Picking Up The Pieces (Robby X Miguel)

Chapter 3

"Did I get drunk?" Robby mouthed to himself. No, he couldn't be. He came to his senses after realizing he agreed to this. Miguel was laying on his chest and Robby had his arms around him. At least he wasn't sleeping at his desk. 

"Kiki," Miguel mumbled his late wife's nickname. The poor guy. The loss of his wife must still be fresh to him.  He lifted his head with disappointment. "We should get the kids up and train them or something." Miguel slowly sat up from Robby's chest. 

Robby knew that wasn't good for Miguel. "They're probably not in the mood. On another topic have you thought about talking to a professional or maybe a group?" He wasn't sure if Miguel held the brush-off therapy and solve everything through karate like Daniel or avoided it like the mentioned like the plague as Johnny did.

"The kids are seeing a grief counselor,"  Miguel mumbled. 

Robby felt he was probing a little too much so he decided to switch the topic. "How about we go downstairs and I show you how to make breakfast?" Robby's been making his own food since he was a kid so he picked up a few things. 

After getting dressed the two men went downstairs. It was a good thing Miguel had food in the cabinet. It was more food than Robby had seen as a kid. He tried not to think about that. Ollie was constantly well-fed and that was the most important thing. Robby took some food out of the cabinet for the kids' breakfast. "chocolate chip pancakes?"

Miguel nodded he seemed a little lost and took the liberty of giving him a hint. "Do me a favor and get half a butter and a cup of milk. Think you can handle warming the milk and melting the butter?"

"I'm not a baby Robby I can cook I just don't know how to cook breakfast well." Miguel went on with Robby's instructions. Miguel tried to act like he had it all under control but he often screwed up instructions when it came to breakfast. He was fine with dinner, lunch, eggs, bacon, and whatnot

Robby took the ingredients and started to mix them. "Want to help me stir?" the other man perked up at his offer. Miguel took the risk from Robby and started stirring. Robby held Miguel's hands as he showed him how to stir. Miguel knew how to stir but the feeling of Robby behind him holding him felt comforting.

"You're pretty good at this," Robby whispered in Miguel's ear. After a while, Robby's teaching was turning into an embrace. The two men slipped out of their trance upon hearing a fake cough. Carmelo gave a disapproving look as he watched the two.

"Alright that should be enough" by the time he let go of Miguel Robby's face was red. He dropped a teaspoon of butter into the pan. 

"I can finish this you mind setting the table?" Miguel asked Robby. 

"I'll do it," Carmelo said despite the fact he only set the table when it was his turn on the chore wheel. 

Robby could tell there was some tension in the room. Carmelo hasn't stopped glaring at him once. "I'll go check on Ollie." Robby grabbed a glass of water before heading upstairs and knocked on Ollie's room door.  It felt so strange 

"Come in." A voice groaned. That was Oliver's sugar crash voice, Robby knew it well. Despite all the time away Robby did know little things about his son. 

Robby sat on the edge of the bed. "Thirsty."

Ollie took the glass from his father and drank it in seconds, "Ah thanks, dad. Those three devils talked me into mixing strawberry soda, nerds,  skittles, and gummy rings. I think they wanna kill me."  Ollie received a forehead kiss from his dad.

"Miguel and I made pancakes. I'll put bananas and strawberries on the side to clear out your system." Robby got up so his son could get ready. "Pancakes are ready girls!" he said as he knocked on each of their doors.