Lost in the middle of nowhere

BETWEEN YOU & ME

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True to his word, Dallon's shift ended two hours ago, and Ryan never walked through the doors of the shop. Even then, that didn't put Brendon's mind at ease. What if Ryan found out Dallon's address and took him away while everyone was asleep?
So many worst-case scenarios crossed Brendon's mind while he cooked dinner for both of them.

There were a few things Brendon could do, and cooking just happened to be one of them. Dallon didn't complain when the boy offered to cook for him in return for his hospitality. It was a kind and simple gesture, just as the many Dallon had given him and that was rare for him.

It was nice to have someone to rely on for both parties, neither of them had that option growing up or even as they had gotten older.

Brendon knew many recipes, but tonight, he was trying something new. Something he never cooked before and he hoped it doesn't turn out like much because it was popular with many Creole family's. gumbo.

Dallon walked into the kitchen and deeply inhaled, taking in the familiar scent that reminded him of his childhood summers with his immediate and extended family under one roof. The simple smell held so much nostalgia that Dallon was smiling like an idiot.

Brendon was none the wiser about Dallon's presence or his smile while his back was turned to the taller man and stirred the contents in the pot.

The stew originally came from Creole's, But his Maw-ma knew a real beautiful Creole woman when he was a young child. Miss Alexis Patin. She became good friends with his Maw - ma over the years before they moved away, and she gave his Maw - ma the best family recipes. Sometimes friends are the family you choose. Miss Patin is still a close friend of the remaining family and a voodoo priestess.

"That smells amazing, Brendon!" Dallon exclaimed, causing the younger man to flinch and step away from the stove in shock.

"Jesus, Fuc-" A long frightened mewl escaped Brendon's throat. "Maybe give me a warning next time? Clear your throat or something before yeeting your presence at me!"

"Um... Brendon?" Dallon was looking above the younger's head. maybe he had something in his hair?

".... Yeah?" Brendon raised a brow, wondering what Dallon was looking at until he felt a twitch at the top of his head. Well, fuck.

"Are you... a hybrid?" Dallon timidly asked.

Brendon didn't appreciate the hesitation and he knew what that probably meant. Not many people were comfortable with hybrids. They were segregated from humans. Either sold as slaves or even kept as house pets that acquired a schedule of chores or tasks. If they were lucky, they could find someone that wasn't terrified or disgusted by them. Brendon had been lucky, or rather unlucky, when it came to Ryan.

In the beginning, Brendon had thought Ryan would never find out, and would never abuse him if he knew Brendon as a human. But, things never go according to plan.

One of the black and white kitten ears twitches at the top of Brendon's head while tears begin to fall and he slowly nods with a sniffle. "Y - yeah. That's why - never mind." Dallon probably didn't want to hear his excuses or the reason behind his shitty life. He probably just wanted Brendon to be far away as possible in the next sixty seconds. "I - I'll - um... let myself out."

A shaky hand reaches to rub the hybrid's snotty nose while he walked past Dallon when he received no answer from the man and began packing what little things were in Dallon's home. Brendon knew there was a catch somewhere. Nothing this good ever happens to him. Everyone else treated his kind like trash, so why would Dallon be any different?