Their left antenna flicked. “Shorter than I prefer, but it is my own fault, I suppose.”
“Hungry?”
They cocked their head curiously. “What is that?”
“French toast. I don’t know if it’s actually French or not, but it’s what Americans call it. We eat it with maple syrup, but I think honyl will do just fine.” Setting the plate of French toast on the table, he gestured for Zef to sit across from him, and they lowered themself into the chair, sipping at their coffee.
Bryce helped himself to the food, topping his toast with Hellian berries, powdered sugar and a drizzle of honyl, the Hellian version of honey. It was darker and thicker than bee honey, with a more caramelized taste, and it complimented the cinnamon nicely.
Studying his plate, Zef copied him until their piles of toast matched. Then they took a hesitant bite, wings fluttering behind their back. They chewed slowly, deep in thought.
“It is very sweet,” they said. “Why do humans eat dessert for breakfast?”
“Not sure. I think it’s more of an American thing than a human thing, though. Most other countries eat healthier breakfasts.”
“Mantodeas eat nuts and fruits for breakfast,” they said, and Bryce hummed.
“Huh, I didn’t know that.”
Zef nodded, taking another bite of their toast. Then they blurted, “I do not want to fake small talk. We are pretending there is not a bulgridge in the room, and I find it unpleasant.”
Amusement sparked to life in his chest, and he chuckled. “Okay, let’s skip the small talk then.”
Instead of responding right away, they took another bite and chewed, like they were buying time. “I am unsure where to start. I feel awkward.”
“It doesn’t have to be awkward. Is there something in particular weighing on your mind? Because we can start there if you like,” he suggested, and they nodded.
“Sex,” they said, making Bryce choke his coffee. Their wings buzzed in alarm as he coughed harshly. “Forgive me. I should have spoken more delicately.”
“I’m good,” he wheezed as he cleared his throat, and Zef nibbled on their bottom lip as they watched him struggle to catch his breath. Once he wasno longer asphyxiating, he gave them a nod of reassurance. “See? Right as rain.”
“What a strange expression,” they said. “Like saying something is easy as cake. That does not make sense. Baking cake is time consuming and complicated. It is the opposite of easy.”
“Technically, the saying is ‘easy as pie’.”
They practically rolled their eyes. “Then my argument still stands. Pie is also not easy.”
“You’re right. I’m not sure where that saying comes from. Or calling something that’s easy a piece of cake. Seems unrelated.”
“That is what I mean. It does not make any sense. If we must use a saying to communicate something is easy, we should use a thing or activity that is actually easy. Like walking or breathing.”
“That’s ableist. Walking is hard for some people,” Bryce countered, and Zef sent him a droll stare.
They whistled in annoyance. “Now you are just being argumentative.”
“I just like seeing you huffy.”
“I do not get huffy,” they huffed. Huffily.
Bryce chuckled. “Of course not. How dare I insinuate such a thing.”
“You are teasing me,” they accused, and he shrugged.
“Just a little.”
With a shake of their head, and a small smile, they cut another piece from their toast and popped it into their mouth. “Incorrigible,” they mumbled around their food.
Taking pity on them, Bryce took a swig of coffee and pushed through his own awkwardness to ask, “Is there something specific about sex you wanted to discuss, or just the general subject?”
