Nicky wasn't exactly sure what was going on at the moment, all he knew was that he was propping himself up against the kitchen counter, trying not to collapse from exhaustion, and listening to Rod go on and on about God knows what.

"Please remember that I need you to do some laundry today, I left the steps on a little folded slip of paper in the laundry basket so you shouldn't forget how to do anything, just consult the paper if you get lost. But please, for the love of God DON'T wash my underwear, I'll take care of that. You have no idea how to starch and press anything..." Rod mumbled to himself, thinking about the hole Nicky burned in his favorite silk dress shirt before he took a breath and continued his instructions.

"And don't even THINK about sending any of my ties through the washer either, or I'll have your head on a silver platter. All of my ties are dry clean only and if you ruin them, I will tan your hide! There's a roll of quarters on the night stand for the machine."

Nicky clapped a hand to his forhead and drug it down his face, letting out a long, low groan from the back of his throat.

"Rod, can I go back to bed? Jesus Christ... You didn't have to wake me up, most people would just leave a note, you know." He scratched the stubble on his chin and let out a bear yawn, swiping the tears away with the back of his hand.

Rod gently tapped a stack of papers against the corner of the kitchen table, before setting them neatly in his briefcase along with a few other things he might need for today's quarterly review.

"Nicky please, don't be difficult. You know I have trouble with writing so even if I did leave you a note, you probably wouldn't be able to read it. I'm counting on you to try and remember all of this. Just do some laundry and keep the kitchen clean, that's all I'm asking for."

Rod stole another glance at the clock and his heart nearly jumped out of his chest.

"Oh sweet Jesus, I have to go right now or I'm going to be late! I want the apartment still standing by the time I get home so please don't burn it down. It's going to be a long day at the office today so I honestly have no idea when I'll be home. Don't wait up."

Before Rod realized what he was doing, he leant up on his toes and planted a kiss square on Nicky's lips.

They stayed like that for a minute or two, staring at eachother with wide eyes. Rod pulled away with a soft smack of his lips. He turned away momentarily and flapped the silk hankie out of his breast pocket, wiping at his mouth, hoping to get rid of the taste of last night's beer and pizza dinner. He then tucked it back into it's pocket and turned back to the wide-eyed green man towering over him.

"That...that didn't just happen..." Rod squeaked out sheepishly, fiddling nervously with the knot in his tie. His cheeks flushed a ridiculous shade of turquoise.

Nicky, now much more awake than he was a minute ago, offered his friend a curt smile. His brow quirked playfully.

"What didn't happen?"

"Riiiight," Rod droned, swiping his briefcase off the table and making a beeline for the front door. "I'll see you later, REMEMBER YOUR CHORES." Rod warned. And with that, he was out the door, running down the street to the nearest subway entrance.

Nicky watched out the bay window as Rod disappeared into the crowds of people that were already flooding the streets of Brooklyn. He shook his head and chuckled to himself.

"Idiot."