𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 📚

"Mm, sounds good."

Miles gently nuzzled the side of Phoenix's head, pressing a few kisses to his cheek.

"I hope so too."

Miles walked up behind him and wrapped his arms around his waist. Then he settled his chin on Phoenix's shoulder.

"Oh, that smells amazing."

"Really? Wow."

Miles scooted a little closer.

"I think you would make an excellent art teacher. You've got the enthusiasm for it."

Miles chuckled softly.

"I have a lot to learn. But you're a great teacher, love."

Miles smiled with him.

"I used to cook sometimes with Father. I couldn't help much, but I did enjoy it. The von Karmas never let me around the help, so I never really got to cook afterwards."

Miles blushed at the praise. He stepped back and watched Phoenix cook with a fond expression on his face.

"You really do love to cook, don't you? I should bring you over more often."

— until the water ran clear.

"Is this good?"

"Oh. . . kay?"

Miles did as he was instructed regardless. He filled the pot with rice, then water. He stirred it around with his hand, then poured off the water, though he lost a few grains of rice in the process.

"Oops."

He tried again with a bit more success. He washed the rice a couple times —

Miles's brows furrowed.

"You. . . wash rice?"

Miles nodded and continued to cut the vegetables. Once he was done he set the knife down.

"Now what?"

Miles watched Phoenix, then copied the motion. It took him a couple tries and some uneven cuts before he got the hang of it.

"Like this?"

Miles blushed.

"I think Father tried to teach me when I was a child. But no, I haven't. The von Karmas have personal chefs who do all the cooking, so there wasn't much of a point in learning."

"Uh. . ."

Miles took the knife, then stared at it in his hand.

"I, um. . . I don't know how to use this. I worry I may injure myself if I do."

Miles took the vegetables, then set them on the counter. He wasn't sure what to do with them.

"That does sound lovely. I haven't had curry in a while."

Miles set the bags down on the counter and began to unpack them.

"Of course. Pots and pans are on that rack over there. I think I have kitchen utensils in that drawer by the stove."

— aside from the microwave and dishwasher, it was never used.

— space.

Miles felt embarrassed almost as soon as he entered the threshold. Already his brain picked out everything out of place.

"Sorry about the mess. . ."

He took his shoes off and brought the groceries into the kitchen. It was clean to the point of hostility, thought it was also clear that, —

"Oh, you. . ."

Soon enough Miles pulled into his parking spot. He got out and went to the trunk to grab the grocery bags, then walked Phoenix up to his apartment.

The decor was very plain, as Miles had described. His apartment was so clean it was nearly sterile. It was as if nobody lived in the —

Miles's ears turned pink.

"Oh, you sweet thing you~"

Miles took Phoenix's hand as he drove.

"I know I've said this before, but I will warn you my apartment is a bit boring. It basically just had the essentials I need to live somewhat comfortably."

"Indeed we are."

Miles opened the passenger door for Phoenix before getting in on the driver side. Then he started the car and began the drive to his apartment.

That got a chuckle out of Miles. He pulled back enough to wipe his face with his sleeve.

"You are quite stubborn."

He took a deep breath.

"Alright. Enough wallowing. We have dinner to cook."

He took Phoenix's hand and walked him to his car.

"God, how did I ever get so lucky?"

Miles sniffled and buried his face in Phoenix's shoulder.

"You're the best thing that's ever happened to me."

Miles burst into tears completely at that point. He leaned into Phoenix's hands and wrapped his arms around him.

"I love you too. . . More than anything."

Miles sniffled and wiped his eye with his sleeve.

"I'm trying, but. . . All I do is try and it's never good enough for anyone. I just don't know what to do anymore."

That immediately snapped Miles out of it, and he let go of Phoenix's arm.

"I-I'm sorry."

He took it again, much gentler this time.

"I'm sorry, I just. . . I shouldn't have hurt you."

He looked away, already getting in his head about it.

That clearly struck a nerve.

"Why, you—!"

He bit his tongue before he could say anything further. With a huff he grabbed Phoenix's arm and dragged him out of the office.

"Never setting foot in this god awful building again. The utter nerve of her! After everything I've done!"

Miles stood up straighter, he wasn't about to be intimidated out of this.

"I will, and I have. Phoenix is very important to me, and I love him dearly. I would never want to do anything to harm him."

Miles turned to glare at Mia. Then he pulled Phoenix closer, almost possessively.

"Is that a problem, Ms. Fey?"

Miles's glare melted away the second he heard Phoenix's voice. He returned the hug and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"I am, I wanted to surprise you."

He pulled back just enough to look Phoenix in the face.

"I got everything we need for tonight."