Chapter 11 An Awkward Conversation #2
“We’ll agree to disagree,” Titan said. “But enough of that. Let’s get washed up; I’d really like to change into some comfier clothes.”
After the long, painful day he’d had, he just wanted to sit down and not think about anything.
Mathlin perked up. “Oh! I’ll help. Let me set Jannie down somewhere...”
“There’s a crib in your room,” Hamilton said helpfully. “I’ve arranged for Ottis to bring your things over, and your other belongings in the Cartfalls safehouse are already here.”
Mathlin’s eyes grew round. “Oh. Thank you.”
“Thanks, Ham,” Titan said.
Hamilton gave an elaborate bow and showed Mathlin to Titan’s spare bedroom. Jannie stuck her thumb in her mouth; she watched Titan until Mathlin carried her out of sight.
Titan swallowed. Having a pup in his cabin... That was amazing and terrible at the same time. He wanted a family so much.
He hadn’t forgotten Jannie’s weight on his chest, how Jannie had calmed down when Titan rumbled. Not for the first time, Titan wished he could’ve used his arms, so he could hold Jannie close.
Maybe... Mathlin might let Jannie lie on him again tomorrow? Fuck, it was ridiculous how his heart skipped at that.
He slipped into the only bathroom in the cabin, pinching his sweatpants with his fingers.
It was slow going, trying to tug them off without flexing his torn bicep.
The pants inched down on his right but stayed up high on his left; he ground his hip against the bathroom counter, trying to get his waistband to catch on it.
Pants were terribly awkward when you couldn’t use your hands.
“I should just wear a kilt,” Titan muttered. “With nothing on underneath.”
At least that would solve his bathroom problems.
“The utility kilts are hot,” Mathlin blurted. “They’re heavy-duty and industrial-looking. Very alpha.” When Titan looked up, he found the omega standing in the bathroom doorway, hands clapped over his mouth. “Crap, I really need to shut up.”
Titan snorted. “I like your words. Could you help me with my pants?”
This wasn’t the first time Mathlin had helped. He had done this back at the bakery, too. Mathlin came forward and gently tugged down Titan’s pants so he could sit on the toilet—without his hands, Titan couldn’t aim, and he wasn’t going to ask Mathlin for that much help every time he had to piss.
It was just so humiliating, not being able to do these simple tasks by himself.
Mathlin ducked out to give Titan some privacy. He came back when Titan was done, drying him off with some TP. Titan tried not to sigh.
“Sorry for putting you through this,” he murmured. “This is the worst first impression I could give.”
Mathlin frowned, carefully pulling up Titan’s pants; he was always so careful. “Why would this be a bad impression? You need help because you got injured saving someone. You didn’t do anything wrong. But even if you did, I’m not going to judge you. You’re trying your best.”
Titan’s throat squeezed. “Thanks. How did you know I saved someone? I didn’t tell you that.”
“From the stories you told Mr. Abercrombie and Mr. Gonal. You threw in my name at the last second, but the rest of it sounded like the truth.”
Impressed, Titan raised his eyebrows. “Yeah. It was one of the omegas who live around here. She was drunk and walking on the highway; I don’t think she even knew how close she was to being squished.”
Mathlin winced. “That was really selfless of you. I’m not sure I would’ve risked my life.”
“You can’t. You have a baby to think about. No matter how glorious it is to have a hero for a dad, I’m sure Jannie would much rather you be there for her. That’s a lot of years to go without a dad.”
Mathlin’s breath hitched. “Y-yeah. You’re right.”
Before Mathlin could get lost in upsetting thoughts, Titan nudged his side. “Hey, Math.”
Mathlin looked up.
Titan leaned against him. “This is an armless hug. When I can use my arms again, I’m going to give you some actual, good hugs.”
“You could hug me with your legs. Those open and close too,” Mathlin said. And froze. “Wait. That sounds... really questionable.”
Titan coughed lightly. “I don’t think we’re at that stage in our relationship yet.”
A pretty flush colored Mathlin’s cheeks. Unable to help himself, Titan leaned in, dropping a kiss on top of Mathlin’s head. Then he froze, remembering too late that he didn’t have an excuse for it.
Mathlin didn’t protest, though. Instead, he smiled and left the bathroom, his footsteps lighter than Titan remembered.
Maybe I’m doing something right, Titan thought, his stomach flipping.
In the kitchen, Hamilton was getting some ingredients out of the fridge. Titan perched on a chair next to Jannie’s high stool, watching as Hamilton and Mathlin made dinner for the four of them.
“Aww!” Jannie said, reaching for Titan.
“What do you need?” Titan murmured, leaning in. “I can’t use my hands, pup.”
She kept grabbing at him, so Titan brought his face closer.
Jannie smacked him with both her hands, pawing at his eyes and nose.
“Urk!” Titan jerked back when she poked his eye.
“Jannie!” Mathlin yelped. Jannie giggled.
“It’s okay,” Titan said. His words were slurred; Jannie had curled her fingers into the sides of his mouth, pulling her hands in opposite directions. “She wants to rip me apart. I think I’m okay with that.”
Mathlin made choked, horrified sounds. “Jannie, don’t kill my boss.”
“Wa wa,” Jannie said, kicking her legs. She released Titan’s mouth to poke his eyes again; Titan squeezed his eyes shut.
Then she hiccupped.
The next moment, her hands were gone from Titan’s face. When Titan opened his eyes, he found Mathlin dashing out through the back door, disappearing without a word.
“Huh,” he said.