Page 182 of Untouchable

Parker clears his throat awkwardly.

“You do know I’m dyslexic as hell, right?” he says. “And stuff like this, where it’s a bunch of text in a weird font is kind of… I mean, it looks like alphabet soup to me.”

"Oh. No. Had you told me that? I had forgotten if you did," Harp says. He takes the menu back when Parker offers it again. "I didn't know fonts even messed with dyslexia. I'm sorry."

“It’s okay,” Parker says. “I mean… it’s not like… like, I can still hold a job and stuff. It’s why—well, one of the reasons—I had such shitty grades and stuff. Anyway. Yeah. Parker James, official dumbass. So, um, what do you think sounds good?”

He knows his face is bright red. Harp lowers the menu and looks right at him, with that fierce, protective expression that makes Parker feel loved and a little uncomfortable all at once.

"Jesus, of course you can hold a job. You're smart as hell, Parker. You know that, right?"

Parker rolls his eyes.

"I mean, did your parents even try to help you with it or...?"

“They got me a tutor in high school,” he says. He leans over Harp’s shoulder and stabs randomly at the menu. “That looks good. Let’s get that.”

"Vegan Shepherd's Pie? Really?"

Parker makes a face.

"Listen, I'll order for us if that's really what you want, but I'm happy to read through this for you. Unless that's a shitty thing to offer? I don't know anything about having dyslexia," Harp admits.

Parker runs his hand through his hair and shifts uncomfortably.

“It’s just, um… it’s awkward to talk about, you know? Especially with someone like you who… y’know, is super smart and reads a ton.” Harp opens his mouth to say something but Parker doesn’t let him. “I don’t think you’re judging me, or whatever. That… helps, yeah. It’s mainly really bad when there’s like, big walls of text and stuff without pictures, or if I’m stressed. The tutor did actually help a little bit. My parents only hired her because they were pissed off I was going to be put in remedial classes, but she taught me some stuff to make it better. But. Um. Yeah. I dunno. Do you see something with like, a shit ton of butter and cheese? What looks fancy and cool?”

He rubs the back of his neck, hoping Harp will pick up on the fact that Parker is done talking about this. He appreciates how kind and affirming Harp is, but he also knows that, right now, there’s no way he’ll be able to internalize anything Harp says.

But, for the first time, he has hope that he might, in the future. When he’s heard it too many times to ignore.

* * *

"There'sLobster Mac and Cheese, um," Harp says, scanning the menu and announcing them as fancily as he can. "There's a Blue Cheese Crusted Filet Mignon, or, if the gentleman would prefer, a Bacon Elk Cheeseburger?"

Parker bursts out laughing.

“Are you serious?” he says. “None of that is fancy. Well, the crusty one, maybe. And I guess lobster is fancy, too.” He stops to think. “The gentleman would like to know what salads might pair nicely with the mac and cheese, and if there are any breadsticks available for purchase.”

Harp smiles and snorts and it’s almost hard to remember how close he’d been to a panic attack earlier now as he sits here, his chest full up with affection.

* * *

"I'll figure something fancy out,”Harp says. “And cheesy. Why don't you find a terrible movie for us to watch in bed—something... not animated?" Harp asks gently, smiling.

“But Finding Nemo has a sequel that—”

Harp swats him with the menu, and Parker laughs before going into the bedroom and throwing himself down on the large bed, scanning through the menu of movies available to them.

“Hey, Harp, we’re not going out again tonight, right?” Parker calls to the other room.

“Er… did you want to?” Harp asks.

“No, I really don’t. Just wanted to check before changing into pajamas, because once I’m in them, I’m not getting out. I mean, you know, except for sex stuff.”

Harp snorts.

“You’re good to go.”

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