Daily Free-Write January 6, 2021

Continued from October 8, 2020 "Room for Rent"

When Rob got home he jumped for joy. He couldn't believe he'd gotten the place. Cheap rent, right by the beach, and a cute roomie too. What more could he ask for?" 

He began to pack right away. It wouldn't take too long - most of what would left would have to go in the trash or to the junkyard since Colt's house had everything he needed. It even had a bed. 

"Goodbye cheap IKEA bed!" he said to himself. He quickly disassembled what he could, and moved everything into the empty living room. The Junk Prince junk haulers would be by soon to pick it up and take it to a donation center. 

With that out of the way, all he needed to do was pack his car. He was proud of the fact that it would only take one trip. He didn't believe in clutter and holding on to stuff you didn't need.

During this time he kept Colt updated on his ETA and cold asked about his progress.

"You sure you don't want any help, bud?" 

"Oh, no. I can handle this." 

"Okay, be careful. If you need to move something heavy, I can come and help." 

His roommate was really nice to offer, and he got a warm and fuzzy feeling in his gut from that. But after all, he didn't want his roommate to think he couldn't do anything for himself, so he declined. It was getting late in the day wen he finally finished, and shadows had grown long, crossing the streets of the city. He paid the Junk movers, sent a Text out to Colt, and left, dropping his keys in the mailbox for his landlord. 

"Hasta la vista, baby!" he said, quoting one of his favorite action movies of all time, and he drove off to his new place. Of course as soon as his roommate answered the door, he insisted on helping. 

"I won't take no for an answer," said Colt, laughing as Rob insisted he didn't have to go through the trouble. They walked together to Rob's new room, and Colt flipped on the light to once again reveal a room decked out with geeky superhero memorabilia, toys, you name it. Everything stuck to the theme of space, dinos, or BattleMon, even the bedding on the rail bed by the wall. 

"If there's anything you want to change..." started Colt, but Rob interrupted.

"It's perfect!" He blushed a bit at his enthusiasm. "Sorry... I mean it's really good. I think it's a cool room." 

"Ah, thanks, little dude," said Rob, patting his new roomie on the shoulder. "That makes me feel better. It *is* pretty cool, isn't it?" 

When they went back outside, Colt glanced into the car and was surprised. 

"That's all you brought? Are you sure that's everything?"

"Yeah, I mean you said it - your place has everything. And really I don't need much - just my toiletries, important paperwork, and a few personal items."

"Yeah of course, no sense in having two sets of everything, right?" 

Then Colt caught sight of something in the passenger's seat. 

"Is- is that your Bear?"

"Oh, huh, yeah..." said Rob, blushing slightly. He was hoping his new roommate wouldn't see him.

"Did... did you buckle him in? Like a person?" asked Colt, trying not to giggle at how cute that was. He didn't want to make his new roommie feel bad.

"He doesn't like being packed away in boxes," said Rob blushing harder now. "I mean... I guess that sounds pretty dumb, huh? I'm sorry, I'm such a-"

"Stop it right now. That's not dumb at all, kiddo. You're being a good friend, and I totally get it - I wouldn't want to be packed away in a box either. Now no more sorry for the rest of the day, or else."

Rob nodded, and gulped, feeling his pants get tighter as he chubbed up once again. Even though it was in a playful tone, the authority in Colt's voice was unmistakable. He had no doubt that Colt would follow through on whatever it was he meant by 'or else'.

"Sorry, no more sorry." 

"That's one," said Colt, shaking his head and smiling. He saw his roommate's eyebrows go up and put his hand on Rob's shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll keep reminding you."  

He then quickly brought his hand down to give his new roomie a swat on the butt for his transgression. Rob jumped in surprise more than anything, and looked abashed. 

"And if I ever hear you finish that sentence 'I'm such a' with anything but the words great guy, sweetheart, or cutie pie, you'll be sore for a week." 

Now Rob's face was the color of a lobster with a sunburn, and he instinctively buried his face in his hands. 

"Okay, okay, enough teasing. Let's get your stuff inside, huh?" 

Rob just nodded, took a couple breaths, and brought his hands back down. He clicked the remote to unlock the doors and opened up the back door to grab what little cargo he had. 

"Hold on, roomie, aren't you forgetting something?" asked Colt. 

"What's that?"

"You're not going to leave your bear in the front seat are you? Go get him, he should go in first. I'll grab some of this. By the way I still haven't heard his name.

"Oh, uh, he's Captain Cuddles. Or... Cuddle E. Bear. And I guess he wouldn't like being left for last," said Rob, giving his roomie a look like he was asking for permission as he went and grabbed he bear. He instantly felt better holding his teddy, even though it was a bit sooner than normal for a new living situation. Eventually his childish tendencies would always come out, once he felt comfortable with the people around him - and they were comfortable with him. 

In two trips they managed to get everything and Colt left Rob to unpack. 

"Dinner's in an hour buddy, you like burgers?"

"Sure! Where from?" 

"From here! Your new roomie is a good cook, believe it or not. But I'll let you see for yourself. All I ask is that you clean when I cook, okay?"

"My specialty," said Rob, who had already outed himself as a neat freak. "How did you know?" 

"Dork," said Colt, laughing a bit as he left. 

"I resemble that!" called Rob as his roommate walked away. 

Rob checked to see that the coast was clear and then quickly took out a pack of DryNites and slipped them into the top dresser. It was a new place and he sometimes wet the bed for a few days when he was in a new place, so he'd stopped by the pharmacy just in case. Just his luck that they made these ones in XL now - they were much cooler with his favorite superheroes on the front, though he'd never tell a soul he liked that.

With that bit of business out of the way, he was able to finish packing in ease, his teddy watching propped up on the bed. 

"Pretty good place we got here, eh cuddles? Colt is nice too. I don't know what I did but I must've done something right because this is the perfect place for us. You won't tell him about the DryNites will you? Good, I won't either. Thanks, buddy." 

Colt smiled as he listened in to his roommate's exchange.

"This is going to be easier than I thought. 

He looked once more into the room he kept locked, at least for the moment and slipped in, locking the door behind him. He went over to the special table, fingering something crinkly and plastic lying on a shelf below. 

"I can't wait to show him how much better these are than DryNites."

He picked it up and smelled it. Nothing like the smell of a diaper. But it would smell much better after a night on Rob. He rubbed the bulge in the front of his jeans. 

"All in good time," he said to himself. "All in good time."

Then, with much effort, he stopped, put the diaper back where it came from, and left the room to go make dinner.