Fireside Romance Book 1: First Flames (6 page)

“I think in future, I may as well put both portions on the same plate,” I said, bringing a piece of paper towel to his mouth to wipe up the spills. “It’s odd isn’t it? I can see where I’m putting the food when I feed you, but I make more of a mess than when I’m putting food in my own mouth, which I can’t see.”

“Yeah, but then you’re used to feeding yourself. Probably just a matter of co-ordination and muscle memory.”

“Yeah, probably.” I replied. “Have you had enough? I think there might be some ice-cream in the freezer.”

“No, I’m full, thanks,” he said as he broke wind. “Sorry.” He flushed red.

I smiled. “In some countries it’s regarded as a compliment, and anyway, being laid down in bed does cause you to suffer from trapped wind. If you feel a bit bloated later, let me know. I’ve got some pills you can chew that should help.”

“Thanks. Talking of pills, could you get me out a couple of pain killers that the hospital sent?”

“Your hands hurting?” I asked.

He nodded.

I found the pills and popped them in his mouth. He bent down and took a sip of water.

“Do you want to stay in here and talk while I clean up? Or would you like to go and watch a bit of telly?”

“I saw enough of the idiot box on the ward. I never was much of a telly addict.”

“Me neither,” I confessed. I used to spend most of my time at home listening to music, usually while reading a book or a magazine.

Mark remained where he was at the table, and I cleaned up. That done, we both went into the living room and sat on the sofa. I’d forgotten to light the fire. The central heating was on so the house wasn’t cold, but things were always more cosy when the fire was lit.

I looked over at the mantle clock. It was a little after nine. “There’s not much point in lighting the fire this late.”

“No, I agree.” Mark put his arm around me.

“Feeling okay?” I asked.

“Very.” He yawned.

“Are the pills making you tired?”

He yawned again. “Yeah. It was difficult to sleep on the ward.”

“I know. Do you want to take a bath or something?”

“I think I’d better, I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to stay awake.”

We headed upstairs into the bedroom.

“Back in a minute, I’ll start running the bath.”

“Thanks.”

On my return, I said, “Right then, we better get these things off you.”

“You remember the doctor said to put plastic bags on my hands and tie them shut with tape?”

“Oh, yeah, sorry.” I ran downstairs, got a couple of large freezer bags and some bandage tape and began to climb the stairs again. I first went into the bathroom and turned off the bath taps, then back into the bedroom.

“Okie-dokie, I’ve got the stuff.”

I found Mark sitting on the bed, hugging my teddy. “I see you two have made friends.”

“What’s his name?”

“Humphrey.”

“Aw, that’s a good name.”

“We’ve been together a while now,” I said, smiling at the pair of them. “The bath is ready if you are.”

Mark put Humphrey aside.

As I undressed Mark, I saw the bruising which had been mentioned on his chart. “How come you got these bruises, I thought you weren’t in the room when the explosion happened?”

He fell silent for a time. “A couple of my customers got a bit nasty when I wouldn’t do stuff I didn’t like doing.”

I put my arms around him and gave him a gentle squeeze. Then I cupped his face. Looking into his eyes, I said, “That’s all over with now. No one, and I mean no one, will ever hurt you again if I have anything to do with it.” I kissed him on the lips.

He returned the hug. “Thanks, Simon. You don’t know what that means to me.”

It was certainly interesting bathing Mark. I’d never been so intimate with another adult male before. I had no small difficulty in trying not to get an erection. Mark’s penis was just perfect. Resolutely turning my attention away from between his legs, I focussed on his chest instead. That didn’t help all that much. Although not overly developed, Mark’s chest was broad, smooth and
…

“I’ve got some witch hazel in the cabinet. It’ll help heal these bruises.”

“Thanks, they do get a bit sore sometimes.”

Back in the bedroom after drying Mark, I asked, “What do you normally wear to bed?”

“Underpants normally.”

I got out a pair that was in a small package that had come home with him from the hospital.

“Are these the only clothes you own?”

“Yeah.” He looked at the floor. “Sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry about. We’ll go shopping in the next couple of days and get you some more stuff.”

Mark started to say something, but I put up my hand to stop him.

“I’m paying. One day, when you’ve started earning, and you’ve built up a bit of capital, you can pay me back if you must, but I promise I’m not in any hurry.”

“You’re a good man, I don’t know what I did to deserve your help, but I’m so glad you’re here.”

“I’m glad to be able to help.” I gave him a hug.

He sat on the bed and I put the underpants on him.

“Now get into bed. I’m going to take a bath myself, and then I’ll be back in. Is there anything you need in the meantime?”

“No thanks, but if you could bring in another glass of water and a straw when you’ve had your bath? I might need a drink in the night.”

“No problem.”

I pulled the quilt up to his chin then kissed his forehead. “Back soon.”

I don’t know why, but I seem to do most of my thinking while lying in the bath. A bit like Archimedes, I guess. Though I make no claims to be as intelligent as he was. I allowed the hot water to soothe me as I reviewed the day’s events, and what a day it had been. First I’d had the worry about not seeing Mark for a few days, then I’d been told he’d been hurt, but hadn’t known the details. Then I’d found him, and the relief that he would get well again had been tremendous. I’d learned he would need a lot of TLC, which I was determined to provide. Then I thought about washing him here in this bath.

Oh, God, he’s so perfect.

I couldn’t believe how lucky I was that I’d been given the chance to care for him in such a personal way, and I’d be able to do so for the next few weeks, too.

Lathering up the sponge, I washed my arms.

I desperately hoped the close relationship with Mark wouldn’t end when he got well again. I was pretty sure he wouldn’t go back on the streets. From what little he’d told me, it wasn’t pleasant. I hoped once he found a job, he wouldn’t want to move out. How would I persuade him to stay? I was certain I couldn’t tell him of my feelings. As Mark hadn’t said how he felt about me…romantically, he might feel trapped, or obligated to love me if I said anything. That would be horrible.

I scrubbed at my thin chest, then rinsed.

I wanted, no, needed his love, but it would have to come from his heart, not out of a sense of obligation. No, I couldn’t tell him how I felt. But by God I could and would show him! Actions speak louder than words.

I’d have to be careful to give Mark his space, not smother him. I would be there for him, to help him, to support him. I would demonstrate my love for him in any way I could. This—I realised—was probably the best chance I’d ever get in life to be loved. Mark wouldn’t just be judging my book by its cover. Hopefully he was seeing the kind of person I really was inside.

I got out of the bath and dried myself, then brushed my teeth. I’d forgotten to brush Mark’s. I’d tell him when I got into the bedroom. I’d worried at the hospital that I only had the one bedroom. I didn’t confess this to the staff, but Mark and I had been left alone for a few moments during the discharge process, and I’d asked Mark if he would object to sharing a bed with me. I’d said it wouldn’t bother me, but if he felt more comfortable, I’d go out and get a camp bed, and we’d take turns using it.

He’d told me I worried too much. “Of course I don’t mind sharing. It’d be nice to sleep in a bed with someone who really cared about me.”

So that little problem had been solved.

I walked out of the bathroom and, remembering Mark’s request for water, went downstairs. Coming back upstairs, I went into the bedroom to remind him about brushing his teeth. Fortunately I’d recently bought a new toothbrush that was still in its package. However, when I entered the bedroom I saw he’d already fallen asleep. He looked so peaceful, lying there on his left side. All the horrors which he must have faced recently were forgotten for a brief time. No, I wouldn’t wake him. He needed his rest.

I got into bed behind him and spooned up against him. I put my right arm between his chest and his right arm. I’d never been fortunate enough before to sleep with another man. I hadn’t expected I’d ever be given such a privilege. I wondered if I’d be too keyed up to sleep. But I needn’t have worried. I soon drifted off into the best night’s sleep I’d had in ages.

Chapter 5

Saturday morning dawned bright, but cold. We both got out of bed and started our morning routines.

“Do you need the toilet?” I asked.

“Yeah,” he grinned. “I need to do a number two.”

I laughed.

“Okay then, to the bathroom with you.”

When we got there, I pulled down Mark’s underpants. I tried not to look at what was revealed, but couldn’t help myself. Mark sat.

“Do you want me to leave the room while you do your business? I know some guys are shy about stuff like this.”

“No, it’s okay, it’s just a bit embarrassing.”

“Sorry.” I touched his shoulder. “Try not to let it bother you. I know it’s odd, but it’ll be okay.”

After Mark had moved his bowels, I asked him to lean foreword a bit so I could gain access to his rear, and do the necessary cleaning up.

“You know this isn’t the first bum I’ve had to wipe.”

“Oh?”

“I was in hospital a few years ago with a burst appendix. They didn’t have any beds free in the main ward, so I had to stay in the children’s ward. There was a cute little five-year-old boy in for a busted elbow or something. His parents hadn’t taught him what to do after using the toilet, so he would shout, ‘I’VE DONE! I’VE DONE!’ from the cubicle. Nine times out of ten there wasn’t a nurse within hearing range, so muggins here, who had the bed nearest the bathroom, had to go in and wipe it for him.”

Mark smiled. I asked him to stand and I pulled up his underpants.

“And besides, your bum is a lot cuter than his.” I patted said bum.

Mark laughed, which pleased me. I’d managed to make light of what could have been a potentially awkward situation.

After I’d washed Mark and brushed his teeth, he sat back on the closed lid of the toilet while I did the same for myself.

* * * *

I was glad to hear that Mark was hungry, so I decided to cook a full English breakfast. I poured some fresh orange juice into a glass with the now customary straws and put a large plateful of fried food on the table between us. We used the same feeding routine as the previous evening, and although eating took longer than if Mark could have fed himself, we did okay.

We had a fair bit to do that morning, so I got ourselves ready to go out. Mark said he’d better use the toilet again before we left, so we trooped upstairs to take care of it. I didn’t think I’d ever get tired of handling his equipment.

After that task was accomplished I made Mark sit on the closed toilet lid while I brushed his hair. Mark’s black hair was fine, soft, and naturally curly. I took a little longer than was strictly necessary. I don’t think Mark minded.

Once I’d finished I gave him a quick kiss on the forehead. “There, you’re done.”

“Thanks.” He smiled up at me.

“To stop you feeling as though you’re just tagging along, I’m going to make you wear my rucksack. You might as well be of use while I’ve got you.” I grinned to let him know I was kidding.

He chuckled.

We descended the stairs. I put on our coats, got out the bag for Mark and fitted it on his back, making sure the straps weren’t too tight.

After closing and locking the door, we walked towards the town centre. I explained what I thought was the best plan of attack.

“I’ll need to go into the library and arrange some time off.”

“Sorry I’m being such a burden.”

I shook my head. “I’ve plenty of leave owing and I’ve got to use it up by the end of April, otherwise I’ll lose it. I didn’t take a holiday this summer so I think I’ve got almost three weeks saved up.” I didn’t tell Mark the reason I didn’t take a holiday was because I hated having to go alone. “So if I take two weeks worth of leave, plus the bank holidays, you should be well on your way to being able to potter around the house by yourself by the time I’ll have to go back. If you’re not, I can always use the rest of the leave, or you could come into the library for half a day or so. I’m sure I’d be able to find you something to do.”

“You’re being very kind.”

“Rubbish, it really is nice having someone around the place.” I didn’t add that I hated being alone at Christmas. I guess I could have gone down to Birmingham to see my parents, but they often worked through some of the holiday, and it really wasn’t worth the hassle with the trains.

“After the library, I thought we’d go down to the DHSS and get some forms, so you could start getting unemployment benefit.”