•strictly platonic• boy x boy •

•nine•

Emerson Scott

I was waiting for Robyn on his porch with two cups of coffee. He pulled into the driveway with a bike I had not seen in a while and I called out to him. "Hey, Robyn!" His tired face lit up as soon as he saw me and walked his bike over to the front door. He rested it against the house and stood next to me. "Here you go."

"Thank you," he sighed contentedly. "I could get used to this."

"It gets better! Not only do I have scrambled eggs and bacon, but I made some pancakes too. Now let's get inside while they're still fresh." I winked at him and held the door open for him.

"You don't have to tell me twice." As we walked into the foyer, we could already smell the aroma of breakfast wafting through the air. Robyn was practically drooling. The plates were already on the kitchen table and as soon as they came into sight, he immediately started chowing down. He made a sound of pleasure, having zero traces of any table manners. What an absolute horse. "Hey, Em, has anyone ever told you you're an angel? An actual saint?" Ha, save me the kiss-ass. I've heard this a million times from that same mouth that was chewing widely.

"No, never," I said deadpanned. I slid in the seat across from him, giving him a look.

"Let me eat and then we'll talk. We have all the time in the world."

"Do you want to visit your mom in the hospital? I'll drive," I offered. The way his mother left was just so abrupt, and I doubt he had time to process any of it. I'm certain he's worried about her. "I'll see if I can bring Emily too."

"You would do that, Em?" If I couldn't do something as simple as that, could I even be called his best friend?

"Without hesitation, Robyn. We can talk while we drive there."

He pouted. "I was promised a cuddle. Besides, I basically had no sleep. A nap sounds nice."

I shook my head. "I just woke up. But who am I to deprive you of a cuddle?" Robyn smiled at me, with food very much still in his mouth. Despite the fact that I was disgusted, it still remained endearing. I lightly punched his shoulder. "Gross, dude. I'll only cuddle after you brush your teeth."

"Naturally." He continued chewing before belching unceremoniously. "Do we have any tests this week?" He sipped on some classic, pulpy orange juice, looking at me expectantly.

I paused briefly in contemplation. "Hmm. I think we do on Thursday. In science and social studies, to be specific. We can study for that later, but I think you'll do fine because the material right now is pretty easy. Even for your one brain cell."

"Is that the only insult you have?" He stared at me with something akin to a challenge. His eyes had a mischievous glint and I cocked my eyebrow.

Shrugging nonchalantly, I matched his stare with my own. "I don't need to waste the good insults on you. Besides, I don't think your poor, barely functioning brain cell can handle such heat."

He snorted, a small smile on his face which he tried to mask by drinking his orange juice. "You're such an asshat."

I batted my eyes innocently, folding my hands so that my chin rested on them while my elbows were propped on the table. "I don't recall you'd saying that when you told me I was an angel. Oh well, guess you don't need that cuddle." Pursing my lips, I attempted to suppress the urge to smirk.

He blew some stubborn air, rolling his eyes. "I don't need your stupid cuddles, anyways." Absolute lies. Complete and utter blasphemy. He loved them. No doubt in my mind.

"Sometimes I forget you're not a fifth grader anymore." I mean, sometimes he sure acted like one.

"Oh please, says the one who's like three feet tall." Robyn scoffed, nearly spitting out his pancake that was currently drowning in a sea of syrup.