Bryn folded up against Sebastian's side at the slightest touch, humming thoughtfully as he set down his fork and gave it a considering look. He recognized most kinds of food, but when it came to dishes that might be considered expensive or fancy he was nearly always at a loss. "And you're sure it's not like that coffee stuff you thought I'd like?"
"Ah- I'm sure." The coffee… He remembered that. "Besides, we have to figure out which foods you do like. Even if you don't like this, there have been plenty of other things you have." Sebastian had kept track of them, noting how much Bryn liked them. He didn't want Bryn to have to eat food he didn't like.
Bryn gave the lobster one last glare, as if daring it to misbehave, and then picked it up and popped it in his mouth. It tasted good- better than almost anything else he'd had- and he was quickly scarfing down the rest of what was on his plate in a ravenous display of speed. He licked his lips when he was done, smiling. "You're right!" he always seemed so delighted when Sebastian introduced him to things he enjoyed. "It's good!"
Sebastian watched closely as Bryn tried the lobster, worried it might actually be another coffee incident. Thankfully, it was not. Sebastian actually blinked at how fast Bryn was eating.
"Well, I'm glad you like it!"
Bryn curled up against Sebastian's side with a smile, giving his empty plate a mournful look before he pressed his face into Sebastian's shoulder. He wanted more, but he didn't want to steal off Sebastian's plate or make him call down for another tray of food.
Sebastian put his arm around Bryn, now that he wasn't eating, and started eating his own again. He had caught the mournful look, so he took a few more bites before setting his fork down.
"I'm full," he said. "But there's a lot of lobster left…"
Bryn cuddled close, peeking over at the plates and then giving Sebastian a suspicious look when he said he was done. Human were weird, but they couldn't be weird enough to refuse food. "Are you sure? You're still growing, Sebastian, you need to eat lots so you can be big and strong."
"Yes, Bryn, I'm sure." Sebastian had eaten all of his potatoes and most of the bread, but a little over half of the lobster remained.
"I don't really eat much anyway." Not a lie- Sebastian didn't really eat much very often, due to his tendency to forget to eat all together.
The lobster was tempting, it really was, but Bryn didn't want to eat if it meant stealing food from Sebastian. "But it's yours. You should eat it, or… or put it in one of your fancy plastic boxes for later. And anyways… it's not good to keep from eating the way yo do. I know you forget lots of the time, you should have it now while you remember."
Sebastian sighed, looking at his plate.
"I'm not used to eating a lot," he said. "And lobster isn't the best after it's been cooked and frozen. I really am full." He looked back at Bryn, touched that he cared about how Sebastian ate.
Bryn clearly wasn't happy, but he'd rather eat the food than let it go to waste and it looked like Sebastian wasn't going to touch it no matter what he said. He picked up a piece and nibbled on it, pushing a couple over to Sebastian. "Eat these, at least. And you have to promise to bring a lunch to your learning house tomorrow."
"I promise," Sebastian said, taking the pieces Bryn offered to him, slowly eating them. He let out a little sigh.
Bryn watched him eat them and then he was digging into the rest of the lobster eagerly scarfing it down with his usual enthusiasm before he curled up against Sebastian's side. "Thank you!"
"You're welcome!" Sebastian smiled, putting his arm around Bryn. He moved the tray off of his lap, content to snuggle with Bryn until the maid came back for it. Then he'd take the collar off and they could truly relax for the rest of the night.
Bryn curled up against his chest with a happy little sound, pulling Sebastian's arm around him a little more tightly and kissing his cheek with a soft smile. The collar dug into his neck when they laid like this, but he didn't mind if it meant being with Sebastian. Even if it made him feel kind of sick. "I love you."
"I love you too," Sebastian said, holding Bryn close and kissing him. He really wished the maid would hurry up. He realized she had work to do, but he didn't want Bryn to have to wear his collar anymore. He rested his head lightly on top of Bryn's.
Bryn kissed him back with a happy little sigh, wrapping his arms around Sebastian and nuzzling his neck. "You're so cozy, I wish we could lay like this all the time."
"So do I," Sebastian mumbled, too caught up in snuggling. He smiled, his cheek running against Bryn's hair. He was always careful of his antler like horns, of course.
Bryn tilted his head back to make sure Sebastian wouldn't catch his antlers. They were a bit more filed down now, no longer sharp enough to cut if you touched them, but it would still hurt if you bumped into one.
Sebastian snuggled well with Bryn like this for what seemed like a wonderful eternity before there was a knock on the door. The maid, come to get the now empty food tray. Sebastian held onto Bryn for a moment longer before pulling away.
Bryn flopped across his lap again, face tucked into his hip and body curled around Sebastian's. He hoped whoever came in didn't see how content he felt, nuzzling into his human's side like an over-affectionate cat.
"Come in," Sebastian said, fingers going to wind their way through Bryn's hair. The door opened, once again revealing the baby maid. She stepped in, walking over to collect the tray. Once again she flashed Bryn a "secret" smile.
Bryn smiled back, even brighter than the first time, and then he turned back to Sebastian with the look every demon perfected: the one that asked 'can I speak?' with a soft head tilt and a lightly bitten lip.
Sebastian looked down when he felt Bryn shift, biting back a smile a the look. He nodded his head, he himself not speaking out loud. What did Bryn want to say?
Bryn brightened even though he knew Sebastian would say yes and then turned to the baby maid. He felt a little shyer than normal, unused to talking to humans he liked, but he cleared his throat and tried anyways. "Um… thank you, miss!" His voice was soft but firmer than it was when he spoke to her alone. "For being so nice to me. I know it can't exactly be easy, but… um… I'm really grateful."
The maid was a bit taken back by this, but she smiled brightly. Still, she glanced at Sebastian to see how he reacted to Bryn's words. When she saw that Sebastian looked quite content and uncorked by what Bryn had said, she deemed it safe to reply.
"You're welcome!" She said happily. "I just wish some of the other staff would be too."
Bryn seemed genuinely delighted by her cheerful answer, looking back at Sebastian with a dazzling smile of amazement before he snapped back around to the babymaid. "Oh! Um… thanks for that too then! I'm sorry I've been so dreary, humans are a little… scary, is all. But I'm trying to get better at talking! And… um… I'm just glad you have the patience for it. It's really nice to have another friend here."
The young maid listened, truly listened, to what Bryn had to say. Sebastian smiled softly as they talked, his hand resting lightly on Bryn's back.
"Don't be sorry, I completely understand. And you really are doing a good job." She paused a moment before smiling brightly.
"Well, I'm glad you think of me that way! If you ever need anything, you can always ask me."
Bryn visibly relaxed under Sebastian's touch, drawing strength from it the same way he drew from babymaid's positivity. "Thank you." He answered, voice soft with awe because he'd gotten the compliment. "I'll be sure to take you up on that! I'm sorry for keeping you, I just wanted to talk while I felt… confident."
"Is no trouble at all! I'm glad you felt comfortable enough to do this." She smiled at him one last time, begging turning and heading to the door.
"Have a good day!" She said, to both of them. Then, she was gone, closing the door behind her. The very first thing Sebastian did when she was gone was reach up and unclip Bryn's collar, setting it to the side.