Page 31 of Gratification in Gluttony

Seriously? That kid could not take a fucking joke!

“Nah, I don’t want to get a hairball,” Toni barked after him, bringing a hiss from between his bared teeth.

Oliver sent Toni a stern frown. “You’re such a douchebag.”

Toni snorted and waggled his tongue at the human, and Oliver rolled his eyes and followed Rusty back to the front. Fuck, when had everyone gotten so touchy?

“You shouldn’t rile him up,” Glyma chided from her spot near the oven. “He’s sensitive.”

“Who? Rusty?” Toni snorted rudely. “That punk has a stick stuck so far up his ass—”

“He’s just a kid,” Glyma interrupted.

“A kid who crushed so hard on you when he started.” Toni pointed at Zef, already laughing. “You remember? He was gone for Glym. Fucking gone!”

Glyma scowled at them both as Zef placed one of their upper hands to their mouth to cover a smile. “Oh, hush. Both of you!”

“He was quite smitten,” Zef said.

“And if Zef noticed, then you know it’s true,” Toni said.

Willow pressed a hand to her chest. “Aw, that’s sweet. It must have been before I started because ever since I’ve been here, he’s—” She cut herself off with a delicate clearing of her throat.

“He’s what?” Toni demanded. “Ever since you started, he’s what?”

“I’m sure it was only an innocent crush,” Willow said to Glyma, pointedly ignoring Toni.

“It was, and it passed quickly. He’s really a sweetheart.” Glyma tucked a chunk of purple hair behind her ear. “You know, deep down. Once you get past his…”

“Assholery,” Toni offered helpfully.

Willow and Glyma’s expressions matched—neither of them entertained by his suggestion.

“Tough crowd today,” Toni whisper-shouted at Zef.

They awarded him with a quiet sniff of amusement and a tiny smile. Then Toni heard Gem say, “Someone better get me a towel because the tea being spilled right now—”

“Gem, shut up,” Rusty hissed.

“Something’s happening,” Toni whispered, and everyone dropped what they were doing and converged on the kitchen doors.

They peeked through the long, thin windows, Zef hovering just over Toni’s shoulder, their cool breath fanning over his ear.

“It is the Gymnot,” they said.

“The who?” Glyma asked.

“The Gymnot from Saturday night,” Toni whispered back. “Gem tried to wingman for Oliver. It went very badly.”

“Apparently not that badly,” Willow cut in. “He’s here after all. Oh, and he is entirely charmed by Oliver! That’s so lovely.”

“I’m not sure how, though,” Toni muttered as he watched Oliver stumble and stammer his way through flirting as Gemand Rusty whispered a commentary behind him. “Ollie is not very smooth.”

“He’s finding his footing,” Glyma defended their precious human.

“He’s doing just fine. Trust me,” Willow said confidently.

“I do not understand what is happening,” Zef said.

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