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Nigel Banyai slammed the door shut behind him, his tie already loosened and his shirt sleeves rolled up from the grueling day at work. The apartment was dimly lit, and the faint hum of the refrigerator was the only sound. He dropped his bag onto the floor and rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of unfinished projects gnawing at his mind.
As he made his way to the couch, Adam Raki appeared from the kitchen doorway, his eyes bright with expectation.
“Did you get the groceries?” Adam asked, his voice unusually firm.
Nigel frowned, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah, I got what we needed. Why?”
Adam’s face lit up briefly before turning serious again. “I was thinking… you could make mac and cheese for dinner tonight.”
Nigel groaned inwardly. “Adam, not tonight. I’ve got so much to do. Can’t we just order something?”
Adam’s expression fell. “But I love your mac and cheese. It’s my favorite.”
Nigel pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to keep his frustration in check. “Adam, I don’t understand why it has to be mac and cheese. I can’t do it right now. I’ve got a million things to deal with.”
“You can do those things later,” Adam said, his voice rising slightly. “Why can’t you just make it now?”
“Why do you love mac and cheese so much, Adam?” Nigel asked, his tone bordering on exasperation as he dropped onto the couch.
“It’s my favorite,” Adam replied, his voice soft but firm. “That’s why I love it. And I don’t understand why you can’t make it for me.”
Nigel sighed heavily, running a hand through his disheveled hair again. “Adam, I’m busy with a lot of things. I can’t do it right now.”
Adam’s brow furrowed deeper. “You could do those things later,” he said, his tone growing more insistent. “You could just make it now.”
Nigel groaned loudly, the frustration bubbling over. “Adam, why don’t you fucking make it yourself?”
Adam’s frown deepened, he hated hearing people swear and get mad but at this point he can't even tell it to nigel because his getting all mad, his arms trembled slightly by his sides. “I don’t know how to cook mac and cheese,” he admitted, his voice tinged with helplessness.
Nigel paused, his jaw tightening. “Then watch a tutorial on your phone or on the TV! Its not fucking rocket science.”
Adam’s lips quivered, and tears began to pool in his eyes. “But I like how you make it,” he murmured, his voice barely audible.
That was the last straw for Nigel. He snapped, his voice rising sharply. “Just do what I fucking said, Adam!”
Adam flinched at the volume, his eyes widening as he stared at the floor. Tears spilled over, streaming down his cheeks silently, but Nigel didn’t notice right away. Instead, he let out another frustrated sigh and grabbed Adam’s wrist tightly, dragging him toward the kitchen.
“Ow,” Adam whimpered, wincing as Nigel’s nails dug into his skin. “Nigel, stop. Let me go.”
Nigel ignored him, releasing his grip only when they reached the counter. “Grab the macaroni,” he ordered, his voice clipped.
Adam didn’t move, his eyes fixed on the floor.
“Adam,” Nigel snapped, “What is wrong with you—” Nigel began, but then stopped mid-sentence as his eyes met Adam’s tear-streaked face. The sight hit him like a punch to the gut. His grip on Adam’s cheeks loosened slightly, his expression softening.
“Adam…” Nigel’s voice was barely above a whisper. “I’m sorry.”
Adam stayed silent, his body trembling slightly as he looked away.
Nigel let his hands fall from Adam’s face, hesitating before pulling him into a gentle hug. Adam flinched at first but slowly wrapped his arms around Nigel, holding him tightly.
“Don’t do that ever again,” Adam mumbled into Nigel’s chest, his voice muffled but firm.
“I won’t,” Nigel promised, his voice steady despite the ache in his chest. He tightened his hold on Adam slightly, pressing his chin against the top of his head. “I’m sorry for everything.”
Adam nodded against him, sniffling softly.
After a moment of silence, Nigel pulled back just enough to look down at Adam. “Do you still want mac and cheese?” he asked, his lips quirking into a small, tentative smile.
Adam nodded, a faint smile breaking through his tear-streaked face.
“Alright,” Nigel said softly. “Let’s make it together this time."