Outrunning Karma | MxM

-7- Breaking Even

Jason then leant back pulling out multiples sheets of paper from his backpack, Caleb recognised them instantly and dread filled his stomach knotting up. They were bills.

"Are they earlier than normal?" Caleb murmured putting a hand to his head as Jason spread the sheets across the table.

"Feels like it, but no" Jason replied stonily.

The couple scoured over the sheets in detail, adding up everything that needed to be paid.

"That's a tiny bit less than normal" Jason said trying to sound optimistic.

"We're making like... 15 dollars profit" Caleb answered glaring at Jason, sugarcoating this was pointless. They could both see it.

"Better than breaking even" Jason supplied still trying to look on the bright side "it's bad" he added with a small sigh.

"Next time cost of living rises, we're fucked" Caleb blurted out unable to contain the anxiety that was spiking within him.

"Elf... we'll be fine, we'll make it work, we always do" Jason reassured him calmly "I could even sell my truck, we could just walk to work everyday instead. It's not too far" He suggested mildly.

"Don't you dare" Caleb spat horrified by the suggestion "don't even think about that okay?"

"But it might go for like... 10 grand, imagine that" Jason whispered.

"Shut up Jason!" Caleb snapped aggressively, the thought of selling the blue pick up truck was awful to him. That was where he'd lost his virginity with Jason, it was a safe space for him, one that he'd had so many sacred, emotional and personal moments in, it was special to him.

"Sorry" Jason supplied rubbing his eyes roughly. He was clearly just as stressed out over the bills as Caleb was.

"We're getting so desperate now, the fact you even considered that shows it" Caleb muttered softly.

"I know" Jason answered sighing heavily.

"Don't go back there" Caleb told him forcefully staring into Jason's eyes sapphire blue eyes steadily.

Jason nodded, they both knew what Caleb was referring to, it was how they'd met.

"Especially not presents, no stealing at all whatsoever, but especially not Christmas presents" Caleb added a small smile flickering onto his face at the memory of Jason in his living room.

"I won't steal anything, I promise" Jason assured him returning the smile weakly.

"I know we're struggling, but you never ever have to stoop that low again. We'll always find a way out" Caleb told him, he wasn't really certain of his words. He wasn't sure they could always find a way out. Financially they'd been getting in tighter and tighter scrapes recently, the cafe barely profited. Sometimes it didn't even break even.

"Thank you elf, I pinky promise" Jason said holding his pinky up to Caleb, Caleb leant over locking his finger in with Jason's, he trusted that man with his life. He knew he wouldn't break that promise. It made him feel better about it.

The two then stood up stacking the papers and leaving them on the countertop, they both got ready for bed simultaneously. They brushed their teeth, used the bathroom. Stripped down and got into bed together.

Caleb cuddled close to Jason feeling his chest rising and falling gently.

"It's really stressing me out" he admitted timidly.

"What is?" Jason asked.

"The bills, money. Just all of it" Caleb clarified nuzzling his head deeper into Jason's warm chest. He didn't like being vulnerable with anyone but he knew Jason would understand him.

"Like you said elf, we'll always manage. No matter what" Jason whispered placing his hand softly on Caleb's back.

"What if we don't" Caleb whispered back anxiously his voice barely even above a whisper. The concept terrified him. Losing it all.

"We won't. I'll always always make sure of that, even if it means switching careers entirely. We just need to wait until the right season. Then the cafe will be booming" Jason reassured him gently.

"Yeah, I hope so" Caleb answered doubtfully.

"It'll all be fine, I'll never let us go hungry, or on the streets or anything like that. You never have to worry about that again okay?" Jason continued his reassuring words bringing comfort to Caleb.

"Night now elf" Jason whispered softly.

"Night" Caleb meekly responded closing his eyes, bracing himself for a possible night terror.