Eivind nodded at the idea he needed a top coat. That, he could understand. Not so much all the other overlapping layers and colors, but it really did look nice. He would rather preserve it than let it flake away.<br/><br/>“I could probably even help with the top coat, if you wanted me to.” It was still a lot of surface area to cover, and he imagined he could probably help seal it without fucking it up. Surely that was monotonous enough that Blue didn't want to do it entirely on his own.<br/><br/>“There's furniture all over the place. I just finish and seal everything,” Eivind spoke with a shrug, pointing to the blank wooden headboard attached to the bed frame. Downstairs, the oversize coffee table in front of the rug needed a new coat.. of something. He didn't really care what Blue did with all of it, especially if it helped him to see this place as less of a prison. Eivind only lived in it part of the time anyway.<br/><br/>“I don't really know what I'd want you to paint. I've never really thought about it.” Obviously, because there wasn't a stitch of art anywhere in his home. “I can get you those things. Next time Synnove or someone goes into town, I'll have them pick things up. Just make a list. I'm not going to remember everything. You can show me more of what you do, and maybe I'll have a better understanding.” And appreciation.<br/><br/>Blue hadn't moved away when Eivind reached to touch him. They just stared there a moment, until Eivind was aware of an unfamiliar scent to him that hit him like a truck. It took him a few long seconds to realize it was coming from Blue, brought on by his thoughtless touch. Once he realized exactly what it was, he held his breath, and Blue put distance between them. He didn't seem frightened, embarrassed perhaps, and Eivind could think no other thoughts than grabbing him and fucking him right there on the stairs until he was out of sight.<br/><br/>Not out of mind though, even if he'd closed the door, a clear signal that Eivind wasn't invited. He didn't care about the food, and he warred with himself about ignoring everything Blue was telling him and tearing any door down that stood between him and his mate. Frozen where he stood, he listened as Blue started up the shower, and he thought that might be the end of his torment. It wasn't. The smell grew thicker, Blue's body calling to him in ways he only knew how to resolve in one way.<br/><br/>He turned to go back down stairs, hoping it would be more bearable with distance, and the thick smell of food cooking. Nothing muted the smell though, and the urgency. Frustration made his movements agitated. His own body was responding, yet he was making a valiant effort to deny himself of all contact despite the obvious state his mate was in. It wasn't a natural thing to try and do, but they were establishing their own rules in whatever this was. One of those being that Eivind wouldn't overstep again.<br/><br/>Eivind dropped a salad bowl when Blue obviously attained his goal. He could hear him, and smell it when it happened. He was never so aware of someone in his home before, and this was too hard to ignore. The scent of his release was just a pungent, and Blue was going to drive him absolutely fucking crazy.<br/><br/>'<i>Don't come downstairs,</i>' he willed. '<i>Go lay down in the bed, and let me get a handle on myself.</i>'<br/><br/>Of course, the fates would decide to test all his willpower, and as always he was destined to fail. He was turned away from Blue when he came down the stairs, walking towards the kitchen. His hands were gripping the counter top so tightly that his knuckles were white, and his back was a tense all the way down. The salad was scattered all over the floor and Eivind made no effort to clean it up. The food was still sizzling away, and Eivind was ignoring all of it. He focused enough to hear Blue say his name, but not what he said after.<br/><br/>Eivind turned and was on Blue in a single stride, jerking him close and lifting him off the floor to place him onto the counter. He closed the distance between them, claiming Blue's mouth with his own, demanding entry with his tongue. He yanked Blue's hips closer to his own with the meager fabric of his boxers. He heard it tear, but he couldn't pull himself away. He was hard and aching, and he could still feel Blue through the fabric of his jeans. He'd still opted to wear them, though they didn't seem to be helping all that much. His bare torso was hot, perspiring lightly in the warm kitchen. His hands were greedy, holding Blue close to him, frustration making his movements jarring. His vision was cloudy, and he wanted nothing more than to unzip his pants and fuck Blue right there as he was, thighs forcefully parted around him. He knew another pull and the boxers would come away completely.