*Extended chapter

~~~~~~~~~~

The rest of the camping trip was mostly uneventful. With minimal contact from the outside world, the 4 of them enjoyed spending quality time with each other, as old and new friends reconnected.

It was another birthday trip for Javier where he loved spending time with his son. Javier noticed that Ethan had been a little stranger than usual, but Javier couldn't be sure because he was too busy spending time with Giles.

Thomas was better at hiding his emotions as Giles thought that Thomas was unchanged - except from his fall injuries. After spending so many weeks drifting away from his son, due to work circumstances, Giles was glad he could have this time and spend it with the most important person in his world.

With Ethan and Thomas, on the surface everything was as normal as best friends could be. But independently the both of them felt like they had to act as if they were standing on egg shells around each other.

Thomas heard Ethan tell him that he had feelings for someone, a woman that made him feel everything he wanted and deserved. But when Ethan never pointed out who it was, Thomas felt like he had to walk the Earth and watch Ethan fall for someone that wasn't him.

Ethan was reflecting on the camping trip as he was driving to the Shelton Manor for breakfast. Ethan thought that Thomas could never see him more than as a friend. He didn't want to jeopardise the only true friendship he has ever had with someone in such a long time. If Ethan had a choice, he rather have Thomas as his social support, instead of having Thomas hate and reject him.

Parking his car, Ethan let himself into the Manor as he joined his family for breakfast. Taking the last remaining seat at the table, Ethan watched the glass in front of him fill up with freshly squeezed orange juice.

Kristen was looking behind Ethan, and couldn't see anyone with him. "No Thomas?"

Ethan was shaking his head as he arrived at the Manor alone. "His dad has to fly home early for some business thingy. So they are both making the most of Giles' leftover time, by spending the day together and then driving to the airport afterwards."

"How was the camping trip anyway?" Harrison asked. "I'm sorry I couldn't make it this year, but Kristen needed me at home."

Javier was smiling as he reminisced over the fond memories they created on the trip. "It was really lovely. I'm so glad that I got to have a catch up with Giles." Javier then turned to Ethan and asked him, "Maybe we should do it again sometime?"

"Maybe." Ethan steered the conversation away from the camping trip because he wanted to talk about something else. "What are you and Harrison doing today?"

Kristen had love in her eyes as she turned to Harrison, and put her hand on top of his. "For Valentine's Day, Harrison is taking us back to our first date by the seaside."

"We're driving down there after breakfast," Harrison informed the group. "So we can spend the day at the carnival, eating fish and chips by the water, and sit on the sand as the night goes by."

Ethan looked at his phone and saw the date. "It's Valentine's Day?"

"You never were a romantic, were you?" Camilla laughed as she pointed out Ethan's oblivious attitude. "You better leave a good impression on your date later."

Ethan scrunched his face as he tried to remember something he didn't know about. "What date?"

Camilla reached into her purse and pulled out a magazine. On the front cover was supermodel Mimi Goodard, with the title of being one of the most captivating influencers in the 21st century.

The magazine was passed to Ethan, and Ethan could see how gorgeous she is. Mimi Goodard was a well known trend setter, and having her published on the front cover of Shelton magazine would be monumental for the company.

"As you can see, Mimi Goodard is one of the most beautiful women on this planet!" Camilla marvelled at how Mimi was a mogul, with looks that she was fully capable of flaunting. "Entrepreneur by day, lifestyle guru at night, Mimi has it all!"

Ethan was impressed at all the achievements Mimi had accomplished at a young age, which made Ethan feel lacking in comparison. "And you want me to go on a date with her?"

"If she isn't going to be my perfect daughter in law, then she can at least be our business associate."

Javier nervously chuckled as he tried to empathise with Ethan. "That's a lot of pressure to put on our boy."

"I don't know about this..." Ethan voiced.

There were several reasons why Ethan didn't want to go on the date tonight. Ethan wasn't in the mood to celebrate a holiday he never truly cared for, Ethan didn't think he could ever meet someone like Mimi's standards, and there was a certain bodyguard that was still on his mind.

"There's literally nothing you can dislike about this blind date." Camilla wondered, "Don't tell me you've met someone already..."

Ethan felt sad as he had to remind everyone that he had no one. "There isn't-"

Kristen leaned over her brother so that she could see a picture of Mimi. "She's hot as hell!"

"When was your last date with someone anyway, Ethan?" Camilla asked.

Harrison also joined in the conversation by asking Ethan a question, "Isn't this like your dream woman?"

Javier tried to play mediator as he saw Ethan was acting a little funny. "Ethan, you don't have to-"

"I'll go." Ethan announced to his family.

Ethan wanted to avoid any more further questions as he thought the distraction of Mimi was worth it. It's not like there was zero attraction to Mimi, quite the opposite in fact, but Ethan rather have something than nothing.

~~~~~~~~~

Later that afternoon, Ethan was in the middle of getting dressed for his date when he heard the front door open. He peeked his head out of his bedroom and saw Thomas wave at him from the bottom of the stairs.

Ethan met Thomas in the living room as Ethan wanted to check on Giles. "How was your day out with your dad? And did you make it to the airport on time?"

Thomas nodded his head as he sat himself down on the couch. "Yeah we really had a nice time just exploring the city and everything. We also made it to the airport with plenty of time to spare too."

Thomas was rolling his shoulders as he still felt a little stiff since the fall. It was becoming uncomfortable as his movement was restricted in the crisp shirt he was wearing.

"How's your back?" Ethan checked.

"Everything's still a little sore, and it still hurts a little bit." Thomas laughed it off as he used one of his own hands to massage his back. "But I think I'll survive."

Ethan walked behind the couch Thomas was sitting on, and could see how Thomas was still massaging the tightened bundle of nerves.

"I can see a little bit of blood through your shirt." Ethan pointed out as he assumed the wound had reopened somehow, "Let me clean it up for you."

When Ethan returned with the first aid box, he caught Thomas in the middle of taking his shirt off. Ethan was looking past the blood as he could clearly see Thomas' muscular and defined back.

Ethan took a shallow breath as he walked back to Thomas, and began to clean him up. He had to put his hands on Thomas as Ethan was doing his best to aid Thomas' injuries.

The silence was thick in the air as Ethan's gentle hands either accidentally, or deliberately  caressed Thomas' back. The touches were either short or long, and it took longer than either of them expected for Ethan to put the new bandage on him.

"You mind if I put my shirt back on now?"

Ethan came back to reality as he realised his hands were still lingering onto Thomas' back. The bandage was placed on him a couple of seconds ago, yet Ethan didn't even realise he still unnecessarily had his hands touching the bodyguard.

Stepping back to put distance between them, Ethan looked away from Thomas as the bodyguard was putting his shirt back on. "I need to get ready for my date." Ethan announced.

"At least make sure you button up your shirt before you leave." Thomas laughed.

Ethan looked down at himself, and realised his bare torso was showing. It was because he came down the stairs undressed so that he could talk to Thomas.

Ethan quickly ran upstairs so that he could cover himself up, get ready for his date with Mimi, and hide his embarrassment from groping Thomas.

~~~~~~~~~

A little while later and Ethan stepped out of his bedroom all suited up. He was in the middle of tying his tie when he descended down the staircase.

Ethan's footsteps alerted Thomas, who was still sitting in the living room with a beer in his hand. Thomas turned around as he looked at the fully dressed Ethan.

Ethan tried to fill the silence in the air as he asked, "How do I look?"

"You look great," Thomas whispered honestly. "So what's this date? When I was returning Javier's hired car he let me borrow, he told me you had this important date."

Ethan walked into the living room and picked up the magazine that was on the coffee table. On the front cover was Mimi Goodard, and Ethan revealed his date as he dropped the magazine onto Thomas' lap.

Thomas was flicking through the magazine as he was scouting all the beautiful pictures of Ethan's date. "I may be gay, but holy moly she is stunning."

"That sounds pretty gay."

Thomas laughed as he rolled up the magazine, and threw it at Ethan. Ethan was laughing too as he managed to dodge it. With the movement messing up his outfit, Ethan used his hands to iron out the creases on his shirt.

Looking at the clock, Ethan knew that he had to get going soon. "Time for me to meet my mom's future daughter in law - according to my mom's hopes and wishes."

Ethan picked up his keys from the table and pocketed them. "You think I'm ready to date a supermodel looking like this?" Ethan asked as he gestured towards the navy suit he was wearing.

Thomas stood up from the couch so that he could stand in front of Ethan. The bodyguard was silent as he reached out to fix Ethan's suit himself.

Thomas took off Ethan's tie because he believed it was too much. He then gently brushed his fingers against Ethan's chest as he silently undid the top button of Ethan's shirt. Thomas fixed the missing button that was underneath the top button, and Thomas then used the palm of his hands to brush out the creases on Ethan's chest.

Thomas made Ethan look a lot more natural by dressing him down to look slightly casual. Thomas thought this casual-smart look on Ethan was a million times better, with it making Ethan more alluring this way. "Perfect."

Ethan was turning pink after being softly caressed by Thomas' delicate touches. He became flustered as Ethan could now only rely on short sentences - to not spill out his own feelings and words. "Thanks."

Thomas smiled softly at Ethan as he then pushed the other man gently towards the door. "See you in the morning, probably doing the walk of shame I bet."

Ethan gulped nervously as he understood what Thomas was expecting. Ethan had no intention on taking it further with Mimi, because that wasn't what he wanted right now.

But Ethan just smiled along as he silently walked towards the door. Ethan hesitated to step out of the door, but he eventually dragged his feet so that he was standing on the other side of the door - leaving Thomas behind.

~~~~~~~~~~

Ethan had been sitting inside his car for 10 minutes now, as the car was still parked outside his home. Thomas couldn't see him since the curtains were closed, but Ethan was staring at the house - with the only light coming from the living room.

All Ethan wanted tonight was the distraction of a gorgeous woman - just like the old Ethan would. Not only was Mimi beautiful, she was also intelligent, driven, and perfect wife material.

Ethan was still sitting in the car, contemplating on what the next step was. Everybody around him wanted him to go on this date with Mimi, including Thomas. It would work out for everybody if he and Mimi blossomed into a relationship, because Ethan's personal and business world would be so much better afterwards.

But Ethan was left questioning if that was what he wanted. He was gazing at his home because the man inside it was making Ethan question the path he was about to walk on.

Ethan didn't want to pine over something that could be considered the wrong choice. All the bones and muscles in Ethan's body was drawing him to Thomas. There was so much Ethan was craving from Thomas, and Ethan felt like he didn't want to be anywhere else but with Thomas at this very moment.

Ethan was willing to torture himself over his feelings for one more night. He pulled out his phone and texted Mimi that he had to cancel on the date.

Ethan made up an obviously terrible excuse, but Mimi was extremely sweet about the situation nonetheless.

'Of course she's a fucking angel about it...'

Ethan got out off the car and stood in front of his own home. Readjusting his clothes to look neat one more time, Ethan let himself in.

Thomas turned his head towards the door, and was surprised to see Ethan back so soon. "Ethan? Did you forget your wallet or something?"

"Mimi cancelled the date," Ethan lied. "Something about never working with my family again, since she remembered the first time I met her at a cocktail party, and knocked her martini onto her dress."

Thomas couldn't help but laugh at the story. "You monster."

Ethan began to chuckle as he then sat on the same couch Thomas was on. "Given that it doesn't like you're going out either, you mind if I join you on this lonely night?"

"Only if you buy us pizza." Thomas suggested.

Ethan had a genuine smile on his face as he brought out his phone. "Already on it."

~~~~~~~~~

Both of them spent the rest of Valentine's Day on the couch together. They ordered a family size pizza since Ethan insisted it could be their lunch tomorrow, they had beer to help wash down the delicious food, and Netflix to keep themselves entertained.

It was already dark in the room since they switched the lights off several hours ago, and the light from the TV screen allowed Thomas to see it was almost 2am.

The end credits to The Platform rolled, and Thomas decided that it was time to call it a night. He was turning around to tell Ethan to go sleep in his own bedroom, but the bodyguard saw how Ethan's eyes were already closed.

A sleepy Thomas was looking at how peaceful Ethan was, and his heart fluttered at how cute Ethan looked - all snuggled on the couch as he curled into himself.

Not being one to disturb Ethan, Thomas picked up the blanket that was resting on the back of the couch, and carefully draped it over Ethan - making sure Ethan was tucked in all nice and warm.

Thomas then turned the TV off so that the light from behind the curtains were the only thing available. With enough room for the both of them on the couch, Thomas closed his eyes as he deliberately fell asleep besides Ethan.

~~~~~~~~~~

An hour later and Ethan was stirred awake by the sound of a his phone. Ethan blinded himself when he checked the message in the pitch black room, and the man groaned when it was only about reviewing the food he ordered.

Ethan quickly gave it 5 stars as he then put his phone down. He intended to go back to sleep as Ethan reached out for a pillow, but Ethan was surprised to reach out for nothing, and only feel the couch he accidentally fell asleep on.

Ethan was about go to his room when he just barely managed to see Thomas besides him in the faint light. He looked at the sleeping figure next to him, and Thomas' slow breathing assured Ethan that the bodyguard was asleep.

Looking down at their bodies, Ethan realised that he was the only one with the blanket. Ethan concluded that Thomas must have put it there, especially since Ethan knew it definitely wasn't him.

Ethan readjusted the blanket onto Thomas so that they could both share it. The cold night became warm as Ethan shuffled slightly closer to Thomas, making sure both of their bodies were covered the blanket.

As Ethan was laying besides the sleeping figure, Ethan was softly looking at the man in front of him as he reflected on tonight.

Ethan has had several different kinds of Valentine's Days. He has been to the city of love with a runway model before. He has been on a yacht party that was surround by dozens of beautiful women. And Ethan has even flown to Venice with an ex girlfriend so that they could ride a gondola together.

But none of the emotions or feelings he experienced back then, could compare to the ones involving Thomas right now.

Staying at home with just Thomas, with all the pizza and booze they could want, was the best Valentine's Day Ethan ever had.

Everything felt so authentic as he spent the evening with Thomas. Ethan thought that being around Thomas was so simple, because every interaction they had was just so natural, easy going, and fulfilling.

A smile was etched onto Ethan's face as he closed his eyes. Valentine's Day ended in the most perfect way possible for Ethan, because sleeping besides Thomas was the ending to a perfect night.

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Author's Note: This chapter was pretty much planned out before I even started this story, and I'm really happy with how it turned out.

I hope you all enjoyed it, because things are definitely picking up between them.