Peter took a long, hot shower, just enjoying the feeling of having time for such a luxury. In LA, even taking time to clean himself was added stress and he wondered how he let things get to where they were.Â
He wasnât a particularly talented medical professional. He was good with people, though, and it seemed that was just as important at times. He wanted to help people, take care of them, but it was beginning to become too much. Between school and work and his other activities, he was drowning. He didnât feel like himself anymore and he knew those around him had noticed. Andrew called him out on it on a nearly daily basis.Â
But what could he do? He was in this. He knew running away wasnât the best idea, but it was at least an idea. At the risk of losing himself if he stayed, it only seemed right.Â
He stepped out of the shower after about thirty minutes and tugged on one of Andrewâs sweaters, sorting through his own luggage until he found sweatpants, and then he returned downstairs.Â
The sight of Andrew hard at work chopping peppers with his mother made his heart ache with fondness and he stayed out of view for a moment. His boyfriend and his mother had always gotten on; sheâd had no problems stepping into that role in his life and he knew Andrew was grateful for her. He had always been family. He always would be.
Finally, he stepped into the aromatic room and hugged Andrew from behind, resting his cheek against his solid back and shutting his eyes. He didnât say anything, just allowed them to continue their conversation and their chopping.
It was always nice to spend time with Mrs. Devaux in moments like these he sometimes wondered if it would have been the same thing if his mom were still alive. Would she have taught him to cook? Maybe then he wouldnât be so helpless in the kitchen.
Before his mind could actually fully wander towards those unwelcome thoughts, he felt a pair of arms wrap around his middle and Andrew welcomed Peterâs warm heat against his back. âThere you are. I thought you might have fallen asleep in the shower from how long you were gone.âÂ
Despite the teasing tone in his voice, Andrew is actually glad that Peter had taken the time to take care of himself. With how hard he worked, a long hot shower had probably done wonders for him. He would gladly take spending time with Angelique so that Peter could do it more often. Not that spending time with her was unenjoyable.Â
âI was just telling your mom about how youâre too kind for your own good,â he says as he finishes with the last of the peppers and sets the knife down on the cutting board. He looks around as if some random vegetable is going to jump out at him needing to be cut.Â