Page 47 of Tender
It was finally time.
He was still in his pajamas, but he felt a little better—if not slightly delirious from over-sleeping—and headed toward the kitchen.
Miles caught the scent of coffee which set his mouth watering, and as he got closer, he could smell bacon cooking.His stomach gave a faint grumble, and he tried not to think about the fact that he hadn’t eaten properly since lunch the previous day.
Anxiety prickled along his spine, and he took a small breath before turning the corner.
The kitchen was bright and warm, and Emmett was at the stove, Cosimo sitting at the breakfast nook with the paper.He looked up at Miles with his usual not-quite smile as if to show everything was normal.
But God, was it?
“Morning,” Emmett said.
Miles tried not to wince.Both his processors seemed to be working fine which was good, but a little overwhelming after keeping them off most of the previous afternoon. And hearing voices first thing had always been hard on him.He tried for a smile as he rubbed at his temple.“Morning.”
Emmett studied him for a long moment, then pointed his spatula at the massive coffee machine.“Coffee or tea if you want it.Breakfast will be up shortly.”He stared at Miles for a second, like he was considering something.Then he said, “Go sit with Cosimo.”
Miles stiffened, but he began to move almost like he had no control.He felt Cosimo’s eyes on him, and Emmett’s shoulders were a little tense as he went back to his food.Was this some sort of test?To see what he’d tolerate?
Whatever it was, he was going to pass. He hadn’t had trouble following orders since his brief rebellious phase as a teenager.
Grabbing a mug from a wall rack, Miles filled his mug from the pot, then added cream and several sugars.He took a spoon from the little container filled with them, then walked over to the table and sat.
Cosimo stared at him from over his paper.
“I haven’t seen anyone read news like that in years,” he blurted.
“I’m old,” Cosimo said, his voice hoarse.
Miles wondered why he sounded like that. A gag? A dildo down his throat he was forced to suck until he couldn’t take it anymore? He went hot all over and shoved the thought aside because the last thing he needed was to get an inappropriate hard on right there.
Miles forced a small smile.“You’re notthatold.”
Cosimo scoffed, but he was grinning as he went back to whatever article he was reading.The moment was quiet in thebest way, and he shifted his chair over to sit in a patch of sun as he listened to the sound of Emmett cooking, and the occasional crinkling noise of Cosimo turning pages.
He liked this kind of silence.
The moment was broken not too long after with the appearance of plates.One was piled with scrambled eggs, the other with bacon, a third with fruit.Emmett handed out smaller ones to him and Miles, then he sat.
When Miles tried to reach for the serving spoon, Emmett cleared his throat, and Miles snatched his hand back.
“Eggs?” Emmett asked.
Cosimo made a warning noise, but Emmett ignored him.
“And how many pieces of bacon?”
Miles swallowed heavily.Itwasa test.“Yes, please.And three.”
Emmett nodded, then added a liberal scoop of eggs, then the bacon, and twice as much of the chopped melons and strawberries.“Fiber,” he said.
Cosimo choked on his coffee.
Miles was lost, but he decided to let this play out.In spite of his single moment of fear, he knew neither of these men were cruel.Whatever was happening, it wasn’t to torment him.He took the plate and pulled it close.
“Thank you,” he murmured.
Emmett caught his gaze, then tipped his fingers from his chin to sign, ‘Thank you.’
