ready, but they can get it done faster with additional hands. which would mean, of course, paying extra—donovan doesn't blink, instead he turns to look at reiner and moves the screen out of sight. "i've signed everything i need to sign today, if that makes you feel any better."

generous with his affections. maybe it's partially because reiner was very persistent back then. or maybe because the reaction he's getting lately is—just the real, honest truth. if reiner can fake the flush creeping to his face, donovan would be very impressed. "i was thinking

"you can just sit beside me, we don't have to do that if you don't want to—being close to you is enough for me." he shifts his hold so he can carry reiner with one arm, the other reaching out to grab the vase. easily, they make their way to the bedroom, needing to set down the

affection in a way he hadn't been prior to their spat. the stiff smile makes donovan a little sad. he knows he promised to make it up to reiner for the absence he's caused, and it's been... something. not bad, not good either if the way reiner has been acting is any indication.

nearby countertop and dumping out the old, wilting flowers to replace with the new ones. he tries to arrange them just like the florist did, and it's off in several places but it looks good either way. "what are you up to today?" he puts the old, wilting flowers in the paper the

make dinner instead of going out or have somebody else cook for them, sometimes he'd ask reiner to accompany him for a walk to get them out of the house, just simple but frequent gifts. items, his time, food, favors. he comes up behind reiner, slides an arm around reiner's waist

after that night, donovan can't look reiner in the eye. he doesn't touch reiner, not unless reiner reaches out first (which is what often happens anyway). he sleeps less and less on their bed together. can't seem to muster up more than a smile and a soft but very few words when

against his, no longer stricken with the surprise that would creep up on him every time the difference in their statures is immediately obvious like this. "i'm not going anywhere," it's a way to comfort reiner—to make sure he sleeps well, and a promise to himself, "i'm right

support reiner, even if they don't talk, because in all honesty, donovan needs very few things to survive. any point of contact with reiner, he'll take it, no matter how little. donovan's hand moves up and down reiner's back. "anything you want, reiner." he murmurs. "anything