Chapter 21: Damn Frying Pan

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Kale woke up in a foreign bed. He was disoriented and not alone. The faint sound of giggles pulled him closer to lucidity. The body beside him pushing him back into the land of confusion. He opened his eyes and scanned his surroundings. The bay window next to the bed, the only light sorce. Moonlight cast dark shadows in the room. The body beside him turned and a heavy arm fell over his stomach. Kale followed the arm, up to the shoulder and then to the face. Aiden! Holy shit, it wasn't a dream! He was in a bed with Aiden. But, where was Reegan?

The sound of girly giggles drifted into the room again. Well that partly answered his question. Wherever she was, she was at least enjoying herself. Kale snuggled up against Aiden and tried to go back to sleep. But it just wouldn't come. Now that he was awake, his mind was playing a rerun of the evening. Every kiss and caress. The memory of his first flogging repeating over and over. It was perfect. Better than anything his imagination had ever concocted. He knew it had been light, but it had been amazing. He wanted more and harder, and soon. If he didn't mess things up, maybe Aiden would do it again some time.

Kale's thoughts were interuppted as another round of laughter broke out. What was that girl up to? He debated on what he should do. Get up and find Reegan or stay in bed, snuggled against Aiden. Each choice was tempting. He sighed and tried to rise. The arm around his waist tightened and pulled him closer. Aiden nuzzled his head in the crook of Kale's neck. There was a deep rumble in his chest and he lightly bit. The man even growled in his sleep. Kale tried to get up once again. Aiden's hold was like a bear trap. Each time Kale would move, Aiden would tighten up and pull. At first it had been sexy, but after his last attempt, Kale's ability to breathe had decreased.

He silently begged Aiden, 'please don't wake up and kill me.' Then he pinched Aiden's thigh. The action made Aiden loosen up. Kale used his new trick again. When the same thing happened, he laughed to himself. After several pinches, he was free. He stood beside the bed and watched Aiden flip around. Reaching out and remaining empty handed. He grabbed a pillow and tucked it into his chest.

'Aww, he's a cuddlebug,' Kale thought outloud into the quiet room. Reegan's pixie laugh caught his attention and he headed out of the bedroom to find her. In the dark hallway, a light was outlining the furthest door. He crept towards it, listening to the sounds coming from the room. He reached the door and stalled. Should he just barge in, unwelcomed and possibly unwanted? The door wasn't shut all the way, but she might not want him bugging her. He decided to tap on the door and wait, but when he touched it, it slowly eased open.

He was blinded by what he saw. Reegan was sitting in the middle of a queen sized bed. Zebra print comforter bunched up at her feet. She was wearing his Faith No More tee and it looked like that was all she had on. Her hair had been pulled back and reminded Kale of Raven's messy ponytails. Dark curls framed her smiling face. She was absorbed in whatever it was she was watching. He glanced around the room and was taken aback. The walls were painted a bright bubblegum pink, well at least the parts of the wall he could see. Band posters covered some of the wall space. Black, glossy furniture lined one wall. The room did not match the rest of the house. He looked back at Reegan and was caught in his peeping-tom routine. Her eyes looked worried and a little afraid. She darted glances at Kale and then at the walls.

"What?" she asked a tad defensively. Her change in demeanor had him stuttering.

"Nnn...nothing." He started to back out of the doorway. Reegan stopped him from his retreat.

"Sorry, you just had that look on your face." At his questioning look, she explained. "This room, when people see it they always look creeped out." Her fingers formed air quotes and her voice became disapproving, "'You're an adult, not a teenager. Grow up.' blah, blah, blah. Apparently, I forgot to become a stuffy adult, that's afraid of color and music."

Kale just laughed at her. "Who cares how you decorate a spare room?"

"It's not a spare room, Kale, it's my room."

He didn't know how to handle the statement. Why did she have her own room? His happiness from earlier slowly diminished. He had built this couple up so high. Convinced himself that they didn't have problems with each other. The room proved him wrong. They didn't even sleep together. Reegan sat on the bed and watched as Kale's face went from shocked to happy to sad. He tried leaving again, but she stopped him.

"Kale, come here. I don't know what you're thinking and judging by your face, it isn't pleasent. Just come sit with me, okay?"

He barely nodded and walked to the bed. Reegan patted the spot beside her and he sat.

"This is my room, because I don't sleep much. I nap and then wander around the house. It's a place where I don't have to worry about waking Aiden up. I can turn on lights and watch TV, listen to music, or whatever. Plus, Aiden's job, it takes him away sometimes. And when he's gone, I sleep even less. I can't lay in our bed and get comfortable enough to sleep. In here, we never sleep. So when he's gone, I don't feel like he's missing."

Kale shifted and faced her. She seemed on the brink of tears. Mortification evident. Why she was embarrassed, he didn't know, but it was a relief to him that he had thought wrong. He smiled at her and took her hand.

"Whatcha watching?"

Reegan huffed out a breath and relaxed. She scooted the laptop closer to Kale and restarted the video she had been watching. When the beginning of the old cartoon 'Daria' started Kale just shook his head. Only Reegan.

They sat together on the bed, Reegan's head on Kale's chest and his arm wrapped around her. Laughing at the snarky comments Daria made and repeating their favorites. It was peaceful and had calmed something deep within Kale. He felt a contentment sweep throughout him. He wasn't nervous or anxious around her anymore. The missing mental block made him fall for her even more.

"Hey, Reegan?"

She tilted her head up and answered quietly, "yeah?"

"Thanks."

He felt her smile against his naked chest. "You're welcome."

They went back to watching and let the companionable silence envelope them. Reegan whispered into Kale's skin.

"Hey, Kale?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks."

He squeezed her tightly against him and kissed her messy hair.

Later that morning, they both woke up cuddled against each other. Reegan was the first to wake and watched as Kale slept beside her. Her heart was ready to burst. It swelled with a protective love she had never felt before. He looked so sweet in sleep. His face more relaxed than she had ever seen. His bangs covering half his face and resting against partially opened lips. Morning light shined through the curtains and landed on the hoop through his lip. She was so focused on his lips that she never noticed his change in breathing. His lips twitched up into a smile and she laughed.

"Morning, Harlot." His voice was rough and groggy.

She answered him by placing her lips on his. The kiss was delicate and languid. There was no rush, just a slow kiss that ended with both of them sighing. She pulled away and spoke against his lips. "Morning, my little Syn."

In the quiet room they listened to each other's breaths. The calm was interuppted by a loud bang followed by Aiden swearing out a string of words and another loud crack. Reegan shot off the bed and headed downstairs. She flew to the kitchen and stood in the entryway. A frying pan was in the floor and Aiden was hopping around on one leg and muttering under his breath. Reegan felt Kale stand beside her. They watched as Aiden bent down and picked the offensive piece metal off the floor and put it back on the stove. They erupted into twin laughter. Aiden looked over and shot them a death stare. He pointed his finger at both of them.

"Shut it, you."

That only made them laugh harder.

"I mean it!"

More laughter.

"I said, shut it."

Reegan hiccuped and tried to stop. When she felt steady, she moved to Aiden and wrapped her arms around him. He bent forward and kissed the top of her head. He lifted her up and sat her on the counter. His hips resting between her open legs. He greeted her with a long, passionate kiss. Then turned and crooked a finger at Kale. He pulled the same move he had with Reegan. Lifting Kale up with no trouble and setting him right next to her. Repeating the kiss and then stepping back to observe what was his. They were adorable. Kale's height making him look awkward and unsure. Reegan tiny in comparisson. He could eat them up and still want more. But not now, they needed to eat and then the morning would be open for whatever they wanted to do.

"What were you trying to do before your fight with that pan?" Reegan asked as she watched Aiden start fixing breakfast.

"You. Sit there and look pretty. No questions."

And she did. Her and Kale sat on the counter and watched as Aiden cooked sausage, measured out flour and milk, and put frozen biscuits in the oven. Kale was awestruck at his efficiency. Minus the frozen biscuits, Aiden had created a delicious meal. When they were full and their bowls were empty, Kale put his domestic skills to use. He washed up the dirty dishes, while Reegan dried and put them away.

They passed the day talking. Kale was amazed at how easily he had opened up to them. It was like he was back to sharing his secrets with The Beast and The Harlot. Only without the screen between them. The only dark spot in the day was when Aiden asked about his fight with Jason again. He wanted to know everything and Kale held nothing back. When he was finished Aiden was angry, but reassured Kale. Even promised that if Jason ever came near Kale again, he was a dead man walking. Eventually night snuck up and Kale had to go home. Raven had managed to convince Alan to let them both have the day off. But they both had to work a full day tomorrow for the bargain. He didn't want to go home. He wanted to stay and get his fill of them. Reegan voiced his thoughts quite succinctly when she broke the silence in the car.

"This sucks!" She flung her hands across her chest and looked out the window. "Can't you just quit and stay with us?"

It was tempting, but in no way a reality. He turned his head and looked at Reegan in the backseat. Aiden answered for him.

"Doll, he has a job and a house, responsibilities that he has to take care of. We'll see him again. It's not like he is leaving town."

Reegan pouted. Kale agreed with her. It did suck. They pulled into his driveway and barely had time to say goodbye. Raven was at the door and down the steps in record time. The knowing grin permanently in place. She squealed as all three of them kissed and then jumped up when Kale turned to face her. His face was crimson, but those blue eyes were shining with a dream like quality. As soon as Aiden and Reegan were out of sight, she grabbed his arm and pulled him into the house.

"Spill it. Now. I want every single detail and so help me God, if you leave one thing out, I am shaving your head." she pushed him onto the couch and plopped down right beside him. "Start gushing."

And he did. Reliving every word, touch, and look.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Did you enjoy yourself, Doll?" Aiden watched Reegan out of the corner of his eye. He pulled the car into their driveway and killed the engine. Their trip home had been unusually quiet.

"Until about thirty minutes ago."

Aiden chuckled and pulled his seat belt off and climbed out of the car. Reegan stayed put, staring blankly out the window. Her eyes lifted when Aiden's shadow fell across her face. She let out a deep breath and got out of the car. Her hand slipped into Aiden's and held on tightly.

"Daddy, I feel like something is missing now." She hid her face in his arm as they walked inside. He guided her to the living room and to the couch. He sat down and pulled her into his lap. His wide palms rubbed light circles on her back. He gathered his thoughts and planned what he was going to say. Reegan cuddled up and rested her head on his shoulder. Being as small as she was had it's advantages. That position, being the best of all. She could curl up in his lap and be held easily.

"Why, Daddy Man, why does it feel like something is off?"

He placed a kiss on her head and responded. "I don't know, Doll."

"Do you not feel it too?"

At his silence, she dug her head closer to his neck. What would she do if he didn't feel the same way? Would her admission push him away? She hadn't stopped to think what Aiden might have felt about everything. He had enjoyed himself, she knew he had. Her emotions were going to get the best of her. One minute she was flying high and the next she was bottoming out. It was dizzying.

"Aiden, say something, please."

His fingers wound through her hair and pulled her head. He stared down into her eyes. The intensity made Reegan squirm.

"Doll, I need you to understand something. This is new for both of us. Okay?" His grasp kept her from just nodding her head. Fear marred her whole face. Her pupils were huge and she fought back tears the that tried to blur her vision.

In a hushed voice she asked, "so you don't feel it?"

"I never said that. I said it was new. Right now I am working my way through all of it. But, yes, I do feel like something is missing. And it makes me question the values I have put on our relationship. If I admit that something is wrong now, does that mean that you aren't all I need? I have never felt like you weren't enough for me, baby. And now it feels like an innate part of us is missing. It's a lot to process."

Reegan let out a huge breath she hadn't realized she was holding. At least she wasn't alone in her feelings. Aiden just had better control of his emotions. He was the analytical one. Seeing the bigger picture. All possible outcomes. She was the impetuous one. Emotions ruled her actions. Whatever happened next, Aiden would lead her through it. The implicit trust she had in him was unwavering. She hugged him tight and felt anchored. Ready to face whatever may come.

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