Home Sweet Home
Jackson could’ve jumped for joy if he wasn’t nervous he’d hurt his leg again. He had just finished his physical therapy appointment and they had approved him to get back on the ice next week. Next week! As soon as he saw Zhenya in the waiting room, he had practically launched himself into the taller man’s arms.
“Good news, da?” Zhenya said with a laugh, catching his boyfriend easily.
Jackson nodded, his smile pressed into Zhenya’s neck, “I’m cleared for practice next week.” His boyfriend spun him in a happy circle, letting out a happy whoop.
Pressing a kiss to Jackson’s cheek, Zhenya began carrying him out the car, “We must celebrate.” Jackson smacked at his back, unable to stop the laughter falling from his lips as they made their way out to the car.
“Put me down, you giant,” Jackson said with a laugh before Zhenya gently set him down next to the car. “Can we celebrate at home? Like ice cream and stuff?”
Zhenya was already nodding as he got in the car, “Of course, your celebration. We celebrate how you want.” Jackson couldn’t help the smile that spread on his face. It felt like he might never stop, his cheeks aching but god, was it a good feeling. He was going to be back with his team by this time next week. The physical therapist had sent his paperwork over to their PT at the rink, including his routine that he had to keep up as well as his clearance to get back on the ice. Nerves were settling in his stomach at the thought, but the excitement was overpowering.
They stopped at the grocery store on the way home, picking up different treats for their celebration. The cashier probably thought we were going through some type of bad breakup because when they celebrated, it meant sweets. Ice cream, cookies, brownies, cake. If it was available at the store, they were buying it. After they had bought most of the sweet section, the two headed back to their house.
“I’m gonna jump in the shower real quick, choose a movie babe,” Nado said, tugging at his shirt as he headed to the bathroom. Zhenya started setting out their various sweets across the living room table, humming to himself as he got everything set up before he heard a shout from the bathroom.
His eyebrows furrowed as he glanced up the stairs, “Jackson?”
There was a heavy sigh before the water turned off, “I forgot to close the bathroom door.” Jackson said, walking out with a towel wrapped around his waist and a wet kitten cradled in his arms.
Zhenya couldn’t help the laugh at the sight, “Aw my котенок.” Of course, the height of maturity, Jackson stuck his tongue out at him as he walked to their room.
“Put your home clothes on, Zhenya. It’s comfy time.” He yelled as he took off his towel, throwing it onto the bed and Milo on top of it.
The cat gave him an indignant look, licking the water from his fur. “Don’t look at me like that. You followed me into the shower!” Jackson said, pointing at the small ball of fluff as Zhenya walked in.
“You yell at our baby?” Zhenya said as he scooped Milo up in the towel, holding him close to his chest.
Jackson rolled his eyes, deciding to go against wearing a shirt as he pulled on some fuzzy socks with his sweats, “He was giving me a dirty look!” Zhenya had the kitten pressed to his face, murmuring to him softly in Russian. “You spoil him, Zhenya. He only comes in the shower ‘cause you let him.”
After pressing a kiss to the top of Milo’s head, Zhenya gently set him back on the bed before wrapping his arms around Jackson, “And I spoil you too then, da? Let you in my showers?” He asked, nuzzling into the shorter man’s neck.
A flush spread up Jackson’s chest to his neck, covering his cheeks as well, “Well that’s different.” He mumbled, turning to press a kiss to his boyfriend’s cheek before he pushed him away. “Home clothes. Now. Before our ice cream melts.”
Zhenya laughed as he wandered over to his own drawers, tossing his dirty clothes into the hamper before pulling on a pair of joggers, “I put ice cream in freezer. You’re welcome.”
Picking up Milo as he walked out, Jackson made his way down to the kitchen, “‘m gonna choose a movie without you. And it’s gonna be one of those horror ones you hate with lots of gore.” Loki and Pumpkin followed him into the kitchen like ducklings, meowing as they watched their dad grab the ice creams out of the freezer. He quickly scooped the three of them so food before making his way to the couch.
“Котенок, don’t be that way. We watch good movie. Star Wars? Or Marvel?” Zhenya said, flopping onto the couch and automatically pulling Jackson into his lap.
Jackson smiled as he leaned into his boyfriend’s chest, opening up his ice cream, “We could marathon Marvel. We’ve been wanting to watch them all in order.” He mumbled around his first spoonful of Chip Happens. It was his favorite. Zhenya on the other hand was addicted to Phish Food. They both could go through two or three pints in one sitting so needless to say, ice cream never lasted long in their household.
“Let’s do that. First Avenger goes first, right?” Zhenya asked, flipping through Disney+ to the Marvel section as his free arm wrapped around Jackson’s waist.
Jackson nodded, leaning his head back onto the taller man’s shoulder. They were quiet as the opening credits started, curling into each other as they watched the film. A couple of minutes in, the cats began to make their way out of the kitchen. As soon as they saw their dads were cuddling without them, the three made their way to the couch. Loki sprawled across Jackson’s legs, and Pumpkin found a way to nuzzle into the free space of Zhenya’s side. Milo was still a bit too small to just jump onto the couch, so Jackson quickly scooped him up before the little one caused a raucous.
“You know.. I’m glad you come back next week. Miss you when you’re not there. Not the same.” Zhenya murmured, brushing a stray hair from Jackson’s face.
Gently grabbing Zhenya’s hand before he pulled it away, Jackson pressed a kiss to his palm, “What, you don’t like playing with Smitty?”
Zhenya shrugged, his hand caressing the soft skin of the other man’s cheek, “Smitty’s great. Great friend, great teammate.. But he’s not you.”
Quickly setting their ice creams down, Jackson pulled Zhenya in for a deep kiss, unable to hold back. He rested his forehead against the other man’s, letting out a soft breath, “I love you so much.”
“Love you, always, котенок. My котенок.” Zhenya whispered, pulling Jackson to him as if they could never be close enough even though they were pressed skin to skin. For Jackson, there was never a safer place than in Zhenya’s arms. He could be millions of miles from Gryffindor, floating through space but as long as he had Zhenya, he was home.