Page 98 of Gratification in Gluttony

Wanting to ease him, Toni smiled and offered a little wave. The relief was instantaneous, and a smile broke out over Jude’s face as he waved back. He took a step toward Toni, but Oliver diverted him with a hug. Toni released the anxious breath he’d been holding and shook out his hands.

“Are you alright?” Zef asked from beside him, and Toni yelped in surprise.

“Where did you come from?” he demanded, hating how the Mantodea could so easily sneak up on him. They were so quiet sometimes; it would have been creepy if Toni didn’t like them so much.

“I was standing here the whole time,” Zef said with a frown. “You just did not notice. You were staring at Jude.”

“Oh.” Toni’s face heated, and Zef quirked their head.

“Your cheeks are flushed. Are you ill?”

“No,” Toni said defensively. “Stop looking at me.”

Zef turned away immediately, their antennas twitching. “Okay. My apologies.”

“No, not like that, Zef.” Toni huffed. “Ignore me. I’m being a dick.”

“I have always found that phrase so strange. What about being a penis is such an insult? You do not hear people call each othervaginas or prehensiles or a cloaca.” Zef shook their head. “But being a penis is so unappealing as to be an insult.”

As Toni had come to expect, he was left speechless and amused by the things that came out of Zef’s mouth. “You know, I’d love to spend a day inside your head. Just a passenger, along for the ride.”

“I fear you would not survive it,” they said, entirely deadpan, though their wings buzzed subtly, giving them away.

“Oh, you’re sassy today.”

“I am practicing,” they said primly.

“Being sassy?”

“Teasing. I hear it is a common and enjoyable exchange between friends.” A slight flush darkened Zef’s light green cheeks. “I fear I am not very good at it.”

Toni grinned. “You’re perfect, baby. Don’t let anyone tell you different.”

Their wings flared out from their back in pleasure. “Thank you, bitch.”

At that, Toni nearly lost his composure, but he managed to swallow down his laugh as he said, “Come again?”

“I also read that friends call each other such names as a sign of affection, not an insult. Did I do it correctly?”

“Yeah, bitch, you’re doing great,” Toni said, and Zef smiled, ducking their head.

“I have not decided if I like that particular term. It seems to be rooted in sexism.”

“I don’t suggest calling women that; it is very offensive. But you can call Gem a bitch all day. He lives for it.”

Turning toward Gem, who was finishing up putting the espresso machine back together, Zef called out, “Gemae?”

Gem’s head popped up. “Yeah, babe?”

“You are a bitch,” Zef said.

Gem blinked in a wave from left to right. “Like, a bad bitch? Or, like, a bitch-bitch?”

“Bad bitch,” Toni whispered, and Zef reached out with their lower left hand and fleetingly touched his wrist in thanks.

“A bad bitch,” Zef said confidently, and Gem simpered.

“Aw, thanks, Zef! You’re a bad bitch too.”

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