It wasn’t the first time Dustin had opened his eyes in the perfect peace of Nicolae’s apartment. It was however, certainly one of the best. He was pleasantly sore, completely relaxed and entirely too aware of the smile he still couldn’t seem to wipe off his face, not even during a quick shower and even quicker shave. Dustin should have been up an hour earlier when Nicolae had lifted Dustin off his shoulder and untangled their limbs; should have probably, at least, rose when Nicolae had nosed into Dustin’s cheek and said he was taking the dogs for a walk. But the couch had been so comfortable, the room had been so warm, and when Nicolae had whispered, “You sleep, Dustin. We will not be long,” it had been too easy to let his eyelids fall closed again.
He could smell the tart, herbal odor of
