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“Is that a guy thing?” I cover my mouth as I ask because talking with my mouth full is just gross.

Why am I so comfortable with an obvious threat in my vicinity? I really have lost it.

He raises an eyebrow in question.

“Just glaring and then deciding you’re best friends afterward.”

“We have no issues at this time,” Mitri explains, which surprises me.I didn’t expect him to answer.“Hence, we may coexist.”

“Hence,” I mutter and cover my laugh with a cough.

His brow lowers, and his eyes squint a little.

“Come on, fossil.I give you permission to scoff when I sayyeet, okay?”

His brows lower further, “What does this word mean?”

“No idea,” I shrug with a grin.“It’s something the kids say nowadays. I’ll look it up later.”

“Then I have no concern of it,” he dismisses.

“Hm,” I finish the rest of my food before turning to him.He hasn’t stopped watching me, and it’s creeping me out.

“First of all, don’t watch me eat. It’s just awkward and… I don’t know, just don’t do it, okay? Normal people don’t do that. I think. Gross. Changing the subject. What do you want? I thought my usefulness ran out. Unless you’re here to shoot me? If that’s the case, your service for letting me enjoy what was left of my last meal.”

He slowly shakes his head, “You speak too much.”

I was rambling, something I’m having problems with now. But…

“You want the silent treatment?You got it, buddy.”

I pick up my plate and take it to the sink to slowly wash as if my life depended on how thorough I could be.Then I work on the pan and utensils, despite Ben having a perfect dishwasher that intimidates me.

I start brewing coffee and watch it slowly sputter until the carafe is full. Turning towards the cabinets where the mugs are, I bump into Mitri and silently brush past him to get a cup. I know Ben has rules involving food and drinks for his vehicle, but surely he wouldn’t begrudge me some coffee.

“Wrong cabinet,” Ben says as he reenters the room, showered, and dressed.

I turn to face him and shrug my shoulders.

He tilts his head and smiles at me.“Next one over.I got you some travel mugs.”

My eyes widen, and I push Mitri out of the way to open the cabinet.There are three travel mugs that I take down reverently.

The first one says, “You see the look on my face, yet you’re still talking.” The next says, “F*ck it. All ofit. And all of you”. And the third, my favorite, says, “I’m not insulting you. I’m describing you”.

As I read, I make a whining noise and then run over to him, hugging him hard enough that he grunts.

“Food, a toaster, and nowthis? You’re the best, Ben!”

He laughs and kisses my head, whispering, “You’re welcome, baby.”

Please, let me keep this male.His pedestal might be missing a few pieces to hold him up properly, but I am putting him up there.I can be good enough to keep him.I’ll fake it until I make it.

Mitri clears his throat, and I ignore him entirely, basking in the sunshiny warmth of Ben.Ok, the slightly cool body temperature of Ben, whatever.

“She may be giving you the silent treatment,” Ben growls in his dual tone, “but I can tell you to fuck off any time I like, immortal.”

Damn right, he can.He can now do anything he wants in my book.