I drive Tony to my place. Its a beautiful sunny day and the music playing on the radio makes us sing along and be jovial. This is the second time he’s staying at my place so I can’t stop smiling. Once inside, Peachy and Piper takes over and demands scratches and attention from him. They seem to have accepted him. He plays with them for awhile. Cute ,I think to myself. We engage in small talks when suddenly my stomach growls loudly. Embarrassed I try to blame it on the cats when I hear Tony laughing softly.

“Someone’s hungry, in mood for something in particular? Your personal chef is in the house” He winks at me proudly. I laugh heartily. “hmm, well , if you’re offering, I could go for some Mexican food. It’s hard to beat a good taco.” He stands up and heads to the kitchen. “ You’ve got that right. Taco Tuesday can be any day of the week if you ask me. It’s dinner time” He says. I smile at how familiar he seems to be in here. He doesn’t even seem to notice it which makes it even more adorable.

I find him in an apron holding a chef’s knife and neatly minced garlic on the kitchen counter. I loose myself staring and when I come to my senses, I find him waving a hand in front of me. “Earth to Seo-Jun, what got you this distracted?” He cocks one eyebrow at me. He is a few inches from my face.“ uh...just how hungry I am. Ha ha ha ha” I try to laugh it off . He laughs and seems convinced. I shake my head at how gullible he is. He gets to working on the garlic, peeling and mincing each clove with seasoned expertise. After some time, he finishes cooking and plates up the food, serving it on the counter.

I dig in immediately. As usual I’m reminded just how good he is at cooking. “This...is ...delicious!...mmmhh” I gobble some more tacos licking my fingers afterwards. Tony is seated opposite me with a big satisfactory smile on his face. After a while I stretch and tap my already full tummy. “Ahhhh, I needed that” Tony giggles quietly. He looks at me with a teasing smile, “You know , if you like my cooking that much, you can consider having me as your personal chef. I have to warn you though, my services are quite costly” He winks at me and burst laughing. For a second, I was literary considering that notion though I wouldn’t admit it to him. “How about a movie?” I suggest hoping to spend more time with him. “Was about to suggest the same thing... To the living room!” He says as he makes his way back to the living room. I again note how comfortable and at ease he feels here.

I plop down on the huge sofa before flipping through some movies on the TV. I select a few comedies and decide on one that seems to be romantic. Not even halfway through, I see Tony beginning to nod off. He starts to lean as if he’s ready to sprawl out any moment. I chuckle and offers my lap to him half expecting him to decline. “huh?” he asks in between yawns. “I’m offering a head massage as payment for the delicious meal you just made, ya dingus” I smirk playfully, face heating up. He gives me a dubious look but slides down anyway and lays his head on my lap. My heart is pounding so fast at this point. I hope to heavens he doesn’t hear it. “Now, I’m gonna have to touch you, as long as you’re okay with it.” I tell him in advance before placing my hand on his head. I run my fingers gently through his curly soft hair before making contact with his scalp. I marvel at how soft his hair feels and how it smells like sweet peaches. As I massage lightly yet purposeful, leisurely circles into his head, his breathing begins to slow and his eyes fluttering closed. He looks so innocent that I get this urge to protect him against all evil in the world. When the movie ends, I reach for the remote and turn the TV off. The sudden silence rouses him.

“wha…? Why’d you turn it off” he asks looking at me from my laps. “The movie’s over. You slept through the last hour or so” I say avoiding looking at him laying on my lap. He sits upright and stretches . He looks at his watch. It’s past 10 pm. He walks over to where his jacket is and puts it on. “You know, you are welcome to crash at my place anytime. The couch is more than comfy” I say as I point to the huge sofa.

He smiles. “Next time, I promised my sister to help her with some work early in the morning bud.” He walks up to me and pats my head gently. He leaves before I can fully react to that sudden gesture.

I let out a long heavy sigh, my mind racing. I touch where he placed his hand on my head and feel my face heating up again. I change into my pajamas and sprawl on the bed and as my eyes starts to close all I can think about is Tony.