Title: Table for Two
Pairing/Characters: Adam/Brian
Rating (Word Count): G (8 X 100)
Warning(s): D/s
Author's notes: Timeline wise, this happens at some point before Adam's time on Idol. Many thanks to leela_cat  for the beta. Any remaining mistakes are mine.

The smell of food cooking makes Adam’s stomach rumble as soon as he enters Brian’s place. After a long day of rehearsal, he’s tired and hungry, and the idea of a good meal sounds like heaven. It’s nearly enough to send him straight to the kitchen, but he’s aware that that won’t get him the rest he needs. Only one thing can. If he wants it, he has to follow the rules.

He takes his time, leaving his shoes by the door and walking barefoot to the bathroom. He’s already had a shower and washed his hair before coming here.

***

All that’s left is taking the make-up off his face.

Once he’s done, Adam grabs the counter with both hands and takes a deep breath. It always scares him a little, this moment when he has to let go of his armor and present himself with his face bare.

One more long breath and he’s already feeling a little more grounded, as every small, familiar step slowly gets him closer to where he should be.

When he’s finally ready, he walks out and lets the smell guide him to the kitchen, where Brian is standing in front of the oven.

***

“I was wondering how long it would take you,” Brian says. “Come here.”

Adam lets himself be pulled in for a kiss and can’t resist letting his head drop on Brian’s shoulder for a second. Brian pulls him closer with an arm tight around his waist. “You okay?”

Adam nods. “Tired.”

“Anything else I should know, boy?”

Adam swallows down the automatic response that comes to him and takes the time to think. He’s aware it’s not just a rhetorical question and that, here and now, he owes Brian honesty. Slowly, he shakes his head. “No. I’m just really tired.”

***

“Okay. If you say so.” Brian releases Adam just far enough that he can look at Adam from head to toe, making him blush under the intensity of Brian’s gaze.

Brian seems satisfied with what he finds. When he looks at Adam in the eyes again, it’s with a small approving smile that warms Adam all over before Brian turns toward the food cooking in the oven.

“It smells delicious,” Adam says, right before his stomach rumbles with hunger again, making them both laugh.

“It might smell good, but it’s not ready yet. Sit here and help me with this.”

***

Adam takes the plate of vegetables Brian hands him without questioning it. He’s long past the point of fighting that kind of request. It’s become part of a routine that makes everything easier.

The easy conversation creates a little cocoon around them, a space of intimacy and affection that allows Adam to hide from the real world and let go. The last of his protective walls are slowly taken away without making him feel like he needs to hold onto them.

When the food is ready, Adam’s fear and nervous anticipation are gone, leaving nothing but a precious certainty behind.

***

The table is set for two, but Adam’s aware that the only reason it’s always set for two is that Brian’s been waiting for him to be ready.

Tonight, when he realizes that all the food’s been cut into bite size portions and that Brian intends to feed him, Adam doesn’t hesitate before going to his knees beside Brian’s chair.

“Oh, baby.” For a second, there’s the barely there, soft caress of Brian’s fingers in Adam’s hair. “You’re always so good for me.”

Brian grabs a pillow from the couch and put it on the floor in front of Adam.

***

“Kneel here. Don’t hurt yourself.”

Gratefully, Adam grabs the pillow and rearranges himself as Brian pulls his chair to face him.

The approbation in Brian’s gaze as his fingers touch Adam’s cheek fills Adam with a strange kind of pride.

“Hungry?”

Adam can’t help but smile at that. “I’m starving.”

Brian grabs a bite of food from the table. “Open up.”

Adam obeys, sighing in pleasure as flavor bursts in his mouth with the first piece Brian feeds him. He lets himself be lulled by Brian’s gentle touch as they slowly eat their dinner, Brian alternating between himself and Adam.

***

The wheels of thought in Adam’s mind haven’t completely stopped turning yet, but he’s already feeling lighter. His worries over the show he’s currently doing and what – if – will happen after it’s over fade to the back of his mind.

Once they’re done with dinner, Adam follows Brian to the living room. Brian sits on the couch, and Adam kneels on the floor by his side.

Adam rests his head on Brian’s thigh and let Brian’s gentle touches carry him away.

Until nothing exists anymore but this moment and the two of them, together, and Adam finally feels at peace.