Red Hot Omelets

William Terry Louis Andrew Carrick Jonathan Dredge Hams Reading Roger Southwark Alwick Plymouth Junior Regison III is a wealthy man visiting Waffle Island in the hopes of finding reliable business partners. Gill just can't be bothered.

Gill liked morning strolls well enough, even with the ill-mannered squirrels chucking nuts at unsuspecting passersby. Sometimes he'd go for a walk even in the rain…but not for three hours! And today… today he had the pleasure of accompanying a certain wealthy man.

Said man was riding merrily on horseback completely oblivious to Gill's pain. "Are you sure you don't want to hop on back?" Ok, not completely oblivious.

Gill sent him a reassuring stare, hoping some annoyance drizzled into his tone, "Oh no, I'm fine, thank you." My feet are killing me, take me home.

"That's good to hear!" chirped the blond with a beaming smile, "Young men should be vigorous and young maidens beautiful." Gill offered no response. He hoped that by being as quiet as possible his guest of honor would get bored and go his separate way. Hell, they'd practically trotted half the island by now! Another fifteen minutes went by before Will finally broke the silence, "Are you sure you don't want a lift?"

Yes, yes, I'm sure! Or so he wanted to say, but at this point Gill's aching feet forced him to cave. "Alright…but I…don't know how to get on such a thing."

Arthur stopped mid-trot as Will looked down in mild surprise. "You've never ridden a horse?"

Gill's cheeks flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment. "I never felt the need."

A moment of silence passed before Will calmly dismounted and patted the saddle. "Let me give you a hand."

"…What?"

"A hand," Will extended his right hand. "Allow me to assist you."

"What—nonsense are you talking about? I don't need help, I can do it myself!" Gill flushed, raising a foot to the paddle only to realize it was much higher than he first perceived. He put as much weight as he could on the pad but it felt so unstable he couldn't find the will to hoist himself up. It felt like he might tip the horse over or something… now that would be a sight. Gill jerked when a hand gently touched his side; he could smell the expensive cologne emanating from the man now standing a bit too close.

"There's no need to feel embarrassed," Will reassured him in the most vexing way possible.

Though Gill had to admit, the boost really made all the difference. Not like the seat was anything to ride home about, he was already straddling uncomfortably; every which way he turned he still felt too high off the ground, like he'd fall at any moment. The sudden shift in weight behind him didn't help matters. Gill tried to turn around but was afraid he'd tilt over. A pair of hands reached around him to grab the reigns, startling him somewhat. He stuttered as the horse began its saunter. "Isn't it hard to see? Maybe I should sit behind…"

"Don't worry, I won't let you fall." For some reason, that only pissed Gill off even more. He wanted to go home—now; and with them so close together it'd be even more awkward if he didn't make small talk. Curses!

Gill's eyes darted from side to side; making sure no one was around to see the display. "This must be what you do on dates," he immediately slapped his own forehead. What the hell kind of conversation starter was that? If things weren't awkward before, they sure were now.

A long pause made his heart sink. He really hoped he hadn't freaked the blond out. Even if he didn't like him, he didn't want to leave strange impressions. "Well, yes, I think this is rather nice." The response was so bland he wasn't sure if he should be disappointed or not.

Already the town was drawing into sight, but Gill desperately wanted to get off before then. Not only did his thighs hurt, but he really didn't want anyone to see him in such a position. Though he had to admit, his feet were much better, and the presence of a warm body so close to him wasn't so bad; after a while, even the silence of nature was tolerable. This was actually pretty nice-

"Is that you, Gill?"

Damn it.

"G—Good morning." The two turned to see two short young ladies on the side of the road. One dressed up from head to toe like a Lolita doll and the other in conservative sweater and skirt, her blue hair plaited into two pigtails. The frilly one grinned at Gill mischievously, "Since when do you ride?"

"Good morning, Candace, Luna," Gill said the latter rather forcefully, desperately trying to suppress a rising blush. "I see you two are doing well."

"Who are these lovely young ladies?" asked Will, turning on his most charming smile while Gill rolled his eyes.

Candace seemed to scuttle behind her sister, "Um… Hello."

"My name is Luna," pitched the girl with curly purple ponytails. She motioned to girl behind her, "This is my sister Candace… You're cute! If you ever have the time, stop by our store!"

Will leaned over slightly and nodded as if hanging on her every word, "I would be honored."

This couldn't be any more embarrassing. "Please take me home," politeness and geniality be damned, Gill was tired. This guy comes begging to go out together and then makes passes at some random girls? And Luna-of all people?

"You seem upset," Will's voice was a bit quieter than before.

Because I am. "I'm just tired." Gill wasn't even sure what he was getting all ruffled up for; what's done is done, after all. When he got home, he'd make sure to scrub that stupid scent of him too. It was getting to be overpowering.

Chop fresh eggplant, tomatoes, and other vegetables into large dices approximately three quarters of an inch on each side. Sauté onions and garlic over medium-low heat for three to four minutes, then add the zucchini and yellow squash; cook for another three to four minutes.

He'd made it countless times, but every time Gill still insisted on using the recipe book. If it's not perfect, why bother? Before long a large bowl of fresh ratatouille sat in the middle of the dining room table. Gill marveled at his creation before pouting at the empty room. Why was nobody here? He looked to the clock: nine thirty. Surely father would be home by now. What about that lout, William?

Ten, twenty minutes later and the lad was pacing back and forth, glancing up at the clock. If only time were this slow at work, he thought, he'd get a lot more things done. "What are those two doing?"

Finally the front door swung open and two men waltzed inside, looking all too jolly for Gill's liking.

"What have you two been up to?" he asked, trying to sound casual but sounding much more cross.

Hamilton's nose was tinted red, a big goofy smile on his face, "You should have seen Kathy, my boy. She's fishing the good stuff…"

Gill stepped back as his father ambled right passed him and the ratatouille towards the bedroom. "Have you been drinking?"

"Just a fair drop, Gill, nothing to fret over," mumbled Will who took a seat at the table. At least he seemed a lot more composed than Hamilton.

Gill frowned. "If you're going to be late, at least let me know in advance… Anyway, I made dinner."

He set out to get a plate, but Will gestured to him not to bother. "I'm sorry, I fear I can't eat another bite…"

Gill's mouth gaped wide open, "You've already eaten, too? Do you know how much effort I put into cooking every day?" Why was he getting so upset? It's not like they couldn't eat it tomorrow. Fridges were invented for a reason. His mind tried to rationalize with him but his mouth wouldn't have it.

Will stared at him lazily as though not sure what he was talking about. The blond stood up unsteadily and placed both hands on Gill's shoulders. "Thank you very much."

Gill swallowed; he wasn't even sure what to say. Should he still be mad? Who could be mad? The man sighed deeply and shrugged off the hands as he went to put away the food. "I'm not hungry either. Let's just go to bed."

He slammed the fridge shut and hobbled over to the bedroom where his father was already passed out. He wished he could go to sleep as quickly as that. Maybe it wouldn't kill him to have a sip of wine every now and then.

Every thought flew out of his head when a hand suddenly pushed him forward; he landed face first on the bed, a little too bewildered to even register what just happened. A warm breath rushed past the hairs on his neck, sending a cold shiver down his spine. Gill jolted up, almost knocking the other man to the ground. "What do you think you're doing?"

Will stared at him befuddled before stumbling past him and collapsing on the bed. "Let's go to bed!"

Those were the last words he spoke before gently snoring.

Gill rubbed the back of his neck, a light pink staining his cheeks. "…That's my bed, you know..."