Live It or Burn It (Josef)

[Damien Tremblay]

Damien as a general rule didn’t tend to get stressed out by much. In fact, since Josef had come to live with him his stress levels seemed to have dropped lower than usual. He was laid back about most things, but if anything was going to get to him, it was usually work.

That was the case today. Long gone was the light complaining about things being slow. Things seemed to have picked up drastically, and it was all he could do to stay on top of research requests and writing opinions and a million other things. Niko’s help was a godsend, but there was only so much the younger man could actually help with.

Though he had relaxed a little more once he was in the door at home, Gypsy and NPH doing their usual ‘Daddy is home’ dances, his mind was still at the office.

Sometimes, he needed to take the edge off.

After dinner he’d disappeared into the yard with the dogs, watching them play for a few moments before digging out his cigarette pack and lighter. It was nice to see that it was finally still light out in the evenings. And warm. He didn’t even need a light jacket, the way the weather was turning. Hopefully, it would stay that way.

He let the dogs play, making sure to keep an eye on NPH to verify he did, in fact, do his business before he came back in. The longer they stayed out, the more he felt the tension ease out of his shoulders. As always, there was tomorrow to do research for cases. Other websites and case files he could consult as reference points.

Yeah, tomorrow would be fine.

With that in mind, he stubbed out his cigarette on the ground before putting it in the little lidded coffee can he kept on the patio and whistled for the dogs to come back. Before he went back in, he pulled out a piece of spearmint gum. Before Josef, he might not have bothered at home, but he was well aware of his boyfriend’s feelings on his habit. He was trying to cut back, he really was, but some days, like today, he couldn’t ignore the itch. At least he tried to be respectful about it.

Both dogs bounded back in through the sliding door before Damien latched it back up again. “I think Patrick’s getting the hang of the whole ‘yard is the bathroom’ thing.” He stooped to rub the puppy’s ears. “Gypsy’s a good teacher.”

If only the rest of the evening could be like this.

[Josef Muller]

Josef had told himself he wasn’t going to put into this one. There were lots of reasons NOT to. They were happy. They were getting along. They weren’t arguing and they weren’t getting into fights and these were all good, if not wonderful, things. They were in love. And people in love didn’t pick apart each other’s habits. He’d learned that lesson with William. Therefore, Josef had told himself—promised himself—not to bring up Damien’s smoking habits. They were both adults. They were allowed to do what they wanted.

Unfortunately, they were getting serious. And with that realization came several others that Josef had been mentally avoiding, but could no longer turn away from entirely. So he’d told himself that he was going to bring up the habit. He was going to be polite about it, but firm. He wouldn’t turn it into a “it’s the cigarettes or me” thing because that was low and Damien deserved better. But nonetheless, something had to be said and done.

That didn’t mean he wasn’t as nervous as hell about it, though.

Damien honestly didn’t smoke much. Tonight seemed to be a bad night. He knew why-the man had said there were a lot of cases, and Josef sympathized with him for that. It didn’t sound pleasant. This was not the time to bring it up, he knew. But all the same…

Yeah, it was time. If he put it off he’d only lose his nerve. Or get upset. He had no desire to do either.

As a result, Josef looked slightly distracted when Damien walked back in, and managed a smile. “Huh? Oh, right. You called him Patrick.” He flashed him a grin. “See? It’s not so bad a name. But he’s a good teacher.”

And now for the more serious one. Josef sat back in the seat, drumming a beat on his leg before he regained control over himself. “Damien, I want to talk to you about the smoking.”

Oh, yup. That had totally been smooth. Well done Josef.

“It’s not—I don’t—you don’t have to—“ He stopped himself and cleared his throat. “Look, I’m worried, okay? And I just feel like this is something we should talk about. Together.”

[Damien Tremblay]

Damien knew Josef didn't like the smoking. Hell, most people in their right minds didn't like it. It was something Damien had been told since University. He knew it was bad for him. That was why he'd fought to wean himself to on an as-needed regime. He knew it was bad for other people that chose to be around him. That was why he was careful to either be alone,or with fellow smokers, like Janice at work.

What he didn't know was that tonight he was walking into the lion's den.

He smiled playfully and stood up from fussing NPH, shaking his head. "Patrick is a compromise. Not that he listens to it." Much to his dismay, the puppy only responded to one of two names. NPH, or the full Neil Patrick Harris. Sigh.

The law clerk was fully prepared for an easy evening, possibly a terrible movie before dragging themselves to bed.

Instead, he froze, shoulders tense.

Normally, he didn't like to argue or fight. He was the kind of person who rolled over and gave in easily. But this... this was the one fight he would latch to. He'd gotten so used to defending it that it was second nature to be defensive when it was brought up. It didn't seem to matter if it was a professional, like a doctor, or family, friends.... and now boyfriends.

Rather than joining Josef, Damien lingered in the kitchen, gripping uneasily at the countertop behind his back. "Talk about what, exactly?" He'd done this dance before, and he was confident he could argue almost any aspect of it. Much as he didn't want to fight with Josef, it was... instinctive to want to defend himself. Hopefully, they'd come out on the other side still in love, if somewhat miffed at one another. Miffed, he could handle. Falling apart was another story.