Page 13 of Destroyer

"You are disappointed in me?" Nico mutters as I tuck him under the covers.

"No. I'm disappointed in myself. I keep failing you, no matter what I do to help."

"I'm not your problem to fix."

"I'd like you to be. If you want."

"Go to sleep. I shall still be here in the morning." His promise is made on the end of a yawn, and I believe he will stay tonight. I still have work to do if he will stay forever. Work I am more than willing to do.

Chapter nine

Nico

Caeohasmadeabig mistake offering me his home. I'm not meant for domestic life and even my best efforts are going to drive him insane. But I know I need to change how I live. Without Gavriil to fall back on, my campsite isn't sustainable all year around. I will do as Caeo demands and stay in the house, finding myself staring at the kitchen as soon as the sun rises. Caeo isn't an early riser, while I naturally can't stay in bed for more than five hours. Maybe it's because I've never known the comfort of a bed before Porter adopted me.

"What are you doing?" Caeo's voice calls from the kitchen doorway.

"I am not leaving," I reply quickly. "I am staying here so I am remembering the kitchen."

"As in what goes where?"

"Yes. And what does what." I indicate to the long row of coffee mugs on the table filled with cold beverages. "I have played each button and I do not like any of the coffee."

Caeo examines his coffee machine and grunts to find it still meeting his expectations.

"I only use one setting." He demonstrates his preferred setting on the machine, ignoring ninety percent of the device's function to just make black coffee.

"How is it better than hot water on ground coffee stuff? I have tasted. All gross to me."

"Just remember how I drink it and bring me a cup at seven every morning."

I smile at the order, needing purpose and function in my life.

"I can tell the time," I nod keenly, which does the opposite of my intended reassurance.

"I will get you a phone so you can tell the time and set alarms."

"Fine. I will use it for time telling but you must not tell anyone the number." I don't want a phone, and resisting has been a continuous battle with Gregory since he arrived.

"Not even Porter?"

"No. Not do I want to be always there."

"Fine. I'll get you a watch." Caeo chuckles at his words and sips his coffee. "Perfect."

"I will remember."

Gavriil always said the biggest perk that not speaking English gave him was that people couldn't call him to ask things. If it was important, they would make the time to visit, and if it wasn’t, then he didn't want a call to tell him it.

If I have a phone, Porter will call me daily, and he would want me to visit less. I like visiting Porter, and I like Gladys' muffins. Each trip is like a mini adventure into how the others live. It is more fun than talking into a box.

And there is Edward.

Edward and his impossible order.

The idea that he could request my attention night and day terrifies me.

"What are you making us for breakfast?" Caeo continues to treat me like a house slave, and I proudly obey. I can be house trained. I can be useful to him, and I can be what he wants me to be.

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