“Still…” Chou winked at the Doc, then winced as that face moved. “Thank you for inviting me to stay, Sir.”
Doc kissed the top of Chou’s head. “I’ve got your back, boy. Always.”
More than that, he thought. He’d had seen what passed between them—that hug, the things they didn’t say written on their faces.
It was a good thing, a fine connection, and he would respect that.
Mostly.
He might rub off to the thought.
“All right, boys. Clean up please, and then we’ll get Alain settled in his room.” Boys meant him and Chou too? “Go on.”
“I c’n do the dishes. You want for me to save the rest? It’ll warm up nice.”
Chou sat up and gathered up bowls. “I can show you where the Tupperware is.”
Doc got up too, one hand gliding over Chou’s shoulders, then giving Alain’s shoulder a squeeze.
He nodded and took the bowls from Chou. Chou was hurtin’, and not in the fun way. “Come on, you. Sit and keep me comp’ny. You got to be aching bad.”
They headed for the kitchen. “It hurts, but I’ve been hurt before. Doc knows me; when I get all in my head I need to do something. Think less. Serve more.”
Think less, serve more. Master Cyrus would say stuff like that. He could serve this fine man, but Chou was serving the doc, no? Should he ask questions? Did they want him to know?
Prolly not. “Well, I ’preciate y’all letting me stay. I’m still not all the best at being on my lonesome.”
“Master Cyrus called Master Isaac for you. I’m sure they are doing what they think you need. Master Isaac is super clear with things; he’s easy to work with. And he’s…well, he’s a doctor. He’s kind, he’s careful.” Chou opened a cabinet and pulled out a container. “This should work.”
“Thank you. So y’all are…” Lovers? Fuckbuddies? Super real good friends?
“Complicated, kiddo. We’re vastly complicated.” Neil gave him a wicked wink that he felt in his balls. Whoa.
“No shit. You’re his today, no? But not every day. I can’t figure it, me.” He laughed and put the leftovers away.
“Folks aren’t always one thing or the other, yeah? Sometimes you need to be flexible.”
He tilted his head. “You a switch-hitter, are you?”
“Smart boy.”
“I know things.” Alain winked over, playing good and hard. “Especially sex things.”
“Oh yeah?” Chou winked right back. “Sounds like Cyrus missed an opportunity, then.”
He just kept giggling. “Oh, no. Him? Me? No, no.”
“No?” Chou chuckled softly. “You don’t want to be over his knee?”
“Been there. It wasn’t a bit hot, but after I felt like I could breathe.” He’d cried hard, and it had let him yell even, about how fucking evil them men had been.
“That’s good. Too bad it wasn’t hot though.” Chou leaned closer. “It can be hot.”
“Chou, I got me no doubt of that.” His mouth watered at the thought, in fact. “None at all.”
Chou chuckled. “We better get you to your room before Sir starts thinking we’re having too much fun.”
“God forbid, eh? Jus’ let me finish these dishes up.” He liked Chou. He liked him a lot.