Alain rested his head on his arms and smiled over at Neil. “Thank you, Master Chou. I feel so good.”
“I do too, Kitten. Believe it or not, I do too.”
“I believe it. I see you.”
“I feel like your Dom again, boys. Thank you for that.” Isaac touched his leg briefly, squeezed his calf, then went back to work on Alain’s backside.
Neil loved to see that, but he was fading, dozing off, his body insisting that it was time to rest.
Alain sighed. “Sleep, Chou. Don’t worry; we’re gonna keep our eyes on you.”
“And our arms around you. Sleep, boy. This was a good day.”
“Good day, just a quick nap, hmm?” He gave them both a smile. “Just a quick one.”
“Sure. Nap, Chou. ‘Til morning.”
“Mm. Maybe.” He listened to Alain and Isaac talking softly as his eyes closed.
25
Neil was being a turd.
Isaac was at work.
So Alain was out having a wander.
Nothing serious, just a mental health hour to breathe while Neil was having therapy and stuff.
It felt nice, if he was honest. It was autumn all the way, there was a crispness in the air, and he was footloose and fancy-free.
He grabbed himself a coffee, then looked in shop fronts, imagining a little cafe for them. He wasn’t sure Neil all the way believed it, but he knew they could open up a nice little place if they wanted to. A friendly place with good food and a big welcome.
Cafe au lait and beignets, grits and andouille in the morning. Shrimp and grits, etouffee, and Chou’s special chili in the afternoon. They would feed their neighborhood, and he knew they’d work hard and have fun.
His phone played a soulful blues tune that he’d chosen for Isaac’s ringtone, and he pulled it out of his pocket, answering with a smile. “Mister Doctor Sir.”
“Hello, boy. Are you having a good day?” Isaac sounded cheerful.
“Oui, oui. Master Chou ain’t, but Mitch is with him, so I’m wandering and daydreaming about our restaurant. You?”
“He’s in good hands. I’ve had two cancelations and was thinking about leaving early and taking us all out for dinner. Is Neil PT cranky or bad day cranky?”
“I think PT, Sir. He was in a good mood this morning, but he had a little bit of a fall, and that made him mad, it sure did.” It hadn’t hurt Chou, but his Sir was prideful.
“Mm. Yes. Hopefully his pride hurt more than his hip. You’re wise to get some time to yourself. We need to talk about your art again soon.”
“Eh. There’s so many better than me, I’d be wasting time.” He’d loved it, once upon a time.
“I didn’t mean to imply you had to sell it, or even show it. I meant for you. Something just for you.”
“Just for me?” Oh. That was…well, that was kind, thoughtful, and it made him sit up a little taller. “That would be welcome as flowers, M’sieur.”
“Good. I’d like to take you shopping this weekend and get a nice spot set up for you in the apartment. There’s decent light by the window in the living room I think, and maybe in the office too; it’s tiny, but I never use it.”
He heard traffic rushing by over the line and knew Isaac must be finding a ride home.
“Do…” He stopped because the offer was so perfect that he couldn’t be ungrateful and question it. “I would love it, M’sieur. You want I should pick you up something. Or meet me? I’m just here at the coffee shop.”