Page 109 of Rat

Ollie allowed a cautious smile. “I don’t want to wrestle with you anymore. I’m too afraid I’ll unlock the beast.”

Rory laughed and shook his head. He looked up at the sound of someone clearing their throat.

“Can I sit?”

Rory nodded at Captain, and he placed his tray down on the table.

“You not getting yours?” Captain asked.

“I usually go at the end of the line.”

Ollie shook his head. “Not now you don’t, not after you smashed Pauly’s face.”

“I’ll go up in a minute.”

Captain gestured to Rory’s hands. “Have you had them looked at?”

“They’re only bruises.”

“Massive bruises.”

“I’m fine.”

Captain flared his nostrils, and Rory raised his hands.

“After breakfast, I’ll see if the doctor will take a look,” Rory amended.

“Good.”

Sebastian walked over to the table with two trays of breakfast. He slid one in front of Rory, then sat down with his own.

“You didn’t have to do that…” Rory murmured.

“Getting breakfast after a night of passion, it’s traditional, right?”

Rory blushed, then stirred his porridge.

“Your hands,” Sebastian muttered. “They’re worse than I thought.”

“I told him he should see the doctor,” Captain said.

Sebastian nodded. “And so he should.”

“After breakfast.”

Sebastian pulled the tray away. “They could be broken.”

“They’re not broken.”

“They’re black and blue.”

Ollie hummed. “I would’ve said mauve and mulberry.”

“What?”

“Shades of purple.”

Rory rolled his eyes. “The art police again.”