Page 111 of Butterfly

“It was a long day.” His nose twitched. “Please say there’s some left.”

“Plenty,” Ollie said, holding his hand out towards the pot.

Sebastian blocked Rory’s path and grabbed his shoulders. “We’re going to get takeout.”

“It’s close to midnight.” Rory shook his head. “Nowhere is open. It’s okay. I’ll just have toast—”

“McDonald’s is open,” Ollie blurted. “On the A502. I walked past the service station several times when I was litter-picking. I know the sign says twenty-four hours.”

“Sorted,” Sebastian said.

“But—”

Sebastian kissed away Rory’s protest.

“Take a nap on the sofa,” Sebastian murmured. “Me and Ollie will get the food.”

“Are you sure?” Rory asked.

“You look like you’re only partially with it,” Ollie said. He snapped his fingers in front of Rory’s eyes, and Rory was slow to blink.

“I’m exhausted,” Rory admitted.

“Well then,” Sebastian said. “Let me tuck you in on the sofa.”

Sebastian helped Rory struggle out of his jacket. Rory handed it to Ollie.

Ollie gasped. “Am I allowed to borrow the sacred jacket?”

He slipped it on, sighing at the warmth. It had a faux fur lining that went into the hood.

“Enjoy.” Rory smiled, but it was dopey, barely conscious.

“Come on, you,” Sebastian murmured, lifting Rory’s arm over his shoulders. “Let’s get you settled.”

Ollie buttoned up the jacket and lifted the hood over his head. He waited in the hallway for Sebastian.

“He looks beat.”

“He is.” Sebastian sighed. “Tomorrow, I’m hiding his phone. He needs a day off; someone else can cover for a change.”

He unhooked his car keys from the wall and stepped outside. Ollie followed, immediately slipping on a section of ice on the driveway. Sebastian gripped Ollie’s elbow to steady him.

“Apparently I missed a spot,” Sebastian said.

“You might not have if you just admitted you need glasses.”

Sebastian released him. “Get in the car, Ollie.”

Ollie snorted, tugging on the passenger door.

Sebastian climbed inside and glanced up at the house before starting the engine and reversing out of the space. “The A502…” He shook his head. “Thirty minutes there, thirty minutes back, the food will be cold.”

“Even cold it will taste better than whatever you attempted to cook on the stove.”

“Point taken. And it was mutton and liver, in case you were wondering.”

“Christ.” Ollie scrunched his face. “I’d take a cold burger over that any day, no offence.”

---