Chapter Text
The soft pitter-patter of the shower raining down on them had been soothing. With the utmost gentleness, Remer had held Coop in his arms, hands running up and down his back. Without exchanging a single word, they understood. What had happened between them had been so much more meaningful than either of them could express in words. That can of worms had been opened, and neither had the power to close it again.
Coop stood up on the tips of his toes, his arms wrapped around Remer’s neck, forehead to forehead, nose to nose. Coop’s heart skipped a beat at the intimacy of it all. The lust from moments ago dissipated, leaving behind genuine affection that felt both familiar and foreign to them both.
Remer kissed him, on the forehead, on his cheeks, his nose, his lips. He wiped the wet strands of hair from Coop’s face, nose running along his jawline, pressing kisses down his neck and to his shoulder. Gentle, ever so gentle, he ran his hands up again, framing Coop’s face between his hands. Neither of them had said anything since leaving their dressing room and stepping into the shower. Coop was almost afraid to speak, as if it would somehow break whatever spell had been cast.
For a moment, neither of them had a witty remark, a fun insult, a slightly immature joke or anything akin. For a moment, it was just them, just the two of them and the sound of the water droplets falling down on the white, marble shower tiles.
It was Remer who spoke first, a gentle whisper that could have gone lost in the sound of the shower had Coop not been close enough to hear. “Turn around, I’ll wash your hair for you.”
Remer grabbed the shampoo bottle, squeezing a tiny bit in his hands and lathering Coop’s hair. Gently, he massaged the soap into his scalp, taking slightly longer than he had to.
Sighing softly, Coop let his eyes fall shut, quietly surrendering himself completely to Remer. His heart felt as though it would burst. Never once had he felt so loved. He thought it strange that such a simple and mundane act could make him feel this way, but he could not help himself. He loved Remer, had done so for years on end, and this conclusion felt freeing yet terrifying. He couldn’t fathom a life without Remer, he couldn’t fathom not being with him. Was he risking all those years of friendship by pushing the boundaries of their relationship? Was he risking Remer?
As Remer rinsed the soap from his hair, Coop’s thoughts abated. He leaned back into Remer’s embrace, turning his head towards him to kiss him.
Remer turned Coop around to face him and kissed him, slowly and sweetly. He parted his lips slightly, sighing softly as he savoured Coop’s kiss. Coop’s heart had been beating so loudly, he could hear it as he held him close.
He would stand here forever, if given the chance.
Remer wasn’t sure how long had passed when the water began to cool down. Eventually, when Coop began to shiver, he turned the water off. He grabbed their robes, warmly wrapping Coop in his before pulling on his own. Coop smiled contently, whispering a thank-you and kissing him on the cheek before padding over to the dressing room.
Once dressed, the two stepped outside into the night. The party had still been going on, no one had noticed their departure, not to either of their knowledge at least. Remer shivered against the cold. He rubbed his hands over his arms to warm them, but to no avail. “C’mere,” Coop said softly as he took off his leather jacket and draped it over Remer’s shoulders. He grabbed the lapels of his coat and kissed him, unbothered by who might see. “Let’s take a cab.”
The cab driver had been a chatty one, asking all kinds of questions, to which Coop responded as politely as he could muster. As inconspicuously as he could, Remer slid his hand towards Coop’s, intertwining their pinkies. Coop looked to his side and winked at Remer, holding his gaze with an enamoured smile.
Remer blushed and nodded his head to the cab driver, he tilted his head questioningly.
Coop shrugged, and raised eyebrows to return the question.
Remer smiled and shrugged too, taking Coop’s hand fully into his own and pressing a kiss to its palm.
Scooting as close as his seatbelt allowed, Coop rested his head on Remer's shoulder.
If the cab driver had been giving them looks from the rearview window, neither of them had noticed. Though his questions had finally ceased as neither of them had paid him any heed. They had been far too busy whispering to one another and giggling like two teenagers.
It was late when they arrived home, just after four in the morning. They walked towards their rooms, halting as they each stood in front of their own one.
“We haven’t discussed this,” Remer said, “Do you want to sleep alone?”
“No,” Coop said at once, “Do you?”
“Nah.”
“Come here, then.”
Remer padded over to Coop’s room, kissing him on the mouth before entering his room.
Hopping into bed, Coop wrapped his arms around Remer, clinging onto him like a little monkey.
Remer giggled, cuddling Coop and tugging the blankets up to their chins. Under the blankets, he took Coop’s hand, fingers tangled together. “You look so cosy,” he whispered. Coop merely smiled and squeezed Remer’s hand. His eyes had fallen shut already and as Remer pulled him closer, he drifted into a peaceful slumber.