“We do not eat often,” Rathyn explains. He’s swallowed the spaghetti Everest offered him, but is very clearly done with the meal, which would normally be an insult, but we understand the Vyastil are not of this world.
Or this universe.
“It’s kind of a morning ritual,” Everest explains, and I quickly interpret for Luca. “Rathyn eats his moss…”
“Kirrashev,” Rathyn corrects, and I do my best to spell it, but it’s a monster word, and those are always complicated, so I spell it as it sounds.
Everest rolls his eyes at Rathyn. “Anyway, I actually brought some for Cielo, too. It’s in the car.”
Cielo’s eyes widen, and he puts fingers to his chin and dips them down. ‘Thank you.’
Everest sighs. “You don’t have to keep thanking me, bud. I…I’m just…” He swallows thickly, and his voice is tight. “I’m so fucking sorry this happened.”
Cielo makes a trill in the back of his throat and shakes his head. I imagine he wants to tell him that he’s okay, or that he doesn’t blame him. I want to give him more ways to communicate, but even with how fast he learns, it’s going to take time.
Luca knocks on the table. ‘Gia and I should go get gelato for dessert.’
Gia looks excited. ‘Yes, yes! Let’s do that.’
We’ve hardly touched our food, but frankly, sweets sound a lot better than pasta right now. Nonna would probably kill me for saying it, but I’m a grown ass man, and I can have mostly dessert if I want to.
‘Yeah. Thanks,’ I sign quickly. ‘And I’ll make lattes.’
Cielo must have learned that sign because he perks up immediately, his eyes darting to the machine, and he makes a happy, questioning hum in his throat. ‘Coffee,’ he signs.
I grin and lean toward him, grazing a touch over his wrist. He shudders a bit, then pulls away, and I try not to take it personally. “Yes. Don’t worry. You can have as much as you like.”
Promising him that might be a mistake, but what the fuck do I care? I want to make him happy, and if over-caffeinatinghim is the way to go, then god help me, I will buy stock in coffee beans so he’ll never run out.
After getting everyone’s orders, Luca, Gia, and Amara leave for the shop across town where the best gelato is served. It’s not great. It’s not even authentic, but it’s passable, and both my parents and my nonna go there, so I’m not embarrassed to share it with my new friends.
Rathyn and Cielo head back to the couch, where Rathyn offers to mix up more of the herbs for Cielo’s wounds, and Everest follows me into the kitchen to help clean up.
“Sorry we kind of ignored pasta night,” he says, staring mournfully at the massive bowls of leftovers.
I roll my eyes and grin. “Don’t worry. The one thing I’m good at is feeding people.” I pull two plastic containers out of the cupboard and begin to fill them. “You can take these home for later.”
Everest gives a happy hum. “Living with a Vyastil is kind of…interesting. And I really love him, but god, he still needs to work on his knowledge of feeding and caring for a human.”
I snort as I snap the lids on and push them to the end of the counter. “It’s…good though, right? Living with Rathyn?”
Everest nods. “It’s amazing.”
“And have you two, ah…” I clear my throat. “It’s more than just dick sucking? I mean, it’s not just a glorified version of the clinic, is it?”
Everest flushes. “No. But, uh…we should talk about this later.”
Right. The Vyastil have amazing hearing, and Rathyn’s probably not too keen on Everest sharing dirty details about their bedroom business.
“Thanks for letting me come check up on him,” Everest says after a beat.
I frown. “Of course, man. I know you were worried about him. I’m just surprised he didn’t move back into his place at the Foundry. Or is that part of the punishment?”
Everest blinks, then his cheeks bloom bright red. “The Foundry? Oh, uh…yeah, no. He can’t stay there.”
I grimace. “Well, I feel bad keeping him here. I mean, my place isn’t a dump or anything, but it’s probably a lot less cushy than where he was living before. I’ve never been into the Foundry, but I’ve seen pics online, and goddamn.”
“Actually…” He swallows, then says, “Wanna step outside for a second?”
