Grace's Bookstore

Chapter 7

"It-it's... I-I um..." Noah stammered, suddenly afraid.

"Go ahead. Tell me." He was stared down by a plain dagger of a man, straight-backed in a prim suit, blue eyes sharp and imperious. His gaze flicked over Noah, picking out each flaw. The ratty shoes on his pristine floor, the swelling bruise on the boy's throat. His upper lip curled at the old coat. "We'll start with how you got in here."

"I didn't... I wasn't...."

"Oh, Ben, be nice." A voice said from above and Noah whipped his head to it. He wore grey sweats and a sleeveless white t-shirt, but even in that he looked like a model. The sweats hung off his muscular frame, allowing his filled leg muscles to shine, and the shirt was held up by thin bands over his shoulders. It showed off his muscular arms, the sharp lines that plunged down to his hands, and his shoulders that were broader than the sky. He crossed his arms, worked his face into an easy smile, and Noah tried to ignore the set of his muscles, the fullness of his lips, the feather-soft black hair that fell atop his head. Noah's mouth parted slightly as he watched Damien descend the stairs. "He's a guest."

The man, Ben, brought himself up to his full height. "A guest." He deadpanned, fixing Noah with another full-body glance over. Noah felt like each part of him was being disassembled. "If you had called ahead to say you were bringing a guest, I could have set out snacks." His tone held a note of disapproval. Damien looked apologetic.

"I forgot to mention."

"As it was, I was just in the kitchen discussing this next week's meals with Holden. Do you happen to know if you will be having any more guests over this week?" He asked and Damien smiled and shook his head, descended the stairs to stand flat on the ground.

"I do not."

"Great." The man replied sarcastically. Damien grinned.

"Also, I promised Noah ravioli for dinner tonight so..."

"Oh, good. I'll just tell Holden then that we have to throw away the whole plan for tonight, run over to the store, and buy the food for your dinner because you've decided, on a whim, that's what you want tonight." The man said sarcastically and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Alright."

"Thank you, Ben."

"Of course." Ben gave a brief nod and stuck his hand out towards Noah. Noah flinched, blinking quick, before he swallowed awkwardly and stood to take it. "Forgive me. I had assumed you were an intruder as I didn't hear either of you come in and..." he gave Noah another once over and the brunette blushed. He definitely looked poor.

"It's fine." Noah nodded. He was still a little unsure. "I'm Noah."

"Benjamin." Benjamin said. "And what should I address you as?" He asked and Noah blinked, taken off guard.

"Uh..."

"Your pronouns." Benjamin clarified.

"Oh. He and him, please."

"Of course, sir." He nodded, let Noah's hand fall, and turned back to Damien. "If you give me a minute, I can have food set up in your room for you both."

"We're going to work in the library." Damien said. "And we'll just use the AutoChef if we get hungry."

"Alright. I've dismissed Alessia for the night, but I can certainly take care of anything for you." Benjamin said. "If either of you need anything, just ring."

"Will do, Ben. Why don't you get a drink and unwind?"

"I had planned to, but now we have guests. It would be improper." Benjamin said pointedly and Damien gave a lopsided grin. Noah watched the exchange closely, noting the ease with which Damien displayed his genuine affection. Benjamin left, disappearing through archways and around corners into the rest of the house, and left them alone together.