Can I swap it?"

"Sure," Prin said, getting to his feet. "We've loads in the cupboard. If I can find it in the bloody mess. Elliott is supposed to keep it tidy so I don't hold out much hope."

He led Tyler over. Sure enough, inside the large locker was bedlam.

"Fuck's sake," Prin muttered under his breath.

Wires and keyboards were entwined. Prin spotted a mouse practically cowering at the back. He reached in and got it.

"You're in luck," he said, holding it up.

"Thanks," Tyler replied, taking it. "You know, we don't bite. It's safe to visit."

Prin took a step back at the sudden change in direction.

"I…I know. I guess I'm being selfish."

Tyler squeezed his arm. "We all have to come up for air at some point. All relationships do."

Relationship? Is that what this is? Has Scott said that?

As usual when he thought about his new bedfellow, warmth radiated from him.

"I'll tell Scott it's a yes," Prin said.

"Good man." Tyler handed him the mouse back. "Sorry. I fibbed."

Prin laughed. "And I thought Scott was the one to watch out for."

"Oh no, you got that right. I'm only very occasionally outrageous. He's fairly regular on that score."

After throwing the mouse back into the messy hellhole, Prin pulled the doors closed.

"I have been made aware. I'm ready."

"I'll remind you of that, my friend."

Prin followed Tyler across the office. When he got back to his laptop, he had an email from the man himself.

Check this out.

There was a link. Prin clicked on it. It led him to an article about a LGBTQ retirement project in the north. It appeared that a charity was looking for volunteers over seventy to sign up for a year living in a shared house.

Prin sat back.

This could be exactly what Colin is looking for.

Scott and Prin sat excitedly across from Colin. Scott had just finished describing the concept of the retirement project to Colin.

"I don't want to live in a home," Colin said. "I have my independence here. I'm not sitting in a chair waiting for bingo every day."

Prin squeezed his hand. "It's not like that."

"Not at all," Scott replied. His face was a picture of enthusiasm that made Prin ache to wrap his arms around him. "It's a shared house concept. There are other people like you who have had bad experiences. Or maybe they don't even want to risk it."

Colin nodded. "That does sound a little better, I suppose. But they wouldn't want me."

"Actually, when I spoke to the charity today…"

"You rang them?" Prin asked.

Scott frowned. "Of course I did. I had to make sure it was aboveboard before we said anything. Honestly, Prin. Do you think I'm an amateur?"

Colin smiled at Prin. The twinkle had returned to his eye and it was wonderful to see.

"Go on, Scott," Colin said. "What did you find out?"

"Only that they've had more interest from women," Scott continued. "The man I spoke to didn't say as much but I reckon you've got a chance. I think it's exciting. We'll come and visit you, I promise."

Colin seemed lost in thought for a second. "I thought they'd wheel me out of here. I don't know, do you think I've got another adventure in me?"

"I know it," Prin said. "I think this is such a good move. At least it will get you away from this place."

"Maybe you're right," Colin replied. "They've taken to shouting pervert outside my door now. It isn't going to get any better here."

Prin glanced at Scott who had gone crimson. "Fuck this," he said, getting to his feet.

"Scott. What are you doing?"

"I'm going to make your remaining time here bearable."

Scott barged out of the room.

"Bloody hell," Colin said, chuckling. "He's a livewire, all right. Go after him."

"I won't let it get out of hand. I promise."

Colin was already scuttling across the room toward the window.

Prin ran after Scott. He caught up with him at the main door.

"Scott. What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to take a bit of assertive action."

Prin grabbed him by the arm. "Promise me you won't let it get physical."

"Fucking hell, Prin," Scott replied. "Do you think I'm going to slap a pensioner? Jeez."

Instantly, Prin blushed. "Sorry. I've just never met anyone like you before."

Scott kissed him. "I should hope not. Now let me do what I do best."

Gently, he pulled himself free and wandered out into the garden as nonchalantly as if he were taking a stroll in the park.

"Come on," he urged.

Prin ran to his side. "I wasn't sure if I was allowed on this mission."

"We're a team," Scott said. "If it goes tits up, you're my extraction plan."

They were approaching two older ladies who were sitting on the bench. Prin glanced up at Colin, who nodded his head.

"Good evening, ladies," Scott said.

"Good evening."

"Can we help you?"

Scott sat on the wall next to them. Prin stood awkwardly next to him trying to look like he knew what the hell was going on.

"I think you can," Scott said, his face etched with worry. "My friend, Colin, has been getting some grief."

The woman nearest to him in a garish pink blouse reared back. "Well, I'm sure we don't know anything about it."

"Of course not," Scott said. "I would never think that. However, I saw you two sitting out here and I thought, I bet they know everyone."

"We do."

"Great," Scott said. "It's just some people have been shouting offensive slurs outside Colin's door. I'm sure you know that's a hate crime and we should really report it. I work in human resources and I'm quite good friends with the LGBTQ liaison officer at the police station. She hates this kind of stuff."

The two women looked paler than snow.

"And where do we come in?" the second woman asked or rather squeaked.

"Colin had the sense to record these voices," Scott explained. "If he does decide to report this to my friend, she'll need help identifying them. I reckon you two would be perfect. What did you say your names were?"

"We did not."

"Not to worry," Scott said, rising to his feet. "It's not like you're going anywhere, is it?"

He didn't wait for a response. Instead, he took Prin's hand and they walked down the path toward the building.

"Slowly," Scott said under his breath. "We fucking nailed that."

Once inside the hallway, Prin flung his arms around him. "You nailed it, you mean."

It was all Prin could do not to tell Scott he loved him. It was way too soon for any of that. But right then, at that moment, Scott Fitzgerald was Prin's most favourite person on the planet.

"One thing though."

"What's that?" Scott asked.

"Colin didn't record them."

Scott kissed Prin on the tip of the nose. "A mere detail that they don't know."

Once again, they hugged. Prin allowed every last wave of happiness to wash over him.

After settling Colin and insisting that he call them if anything else happened, Prin and Scott went back to Prin's.

Once again, the television blared out but neither was listening. Prin hated silence. It reminded him of being stuck in his uncle's house as a child.

"You were amazing," Prin said, kissing Scott's cheek.

"Thanks. It's all in a day's work. Did you see that old boot's face?"

Prin laughed. "How did you come up with it?"

Scott shrugged. "It was a spur-of-the-moment thing."

"You're scary."

"You'll have to stay on my good side then," Scott said, nuzzling into Prin's neck and making him squirm.

"Is the offer still open?" Prin asked.

Scott frowned. "Offer?"

"To stay at yours?"

Scott's face lit up. "It sure is. What made you change your mind?"

Prin kissed him. "Because I've been keeping you to myself. I think I should probably share."

Scott puffed his chest out and flexed his arms. "There's plenty to go round, baby."

"That's terrible."

"I know."

Scott stretched.

"Tired?" Prin asked.

It had been a long day with work and then going to Colin.

"Yeah," Scott replied. "Shall we go to bed?"

Prin nodded. He led Scott through into the bedroom.

"How's the investigation going?" Prin asked.

"It's in the hands of the gods now," Scott replied.

They took their clothes off. Prin marvelled at how quickly he'd lost his inhibitions when it came to being naked with Scott and his perfect body.

A body that he was showing off as he wandered into the bathroom to brush his teeth. Prin sat on the edge of the bed. He smiled to himself. Once again, they had shown they were a good team. He hoped that Scott's attempt to quieten down the bigots had worked. He hated to see Colin so upset.

However, deep down, he was a bit sad at the idea that Colin might be leaving Brighton. They hadn't known each other that long but Prin had enjoyed having a friend at last.

He got up and stared out of the window. The back street that his bedroom overlooked couldn't be more different from the alleys of Bangkok. His mind wandered to his uncle again. He hadn't been able to forget Nanny's words about his uncle seeming to be unwell.

"Prin?"

He turned to see Scott standing in the doorway. As was the case when Scott was around, Prin's anxiety quietened.

"Yes?"

"Are you okay? You looked as though you had the weight of the world on your shoulders."

Prin crossed the room and hugged him. "Just thinking how lucky I am to have met you."

Scott rested his arms on Prin's shoulders. "Tonight, I want to do something with you in bed that we've never done before."

Prin frowned. "What's that?"

"Go to sleep."

It was true. They hadn't shared a bed without sex yet. Was this another milestone for their relationship or a sign that Scott was tiring of him? Prin tried to focus on the former. Nothing was making Scott come here.

"That sounds amazing," he said. "We have missed a good few hours sleep recently."

Scott gazed into his eyes. "I can't believe it took me so long to get to know you."

Prin shrugged. "You dismissed me. Lots of people do. It's my own fault, I should be more confident."

"I didn't dismiss you."

"Of course you did. Do you remember when you were all dressed as superheroes?"

Scott nodded. "Yeah. What's that got to do with anything?"

"I saw you and you said, ‘It's only that guy from IT.' You dismissed me."

Scott hugged him tightly. "Fuck, I'm sorry, Prin."

"There's no hard feelings," Prin said. "I understand."

To his horror, Scott's eyes were filled with tears.

"That's a me problem, not a you one," Scott said. "I will never dismiss you again. I promise."