Page 31 of Hummingbird and Kraken

Declan threw his arms around Geir’s neck. “You’d make such an awesome Daddy.”

“I…” Geir paused for a long time. Declan had noticed that he did this sometimes when he was thinking. “I do not think I want children.”

Declan giggled. “No, not a father. A Daddy. A sexy guy who takes care of his boy and gives him everything he needs.”

Declan waited, trying not to let his nerves show. He’s spoken without thinking, like he always did, but this might be too much for Geir. Too weird or too kinky or just too much work. Declan was always too much work.

“Are you the boy?” Geir finally asked, sounding more confused than upset.

“Yes?” Declan answered hopefully. “I’m a very good boy,” he added softly.

“Huh,” Geir grunted, not giving Declan any clues as to what he was thinking. His arms and tentacles moved softly, continuing their slow, slippery caresses.

Well, that could have gone worse, Declan supposed. He wanted to fill up the space with words, apologizing and explaining himself, but Geir’s face was thoughtful. He needed time to mull things over.

Finally, he spoke. “You still need to eat. I… made bread for you.”

God, that was adorable, even if he was avoiding the issue.

Declan really, really didn’t want to get up. But if he got to eat something that Geir made just for him, he supposed it would be worth it.

He turned to rise, but Geir’s tentacles continued to ooze over him. Geir seemed just as reluctant to let him go as he was to stand.

Eventually, they got themselves sorted out. Declan sliced the bread and Geir’s tentacles disappeared back into wherever they came from.

There wasn’t any meat or cheese in the house, but there were luscious slices of tomato to put on top and sharp carrots and radishes to eat on the side. Tomorrow, he’d have to open some cans of beans for protein, but for tonight, this was perfect.

He moaned when he took his first bite. “This is delicious.”

Geir beamed. “You like it?”

“It’s amazing. It’s fluffy and chewy, and the dill adds the perfect tanginess.”

“I used yeast.” He seemed proud of this fact. Or at least pleased by it.

Declan chuckled. “You… I mean, what else would you use?”

Geir looked puzzled. “Not yeast? Without yeast, it would be flat and hard, so I would make little cakes. Or if I let the flour and water sit for many days, until they bubble, that would make it lighter and I could make bigger loaves. Baking powder is good, too.”

Declan threw his head back, delighted. Geir was like the original mountain man. Had he just discovered commercial yeast? “Geir, you’re amazing. Maybe we can try making sourdough together some time. I’ve never done it.”

Geir shook his head. “No, yeast is much better. It makes the bread much fluffier.”

How could just a huge, gruff man be so adorable? “Alright. If it tastes this good, I’m not complaining.”

Declan crunched on a carrot. He’d demolished his bread and was almost done with his vegetables. He hadn’t been starving, but the fresh vegetables and bread were just so tasty. Even with the farmer’s market at home, nothing was this good.

Or maybe it was just that he knew it had all been made and picked for him. That was kind of awesome.

“Let’s go swimming,” he suggested.

“Now?”

“What, you don’t swim in the dark?” Declan rose and took both of their plates to the sink.

“No, I… usually swim at night. But I thought you might be scared if you can’t see. And you should be sleeping now.”

Such a Daddy.