"I could bring him some soup," Koa finally said, blinking his eyes open and refocusing on the man in front of him.
"Soup?" Manny questioned.
"Yeah. Soup. Jacob make."
Manny gave a slow nod. "Jacob is the chef, right? I think I met him earlier. Real nice guy."
Koa bounced from his kneeling position. "Very nice. Jacob, nice Daddy."
The word hung between them after Koa said it. Not in a bad way, but he could see Manny's eyes sparkle like he enjoyed hearing Koa say it. A lot of Daddies were that way. The title made them proud and happy, especially when it came from a Little. Koa had to remind himself yet again that Manny wasn'thisDaddy and he probably should limit the word around him.
"I go talk Jacob," he muttered, closing the coloring book he'd still been using and tucking the crayons away in the bucket.
He went to stand to put them up but was stopped by Manny's hands covering his.
"I've got this. You go talk to Jacob. Do you want me to come with you?"
Koa was about to tell him no because he had to stick around and finish handling his duties at leading the mixer. But then he realized the room was empty. Not even Briar had stuck around.
How late had it gotten? How had he not realized that he was alone with this new employee, this new distraction?
Koa bit his lip. Manny took a moment to put the coloring book and crayons away, then approached Koa. His fingers went to Koa's chin, holding his jaw steady.
"I would love to help you, but if you don't need me to go with you, or if I am coming on too strong, you can tell me to stop. Whatever makes you most comfortable, Koa."
Koa took a deep breath then blew it out slowly. He brought his hand up between them and wiggled his fingers.
He didn't have words for what he wanted. Couldn't explain why he felt so comfortable around Manny even after the flub of his words. There was just something about him. Something that spoke to Koa's Little side and demanded he look closer at the other man.
Manny pretty much read his mind, taking the wiggling fingers in his hand and following Koa through the open doorway. Manny hit the lights on the way out and then closed the door. They would need to lock it up later, but no one would use the space when it was empty. Plus, they had cameras everywhere in the foyer. It was a safety precaution in case anyone came in and caused trouble.
Koa led Manny through the club and back towards the kitchen. It was late enough that Jacob had probably already started making snacks for the next day. He often spent time in the club being a Daddy to littles who needed someone or tucked away in the kitchen creating meal ideas and preparing food.
When Koa and Manny came through the doorway, Jacob looked up from where he was stirring a bowl of batter on the counter. His face scrunched up.
"Koa, what's wrong?" His eyes went to Manny. "Hey… is he okay? What's happening?"
Jacob let the batter sit and dusted his hands on his apron. Koa went up to him, tugging Manny along because he refused to let go. Their hands just fit so perfectly together. Why would he ever want to not be holding Manny's hand? Why would he ever let go?
"Ethan," Koa said. Before he could finish sharing the news, Jacob stood up straighter and moved closer.
"What's wrong with Ethan?" he rushed out.
Koa shook his head. "He go work. He not happy."
Jacob looked from Koa to Manny and back. Koa was frustrated. He wanted to say more, to do more, but his Little mind had taken over and forming the words was hard.
Manny squeezed his hand, then moved up closer behind him. "What Koa is trying to tell you is that he is worried about Ethan. Apparently they'd been playing and Ethan got called into work for something. Koa thinks that Ethan's job is being difficult right now and his friend is a bit stubborn about it. Do you know anything about this?"
Jacob's shoulders dropped. "Yes, I'm familiar. The stubborn boy won't listen to anyone who suggests he makes a change, but I'm not sure what I can do."
Koa listened to the two men, wishing they would hurry up and get to the point. He tugged on Manny's hand, which the other man acknowledged with a squeeze back.
"Koa thinks that Ethan would like some of your cooking," Manny continued. "Apparently you made him something one time when he was sick."
Jacob transformed then. His body straightened and a smile bloomed across his face. "Yes, I remember. It was one of my proudest moments."
Koa froze at that. He could feel Manny stroking his hand, but his mind went into overdrive at Jacob's words. Did Jacob like Ethan? Did he want to be his Daddy? And if so, why hadn't he done anything? Why hadn't he made a move? Ethan was a nice person and very sweet. It wasn't as if Jacob didn't have a chance with him.
