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"Joseph!"
Joe heard his name distinctly out of the large crowd in front of him. The airport was packed with people since travel restrictions opened up, but Christian stood out despite his dark clothes and masked face. He walked out from the crowd toward Joe and gave him a tight hug.
"I missed you!"
"Heh… so did I. It's great to see you again." He had Christian's head against his chest and ruffled his fingers through long, dark tresses. Christian was only tall enough to tilt his head up and kiss Joe on the neck. They were so captivated by each other's presence that they didn't notice the turned heads and dirty looks coming from some passersby. They couldn't care less, though.
"Do you need help carrying your stuff?"
"Well…" Joe tried to place a heavy cloth bag on the floor when Christian grabbed the handles and hoisted it up.
"Oh, thank you! You're the best."
"Let's go."
Christian took his boyfriend's hand and they headed out the nearest door to the car, where Joe loaded his belongings into the trunk. During the two-hour long drive to Christian's home, Joe felt the effects of jet lag setting in. He hadn't slept in over 24 hours and the long flight left him with little opportunity to rest. As he began to nod off, they arrived at their destination.
"Hey. We're home. I can take your stuff in."
"Mmm, thank you…"
Christian took out the suitcases and bags from the car and Joe helped to carry them inside. After the tedious task was done, Joe laid down on the couch in the living room. Christian joined him and laid his head on his boyfriend's chest.
"Welcome home. Well, to my home. But you know."
"It feels good to be back with you. It's not the same talking over the phone, I just wanted to feel you again. Like this." Joe kissed Christian on the forehead.
“Thanks for coming here. I was really starting to miss you. I felt depressed over the past few days because it’s just me in this house. My family is so busy and I haven’t gotten in touch with your brother.”
“He’s still in France?”
“Yeah, last time I heard from him he was staying in Bayonne.”
“Oh. Well, he went silent since everything shut down. I didn’t know he went home. I was so stressed and busy in New York that I missed out on everything.”
“Don’t be stressed any longer. You’re safe with me.” Christian’s face softened. His head was tilted and innocent eyes gazed at his beloved.
“Are you hungry?”
“Yeah. I don’t remember the last time I ate.”
“Good, because I prepared something special for you!”
Christian got up and disappeared into the kitchen. He came out a few minutes later with a platter of cookies and two cups of tea.
“I made these just for you.”
Before Christian set the platter and teacups down, Joe picked up a cookie and took a bite.
It was simple, yet delicious. The cookie had hints of almond and vanilla embedded in its crunchy texture and only tasted better once he sipped his hot tea. The tea left hints of mint and agave on his tongue.
"I found the recipe in an old book I had. I made them just the way you like." Christian took a sip of his own tea, which had barely cooled off.
"They're divine. I love them." Joe smiled. This was the first time he had been able to rest, and the excellent treatment he received made him realize that he was dating the perfect man.
"This is what I missed the most. Having you, right here, in front of me. I feel good doing these things for you."
"And I'm so happy to have someone who can treat me like this. Thank you, Christian. It feels good to be home. Home, at last."
The two men gazed at each other and before they knew it, their foreheads touched and their lips united. As Joe felt Christian's plush lips against his own, he acknowledged that even in tumultuous times, everything would work itself out.
They let go and finished their cups of tea. "Maybe we can share my bed tonight." Christian proposed. "It feels warmer with you next to me."
Joe liked where this was going. "That would be great. And in the morning, we can wake up and make love like we used to."
"Exactly." They brought each other into a deeper kiss once more. Joe hummed as he tasted the cookies and tea on Christian's tongue, and Christian laced his fingers through his lover's dark curls. Even as they pulled away, they still held each other close.
"It's getting late now, isn't it?" Joe yawned as fatigue settled in his body.
"I'll clean and take your bags up for you. Get some rest."
"Thank you again, Christian." Joe stood up and made his way upstairs. Christian took the empty cups and platter to the kitchen and cleaned up before carrying his boyfriend's luggage to the master bedroom.
Perhaps he won't be as lonely as he used to be.