Counting The Seconds

Wrongs, Rights, and Food

(Chris POV)

Once I get Luca to sleep, I sneak off. I know it sounds bad. He was so desperate for my attention. But at present, I have much more pressing matters to address. Whoever I have in that damned kitchen that decided to try and poison my plaything is in for a rude awakening. I storm through the halls, unable to get the idea of my poor baby being hurt by some careless asshole ONCE AGAIN out of my head. Eventually, I stride through the door to my kitchen.

"Who the hell made the guest's breakfast?" I ask cooly. A few people looked up when I stormed into the room, but now I have everyone's attention. Nobody, and I mean absolutely no one, ignores me when I have something to say. To everyone's surprise but mine, a young new hire with too much attitude for my taste speaks up.

"I did," he chuckles. "Why? Did you want to compliment the chef?" A few small gasps erupt from around the room, and I actually laugh. A cruel, sadistic laugh.

"Quite the fucking opposite," I growl, and much to my satisfaction the cocky grin finally falls off his face. "Actually, if we're being honest, you probably should have kept your mouth shut for your own damn good. Because now I know exactly who to blame for almost fucking killing my new toy." a small squeak leaves his lips as I pin him against the wall. I point to the door. He gets the message. He scurries out, metaphorical tail between his legs, like a pathetic scared animal. Exactly as he should respond to being reprimanded for such a dumb fucking mistake. The drug used in my kitchen is strong, and anyone who is permitted anywhere NEAR my ingredients must prove beyond any shadow of a doubt that they can measure it precisely. His mistake was careless and utterly inexcusable.

Before I can get myself more worked up about the situation I remind myself to spare the rest of the kitchen staff, and retreat to my office to cool off. I know that I'm hard on my staff, but it is all for a reason. If there had been a few more milligrams of that stuff in Luca's food, he could be dead. That is not a risk I'm willing to take for someone I've devoted so much time to, someone I... someone I care so much about. Luca needs me. Even if he doesn't recognize who I am yet. It's so frustrating that I can't just tell him. However, I need to know that he won't dart, or lose faith in his friend. I'm so obsessed with this boy... I imagine it is impossible for someone without my mindset to understand. The poor thing has been through so much bullshit, I just want to help him, love him, give him everything. Show him what he deserves. I hear a soft knock on my door, interrupting my thoughts.

"Yes, come in." I tidy the papers on my desk, trying to look as if I've been doing something this whole time. Mx. Rayn steps in meekly, closing the door softly and standing in front of me.

"I simply wanted to let you know the kitchen is preparing dinner. Due to the... mishap this morning, access to any of the more sensitive ingredients has been limited to only the senior chefs. They want to know if you'd like them to incorporate it in the guest's dinner." Mx. Rayn is the best member of my staff. Their family has been close to mine for years, and their brother is one of the best chefs in my kitchen. In fact, my head chef has spoken to me about his taking over when she retires. Together they oversee many of the most important meals.

"No, I really don't feel it is necessary. Make them aware of my wishes, and go ahead and finish up early tonight if you would like." They nod graciously, and turn to leave. "Thank you, Rayn."

Once they leave the room, I go back to sulking. I still have an hour or so before dinner, which means I don't have to wake Luca quite yet. But if he wakes up and I'm not there... we could have a problem. It's decided then. I cuddle back up with him as if I never left in the first place, he wakes up with me still holding him, and all is well.

Once I get in the room, I open the curtains a little. I don't want to blind him, but there's still a little sun and it'll help his mental state when he does wake up. I carefully slide into the bed, trying not to make too much noise. I pull him close, and he stirs a little, pressing his face into my chest. I melt. How is he even more adorable in person? I play with his hair. Kiss his forehead. Just... hold him. I can't let my precious baby get hurt. Before too long he stirs again, this time seeming to actually wake up.

"Whaaappen- I- mph." He mumbles into my chest, and I can't help but laugh.

"You're ok, love. You're in bed, remember? We went for a walk earlier, and you got sleepy. So we cuddled up here so you could sleep." he nods a little against my body, pulling the covers up around his face. "Aww, hun. Are you cold? Or hungry? Dinner should be ready soon." He mumbles again and presses his face into my shoulder, biting at it softly. I chuckle, rolling over a little and sitting up, and pulling him into my lap.

"Look at me, sleepy butt. Do you wanna help pick out your clothes, or do you want me to pick for you?" he breathes out a little 'hmph' and tries to snuggle into me again. I smirk, and stand up, sliding him off carefully so he's sitting up against the pillows. "It's okay, love. I'll pick out clothes for you." Once he's settled, I walk across the room to the closet. Smaller than I would want, but still big enough to walk into. It strikes me again how empty it is, and I decide tomorrow will have to be an outing day for the two of us. Cute outfit for dinner... safe for his clumsy little ass.

Ahah. Perfect. I grab a nice pair of jeans, nothing too stiff. He seems to find them comfortable, somehow. Ew. And also a cute little t-shirt with a dinosaur. Not exactly right for a professional dinner, but for the two of us? Who cares? I lay them out on the bed, and realize that he fell back asleep. Is this going to be a recurring theme, him falling asleep on me? He's adorable, but we have something to do. I pick him up, which wakes him up, and he sleepily wraps his legs around me. I sit down, him still holding on to me, on the foot of the bed, and start to pull off his shirt. He shivers, apparently cold or perhaps just startled by the air on his chest, but doesn't fight. I quickly slide the new shirt on for him. I wouldn't have minded the old outfit, but this felt like a nice way to wake him up. I start to pull off the pants from earlier, but he whimpers.

"Do you want to do it, love?" he nods, and starts to push himself off my lap. He tugs and whimpers, almost tripping over the pant legs, but stays determined. I simply try not to loose it and laugh at how fucking cute he is. Eventually, he manages to finish changing. Much more awake now, he smiles at me, toddling around like a penguin. Now I can't help but laugh.

"Gods, you're adorable." He immediately blushes, covering his face.

"N-no I'm notttt." he pouts, but it doesn't discourage me.

"Come on, cutie pie. Let's go eat."

I get him seated at the smaller of my dining tables, and all I can pay attention to is how uncomfortable he looks. He keeps shifting, looking around and just generally doesn't look happy, which is quite frankly completely unacceptable. Easy solution. I pull him into my lap while we wait for the food. Wide eyes look up at me, surprised but grateful for the reassuring contact. His little smile earns one from me in return. Odd looks are earned from the staff bringing us our food, but a quick glare clears them up. Both plates are placed in front of me, and the staff quickly clear out. Luca hesitantly eyes the food, confused and curious, quite in contrast to the response I expected.

"It's alright, hun. Go ahead. Eat." He eyes the potatoes, slowly picking up the spoon, and cutting off a tiny bite. Why would he use the spoon-? You know what, it doesn't matter. As long as he eats something, we're alright. Slowly but surely, his plate empties, and so does mine. He refuses to touch the vegetables, instead stealing MY potatoes, but at the moment I don't mind. I suppose it wouldn't kill me to eat extra greens now and then.

As Luca finishes eating, I start to contemplate how easily I can get him to sleep. It's about 8pm, but he's going to have a busy day tomorrow and he'll need plenty of energy. Hopefully he goes down without too much trouble after having slept all day, even if it means I have to hold him close all night. A bit of cuddling wouldn't harm either of us.

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