Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
T heo had his work cut out for him but he was ready to roll up his sleeves and soothe Dewey’s wounds with comfort food and gentle sex. While there had been much to celebrate, Roddy’s return had been a shock for everyone and his reunion with Dewey and Bryce had been intense. After, Dewey had been quieter and slower and Theo worried the day had been too draining for him. But Theo had a plan to salvage the evening.
Once they got in out of the cold.
It had begun to snow about an hour before the bowling alley closed and it was up to Walter’s chest by the time Dewey parked in his driveway. Walter did his business quickly and beat them to the front door, groaning impatiently until he was let in. He went straight to the bed Dewey had made for him in the living room and burrowed into an old quilt.
“I hope you enjoy lentils and butternut squash,” Theo said, hanging his coat and heading for the kitchen. “Cassie picked up a squash and a few other Dinge so I could make Leo’s favorite soup and pasta—Cappellacci di Zucca—for you. I had a head start so it won’t be long,” he reassured Dewey.
“Something already smells delicious,” he said as he followed Theo.
“Bryce drove me back while you were doing the lanes so I could roast the squash and start the soup,” he explained as they passed the stairs and used his shoulder to push the kitchen door. “This is what I always made when Leo had a long day and the weather was bad.”
It had been years since Theo had cooked to comfort his brothers and he was excited for an opportunity to prove he was competent at something other than spending money.
“I’m sure I’ll enjoy it,” Dewey said and took Theo’s hand, stopping him. “Can I tell you something, before you get started?”
“Of course…” Theo raised a wary brow. “I thought we were done with secrets.”
Dewey shook his head, laughing softly. “It’s nothing bad and I don’t think this is much of a secret. But I get stuck and scared whenever I try to tell you.”
“Scared?” Theo’s neck craned. “You’re not sending me back to the Winnie, are you? I haven’t even unpacked yet.”
“Sending you back?” Dewey snorted. “Could you imagine sharing that with Roddy? He’s a lot bigger than me and we were like sardines in there.”
“I rather liked being a sardine with you,” Theo said.
A shaky laugh wafted from Dewey. He seemed so tired and Theo worried that he was hanging on by a thread. “I did too,” he said with a weak chuckle as he fiddled with the collar of Theo’s shirt. “A lot. In fact, I was hoping that this trial week wouldn’t be a trial, and that you’d want to stay. With me. Here.”
“I have to, now that Roddy’s in my Winnie,” Theo countered, earning a suffering look from Dewey.
“I’m trying, but you’re making this really hard!” he whispered and Theo pretended to zip his lips. Dewey thanked him and took a deep breath. “I’m hoping you’ll stay— here, with me—and give this chance because I...” Dewey’s lips clamped and he squeezed his eyes shut. “Hold on. Let me start over.” He forced out a long breath and whispered a prayer. “Theo, I don’t want you to go—ever—because I lo—” Dewey let out a strained whimper and whipped around. “Why are you such a big fuckin’ chicken?” he hissed at himself and needed the counter for support.
“Sei ruhig, bitte!” Theo crooned soothingly as he gathered Dewey in his arms, turning him. He held Dewey’s beard in his hands, feeling more certain and content than he had in years. “You’re so tired, so I’ll go first: I’m in love with you, Brooks, and I want to stay and build a life in Oslo with you and Walter.”
“Thank God!” Dewey swept Theo off his feet and into a tight hug. He stumbled and fell against the counter, but ignored Theo’s complaints and kissed him. Dewey was laughing and crying as his lips clung to Theo’s. “I think I’ve loved you since you asked for that damn job. Even when I couldn’t figure out why you were here or what the hell I was supposed to do with you, I was always hoping you’d stay. My life wouldn’t be the same—Oslo wouldn’t be the same—without you,” he babbled shakily.
Theo felt shaky too and like laughing and singing, then remembered that only half of his heart was in Oslo. “I have one request.” Theo held up a finger, becoming serious. “I want to take you home—to Austria and to Italy—to meet Leo and Jonathon and what’s left of my mother’s family. I want you to see the town she’s from and where we grew up,” he said with a hopeful look. Theo understood that while he was used to jumping on jets and planes when he missed one of his brothers, Dewey wasn’t accustomed to traveling on a whim and had responsibilities in Oslo.
“You want me to…go to Italy and Austria?” Dewey confirmed and Theo nodded quickly.
“It’s important to me, so that you can have a connection to those places as well. And so my relatives can know you and know that I’m in good hands in America.”
“But…that’s…” Dewey stared, appearing overwhelmed until he laughed and nodded. “You know what? Okay… That sounds like the craziest thing I could ever do and it scares the shit out of me, but I want to do it. I was gonna burn out in the bowling alley and nothing special was ever gonna happen to me.” He kissed Theo again until they were both weak and dizzy. “Then, you happened and so many other amazing things. For some reason, I was lucky enough to win the prince and I get to go on the adventure, so I’m going to make the most of it.”
“Bravo!” Theo clapped and was sincerely proud of Dewey for finally accepting that he deserved the world. “I will take you as soon as you feel comfortable leaving Brooks Bowling for a few weeks. But, soon,” he repeated with a loaded look so that Dewey knew he couldn’t drag his feet. “I intend for this adventure to last the rest of our lives and I’m hoping it includes a wedding in Austria, with Cassie and Bryce. And my brothers, unfortunately,” he added with a dramatic eye roll.
“Easy!” Dewey caught Theo’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I’m in for all of it, including your brothers, if you don’t change your mind before I get a chance to meet the other two. Are you sure you’re ready to give up your freedom and privacy? I should have asked if it was okay if I evicted you so Roddy could use the Winnie, but I’d much rather have you here than him. I’m not ready to trust Roddy like that yet, either.”
“Naja, I was okay!” Theo insisted. “I’ll always think of it fondly and as my Winnie, but I prefer the amenities here now,” he said, wiggling his brows suggestively.
“Am I one of those amenities?”
“The only one that really matters,” Theo said as he led Dewey to the table. “Sit and keep me company while I work,” he ordered, pulling out a chair for Dewey.
“Are you sure? It might be…quicker if I helped,” Dewey said and Theo hummed happily.
“It’s no trouble and I already feel like I am at home. Did you know, Cassie had a pasta maker? She didn’t even need the Barilla,” he said, clicking his teeth. “But I have borrowed it so I can make the Cappellacci for you.” He went to the stove and checked the lentils, taking one from the pot and tasting it. “Gut,” he declared, then poured Dewey a bowl.
He set it on the table and Dewey caught his wrist, tugging gently so Theo would lower. “Thank you,” Dewey said as he kissed Theo. “This morning was magic and the happiest I think I’ve ever been. It got really heavy in the middle and I thought Roddy had ruined our magic day, but you saved it in the alley and you’ve made tonight magic too.”
“I couldn’t let that happen. You deserve magic, Brooks,” Theo told him, then smiled wickedly. “Starting with magic pasta,” he said as he danced back and ducked into the pantry for the pasta maker. Theo had already cleaned it and the dough and the filling were resting on the counter but he decided to clamp the machine to the table so Dewey could watch him work. “I saw something on a TikTok that will make this more fun,” he said as he untucked his shirt and pulled it over his head. He tossed it at the door and made quick work of his boots and jeans as Dewey looked on in confused wonder.
“What the hell is going on over on TikTok?” he asked, his neck craning as Theo went to wash his hands and gather the dough and filling. “Not that I’m complaining…”
“There is a very attractive man who makes terrible pasta but no one cares because he is very fit and cooks in his underwear,” Theo explained.
Dewey nodded. “I can see the value in that and I fully support this,” he said as he gestured at Theo.
He winked at Dewey, then gasped when he remembered seeing the eating utensils with the large, gray, rounded plastic handles in one of the drawers. “Moment!” he said as he retrieved the spoon, bowing as he presented it to Dewey. “Guten Appetit!” he said brightly, but Dewey stared at the spoon for several moments before eventually accepting it. “You don’t have to hide them from me anymore, Brooks,” Theo said and Dewey nodded, blushing.
“They’re kind of a giveaway. They look like the chunky plastic utensils Bryce used when he was learning how to feed himself.”
Theo snorted impatiently at him. “Zwutschkerl! Why does it matter what they look like? I will happily feed you but I’m sure you prefer to do it yourself, ja?” he asked bluntly, earning a soft chuckle from Dewey.
“I would, but thank you for reminding me,” he said as he sat forward and tasted his soup. “Wow, that’s really good.” He hummed heartily and nodded, hunkering over the bowl with his spoon.
That was exactly what Theo was hoping for. “Danke.” He kissed Dewey’s temple and went to work.
Rolling the pasta, cutting out the squares, piping the filling, and folding them into perfect little hats never failed to relax Theo. But he had never prepared Cappellacci for a big, grumpy bear. It had been a challenge shaping each pasta hat while Dewey fondled his arse and tugged at the waist of his briefs whenever Theo was in reach.
“Bitte!” Theo begged, laughing when Dewey pulled him onto his lap. “I am almost done.”
“Just a moment. You look so good, I have to take a taste,” Dewey rumbled as he licked and bit the back of his neck, causing goosebumps and making Theo gasp. Dewey’s hands glided down his chest but Theo pushed them lower. He cupped Dewey’s hand, grinding his hard-on against it. “Can I taste that?”
“If you wish,” Theo panted before he was lifted and turned. His briefs were yanked down and he let out a surprised yelp as his ass was grabbed and his cock was wrapped in urgent, sucking heat. Dewey held on tight to Theo’s ass as he licked and growled contentedly. “Verdammt!” Theo whispered when Dewey’s fingers strummed his hole. He’d tossed the condom and lube across the room with his trousers. “Einen Moment,” he groaned as he pried himself away from Dewey.
“Come back,” he protested, but Theo shushed as he raced across the kitchen and snatched his pants off the floor.
He cheered victoriously when he found the appropriate pocket and held up the condom and foil packet. “Now, we are ready,” he said as he strolled back to the table, grinning at Dewey. He had also made a quick trip to Oslo’s tiny hospital earlier in the day and was hoping he’d have test results soon and could finally forget about condoms. They had never really bothered Theo before, but now he didn’t want any barriers between him and Dewey and he didn’t want to have to slow down when things were heating up. “Time to climb you like a tree,” he added with a wicked smirk.
“It’s the best day ever again,” Dewey said with a nod, his eyes following Theo’s hands closely as his fly was unzipped, the condom wrapper was torn open, and his shaft was sheathed and coated with lube. “The best, best day ever,” he whispered as Theo mounted him and got in position. “Christ, Theo…” Dewey groaned, his head falling back in ecstasy as Theo lowered and took every hot, throbbing inch.
“Oh, sehr gut!” Theo declared as his passage stretched around Dewey’s length and a warm tingle rushed up his spine and down his limbs. He rose on his toes, sliding off just enough before dropping again and making Dewey whimper.
“Don’t stop!” he begged and Theo shook his head.
“I won’t,” he promised, throwing an arm around Dewey’s neck and setting a fast, slapping pace. Theo prayed the chair was strong enough as he bounced and ground against Dewey’s groin, whipping them into a wild, sweating frenzy.
Dewey’s arms wound around Theo, pulling him closer and deeper as he growled out pleas and words of encouragement. They were rough and demanding with each other and it was glorious. Theo twisted his fingers in Dewey’s hair, swearing euphorically as he rode faster and harder.
“Fuck! Theo!” Dewey yelled, bucking off the seat as his body jerked and jumped beneath Theo. His eyes rolled as he arched in the chair just as Theo’s nerves ignited and he burst into bright sparks of light and heat. He came, thick ribbons of cum flicking onto Dewey’s flannel shirt as Theo shivered and giggled.
“Na, so was,” Theo said as he dismounted on shaking legs and dragged his finger through the cum on Dewey’s shirt. He held it out, offering it to Dewey and he obediently opened and moaned in delight as he sucked it clean. “I was supposed to be gentle,” he scolded himself but Dewey snorted.
“And I was trying to rile you up so you’d be. Don’t be gentle with me, I’m not a baby or an invalid.”
"Das wei? ich,” Theo returned with a stern glare. “But we can find a compromise so sex is more fun for you and you won’t get hurt,” he said as he looked around, recalling what he was doing before he had to ride Dewey. “Time to cook the Cappellacci!” he said with an excited clap, spinning back to the sink so he could wash his hands and return to work.
Before long, a pot of water was boiling and Theo was incredibly pleased as he lowered the stuffed pasta into the water. They only needed a few minutes before they were quickly drained and tossed to remove the excess water, then fried in butter with sage leaves.
“Guten Appetit!” Theo said as he placed a plate in front of Dewey and sat across from him. “I haven’t made this in ages,” he told Dewey while draping a napkin over his bare lap.
“This looks beautiful,” Dewey said, shaking his head as he turned the plate. “I can’t believe you made these. I saw you do it, but I still can’t believe it,” he said and used his fork to cut one in half. He took a bite and let out an enthusiastic groan. “Please don’t tell Cassie, but these might be the best things I’ve ever eaten,” he said as he pointed the fork at his bowl and plate.
Theo beamed as he chewed, savoring flavors he’d always associated with home and family and basking in Dewey’s praise. He had also picked both dishes because they were so simple, with just a few ingredients Cassie could easily find. Pasta and pizza were very different things in America, but a butternut squash and a lentil were almost the same on both sides of the Atlantic, thankfully. The lentils weren’t as fine and their flavor was less nuttier, but Theo was proud of how closely he was able to replicate Leo’s favorite dishes in Dewey’s kitchen.
The meal hadn’t just cheered Dewey up after a cold, rough day, it had also reaffirmed for Theo that he could make a home in Oslo. If, for some odd reason, Theo never got the hang of bowling alley management, he could still have a satisfying purpose and an outlet for his passion for caring for the people he loved.
“We should keep this a secret from Cassie,” Theo agreed, biting down on a mischievous grin. “And we shouldn’t tell her about the torte di mele I’m making for breakfast tomorrow. I haven’t made my Mamma’s apple cake in a long time, but it will be your new favorite,” he predicted.
But secretly, Theo couldn’t wait to share the recipe with Cassie and bring more of his favorite memories and foods from his childhood to Oslo. He had finally found a place where he could fit in and be needed again and Theo was looking forward to making Oslo his home.