Chapter Thirty-Three

                                    

                                          
“Happy Birthday Chris,” Jonny breathlessly said as he sat on the floor and rested his head on Chris’ thigh.
                          
The now 28-year-old man readjusted his shorts, and smiled down at his boyfriend. “Thanks, babe,” he panted, running his thumb on Jonny’s face. “Come up here.”
                          
Jonny got up and planked down on the sofa next to the singer. Chris gazed at him, still amazed at Jonny’s bold move. He’d been so focused on his book he had not noticed when the clock marked the beginning of his birthday. In fact, he only realised it was already the 2nd when Jonny dropped his own book and said “I’ve got something for the birthday boy,” in a naughty tone and then got to work on his sexy surprise.
                          
“You sassy Jonny Boy, you,” he told him with a laugh and leaned down to plant a kiss on his boyfriend’s still rosy lips. The guitarist looked quite proud of what he had done, and Chris thought he had all the right to be, it had been fucking amazing!
                          
“I have another surprise for you,” Jonny said.
                          
“Oh, really?” Chris slyly asked.
                          
“Not that kind of surprise!”
                          
“Oh,” Chris complained.
                          
“Well, you’ll have that…. but later. Now I have to take you somewhere,” Jonny said sitting down straight.
                          
“Right now?” he laughed. It was past midnight and they had to go to the studio the following day.
                          
“Yep.”
                          
“Are you telling me where?”
                          
The younger man reached into his jeans pocket and held a set of keys in front of him, “Does this give you a hint?” Jon said.
                          
Chris chuckled, “Are you taking me to our house?”
                          
“Mhm,” Jon nodded.
                          
“Why?”
                          
“Let’s go, come on! You’ll see when we get there,” he insisted.
                          
“Fine. Let me change into something warmer.”
                          
“Yeah, I need to change too,” Jonny said and they got up. “And wash my hands,” he added with a smirk making him chuckle.
                          
Jon headed to the bathroom and Chris went to the bedroom to get some jumper and shoes. He wondered what Jonny’s surprise was and why it was at the house and not here.
                          
They were both currently living at Chris’ flat and there were boxes with their things everywhere. They had purchased the house in December, but it wasn’t until late January that the paperwork was ready and the construction team could start working on it. Since Jonny had decided he would rent his flat, it needed to be done as soon as possible before embarking on the new tour, so he had had to empty it to make room for the tenants. Therefore, most of his things were in storage until they could move to their house. As Chris’ letting contract was still valid until they went on tour at the end of April, it made sense for Jonny to move in with Chris. These weeks had served as practice for what was to come. They had been basically living together anyways before that.
                          
Chris opened a drawer and immediately closed it. He had forgotten he had given this one to Jonny while they were here. He opened the other one, took his grey hoodie and went back to the living room, putting it on.
                          
“I’m ready Jay!”
                          
Jonny was waiting for him near the door, he looked absolutely beautiful. There was no one in the world Chris felt more comfortable with. Even during these last crazy months, when the stress to reach a deadline to hand in their last album was at its highest; when they received pressure from everyone, from the record company, the ghostly figures of the “shareholders” always looming around, the producers and even from themselves; Jonny would be the one he would find refuge in. Even when they got to the flat only to continue playing and writing, Jonny would give him peace and Chris felt he was also an escape to him.