Chapter 5 - The Final Chapter!
***Nick's Point of View***
I can't believe Justin and I are coming up on our first year of dating. It truly feels like yesterday we were just becoming friends.
We spend almost every day together, he stays at my place basically every weekend. I am ready to live with him full time, I just don't want to make him rush into anything. I also know how big of a deal it was for him to buy his own apartment, and I don't want him to give that up, unless he really wants to. I think it'd actually be a good financial decision for him to rent it out.
I told him I'd take care of our anniversary dinner. A romantic evening in. It may be a Thursday, but we're gonna pretend like it's the weekend. Yeah we have work tomorrow, but nothing that's major.
I already sent flowers to his apartment this morning, and more at his office, and I also bought a bouquet for him to be in my place.
After work, we came home together. "I'm banishing you to the bedroom, you can take a relaxing bath while I get dinner ready for us."
He gave me his big puppy dog eyes. "Why don't you join me in the bath? I think dinner is overrated." He pulled on my arm, trying to move me towards the stairs.
"Dinner is not overrated, it gives us the energy to do the after dinner activities I know you like so much." I said with a giggle. "How about you just sit in the kitchen and chill with me, we'll take a bath together after dinner?" He grinned in agreement.
Walking to the kitchen, he noticed the third bouquet of matching flowers I've gotten for him. "Nick..." damn, I love hearing him say my name. "Thank you for all the flowers."
"I love you." I reminded him, not that he's forgotten.
"I love you, too. Now, let me help!" He begged as I started getting the ingredients out.
"Alright alright, why don't you peel the potatoes? And then you can cut up some parsley."
"Yes, chef."
After about a half an hour, our meal is ready. Thankfully, I laid the dining room table last night with the fanciest stuff I have so all I have to do is light the candles and bring in our plates.
The table, over 30 feet long, means there's plenty of space for us to spread out. I instead made sure to cuddle us up on one end. If I had my way I'd have him sit on my lap, but I figured some personal space (for now) would be appreciated.
After dinner, I cleared while Justin ran upstairs to draw our bath. I excitedly ascended the stairs, eager to get to my boy. Upon the second floor landing, I found the most peculiar thing.
A small, hand-sized Nerf gun, a bag with a bunch of styrofoam bullets, and a note in Justin's neat handwriting that reads:
I figured a hot bath is only truly enjoyable after a workout. First floor only. First to get hit 3 times loses. Winner gets a massage in the tub.
God, I love this man. I grabbed the bag, loaded the toy gun, and carefully made my way back down the staircase. I think he'd be kind enough to let me get down the stairs, but I can't trust him in this war.
I decided he's probably on the opposite side of the apartment, as not to risk me seeing him coming from the kitchen.
I carefully peek in the living room, nothing. Gun at the ready, I maneuver in, slowly walking to make as little sound as possible. Reaching the other end of the living room, I see a bullet fly right by me. "Shit." I call out instinctively while retreating. "That was a close one, babe. But missed me." I call out. I move to the opposite wall to gain a better perspective. Justin comes flying out and hits me square in the stomach, then runs back out.
I follow him, knowing I have a short time frame before he reloads, giving me the upper hand. By the time I reach the doorway, he's already turning out of the next room back towards the foyer.
I move forward, heading towards the family room. From there I maneuver around the kitchen islands, bending my knees to hide behind them, waiting for him to make his way to me.
Sure enough, a minute later, I hear footsteps near the butlers pantry. While grabbing another bullet to replace the one currently in the gun after I shoot, I peak around the corner of the island. Perfect. Right where I want him. I hold out my gun and shoot, hitting him right in the leg. "HA!" I laugh, refilling my gun.
I hear him move to the other island, so I crawl around mine, then make a break for the dining room.
I decide to hide under the table, the dark wood of the table and chairs should hide me well. I sit and wait, and wait. Dang, this boy is probably doing the same thing, waiting me out. Fuck it, I slide my way back out from under the table. I feel the slightest pain in my back, I'm getting too old for this shit, I laugh.
Looking up, I see Justin grinning at me, his gun pointed right at me. And that's two for me. Even so, he isn't fast enough to avoid my shot, getting him right in the butt as he makes an exit towards the study.
"That's two-two, now, baby." I call out as calmly yet condescendingly as I can. Gotta try to scare him a little.
I feel a surge of energy, ready to get him one last time then get that massage. Adding a new bullet to the gun, I follow him into the study, stopping at the doorway and looking left, then right. Which way did he go?
Just then, I hear the sound of a piano. The cheeky bastard is brazen enough to play the piano. But what is this song? It's beautiful, but really sad. Justin knows how much I love sad music. It must be a trap, possibly a recording.
I make my way to the living room doorway, carefully making sure he's not about to ambush me. He's sitting there, all his focus on the keys as he perfectly plays. I notice the sparkle around his neck. It's the necklace, he just put it on. What the heck, how's he do all this in under a minute?
"What are you playing?" I ask, moving to the piano.
"I wrote it. For you." He looks up into my eyes, sending chills down my entire body.
"What?" I mutter, looking back down at his fingers.
"I know how much you love sad music, so I wrote you a sad song." I watch and listen as he plays through the song. When he finishes, he moves his hands to his lap. "Do you like it?" I see the nervousness in his eyes.
My eyes remain locked on his, I'm completely stunned by him and his kind gesture. I take my Nerf gun and point it at my own chest, pulling the trigger. "Oh, Justin." I move to sit next to him. "I absolutely love it. I can't believe you wrote me a song." I say so softly I'm not sure it even came out at all.
"I was gonna use it to trick you in here, then finish you off. But it seems you did that for me, so thanks." I watched his lips curl, and listen to the sweet sound of his giggle.
"Master manipulator." I kissed his temple. "Thank you for that song. I hope you realize I'm gonna make you play it for me 24/7."
"I'll take it back!" He exclaimed, his eyes have a playful panic in them.
"Speaking of 24/7..." I started. "I've been thinking, hoping... well I know how much your apartment means to you, but what are your thoughts on moving in together?" I ask, grabbing hold of his right hand.
"From a financial point of view, it's a good market to rent right now, so it'd be a good move for me to rent my apartment... if you're not mad that I keep it?"