Boots in a Flowerbed

24. Plans

A large sheet of paper, spread on a low table, has captured Kim's entire attention. He's standing next to the table, leaning on it with both elbows, frowning as he studies it closely. He's completely unaware of the enticing sight he makes, but Chaim arches an appreciative eyebrow as he steps into the room, Dalen in his wake.

"What's that?"

Of course Kim has heard Chaim come, but he's not really paid attention before a hand caresses his backside through close-fitting trousers and the man leans closer to peek over his shoulder.

"A map... So you're back from town!" They kiss, slow and sloppy, and Kim pulls back to pout. "Where've you been? You've drunk something sweet."

"Liqueur-filled truffles," Chaim corrects. "With tea, over business. What map? Are you going somewhere?"

He takes off his jacket and tosses it over the back of an armchair, but its sleeve just brushes against the seat and then Dalen has already caught it. Kim turns to pick the map up.

"We're planning a field trip," he explains. "My class, that is."

"Where to?" Chaim is immediately worried, Kim can hear it, and he hugs the man close. Oh, it's not as if he could get enough of this, either. He's an ardent cuddler; they both are.

"Only for a couple of days," Kim reassures him. "The most popular suggestion so far is a visit to the botanical gardens and arboretum in Shyonorr. That's on the Fushnet road, and I wanted to see where exactly it is."

"It's quite some way." Chaim sighs. "You won't make it in two days."

"We'll probably drive there on a Thursday, get up really early to see the gardens, and then drive back on Friday evening." Kim begins to open Chaim's loose bowtie.

"You still won't have enough time to see the place properly," Chaim insists and smiles to Dalen over Kim's head. The valet smiles back and disappears with his master's cloak and jacket. Both servants love Kim, for himself and for what his presence has done to Chaim. "It's a long drive, and you'll be going in a big carriage - or probably two. Those are slow."

"But we can't really make the trip much longer," Kim argues. "It costs money, and there are many people who don't have too much of it. Of course we all agree that it'd be great to have more time, but at least we'll be coming back on Friday night, so it -"

"You could go to Fern Valley for the night."

"- doesn't matter even if we come back late, since we only have half a day on Saturday and that's easy to... Fern Valley?" At last the words penetrate, Kim pulls back enough to look at Chaim. "What do you mean?"

"You could stay the night at Fern Valley," Chaim repeats and backs towards a sofa, pulling Kim along. The sink into it together, in a tangle of arms and legs, laughing. Kim's hands find their way inside Chaim's shirt, to feel the warmth of bare skin. How quickly he's grown to love this all, the touches, the closeness. He can't get enough of it. Even now, when they are basically just talking.

"Stay the night?"

"That's what I said, silly!" Chaim laughs. "It's on the Fushnet road as well, and a much shorter way from Shyonorr. Go there on Friday, stay the night, drive the rest of the way on Saturday. You could see the gardens, too, if you think they'd be interested."

"If? If? Chaim, it's the most gorgeous private estate there is, everybody would give their right arm and leg to see it! But would you really let us go there? And stay the night?"

"Oh, there's room enough!" Chaim waves a hand. "Yes, drive there on Friday, have dinner, sleep properly, spend Saturday in the gardens, have lunch, then drive home. It's all yours if you think it's a good idea."

"Chaim," Kim says cautiously. "We're sixteen people, including the teacher, plus the drivers and their horses. Are you really offering the place and all those meals - for free?"

Chaim looks at him, eyes wide. "What else? Surely you don't suggest that they should pay for it?"

"You're incredible," Kim sighs. "Totally incredible."

"Better just believe." Chaim smiles and kisses him. "The servants will be happy to have something to do for a change, instead of only looking after an empty house."

"Nobody's going to believe me," Kim says shaking his head. "They simply will not believe that this is for real."

"I'll write you an invitation," Chaim offers. "On my special paper, with my seal. Will that help?"

"Mmmh." Kim's lips have found their way to Chaim's nipples, and the man squirms. "I think it will."

"You just tell them that your crazy millionaire lover can't deny you anything." Chaim gasps a little and pulls Kim closer. "It's even true."

"It was your idea, crazy millionaire!" Kim snuggles into Chaim's arms, then glances guiltily over his shoulder as he hears a quiet clank. "Chaim... not here... Dalen's setting the table in the fawn room!"

"Blame yourself," Chaim mumbles, lips not moving from the bend of Kim's neck. "You started this." Nevertheless he lets Kim wiggle free and just sighs regretfully as the dark young man sits in his lap and begins to button his shirt once more with a mock-prim pout. Kim completes his task, then kisses Chaim on the nose and grins, but his cheeks are a little more pink than usual.

Chaim knows it; Kim is shy, he's private, and there's nothing wrong with it. Kim might occasionally get carried away but he's quick to recover, and Chaim loves him for it. He loves Kim for everything Kim is and does.

Kim looks into those dark brown eyes and sighs. He's only beginning to understand the hold he now has over his blonde lover.