Rocky reached over and brushed the hair from Aiden's forehead as he asked, "How's your head feeling?"
Aiden took stock and realized it wasn't so bad.
"It hurts a bit but more like a regular headache this morning."
"Okay, let's get you some more Advil to help it." Just then Aiden's stomach growled and Rocky amended his statement. "We should probably get some food in you first, though. It isn't good to take it on an empty tummy."
Rocky eased himself from the bed and reached a hand out to help Aiden. Aiden didn't even consider before reaching over and taking the offered hand. After snatching the Advil from the nightstand and slipping it into the pocket of his pajama pants, Rocky led Aiden to the kitchen and immediately put some bread in the toaster, before searching around in the fridge.
Once he had some eggs and other ingredients, Rocky asked, "Butter or Peanut butter on your toast?"
Glancing at the ingredients and knowing he'd be eating more food, Aiden opted against peanut butter since it would be too filling, "Jelly?" he asked.
Rocky also glanced at the food he'd gathered before answering, "I have grape and strawberry. Which do you prefer?"
"Grape, please," almost as soon as the words were out, the toast popped up, and Rocky grabbed a squeeze bottle of jelly from the door of the fridge.
As Rocky spread jelly on the toasted bread, he asked Aiden, "are there any foods you are allergic to?"
"Not that I know of."
Rockey set a small plate in front of Aiden and he grabbed a piece of toast, taking a huge bite. He really was very hungry. It was perfectly done. Golden brown with a bit of crunch but still semi soft. Aiden had never managed to find the right setting on his toaster and found himself wishing he could eat toast at Rocky's house every morning.
"Are there any foods you absolutely will not eat no matter what?" Rocky inquired.
"Liver and onions." Aiden said around another bite of the fabulous toast.
"No talking with your mouth full. I don't blame you with liver and onions, and you'll never have to worry about me trying to feed you that. Are there any others?"
There really weren't. Aiden had learned early in life that if he wanted to eat, he'd eat what was offered to him. Not many foster families were willing to take his preferences into consideration. He didn't say all that, though, he just shook his head in answer and continued to eat.
As he munched away, Rocky worked, chopping and whisking and shaking in this seasoning and that one. Despite being turned away from Aiden, he seemed to know as soon as the toast was gone and paused his task long enough to dose out medication and give it to Aiden. He watched as Aiden drank it then went back to his cooking. Before too long, they were settling at the massive table and dining on the most delicious omelets Aiden had ever tasted. He'd have to be careful if he was going to eat with Rocky very often. The man could cook, and food was one of Aiden's weaknesses. He could easily see himself becoming fat from eating too much of Rocky's divine cooking.
Rocky
It had brought him more pleasure than he was willing to admit out loud to wake with Aiden in his arms. It also pleased him beyond measure to have Aiden enjoying the food Rocky had prepared for him. Taking care of Aiden last night and this morning had settled something in his soul and for the first time in four years, he'd found himself talking about Seth. It had surprised Rocky that he'd mentioned Seth, but after a moment he realized it had felt right.
Rocky was loath to give up this time with Aiden. It seemed Aiden was good for him and Rocky hoped he was good for Aiden. It had seemed like the tension and stress had ebbed from Aiden more and more under Rocky's care last night. Rocky didn't want to let that go, so when breakfast was done and the dishes in the dishwasher, Rocky led Aiden to the living room couch and prepared to take a ginormous leap of faith.
Chapter Eight
Rocky
Rocky seated himself beside Aiden, took one of Aiden's hands in his and opened his mouth. Nothing came out. Clearing his throat, Rocky tried again with the same results. He was terrified, it seemed. He was scared that Aiden would reject him but knowing that the only way he'd get a yes was to ask the question, Rocky steeled his nerves, opened his mouth once more and said, "I'd like to be your Daddy." When Aiden simply gaped at him in shock, Rocky added, "If you'll have me."
"You’re," Aiden cleared his own throat and it made Rocky feel slightly better to know he wasn't the only nervous one. "You're serious?" Aiden finally asked.
"I am," Rocky confirmed, "Taking care of you last night and this morning has been amazing. I'm scared and will likely be a tough Daddy to have. I'll be over-protective, possessive, and demanding. But I'll also be caring, loving, indulgent and will offer all of my time that I possibly can. I'll be communicative and you'll always know where you stand and learning who you are and what you need will always be incredibly important to me. I'll work my hardest to be the best Daddy for you that I can be."
Once again, Aiden just stared at him so Rocky added, "We can start on a trial basis if you need. I know it's a lot. But I'd be incredibly honored if you'd give me a chance to prove I can be what you need."
Aiden shook his head and Rocky's heart fell to his feet. Aiden didn't want him. But then Aiden spoke, "I don't think I need a trial. Nothing sounds better to me than being your Middle. I just don't know if I can be what you need. I'm not ready to announce who I am to everyone, and I don't think it's fair to ask you to hide our relationship. I have a hard time expressing myself and a hard time speaking up. I'm also weird and unlovable. You deserve someone you can love and who can express how much they love you."
Rocky felt his hackles rising. Who'd convinced this sweet boy he was unlovable? Rocky wanted to find that person and make them pay for hurting his boy but right now, he needed to help Aiden get a few things straight.
"You are not weird, and I won't have you calling yourself names. Even if you don't accept me as your Daddy, I better not ever hear you putting yourself down again. Do you understand me?"
Aiden's eyes were wide as if he'd never had a stern Daddy voice directed at him before. Part of Rocky hoped that was true, or even that Aiden had never had a Daddy at all. Rocky wanted to be Aiden's first.
