Page 61 of Honeythorn
Bethany looked at him speculatively. “Yes, that was going to be my next attempt. Here, I have some prototypes.”
Soon, both of them had forgotten the formal structure of an interview as they became immersed in talking about some of Bethany’s projects. It was late by the time they finished, and Milan couldn’t keep from grinning.
“You really are interested,” Bethany said as they stepped out, a small smile on her face.
“I really am.”
“Well, I need the help, and you’ve got a sharp mind. How about you come on Monday morning and we can give it a go.”
“Really? I mean—yes! That would be wonderful.”
Bethany chuckled. “All right. Until then.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Milan felt as if he were floating, barely noticing the ride back. He brushed Saturnus down with a mad grin on his face and raced to Raphael’s study as soon as he could.
“I did it!” Milan practically shouted as he burst into the room. “I got the apprenticeship!”
Raphael stood up at once, smiling wide, and rushed to Milan to wrap him up in his arms. Milan laughed, hugging him just as tightly.
“I knew you would. She would be a fool not to take you on.”
They took a step away from each other, still holding hands, and Raphael looked at Milan fondly as he babbled about the interview, and Bethany, and all the wonderful things in the workshop. When he was finished, Raphael squeezed his hands, his smile turning mischievous.
“I’ve got something to celebrate.”
Milan looked at him curiously. “Oh?”
“Come see.”
Milan could guess what it was before they entered the room Raphael took him to, judging by the noise. As the door opened, two balls of fluff barrelled towards him.
“Oh, you got them!” Milan exclaimed, getting to his knees and letting the puppies climb all over him, yipping happily. They both had shabby fur, one a silver grey, the other black with a patch of white on his chest and paws. “Look at you,” Milan cooed.
A rather bedraggled servant stood in the middle of the room. “I’m afraid they ruined one of the cushions,” he said. Raphael waved his concerns away.
“No matter, that’s what pups do. You can return downstairs, we’ll look after them.”
He looked relieved. “Yes, My Lord.”
Milan jumped up once he was gone, giving Raphael another hug, making him chuckle.
“You like them, then?”
“Yes. Very much.” Without thinking too much about it, he lifted himself on his toes and placed a kiss on Raphael’s cheek.
Raphael looked stunned as Milan pulled away. Milan smiled. “Thank you,” he said. Raphael blushed.
“You’re welcome.”
Milan couldn’t stop grinning for the rest of the day.
**********
The puppies—called Pax and Lima—were a terrible distraction. Milan tried to train them, having some experience with dogs, but Raphael was entirely too soft with them, spoiling them to a fault. Milan would sometimes find him on the floor of his study when he should be working, rolling around with both of them. The sight made such a rush of fondness go through Milan that he could never manage to persuade Raphael to be a little stricter with them. It made him remember Raphael’s gentle hands upon a plant and wonder if there was not something growing inside Milan too, something warm and alive.
The daily walks around the estate quickly became Milan’s favourite part of the day. He loved to see the puppies run around, chasing each other but never going too far. Milan would watch Raphael’s face, glowing as he looked upon them.
