Bowie’s tummy started to hurt as he stared intently at the scales, unsure what to make of it.
“Oh, you’re baking. What treats are we getting?” asked Kari, his freshly washed scent drifting into the kitchen as Bowie glanced up and swallowed hard at the sight of Kari in loose lounge pants and a T-shirt. His feet were bare as he strolled over to Bowie, his gaze sweeping over the counter. “I can see chocolate, does that mean brownies?” he questioned, sounding hopeful to Bowie.
“Erm…” He licked at his drying lips. “Yes… brownies.”
“Should I rustle up something for dinner then, while you’re busy?”
Flour plumed in the air as Bowie lost hold of the container, his eyes jumping to Kari.
“Food?” he squeaked.
“Yes, food.” Kari’s lips twitched as he ran a hand through his damp hair. He went to the refrigerator, which he’d stocked up just the day before.
“I was thinking about pizza,” Bowie blurted out, blushing hard. Fortunately, Kari had his back to him so he didn’t see the crimson wave rushing through his cheeks.
“I can make pizza. Although it probably won’t be as good as Popi’s as we don’t have his fancy pizza oven, but I’ll give it a go.” As Kari spoke, he took stuff out of the refrigerator, giving Bowie time to gather his thoughts.
“If you’re sure.” The only thing Rex had made for him was a sandwich. He’d never offered to cook a meal, always wanting Bowie to do it.
Stop comparing them!
“Yep.” Kari placed things on the counter close to Bowie, but still left him room. “What toppings do you like? We’ve got pepperoni, chicken, ham, mushrooms, peppers, pineapple—a favorite of mine—onion, and garlic sauce. Any of that appeal to you?”
“I like chicken, mushrooms and pineapple.”
Kari’s grin was wide with approval as he nodded. “I’ll have the same.”
He hummed to himself as he moved about, preparing, mixing and then making the pizza base. Bowie tried his best to concentrate, but he was easily distracted by the fresh scent of Kari, and his close proximity.
Bowie had gotten used to the additional noises he heard in his apartment. Kari was mostly quiet and spent a lot of time in the bedroom, leaving Bowie alone. Bowie had spent years being that way and it hadn’t bothered him, not really, when he could talk to his animal side if he got lonely. This was so very different.
Kari is doing me a favor. He reminded himself of that every evening when he got the urge to knock on Kari’s door when he was home and ask if he wanted to watch one of Bowie’s extensive collection of movies with him.
He side eyed the other man, who most definitely knew his way around the kitchen.
“What?” Kari paused, giving him an encouraging look.
“Do you… do you…” Bowie swallowed a groan of frustration when he felt like his face was on fire at the prospect of asking his question.
“I’m going to need a little more.”
Kari didn’t sound frustrated, which helped as Bowie returned his attention to his mixing bowl. “Do you want to watch a movie after?”
“You bet. I’ve seen the extensive collection you have, but do I get to pick?”
“If you want.”
“You bet I do. I’m thinking it’s time to reacquaint myself with Sebastian.” His expression changed, and he mimicked Sebastian. “Are you sure about this?”
He was delighted with himself, chuckling at getting it just right.
Bowie giggled, then kept right on giggling as Kari finished the pizzas, entertaining Bowie the whole time. It continued as they got comfortable on the couch, the brownies on a plate on the small table at the side of Bowie.
“Does Boo-Boo normally join you for movie night?” Kari asked, picking up the remote.
“Yes,” Bowie answered with no concern, then quickly glanced at Kari, his nose wrinkling, trying to guess if he should have said no. It was real easy to say yes in front of Kari, but now he was second guessing himself because his brain had engaged.
Kari got up grinning. “I’ll get him for you.”
