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“When I found him he was in a pretty bad situation. Even now, when he is as healthy as he can be, he is still slim and small because the years when his father used starvation as a punishment had stunted his growth.”

“I’m sorry that happened to him,” I said as my heart clenched for the blond who seemed to always wear a smile. “But I’m glad Theo had found the two of you.”

“Well, I did what I could but it was Tristan who had saved him…” Matthias blushed.

“But you continue to do what you can, don’t you?”

“I try,” he shrugged but I saw him smile before he crunched down to stuff some of the cans into a cupboard.

It seemed Tristan was quite skilled at this saving business… maybe there was a chance for this to end without tears after all.

“Are we going to cook?” I asked, poking his side.

“Yes? I mean, I can do it. You can just sit pretty and enjoy your well-earned rest!” Matthias backpedaled.

“I think I would rather cook with you. Unless you are one of those people who start hissing at others after they claim the kitchen as their territory?” I asked with amusement.

The big man opened a cutlery drawer and took out a spatula just to point it threateningly at me.

“Follow my orders and I won’t have to be.”

“Alright, alright!” I laughed. “Tell me what to do, chef.”

Surprisingly, we quickly found the rhythm to working together. When we brushed against each other in the close confines of the kitchen it felt almost like a dance.

And then, it became a literal dance when I felt comfortable enough to ask Matthias to play music on his phone. A playlist full of pop songs was just what I needed.

The kitchen filled with mirth and laughter as we created dishes for the next week. At one point Matthias presented his hand with a grin and when I took it he twirled me around as if I wore a beautiful flowing dress and not sensible jeans and a worn t-shirt I changed into. I could almost taste the feeling of dancing with him like this under the open sky, with the wind in my hair and sunlight on my skin.

When the lunches were done and packed into the fridge we enjoyed a treat of fresh raspberries. I had a feeling Matthias liked how my lips looked when they were reddened with the fruit juices. He certainly had trouble looking away from them.

The rest of the evening was quiet and pleasant. When it was time for bed Matthias took the first turn in the bathroom, changing into a set of fresh night clothes he grabbed from his room while he ran his errand. When it was my turn I finished my evening ablutions quickly only to freeze at the foot of the bed in my pajamas.

“You bought me food but didn’t think about buying yourself an air mattress?! Or a blanket?” I looked at Matthias with disbelief.

“It wasn’t a priority,” Matthias shrugged. “You were.”

I groaned and wordlessly screamed into my hands. This man was infuriating. How dare he put my comfort over his own? It made me feel thankful, warm, and guilty. Maybe I should offer…?

“What… what if I let you sleep in my bed… sleep! Only sleep!”

The burly man tilted his head, his expression serious.

“I would welcome it. If it would make you feel more comfortable I can just curl up at your feet.”

“Like a dog?!” I blurted out.

“That’s what I am for tonight, aren’t I? A guard dog.”

“You are more than that!” I protested. “Besides, Dad always said I shouldn’t allow dogs on the furniture…”

“The guy who got you in this mess with his debts?”

“Right. Yeah. Fuck that guy,” I sighed, making a decision on the fly. “Come on, we can both fit on the bed. And no ‘at your feet’ business! That doesn’t sound like it would be comfortable for either of us. You are massive.”

“Thanks, I have worked hard for this body,” Matthias winked, showing off his ridiculously steely bicep.

To be honest, my bed was too small to completely avoid contact but the big guy gave me as much space as possible and kept his hands to himself. Without my customary cat nap during the day my exhaustion finally caught up to me and I let myself drift into sleep, actively choosing to believe the wall of muscle behind me was there to protect me and not to hurt me at my most vulnerable.