Oreo

Chapter 13: Potential Date

Orion's POV~

Not wanting to invade his space too much, I released him and wandered into the kitchen.  I know he's introverted and a lot of stuff has happened lately.  Frankly, I'm not sure whether or not if I'm smothering him too much.  "So... what do you want for breakfast this morning?"

He just shrugged, still leaning against the couch and staring into space expressionlessly.  "Whatever you decide is fine..."

I deadpanned, looking over at him.  "Seriously?"

"I'm not really hungry anyway.." He admitted, then walked back to the bedroom.

I sighed and poured him a glass of water before following him.  "Romeo, you're gonna have to eat something.  If you don't, that alcohol you consumed will only make you feel worse the hungrier you get."

He was laying on the bed, back towards me and slightly curled around the Squirtle.  He didn't say anything in response to what I said.

Overall, his attitude was starting to irritate me a little.  "Romeo, look at me.  You need to drink some water."  Again, no response.  What was he so upset over?  Was it because of what happened before the cop showed up?  "Romeo.. about earlier... is that why you're upset?"

He curled up more.

I recalled the look in his eyes when I had hesitated to fill the space between us.  There was so much to read that I couldn't tell how he felt.  There was passion, eagerness, fear and reluctance.  He must be confused by the whole situation.  Maybe even with himself.

This just proved something needed to be done to get him to finally cooperate with me.  "Ro... I'll treat you to something nice if you just drink the water and eat some food... you'll feel a lot better, I promise.  This sick feeling you have is just the alcohol in your empty stomach.  You need to eat, and to do that you need to drink some water.  Capisce?"

There was hesitation but he finally nodded.  He sat himself up, still avoiding eye contact as I handed him the glass.  He drank slowly.

"Good boy.  Now, tell me what you want for breakfast."

He pondered for a moment as he tried to think.  "Umm..." He thought long and hard, as if he wasn't quite sure.  "........  I guess.. maybe... um............... waffles...."

I ruffled his hair.  "Now was that so hard?"

"It was.." He mumbled quietly, still not looking at me.  He took another sip of water.  "It's hard to tell what my stomach will agree to most right now..."

"No problem," I stood up.  "Just sip that slowly as you are and I'll make breakfast."

He made a small nod and I left the room to return to the kitchen.

~

Once the waffles were done, he came out of the room and we sat together with our plates.  He took small, cautious bites after putting on a little bit of peanut butter and just a bit of syrup.  His face was overwritten with contemplation as he analyzed every bite he ate.

Well... At least he's eating.  He can be such a pessimist, but right now I guess it's understandable.  If only I had been there for him when he needed me to be.  But there's no changing the past.  We can only focus on the future, now.  He has a new leaf to turn over, just as I did.    And I'm gonna help him.  He's not gonna be alone anymore...

And hopefully my plan doesn't backfire.

After we finished our breakfast, I got up and went to the room.  I could feel Romeo's eyes watching me curiously.  I grabbed a grey and black plaid bandana from my sock drawer and returned.