Randy finished tying the laces of his sneakers and stood up slowly. Chewing at his lower lip in preparation for the pain, he rotated his left shoulder with exaggerated care.

He was surprised...and pleased... to discover that the sharp stab of discomfort he had been expecting, had now downgraded itself to nothing more than a slight ache. A sigh of relief escaped his lips as he reached for his T-shirt.

He pulled it over his head and turned to look back the bed.

Their bed.

Chris was still asleep. Stray golden hairs fell across what little Randy could see of his face. He was lying on his side with the sheets nearly pulled over his head.

Randy loved watching him sleep. Mostly because it was the only time he wouldn't get yelled at for staring. But also because he could say the words out loud that he usually kept to himself when Chris was awake.

Taking a step closer to the bed he continued to wonder at his sleeping partner. A smile tugged at his lips as he reached down to gently brush his fingers along the smooth cotton that covered Chris' leg.

"All mine," he whispered.

Then he turned back to the mirror to take one last quick glance. Rubbing his hand across his stubbled scalp, he frowned. The buzz cut had been a spur of themoment decision. Done mostly because it was a no frills look and easy to maintain when he was reduced to working with only one arm.

But now he found himself anxious to see it grow back. A sure sign that he was closer to getting back his real life again.

"Hey."

The sound of that voice, sexy as hell with early morning raspiness made him swing back around.

"Hey yourself," he replied. "What are you doing up?"

Chris rolled to his back as he rubbed his eyes.

"What time is it?

"It's nearly ten," Randy told him.

Chris tried opening his eyes all the way. A half smile lighting up the sleep softened features of his face. "You going to rehab?"

"Yeah.....but I'll be back in about an hour."

Chris nodded. "Did you eat anything?"

"No," Randy responded just a touch impatiently. "I'm fine."

Chris pushed himself up to a sitting position.

"You're not fine," he countered. "You're thin...too thin."

Randy's smile faded. "You've been listening to Vince, huh?"

"No," Chris sighed. "I know you're worried about putting on weight since you can't work out. But you still have to feed yourself."

And it suddenly struck Randy that their roles were reversed. Normally he was the one who worried about things like that. He was constantly reminding Chris to slow down and not push himself so hard. The slight twinge of annoyance he had been feeling slowly dissipated.

"I know...you're right."

Chris reached out his hand and Randy quickly moved to the side of the bed to accept it.

"The chances of you getting fat are slim and none. Besides, You'll be able to get back on a light workout schedule soon… right?"

"Maybe next week," Randy replied hopefully.

Chris smiled again as he stretched slowly. "We'll have to think of a way to celebrate."

Randy could feel the warmth of his lover's hand spread throughout his body as the promise of his words rang in his ears. "I'm gonna hold you to that."

Reluctantly he released the hand and headed for the door.

"Hey...aren't you forgetting something?"

Without looking back, Randy could picture the look on Chris face. Head tilted suggestively, blonde hair tousled, lips pouting.

He walked back to where he had been standing and finally met the blue eyes trained up at him.

Chris gazed at him steadily. "You're gonna have to come down here stretch."

With a soft laugh, Randy sank to the edge of the bed and let Chris' arms slip around his waist. Without pause, lips pressed against his hungry mouth.

Randy's long fingers twined into the silky golden locks and he moaned as he felt a velvet tongue trace gently along his lips.

He edged his own tongue out and felt the arms wrapped around him tighten.

The mouth he was tasting was hot and sweet. His own body tingled with the first twinges of desire. Pushing slightly against the warm form that was so close to his, he tried to lay Chris back against the pillows.

The kiss was immediately broken, much to Randy's dismay.

"Not now," Chris said firmly...but lovingly. "You can't miss re-hab."

Randy stuck out his lower lip in defiance. "Not even once?" he asked with childlike innocence.

"Not even once," Chris echoed. "You know how important it is."

"Yeah...I know," Randy sighed with dejection.

He placed his hands on the mattress to push himself back to his feet when Chris stopped him.

"I'll be right here when you get back....I promise."

A hopeful light lit up Randy's soft gray eyes. "Right here?"

"I won't move a muscle," Chris replied with a sly grin.

Randy then got to his feet and moved quickly to the bedroom door. "Forget what I said about being back in an hour."

"Make it 45 minutes."