Primeval WIP: Meeting (5/...)
Title: Meeting (5/...)
Author: TalliW
Pairings: Lester/Cutter
Rating: PG, hints of slash, but really harmless (yet)
Disclaimer: Primeval are the property of Impossible Pictures. I write just for fun. So don't bother me.
Acknowledgments: Thanks to fredbassett for beta-reading. I couldn't have done it without you.
The honours for Nick's "secret passion for deep-fried Crunchies" goes to ethelfleda.;)
Exactly one hour later, James Lester stood in front of Professor Cutter's front door, knocking.
Some minutes later the door opened and a somewhat dishevelled Cutter, in crumpled sweatpants and shirt, appeared.
"Sorry, just dozed off for a little while. Come in. Make yourself at home."
Hesitantly, Lester followed him in.
He had a little decoratively wrapped package in his hand and presented it to Cutter. Nick was curious. After removing the wrapping paper he held a small tube in his hand. His eyebrows shot up and he looked at Lester who blushed instantly.
"It's not what it seems. It's for your posterior." Nick blinked. "Of course it's for your legs too." Lester tried again, "I mean you're sore from horse riding, aren't you?" At Cutter's confirming nod he carried on: "It's staghorn ointment, an old horseman's remedy for chafing. It's soothing and helps the raw skin to heal faster. It'll work best if you apply it right away."
"Thank you. It's a nice gift. My backside will be grateful. Do you use it too?"
Lester shook his head. "Not today but in the past, yes, from time to time. I rode a lot in my youth."
Cutter looked astounded. "So you had no problem with the riding today?"
Lester shrugged. "It was only for 4 hours. With the right wardrobe there are no problems.
I'm glad I still had some of my clothes in the car when I moved out and I was lucky I had a pair of Wranglers with me. Without it them I would have got very sore. Of course jodphurs would have been better. But most of my things, including my riding gear, are still at my ex-wife's house. There isn't enough space in my hotel room. I should probably seek a place of my own soon."
With a motion of his head towards the ointment in Cutter's hand, Lester continued, "You'd better put it on. You' ll feel better afterwards."
Nick agreed and walked slowly to his bedroom.
"Wanna help me?" he called over his shoulder.
Lester gulped, then blushed and turned his back on him.
Cutter chuckled.
This could be fun. The James Lester who had started it all in the first place with his ogling was now acting almost shyly.
Too bad; a massage would have been marvellous right now.
After Cutter had applied some ointment to his sore body parts, he walked back into the living room. Lester hadn't moved. He was still standing on the same spot with his back turned to him.
"I'm finished. It really helps. Thank you very much."
Lester turned to him, pleased. "You're welcome."
An awkward moment followed as both men regarded each other. Nick took the time to scan the other man from head to toe. James Lester, in beige coloured trousers and a vivid blue shirt with the first button open, was a nice sight.
Would you like a drink or something to eat?" Nick asked, finally. "I haven't had time to go shopping and there isn't much in the fridge right now. But we could order something. Perhaps Chinese. There's a good Chinese restaurant just around the corner."
Lester was hungry and agreed readily.
The food was ordered with Lester giving Cutter free rein in choosing, and it was delivered fast.
With a content smile, Lester dug into his food and made himself comfortable on Nick's large couch.
At the same time Nick fetched a bottle of a 20 year old Bruichladdich. A excellent single malt was good for everything, even awkward advances between two men.
After eating they talked, about work and life and everything.
To his own astonishment Lester opened up to Nick very quickly. He talked about his failed marriage and his kids, who preferred to hang out with friends rather than to spend time with him. He was good company, lacing his words with a fine humour which often made Nick laugh.
In turn, Nick recounted some tales of his studies and some amusing experiences with students.
So the evening progressed rapidly.
Hours later they were still talking albeit their speech had got a little slurred by then.
The alcohol had affected Nick slightly more than Lester and soon he was babbling about Stephen, Helen and Claudia and his dislike of cauliflowers.
"Stephen was a good student, a fast learner."
Lester had restricted himself to short remarks by then. "Apparently!" was all Lester contributed to this topic.
"Helen didn't like him at first. She didn't care much for his self-confidence. I said to her: Give him a try. It looks she did exactly that." Cutter laughed hard.
After some more drinking he continued, "Claudia was sweet. Entirely different from Helen. It was the only time I ever got kissed by a woman I didn't know at a first meeting.
You know, I could have fallen in love with her. But she's gone. Now I like someone else."
Lester brow shot up after hearing all that.
Cutter took another sip from his glass and stretched out in the chair.
"Uh, I'm full. The Chinese was good. It seems to be all I'm eating right now. Helen never liked to cook. But Stephen sometimes did. Liked his roast pork but not the buttered cauliflowers.
Don't know who would eat something like this." Cutter mumbled, drunkenly. "The Yorkshire pudding was good too."
.
Another shot later Nick started again. "Do you know what tastes best?" he asked. "Deep-fried Crunchies! You should try one, you'd feel better in a jiffy. Yeah, deep-fried Crunchies, that's what you need."
After that Nick Cutter slid down from the chair right under the table.