Page 32 of Spoonful

“Diego recommended this documentary on sugar art,” Jaylin said in a burst. “If you maybe wanted to learn more about it? It’s pretty interesting–I only watched a little before I thought, um, that… maybe you’d want to watch it together?”

“Oh,” Hiro said, eyes bright. “Yeah. Yeah, I’d love that.”

Jaylin couldn't do anything about the warmth that flowed through him. “Okay.”

“Do you… would you want to watch it at my place?” Hiro asked. “Maybe an evening you don’t have class? Then we’d get it in before the exhibit next Saturday.”

“Yeah,” Jaylin stumbled to say. He’d been to Hiro’s place a few times now for star-gazing and dinner, but each invitation lit him up inside. “Y-yeah, that’d be great. Um. Tuesday or Thursday?” He’d just ask to not be scheduled at work whichever day Hiro picked.

“I could do Tuesday,” Hiro said with a grin. “Get to see you a little sooner.”

Jaylin’s cheeks heated so fast he was almost surprised Hiro didn’t comment on it. “Um,” he said. “You too. I-I mean it’ll be nice. To see you Tuesday.”

“Yeah?” Hiro asked, expression pleased.

“A-and to watch the sugar art documentary,” Jaylin added in a rush. “With you.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” Hiro said. “What would you like to have for dinner?”

“Have for dinner?” Jaylin parroted, confused by the change in topic.

“Of course,” Hiro said. “I’m not having you over Tuesday evening without feeding you. So you’ll have dinner with me, and then we’ll make popcorn for the documentary.”

“We will?” Jaylin asked, smiling now. “For a documentary?”

“Unless you have something against popcorn,” Hiro said. “It’s an entertainment food. I can also get candy, if you like that. Do you have a favorite movie theater candy?”

“I’ve never bought candy at a movie theater,” Jaylin said with a laugh. He barely went to the movies at all, but when he did go, he certainly didn’t spring for snacks. “I have no idea.”

Hiro looked considering. “No idea at all?”

Jaylin shook his head.

“Well, that’s okay,” Hiro said magnanimously. “We’ll find out then. What did you want to have for dinner?”

***

Much later, after Jaylin was showered and dressed and picking at his entree, Brent crooked a finger at him from across the table. “Come here, pet.”

Jaylin darted a look around. They were in a secluded corner of the restaurant, one Brent must have paid handsomely for, but still–

“Do I need to ask again?” Brent asked, voice silk.

Face burning with shame, Jaylin slipped out of his seat and walked around the small table.

He hesitated there, glancing at Brent’s face.Please don’t make me.

“Well?” Brent asked, patting his thigh.

Jaylin swallowed around acid in his throat as he went to sit on Brent’s lap.

It wasn’t like everyone in the restaurant hadn’t already taken one look at him and known what he was for anyway, Jaylin thought dully as Brent’s eyes glinted with cruel humor.

Brent pressed his lips to the side of Jaylin’s neck, and Jaylin angled his head for easier access, vision blurring.

He just needed to do this. One thing at a time.

It would be fine.

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