He chopped up the herb and mixed it into the sunny yellow mixture. Soon two fluffy, golden half-moons sat on the plates and all the pancakes were stacked in neat piles. Ro grabbed the honey to add to the tray.
“Good morning,” Tier’s deep voice rumbled.
“Oh!” Ro fumbled the honey but caught it before it could fall. Tier was in his house! In his kitchen! He still couldn’t quite believe it.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Ro set down the honey, then turned around. His face felt warm and he couldn’t quite meet Tier’s eyes.
He did notice, though, that Tier was fully dressed in the clothes that they’d collected from the ground last night. He should have realized that. Just because they’d had a festival and slept in didn’t mean that they could take the day off.
“Did you make this for us?” Tier asked.
“Yep. But, um, you could take it with you.” He noticed that Tier’s feet were bare. At least he’d stay a little longer while he found his shoes.
Tier stepped forward and gathered him into his arms. Standing together like this, it was apparent just how much larger Ro was. If he looked up just a bit, he could rest his chin on Tier’s head. That had to bother Tier, as a strength-sharer.
It certainly bothered Ro. When he was working, he appreciated his own sturdiness, but right now he wanted to feel like Tier was taking care of him.
Tier wrapped a firm hand around the back of his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. Tier lingered over it, exploring his mouth and making him feel weak and dizzy as he ran out of air. When they pulled apart, Tier dotted kisses across his exposed shoulders.
Alright, maybe it didn’t matter to Tier so much after all.
“Now why,” Tier asked, “would I want to eat at the office when you made such a delicious meal for us here?”
“I, um, thought you were late.”
Tier tapped his pocket. “I already called in. I only got dressed so I could stop by my house and pick up clothes for tomorrow.”
“So you really want to stay?”
“Rohahen, I want to talk about whose house we’re going to live in together. Of course I’m going to stay.”
“In my kitchen,” Ro breathed happily.
“We should live in your kitchen?”
Ro’s face warmed again. He never felt so shy as he did around Tier, but there was also something that he enjoyed about it. Like he didn’t have to pretend to wash away all of his emotions and could just feel things as a heart-singer.
“No. I didn’t mean to say that out loud. We can live in either place.” Their houses were just a few blocks apart, family members scattered between them. Whichever one of them moved, some other relative would take their place. “I mean… if you don’t think it’s too soon.”
Tier cupped his cheeks. “It’s not too soon. And I think we both know it. We’ve been circling each other for fifteen years.”
“Fifteen?” That had been how long he’d held this hopeless crush, but he hadn’t realized that he was even on Tier’s radar.
“I remember the first time you came up to my office with a plate of food from the kitchen. Someone told you to deliver it, I think.”
Ro could remember that moment clearly, the first time he’d seen the Chief up close, or thought of him as anything but a distant authority figure. He’d stopped dead at the door, stunned by his attraction to the older man.
Tier had been so strong and commanding as he dealt with some difficult business over the phone, but Ro had sensed a loneliness and exhaustion in him, too. It had been a confusing moment, as he was hit by conflicting desires that he now recognized as submission and caretaking. It had taken him weeks to work up the courage to bring him another small treat.
“I didn’t think you remembered that at all.”
“Oh, believe me, I did. You were adorable, all arms and legs that didn’t know where to go. You were so shy that you couldn’t say hello, but so pleased that I liked the squash soup you made.”
“It was my first week helping in the kitchen. I had no idea what I was doing.”
“I know. I asked about you. I heard that you were a strength-sharer, that you were only nineteen, and that you were the best at everything you did. Those recommendations were the reason why I put you on the farm project the next year.”
“Really? I never knew. I mean, I could barely even open my mouth around you back then. You must have thought I was an idiot.”
“No, I thought you were the most gorgeous creature I’d ever laid eyes on. It was difficult stepping back and letting you develop your own projects and interests away from me.”
“Yeah, I tried to stay away, too. That was the year I was gifted my coyote form.” He’d gone on a vision quest to help him sort out his feeling and identity, and that had been the gods’ answer. It hadn’t helped.
“Well, I’m so glad you came back to me. And I think that’s more than enough time for us to wait before moving in together. We already know that we’re compatible in bed. Or, in the forest, as it were.”
Rohahen buried his head in Tier’s shoulder. It was easier when Tier couldn’t see how embarrassingly happy that made him. Especially now that Tier felt comfortable enough to joke around. He liked this new, relaxed and playful man.
“And speaking of, what was this about the kitchen that you didn’t mean to tell me?”
Oh. He’d hoped Tier had forgotten about that. “I just… thought a lot about it. About feeding you in my kitchen. That probably sounds dumb.”
Tier pressed his thumbs to Ro’s lips. “It doesn’t sound dumb at all. A lot of my fantasies start with you bringing me food.”
Ro rolled his eyes. “That’s because I’m always bringing you food.”
“Yes, and I enjoy it every day. I know that it’s important to you, too.”
“Yeah, I guess it is. I like the idea of making something with my own hands that becomes part of your body. It feels like… a gift, I guess. Or a connection.”
Tier gave him a quick, but passionate kiss. “That’s beautiful. Tell me more about food. What else do you imagine?”
“I mean, like, sometimes it’s naughty stuff.” That got a chuckle from Tier, so he kept talking quickly. “But usually it’s just normal stuff. Like sitting at the kitchen table together. Or, um, if I came to visit you in your office and I sat on your lap while I fed you.”
He slapped a hand over his mouth as soon as he said it. That was somehow worse than the naughty things. Usually he was so calm around Tier, even when he was feeling shy, but today all sorts of things were flying out of his mouth.
“I mean,” he continued, “I know I’m too big to actually sit in your lap. And feeding you would be weird.”
“You’re banned from saying that word. Bring the tray over here.”
Instead of heading for the table, Tier walked over to a large, plush armchair and pulled up a side table beside it. He sat down first and patted his lap.
“I’m too heavy,” Ro disagreed.
“Come here,” Tier commanded.
Reluctantly, he complied. He knew this wasn’t going to work out. “I could, um, kneel instead.”
Heat flared in Tier’s eyes. “We will definitely be coming back to that later. But right now, I want you on my lap.”
Ro sighed. He wasn’t even sure how this would work. But he let Tier pull him around until his back was against one arm and his legs dangled over the other. Ro’s butt nestled between Tier’s spread thighs, so that he was supporting Ro but not bearing all of his weight.
“Now,” said Tier, looking deservedly smug, “you were going to feed me?”
“I mean, is that…” He cut himself off before he said the word again.
Tier chuckled. “Nice save.” When Rohahen didn’t move, he added a little nudge. “Those pancakes look awfully tasty.”
Ro leaned, only slightly awkwardly, to drizzle honey on the first one. He pressed it to Tier’s lips, and he took a bite, leaning his head back in
an elaborate moan.
“Is it really that good, or do you just do that for show?”
Tier chuckled. “A little bit of both. They are delicious, like everything you make. But I know that you watch me eat and it used to feel like as much flirtation as I would allow myself.”
“Oh,” Ro breathed. He hadn’t realized that, but it was really sweet now that he knew.
Tier grabbed Ro’s wrist and guided the pancake toward Ro’s mouth so they could share. The cornmeal cakes were small, so he finished it off. A bit of honey dripped down his fingers and Tier licked them clean.
It was sexy and intimate, and he couldn’t begin to understand why it felt so thrilling to serve Tier this way. “Another one?” he asked.
Tier nodded. They repeated the ritual, and this time Rohahen let the honey drip down his fingers on purpose.
“So,” Tier spoke up after the third one. “What else do you imagine when you’re thinking about feeding me?”
Now that he was sitting on Tier’s lap, he felt a little more comfortable sharing, though the bashfulness lingered. “Do you want to hear a dirty one or a clean one?”
Tier chuckled. “How about one of each?”
Ro drew in a deep breath. He could do this. Tier had liked everything he’d suggested so far. He went through options in his head. Maybe not anything too weird or…
Tier pinched his nipple, the new pain layering on top of the bruises from last night. “Ouch!”
“You’re thinking too hard. Tell me one.”
He loved that stern voice so much. The way that Tier took charge of him was so much better than anything he’d imagined. It made him feel brave. “Well,” he drew the word out into several syllables, “sometimes I imagine that I, um, bring you something in your office. And you, um, have me suck you off under your desk while you eat it.”
Tier sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes burning. “It sounds like I need to set up a home office. I’m sure I could get a lot done that way. Maybe keep you down there for hours, while I take phone calls.”
Ro nodded, though he couldn’t look up. That was all part of it. Being ignored, especially, while he provided a service. And maybe the thrill of risking discovery. He could feel Tier’s hardness against his hip. He got the sense that Tier understood.
“Alright, now a clean one.”
That proved to be harder. Instead of having too many choices, he had too few. The fantasy was literally just being with Tier, anywhere, and enjoying a meal that Ro had prepared. It didn’t sound very interesting to describe. Although there was one little detail…
He wasn’t sure if he should bring it up. But Tier had said that they were moving in together, right? He had to at least ask.
“Um, I guess I just imagine sitting with you at the table over there.” He pointed behind him. “And, um, we’re eating dinner. And it’s… the two of us and May.”
Tier nodded encouragingly.
“And um… then after dinner, we read her stories and put her to bed because she, um… lives with us?”
Ro looked away. Tier didn’t say anything for a long time.
Ro wished he could take it back now. Maybe wait a few weeks until they at least got to know each other better as partners. No one wanted a kid around during their first few weeks—or years—of a relationship.
Ro felt Tier’s fingers on his chin and let him tilt his face upward. “Do you want to adopt her?”
“I do. I mean, kids are a lot of work, but she’s so smart and curious and she loves to go with me to the farm. And she could go to preschool this year, and by next year she’ll be in kindergarten. I guess that’s during the day, though, but we could get a babysitter sometimes. Ugh. I’m sorry I’m babbling.” He sounded like Declan.
“I don’t know if she would like me,” Tier finally said. “I don’t know much about kids. And I work a lot, so it would be more work for you.”
“No, she’ll love you. I promise. She even loves Geir. And, um, I think you might decide to leave work earlier if there’s someone at home, right? Maybe, um, delegate more?” They’d had the conversation about delegation before, but Ro never won.
“Someone at home?” Tier asked teasingly. “I think I might be convinced. And, um… I’d like to meet May properly. If she likes me then… I guess we’re going to be parents.”
Ro threw his arms around Tier’s neck, rocking the chair back dangerously. “Really? You really want to? You’re sure?” He kissed everywhere that he could reach.
Tier laughed, a loud booming laugh that Ro rarely heard. Hopefully he’d be hearing a lot of it. “Yes, really. The Chief and the Guide are supposed to have children, anyway, for the balance of the tribe. Come on over to the table and we can talk about it. I don’t think there’s any neat way to eat omelets on the chair.”
Ro leapt up and grabbed the plates. May was going to be his! There were probably all sorts of things to figure out and discuss, but he was certain that Tier would love her. Though that did raise another question.
He asked it as soon as they got settled at the table. “Do you really think I can be the Guide? I mean, I feel like a heart-singer, but that doesn’t mean I actually am. Like, I just feel like the gods made a mistake.”
Tier had no hesitation in his reply. “I have absolute confidence in you as the Guide. You’ve already been doing a lot of that work, as I think you know. You do it well. As for the gods making a mistake… have you ever considered maybe going on another vision quest? I haven’t heard of it happening before, but maybe something would change.”
Ro’s shoulders slumped. “I did, actually. I asked the gods to help me understand, and that’s how I got my coyote form.” He had seen it as a gift, but also a disappointment. Coyotes were wise, but also tricky. It had felt like he was the one being tricked. “I asked again a few years later, actually. I’d kind of forgotten.”
“Oh? And what did you experience? If you’re willing to share it with me.”
“All I can remember was that I was talking to a hummingbird. It buzzed all around me and at the time it made so much sense. But when I came back, I couldn’t remember any of it. I discussed it with Askuwheteau, and he reminded me that hummingbirds are messengers. He thought that I might have to wait to discover the message. I never did, though. And I didn’t receive any other gifts.”
Ro took a few bites of omelet, giving himself a moment to think. When he looked down at his plate, it was suddenly gone. He’d been hungrier than he thought.
“You know, Geir’s nickname for Declan is Hummingbird,” Ro thought aloud. “He’s been painting hummingbirds all over their house, it sounds like.” He couldn’t wait to see Geir’s plain dreary house, completely transformed by Declan’s artistry.
Tier started to say something, but Ro waved him off. “Hang on… I think I just figured something out. I think… Declan was the hummingbird I was waiting for.” He could see all the pieces coming together. “His message was… that I didn’t have to be a strength-sharer, just because that was what was assigned to me. That's what I was supposed to understand. That I could choose.
“I couldn’t just hear it, though,” he continued. “I had to see Declan living it, and maybe have him harass me about it a hundred thousand times. But… that was the hummingbird’s gift. I just… Wow. I have to call him. He’s going to love this.” Ro started to stand.
Tier placed his lean hand over Ro’s broader one, linking their fingers together. He gave a small tug, but it was enough for Ro to sit back down. “Slow down, sweetheart. I want to meet Declan properly. And May. But today I want you all to myself.”
Ro’s face warmed again. Would he ever stop blushing around Tier? “Of course. I want that too. If you don’t stop me, I’ll probably follow you around all the time.”
Ro looked at the table, which was putting too much space between them. He’d finished eating, but Tier had only started his omelet.
Tier must have followed Ro’s eyes, because he gave another tug on his hand. “Come here. You’re to
o far away.”
Ro stood, as instructed, but he wasn’t quite sure where to go. He definitely couldn’t sit on Tier’s lap in the wooden kitchen chairs.
Tier patted his thigh. “Put your head right here.”
Ro slowly knelt on the ground, feeling Tier’s eyes on him. It wasn’t the most comfortable position but… he kind of liked that about it. He rested his head on Tier’s knee and felt fingers stroking through his hair.
While Tier finished eating, Ro felt his mind growing calm. Somehow, he was pleasing Tier just by being there, and that was all that he needed to think about.
He was almost surprised when Tier’s fingers changed from gently caressing him to a nudge at his shoulder.
“Ro, love? How are you doing? Are your knees sore?”
Once Tier said it, he noticed that they were. “They are, but I don’t mind.” He probably would in another hour or so, but he thought it hadn’t even been ten minutes.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Tier chuckled darkly.
The idea sent a thrill through Ro’s cock, tenting his thin pajama pants.
“Come here.” Tier pushed his chair back from the table, then guided Ro around to kneel between his legs.
Ro reached eagerly for Tier’s zipper, but Tier pushed his hands aside.
“Don’t be greedy, boy. I’ll let you know what to do.”
“Sorry.” Ro folded his hands behind his back. He hoped he was doing this right.
Tier guided his head down, nestling it into the seam of his pants. Ro took a deep breath. He smelled heavenly. “How much do you know about kink?” Tier asked.
“Not a lot. Mostly from the internet. I, um, looked up a bunch of things after I, uh, found a card under your desk. About a kink party? I was going to give it to you, but then I wasn’t sure if it was yours…”
Tier pulled his head up suddenly, fingers tight on his neck. “You’re not doing this just because it’s what I want, are you?”
Ro shook his head emphatically. “Definitely not. This is… kind of a dream. Everything’s been perfect so far. Can I…?” He looked meaningfully at the alluring space where he’d been resting.
The Hummingbird's Gift (Hummingbird Tales Book 2) Page 7
