Growing Season (MxM) Complete

Ch. 6 Compromise

Ch 6.

Gareth made himself and Phillip a cup of coffee while the kids finished up. Each one took their empty dishes to the sink, rinsed them, and placed them in the dishwasher.

"Okay, kids. Time for you to get dressed and do your teeth, please. Then you can play quietly for awhile. Thank you for being so good at breakfast."

Each one gave him a hug, then ran off. Gareth put the steaming mugs on the table and sat across from Phillip who looked to be engrossed in his paper.

"I suppose we didn't get to discuss any sort of particulars last night, so perhaps we should make some sort of agreement about price and boundaries and such?" Gareth suggested after he'd had a few sips.

"I hadn't thought that far ahead. You're my first tenants," Phillip admitted, feeling foolish, realizing a contract was probably a good idea. He wasn't even sure if he'd decided they could stay, but he didn't know how to broach the subject. He should just spit it out, but conversation really wasn't his forte.

"Oh." Gareth could sense Phillip's hesitancy and tried to alleviate any nervousness. "I don't want you to think we're taking advantage, and I really don't want you to be uncomfortable in your own home. I can't thank you enough for letting us stay last night." Gareth really wanted Phillip to be okay with everything, for at least a little while. "If you'd like, could we do a trial for one week and see if you still want to do this?"

When Gareth caught his eye, Phillip had a really hard time remembering what he was going to say. "Yes, that would be good," Phillip agreed, forgetting that he was thinking they'd move on today, besides it was just for one week. "What should we discuss?"

"Well, we can download a basic rental agreement from the internet as a starting point, then go from there. Also maybe a plan for the laundry, tv, and kitchen, so we can work around your schedule?" Gareth was trying to be as accommodating as possible. He really didn't want to leave, after all, he'd seen what little there was available out there. Besides Phillip seemed nice, if not a little lonely.

Phillip stood and cleared his throat awkwardly. "No wifi for your laptop. We can use my computer."

"Sure, lead the way." Gareth smiled and pointed for Phillip to lead him.

Phillip took Gareth downstairs to the Rec Room. It wasn't on the tour the previous night, but was decorated much like the rest of the house, heavy on the 70s and 80s decor. The basement was divided in half. The area with a walkout to the backyard consisted of wood panelled walls, an old fireplace, a few older plaid couches, a workspace with the desk and computer, and in one corner a bulky, older style television. There were also a few bookshelves filled with novels, mostly sci-fi and fantasy. Gareth was sure Daisy would be enraptured if she saw them.

"The laundry room, mechanical room, storage and additional bathroom are through there," Phillip gestured to the door next to the stairs. "This is a good play room for the kids."

"Maybe. They don't really have many toys. We had to leave in a hurry yesterday. I'm hoping once Leeann settles down a bit I might be able to get more of our stuff. Not that we have much," Gareth said with a sigh, pulling up a folding chair next to Phillip as he started the computer. He didn't want Phillip to think they were going to fill his house with stuff.

"Where are rental contracts?" Phillip asked after the computer started. He really hoped he'd remembered to clear his browser history recently.

"Here, let me show you." Gareth leaned over in front of Phillip, taking control of the mouse and keyboard. Phillip couldn't help but feel the heat of Gareth where their bodies made contact, and he couldn't help but breathe in the subtle scent of Gareth—a slightly musky, light piney-citrus smell with some sort of sweetness that Phillip couldn't place but one that he definitely liked.