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Daren thought about that, "maybe we could try." he shrugged and started to rinse off the pot before putting it in the dishwasher, "ham or turkey. i missed Thanksgiving so i'd be happy with either." he loaded the rest of the dishes as they talked, "i do request potatoes and gravy, no matter what we make. i could eat an entire plate of just that if i was allowed, i love potatoes and gravy." it was true, anna and tarte had started giving him two plates, one for mashed potatoes and gravy, one for everything else.

Daren grinned, "Deal. we'll have to look up if potatoes are ok for cats to eat." it didn't miss his notice that Tim cleaned everything so thoroughly, but he decided to not comment. he wasn't sure what to do now, but maybe they could go down and work out again? or maybe they would play a game? he didn't care, really, he'd leave it to Tim

Daren nodded, "when i first got her i had to feed her medication that way. she likes yogurt and canned cat food." he watched as Tim moved to the living room and dining room, but when he started towards Daren's room it was time to act. he stepped forward and gently took the cleaning tools from Tim's hands, "enough. it's not dirty, Tim. you don't have to clean everything." he was going to have to ask Akane about how to best act and help Tim get through this. "come on, let's go for a walk. ok?"

Daren was glad Tim let it drop for now, he was going to try to distract him enough to keep him from doing the rest of the cleaning. there used to be an easy way to do that, just drag Tim to bed and distract him there, but, well, Daren wasn't too keen on that right now. he'd had enough of that sort of thing in prison to last him a while. plus, he didn't want Tim to see the amount of the damage he'd taken, and if they had sex then they'd be touching and feeling every part of each other, more so than in the shower, and there was some things Daren didn't want Tim to know. "thanks," he put on his coat and shoes and waited for Tim to find his before slipping his hand into the man's and walking with him to the elevator. were it any other time, he'd suggest going and seeing Anna and her family, but he couldn't. not now, he didn't want to ruin their business by having a murderer frequent the place. "want to walk around the pond?"

Daren glanced over, "just for shopping and work? you're as bad as me." he was teasing, of course, but a little worried at the same time. "we are quite the pair, aren't we? if left to our own devices, we'd lock ourselves in the flat and never come out. i bet i could find an online job-or just live of my investments. we could order our groceries and have them delivered. do all sorts of thing from the safety of the house." they walked outside and Daren took a deep breath, "but, after being locked inside of a box for a month, that prospect doesn't seem as appealing. nothing beats fresh air." he gave tim's hand a little squeeze before heading to the park, "how about we make a promise to take a walk together at least every other day. deal?"

Daren nodded, "there and maybe to stores and stuff. go and buy some ice cream when it gets hotter, that kind of thing." he looked down at himself when Tim said he was skinny, "yeah, prison food sucks." that and he was usually throwing up most of what he ate from blows to the stomach. "high school, huh? yeah, i guess. i was pretty scrappy in high school, all lean, tense muscles with no bulk. i broadened out when i joined the academy, but now i'm back to what i really am, i guess." he hated the way he looked. hated this scrappy, wiry thing that was his body. it was the truth, the muscles and strength? that was all a lie. a mask to cover up the real him. a pathetic little nobody that was always fighting to survive.

Daren smiled, "i was sort of in my own world during high school. basketball really helped, but that was pretty much my only social interaction with others. i was in foster care at that time and my home life was kind of hard. i'd been labeled as 'difficult' and was sent to some of the harsher homes to try and control me. some just yelled and grounded me while others, well-" the triangle burn on his shoulder itched, and though he knew it was completely in his head, he rubbed at it, "had a more hands on approach. people thought i was a rebel, too." he laughed at that, "so i can see you being intimidated. i remember how shocked everyone was when they found out i was going to the police academy, they thought i'd be on the other side of the law, i guess."