And now that Neil admitted it, they could start healing him.
He nodded, relieved and tired. Neil wasn’t an easy sub. He’d never been easy. But with the work his boy took came amazing rewards for them both. “It’s time to heal, boy.” Isaac leaned back and stood slowly, giving Neil’s hand one more squeeze. “Start with the bisque. Alain’s soup is good for the soul.”
“It is that. It’ll make you all sweet and snuggly inside. I brought cards too. We can play rummy after. Let M’sieur win, even.”
Neil found a smile and picked up his spoon. “I’m in, Kitten.”
“Me too.” This wasn’t the ride he’d been expecting, but if his boys had taught him anything it was to expect the unexpected. So he was in. He was all in.
22
Gumbo?
Check.
Corn bread?
Check.
Blackberry cobbler?
Check.
The house was clean, paths created for the walker, and the new big bed was in, along with Chou’s reupholstered recliner.
Everything was ready for Chou to come home.
Alain hoped he was too. He needed to be prepared for anything, including a hurting, furious Neil, and a worried Isaac.
Pulling up now.
M’sieur’s text came in just about when he expected. He was ready for whatever moods his men might be in, but mostly he was excited for them to all be under one roof again. He knew M’sieur was too; they’d talked about it long into the night—about how prepared they were, what they still might need to do, how they’d figure out mornings when Isaac had to get up and leave for work. So whatever was coming in the door, it was going to be so much better than the last month without Neil in their bed.
Neil had become more and more quiet as the days had passed, their lover sinking into himself. Alain believed that was a lot of missing home, needing normal back.
And having a place where, if the door was locked, it was locked, and the outside couldn’t come in.
The door opened and Isaac pushed Neil through in his wheelchair with a folded-up walker hanging over one shoulder. He looked more happy than stressed. Neil had his beat-up duffel in his lap, and there was a round, mylar “Welcome Home” balloon tied to the chair at Neil’s left arm.
“We’re home!” M’sieur called out, like he hadn’t already seen them. “We’re home. Finally.”
“Hooray! Look at y’all.” He took the walker from Isaac, then he stole a kiss from Neil. “Welcome home, Chou. Welcome home.”
Neil grabbed his collar and tugged him back. “I’ll take another one of those.” This one was a real kiss from his Chou. The kind they hadn’t had in a long while.
M’sieur chuckled and stepped around them. “Just like old times. It smells great in here. When you two are done, you should show Neil our new bed.”
“I can do that, yes, Sir.” He grinned at his Chou. “I cooked for you. Corn bread and gumbo. There’s Dr Pepper’s in the fridge too. And cold milk.”
“My favorite things. You’re good to me. Thank you, Kitten.” Neil didn’t look angry or even grumpy. He looked tired for sure, but he was happy to be home. “Wait, we got a new bed?”
“Mhm. Alain’s been busy getting this place all set up for us.” M’sieur gave him a wink.
“No shit? Well, show me, and then we’ll have lunch or whatever.” Neil smiled for him, resting their foreheads together for a second, and Alain let himself get lost in those pretty eyes. “I’m home.”
“Oui. Where you belong. Come, I’ll show you the big bed.” He set the walker by the door and hung the duffel over his shoulder before pushing Chou toward the bedroom. “You had to see them putting it together. I watched them some, it was crazy. So many boxes.” He dropped the bag to one side out of the way as they rolled into the room. “And they kept saying, ‘Damn, this is a big bed. Why do you need such a big bed?’” He giggled. “I didn’t say.”
“No? You didn’t tell him you were two studs’s kitten?” Neil laughed for him, and the laughter faded when he saw the bed. “Jeez Louise, will you look at that!”