Inside Of Our Minds (Hannibal Lecter's Son)

Chapter 14) Christmas Dinner

I woke up to my bed being empty, a few months had passed since Ashton came to live with us.  I heard commotion downstairs and went to look. Papa had his arms crossed and looked displeased while holding a can of something I've never seen. Ashton was on the ground sobbing.

"Ashton, babe. What's wrong?" I said scooping up my boyfriend. His facial hair was coming in now as Papa had him put on testosterone as well.

"He snuck junk food into the pantry, I caught him trying to eat it this morning instead of a proper meal." Papa said throwing away the can of something called "Chef Boyardee"

"I need it!" Ashton cried.

"Papa, why can't he have his own food?" I asked.

"I don't allow this stuff in the house and you know it." Papa said trying to comfort Ashton. Ashton sobbed all the way to the hallway where he sat on the baby blue sofa. He started gagging. Papa and I ran over to him. Before we could get him a trash can he threw up all over the couch. Papa took a breath in.

"It's okay Ashton, it needed to go anyways. Go clean yourself up and I'll bring you some tea, Mick, you call the furniture store and my tailor. You know the drill."

I did just that and Papa and I threw the couch out. He made Ashton some tea and I comforted Ashton while Papa sat on the edge of the bed.

"Is there something you don't like about my cooking dear?" Papa asked trying to calm Ashton down.

"It-" He took some breaths before trying to stop his tears. I have seen my boyfriend at his worst, I've seen him cry himself to bed as I hold him, but I have never seen him upset over food.

"It's what dear?" Papa asked handing Ashton a tissue.

"It's too seasoned." He said. "It upsets my stomach and I like my chef boyardee." He cried. "My tv dinners, my ramen noodles, I miss it!"

"Papa he is autistic and-"

"And Autistic people can have sensory problems, Ashton I didn't know that honey, I'll pick you up some safe foods when I go shopping, alright?" Papa said. Ashton nodded.

"Try taking a nap, it might help with your anxiety." Papa added before standing up. He left us alone and I snuggled with Ashton.

December 23rd,

The 8 foot tall Chrismas tree shined with its white lights, red, silver, and blue ornaments adorned the branches and the scent of pine lifted the air. On the table by the door sat a small red truck hauling a Christmas tree, in the doorway to the kitchen there hung a mistletoe, the pack came with two of them, the other? Over my bed of course. Papa was preparing a Christmas feast which Alana and Will were going to attend. A roasted pig from Mason Verger that Papa picked out and a variety of sides that are going to be put in the pig. Since Ashton doesn't eat the fancy stuff Papa put me in charge of making his Tyson Chicken nuggets and Mac and cheese.

Ashton and I were making out on the couch, my hands at his hips and his hands around my shoulders. There were footsteps approaching down the hall so we quickly pulled away. Papa came in with his apron on.

"Our guests will be here for Christmas dinner soon, Mick why don't you fix Ashton's food?" He said.

"I'll go ahead and do that."

I went to the kitchen and microwaved his food, I prepared his plate as Alana and Will came into the kitchen.

"Welcome." Papa said. "I hope the snow wasn't too bad."

"It wasn't that bad." Alana said, she looked over at me.

"You grow more and more every time I see you." She said with a smile. She extended her arms out and gave me a hug. Papa smiled.

"He's growing up too quick." Papa chuckled. Will handed the small Christmas gift he brought to Papa. Papa grabbed it and opened it, a small bottle of scotch, I could see by the bottle is was expensive.

"Thank you." Papa said, "I can serve some after dinner."

I left the kitchen and sat back with Ashton, resuming our actions.

When supper was ready Ashton and I went and sat at the table. Alana and Will and Papa had their conversations, they knew about Ashton and the whole situation so he wasn't a stranger to them. Ashton ate his nuggets and Mac and cheese. I ate my share of the pig. After dinner Papa grabbed the appropriate glasses and poured some scotch into them, handing them to his guests. Ashton and I left the dinner table because we weren't really apart of any conversation they were having.

Ashton changed into his pjs, which of course was my boxers and shirt. I put on my flannel shirt and pajama pants. I laid on my bed, not really snuggling with Ashton who was more than happy to just fall asleep. I thought about Christmas and my Christmases as a child. How Papa would bake gingerbread cookies from scratch, how he would make hot chocolate the correct way with melting down chocolate and adding only small amounts of milk. How when it snowed I would beg Papa to buy me a sled. The joys of waking up at 7 AM and rushing to Papa's room only to pounce on him and announce that Santa came. How I miss it.

I turned on my side and covered up, my back faced Ashton as I let some tears form. They streamed down my face. I miss the cozy feeling of Christmas. I got up from my bed and made my way downstairs, I turned the corner and seen Papa and Alana kissing under the mistletoe. I felt a lump in my throat, I snuck back upstairs and went to Papa's room. I laid on the side of the bed he doesn't sleep on and cried. As far back as I can remember if I'm not feeling well, I just go and lay in Papa's bed, he'll always comfort me.

A few minutes later his door opened and I paid no attention. 

"Mick?" Papa asked. I looked up at him and seen Alana with him.

"I don't feel good Papa." I said wiping the tears from my eyes.
Papa whispered something to Alana and she left the room. Papa sat beside me and rubbed my back.
"Sleep here tonight, I'll be back in a little bit." He said grabbing something from his dresser. I laid down and tried to sleep, but I could still hear Papa and Alana fucking in his study. Ew. I eventually fell asleep though, not too long after I woke up to Papa getting into bed. I leaned my head over towards him.

"What's on your mind Mickey?" Papa asked.

"Christmas."

"Seasonal depression is normal, and I can assure you that you're getting presents, you and Ashton both." He said.

"How long?" I asked.

"How long what?"

"How long have you and Dr. Bloom been fucking?"

He chuckled and shook his head. "Adults can have hookups too."

"Papa I don't want to hear about yours." I laughed. "I'm worried she might be."

"Not a serious relationship Mick. You're not getting a step parent any time soon."

We fell asleep after, I snuggled up to his side like I did as a small child.