REAL BOY TENNIS - PART FOUR: COMMON ORBIT
Nicky is not a starred chef, but he tries his best, showing off knowing Joe can’t exactly pick up on Nicky’s level of effort from past experience. For all Joe knows, Nicky cooks elaborate homemade vegetarian lasagne every Wednesday. “This is great. Completely out of my diet plan,” Joe mutters in between too-large bites. “You do know you don’t have to inhale food and you can just savour it a bit, yes?” Nicky knows he’s making a disgusted face, but Joe’s enthusiasm is as flattering as it is worrying. Nicky has never seen someone fit that much lasagna in his mouth in his entire life. I mean, Joe always fit enough in his mo–NO. NO, Nicky. Nicky chokes on his food. Joe’s eyes get all wide and worried as he pats Nicky’s back. “You okay?” “Yeah,” Nicky chokes on the word, probably already burgundy red in the face. “Just wanted to say I can adjust to your plan if you send it to me. I meal prepped,” he coughs, unable to stop the words from spilling out of his mouth. “An entire grocery store for you, because I bought too much waiting for you to come.” Joe bites his lips to stop himself from smiling, which is pointless, because his eyes are all sparkling with humour. Nicky can read 10 minutes of teasing in the tilt of Joe’s eyebrows. “That was very nice of you,” is all Joe can say, smiling to his plate. Nicky serves him a bigger second serving, just to shut him up for the rest of the meal.
you're on a rollercoaster with Yusuf Al-Kaysani and Nicolò Di Genova, who have been in love with each other for 8 years. The challenge is to endure the lows and hope they manage to communicate thanks to the Holy Plot Grail of 'forced' proximity. Good luck