Elijah
On their way back to Devon's house, Elijah asked Devon to stop at the convenience store. From the car window, he could see a medium-sized store filled with so much food that got him drooling, so he requested Devon if they could have a stop-over.
Devon offered him a small smile. Elijah's heartbeat raced again when he was graced by the stoic man's rare smile. Elijah felt that Devon's smile was so expensive which explained the man's poker face, but Devon was smiling at him now.
"Anything you want, sunshine. Have you ever been to a convenience store?"
He shook his head. "I only saw it when I was with Ryzel, but I did not enter. We don't have much money."
Devon blinked a few times before reaching for his hand. "Tell you what; we'll go inside and you can buy anything you want."
He almost squealed when he heard the news. "Really? I can have anything I want?" Devon nodded with a grin, and slowly stroked Elijah's cheeks.
"Why?" Elijah still feels uncomfortable about getting spoiled, but he sees no problem when it's Devon doing it. He feels safe with Devon. He knows that Devon won't hurt him.
"You're my sunshine and my baby. Of course, I'll give you everything," was Devon's reply like it was not a big deal, which earned a giggle from Elijah.
"Thank you, Dev. Can I have another request?" Devon nodded and gave Elijah his full attention.
"Can I change first? My short is uncomfortable. I don't like it," he whined and Devon's face etched with worry.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier? You should have told Mina, sunshine. Why did you even go to the club?" Devon reached for the backseat and grabbed some shopping bags.
Elijah felt his cheeks getting warm. "You're there, that's why," he whispered, a bit embarrassed. Devon went still for a few seconds and Elijah's cheeks turned a shade darker when Devon's brow shot up.
Devon hummed in amusement and placed the shopping bags in his lap. "Now that I think about it, you were saying something earlier at the club, sunshine. What was it, hmm?" Devon's teasing tone made Elijah's stomach flip, and his pulse quickening when the man showed him another expression.
Elijah swallowed when Devon continued to stare at him intently. When he remembered the reason why he was at the club in the first place, he gained a newfound confidence.
"Mr. Gray mentioned that you would be at the club, so I pestered Mina to bring me with her. Then I would invite you out for dinner to apologize," he explained, and Devon's brown orbs twinkled in emotion he couldn't read.
"Why would you apologize?" Devon was genuinely curious.
Elijah nibbled his lower lip before looking up to Devon, embarrassed. "Um, I feel like it's my fault that you don't drop by at the bar anymore more."
Devon was surprised. Yes, Elijah was the main reason why he went MIA for almost a week, because he wanted to figure out his feelings, and the boy's haunting blue eyes would not help. "Did you perhaps miss me, sunshine?" Devon teased, earning a soft gasp from Elijah.
Elijah covered his burning cheeks, but nevertheless, nodded in agreement. Devon felt a thrilling rush, causing him to grin shortly. Elijah will be the death of me, Devon thought.
"By the way, Mr. Gray?"
He nodded. "Mr. Gray. He's the one who drives me to work and fetch me after."
Devon nodded as understanding dawned on him. "You mean Grayson?"
"Yeah. Mr. Gray is very kind. He always answers my questions without getting annoyed. He also treats me to ice creams and burgers. Last time, he treated me to a happy meal," he added excitedly, remembering his toy collections from the happy meals Mr. Gray bought.
When Mr. Gray visited him at the hospital, he was surprised when the big guy brought several boxes of happy meals, completing his new collection. Of course, Mina and Mr. Gray helped him with the food. Also, one of Stefan and Devon's friends, Trevor Hathaway, visited him with three fruit baskets.
"Trevor visited you?" Devon blinked in surprise.
He nodded. "Trevor is very kind too. He brought apples, strawberries, oranges, and bananas." Devon nodded and reached for Elijah's jacket.
Elijah let Devon remove the jacket and his shirt, replacing it with a graphic tee that made him squeal.
"This is Perry!" He glanced at Devon, mouth gaping, then stared at his new white tee, with Perry in a fedora, wearing that signature smirk.
"Yes, it is. I learned from Mina that you love Phineas and Ferb, so there."
Unable to contain his happiness, Elijah jumped on Devon with a giggle, surprising the latter, but Elijah smiled when he felt Devon's arm around his waist. "Thank you so much, Dev. Thank you!"
Devon tapped his back, so he pulled away from the man with a shy smile, but it looked like Devon doesn't mind his unexpected gesture.
"I also have gray sweatpants here, and I bet you're going to love it too." Devon handed him another paper bag and he jumped in his seat when he saw what's inside.
It's a limited-edition Phineas and Ferb graphic sweatpants. He had been wanting to own one, ever since he saw the ad in his grammie's house, but it immediately sold out.
He pulled the sweats out and glanced at Devon in amazement. "This had been sold out for a few months, Dev. How did you get this?"
"I know people. I'm glad you like it. Mina proved to be useful this time," Devon mumbled the last statement so he was not able to catch it. "Why don't you change? I'll step outside to give you privacy. Knock on the window once you're done, alright?"
He nodded and when Devon was finally out of the car, he buried his face on the sweatpants to muffle his squeals. Ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod.
He still can't believe that Devon is taking care of him. Devon stood up for him, got angry for his sake, comforted him, and even bought him a Perry shirt and Phineas and Ferb sweatpants.
I am so happy.
He giggled and changed to his sweats, folding the leather shorts and the shirt neatly, and placed them inside the shopping bags. He knocked on the window, catching Devon's attention.
Devon went to his side and opened the car door for him. "Better?"
He nodded and smiled. When Devon grinned in return, Elijah's heart flipped in so much joy.
"Which do you prefer, walking hand-in-hand, or me carrying you in my arms?" Elijah's cheeks burned at Devon's question, making him chew his lip in embarrassment.
Holding hands with Devon does sound pleasant, but being in the man's arms feels so comforting. I love his scent. Being engulfed in his scent makes me feel safe.
"Um... carry me, please?" Elijah answered in a squeak, but Devon heard it perfectly.
Elijah let out a yelp when Devon crouched and lifted him up in a fluid motion. His hands automatically grabbed the man's broad shoulders for support, glaring at the man.
"Meanie. Devon is a meanie," he whined with a small huff, but Devon just chuckled, surprising him again.
Wow. Where did the poker-face Devon go?
That question immediately bounced off Elijah's mind when they finally entered the store. There were shelves after shelves of various treats that made him drool. Fortunately, the business was not that busy, so it was only Elijah, Devon, and the guy behind the counter, eating some gum and reading a magazine dated five years back.
"Sunshine, do you want me to put you down? So you could pick what you like?" Devon's tone was soft and smooth, making Elijah swoon all over.
Nevertheless, he nodded and Devon put him down with so much care. "Alright, baby. You're allowed to pick anything you like, but tone down on chips and sweets, alright? I don't want you to hurt your tummy and teeth," Devon reminded him as he threaded through Elijah's silky strands.
"Got it. Can you come with me? I'm not really familiar with some of the items."
"Sure, sunshine. First off, let's grab some baskets. Which do you want to go to first? Chips, sweets, drinks, or sandwiches?"
Elijah's expression brightened at the mention of drinks. "Drinks. I want yogurt drinks. I tasted one bottle last time, and I loved the flavor."
Devon nodded and ruffled Elijah's hair. "Drinks it is."
With a bounce on his steps, he entwined his fingers with Devon, the latter seemingly pleased with the way Devon's eyes sparkled, as the man stared at their hands clasped together. Elijah giggled when Devon tightened his hold, giving it a tender squeeze.
When they finally arrived at the drinks section, he widened his eyes in wonder. There were so many options to choose from. He tugged Devon's arm with a frown, asking for help. "I can't choose."
Devon hummed stared at the options. "Do you have any flavor that you don't want?"
He glanced at the numerous bottles and shook his head. "I'm not sure. I haven't tried these yet."
"Alright. One of each then. We can also figure out the flavors you like and the ones you are not fond of," Devon concluded and reached for the bottles, picking one from each brand.
Elijah just stared at the bottles being placed in the cart one after another, with wide eyes and a gaping mouth. He was not able to protest because Devon looked like he was enjoying himself as he checks the ingredient list and nutrition table.
Overall, their cart was overflowing with chocolates and chips, only three brands allowed because Devon does not tolerate unhealthy food. "I'm only allowing you this one time because you haven't tasted these, but we should practice moderation the next time, okay, sunshine?"
"I understand, Dev. Thank you for indulging me," he gave Devon a brief side-hug before he dragged the man to the counter. After the payment, Devon insisted that he should carry Elijah again.
"But you're already carrying the snacks. I'm heavy." Devon's brow lifted at his last statement.
"Sunshine, this paper bag is heavier than you," Devon deadpanned that caused Elijah to giggle.
That's true. Elijah is slightly underweight, but Devon promised to feed him until his cheeks swell like a hamster. In conclusion, Devon won the argument. Elijah agreed to be carried with one arm, while Devon's unoccupied hand holds the snacks.
"Baby, can you open the door? My hands are full," Devon asked when they reached the car.
"You can put me down, Dev," he suggested, but it turned out to be a bad idea because Devon frowned and glared at him.
"No. I like holding you," Devon replied in a tone that left no room for a discussion. That made Elijah blush and incredibly shy, while his stomach fluttered.
"Okay. I'll open the door." Devon nodded and placed the bag in the backseat after he pulled the door open.
With his free hand, Devon opened the shotgun and was about to deposit him on the seat when the man frowned and turned to him.
Elijah swallowed nervously when those intense orbs looked at him intently. "W-What is it?" Why does Devon look so serious? Is something wrong with the seat?
Devon looked troubled, as he exchanged looks between Elijah and the seat. After a few seconds, Devon heaved a deep sigh, indicating that he finally made a decision.
"Sunshine, do I really have to?" Devon's voice was soft, but there was a hint of a whine.
He wrinkled his brows, unable to understand Devon's question. "Huh? What do you mean? Is there a problem?"
"Sunshine, do you want to sit down?"
"Yeah," he immediately replied, with a nod. He wants to. Devon's arm will get numb the longer the man carries him.
Devon snorted and he noticed that the former's mood turned sour. Nevertheless, Devon deposited him carefully on the seat and buckled him up.
What is up with him? Elijah couldn't help but wonder what ticked Devon off. He seemed particularly annoyed with the seat, though.
Unable to stand the uncomfortable atmosphere, he reached for the hem of Devon's shirt and tugged on it. Finally catching the sulky man's attention, Elijah offered Devon an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry, Devon. Are you mad at me? When will you stop being mad at me? I don't like it when you're angry," he mumbled in a soft tone, his eyes trained on his fingers scrunching Devon's shirt.
Devon did not reply so Elijah took it as a response. Devon must be angry at something he did. "I'm s-sorry. Did I ask for too many snacks? I won't do it again. I won't be greedy anymore. I won't do it... don't be mad, p-please."
All of a sudden, Elijah's view shifted and he was met by Devon's worried face, as he was transferred into Devon's lap, the sound of seatbelt unbuckling broke the silence.
Devon heaved a deep sigh. "Sunshine, I'm not mad. It should be me apologizing to you. I'm sorry for being petty." Elijah just blinked at Devon, wondering what the latter meant.
"You do know that I like holding you." Elijah blushed, but nevertheless, nodded, containing the grin from splitting. "I so wanted to have you in my lap while I drive but... you chose that effin' seat," Devon grumbled and glared at the shotgun seat.
"You mean to say... that you got jealous because of a seat?" Elijah summarized, still confused.
"Now that you said it out loud, it sounds so weird and pathetic," Devon grimaced that got him chuckling.
"I hate not holding you," Devon whined and buried his face on Elijah's neck, making the latter yelp and squeak. Devon's strong arms encircled around Elijah's waist, sending a feeling of security that made him sigh pleasantly.
"But it's not safe, Dev. We can't do that," he explained softly and decided to comfort the man by stroking his hair. Devon just groaned and shook his head.
Elijah can't calm down because of Devon's warm breath tickling his neck, but it's a welcomed feeling. His brows wrinkled, thinking of ways to placate the sulky Devon.
"I could sit on your lap when we arrived at your house."
Devon pulled away in a flash, his pleased expression made Elijah giggle. "No kidding?"
Elijah nodded. "I also like being in your arms. It makes me feel safe. I like being safe. Safety means no bad guys. You'll protect me from bad guys, right?" He could not contain the insecurity in his voice, gazing at Devon imploringly.
Please protect me, was written in Elijah's eyes.
Devon cupped Elijah's cheeks and stared straight into the boy's blue orbs. "I will slay all of the bad guys for you, sunshine. They wouldn't be able to touch a strand of your hair. Please trust me on this. I will protect you," Devon promised, his tone serious, determined, and truthful.
Elijah bit his lower lip and choked his sobs. Hearing that kind of promise made him feel so much relief. He wouldn't have to worry about getting caught by bad guys because Devon swore to protect him.
"P-Pinky promise?" Elijah lifted his pinky finger and Devon wrapped his pinkie around Elijah's.
"Pinky promise, sunshine." Elijah gasped when Devon leaned down and kissed their twisted pinkies, leaving Elijah flushed and his pulse racing.
Comments (0)
See all