BAB 14

"You've been here weeks. And you're out there defending our country and shit. Sleeping bag"

"Where exactly do you think we sleep on missions? The Hilton?" Zaki put his hands on his hips, looming over Pino, who was not going to be intimidated.

"That's in the field. At home, you deserve a bed. A real bed." Pino's pulse sped up. It was a stupid thing to get worked up over, but it was totally making him angry that Zaki was coming home after twelve or more hours on duty and sleeping on the fucking floor. Zaki was a SEAL, not some homeless guy. And maybe that was the root of Pino's issue it reminded him too much of his perennial couch-surfing uncle and his ever-present sleeping bag that accompanied him from relative's house to relative's house as he overstayed his welcome. Zaki wasn't some vagabond. He deserved a real bed. "We're going to get you a bed. Tonight."

"We are not." Zaki stare would be worth a thousand ammunition points in War Elf.

"You are not sleeping on the floor. It's either we get you a bed, or you're sharing mine."

"No, I'm not." Zaki swallowed hard. Bingo. Pino had known the bed comment would get him.

"Then buy a freaking bed."

"I don't want something off craigslist" Zaki gave a little shudder.

"I'm with you on that. Nah, we'll head to IKEA. That's where I got mine. And I need to buy something to put the gaming stuff on downstairs. I'll even treat you to meatballs." This time he didn't leer about sharing balls with Zaki, lest he spook what he was pretty sure was about to be a win. "And you can get a dresser and some cheap shelves too."

Zaki shrugged. "I've been so busy with the list of stuff Senior Chief made"

"And that's why you've got me here now. Really." Pino couldn't resist reaching out and rubbing Zaki's muscled shoulder. Jesus, he was tight. "We're going to make a good team."

Pino's stomach clenched. Wow. He really wanted Zaki to believe him. He wanted this makeshift partnership to work in a way he hadn't really expected.

Why are you so reluctant to make this a home, Zaki? That was what he really wanted to know. He'd never seen a guy so hesitant to have a place to put his crap. And Zaki was so ordered and neat with the rest of his life he deserved to have a home that reflected that.

"You're really not going to let up, are you?" Zaki sighed. "I'll grab my truck keys."

Pino waited until Zaki was headed back down the hallway before he fist pumped. He might never win the war with Zaki, but he'd take the little victories where he could.

Zaki was really good with maps and directions his ability to estimate time needed to reach targets was something his teammates relied on. He was proud of his ability to gather intelligence for his team. But even with all those scouting skills, navigating IKEA's maze of displays and showroom areas was like trying to make headway in a dust storm. Pino, who claimed to love the store in New York, led the way to the cafeteria with confidence. They loaded up their trays with food, and at the Charlyier stand, Pino got his wallet out to pay.

"I've got mine." Zaki dug his own wallet out.

"I promised you meatballs," Pino said with a wink. "And I always deliver."

God, this was not the time to call Pino on his promise to not flirt, but that wink and that inflection were doing things to Zaki insides that he'd rather not think about. Letting Pino pay felt vaguely datelike, which was not how Zaki wanted things.

The Charlyier, a bored girl around his age, ran Pino's card before Zaki could protest again.

"It okay if we sit together? Or is that going to offend your het pride?" Pino laughed as they stepped into the dining area full of crowed white tables, like he had a direct line to Zaki thoughts.

"We can sit together," Zaki mumbled. Then because it needed saying, he added, "I'm sorry Harper was an ass. He doesn't mean to be"

"But he kind of is." Pino grabbed a seat at a two chair table and motioned for Zaki to do the same. "The senior chief was cool though. At least your whole team isn't homophobic idiots."

The careful look Pino gave him made his skin crawl like there were fire ants on it. "They're not," Zaki said firmly.

"You know Rino said his team was cool"

"That's great for Rino." Zaki stabbed a meatball far harder than he needed to. A few tables over, a younger Asian guy and an older dark-haired white guy were having an animated discussion over throw pillows matching lighting or some fool thing. Pino tossed a fond look their direction, confirming Zaki suspicion that they were a couple.

God, he'd gone twenty-plus years not knowing a single gay person, but lately it felt like he was surrounded. Rino, Pino. The bar. Here in the apparent Mecca of lingonberries and happy domestic couples. He was never ever going to have a stupid public argument with his, whoever

Of course, not twenty minutes after resolving that, he found himself arguing with Pino in the bedding display area.

"I only need a twin bed." He pointed at a perfectly serviceable white number.

"Zaki. That's for kids. See the trucks on the blankets? Get a double like what I have"

"The rooms at the rental are small."

"My bed fit just fine. Here. Look at this simple wood one." Pino grabbed his arm and dragged him to another display area, one with a basic pine bed that was probably just a queen but looked like an aircraft carrier compared to the twin. "That would match the trim in the room. And there's a matching dresser too."

What? He needed stuff to match now too? That was so... Okay, yeah. He was better than Harper, so no he wasn't going to think like that anymore. But still. He made a huffing noise instead of saying something regrettable.