Memory: Oral Fixation (8 years previous to story)
"You are staring again." Ivan's voice cut in, snapping Alfred out of his reverie. He felt heat creeping up his neck and he could do nothing but pray it didn't reach his cheeks. He couldn't help it. It took Matthew 20 minutes to eat yogurt. It was odd and made him want to watch.
Besides, the teen still rubbed him the wrong way, and he was taught to observe the enemy until you know everything about them. And, honestly, it wasn't just the amount of time it took to eat the yogurt, it was how he did it. The small male hummed and chewed on the spoon. He never used metal spoons, he always used plastic ones. And then he took the spoon with him! Once he saw the poor remains of the spoon used at breakfast. It looked maimed and gnawed on like a dog's bone.
But that wasn't all of it either. They seemed to always be asked between cases for gum, no matter how much they gave him, sooner rather than later he would ask for more. And don't get Alfred started on the lollipop sticks. They were everywhere, when they hadn't been unrolled by Matthew's wicked mouth.
Then it clicked. Matthew went through phases with the chewing and he seemed to suckle things too. Almost like a teething puppy or someone with an chewing habit.
"Jones?" Once more Alfred was brought to the present, this time the muse of his thoughts stood before him. He had his tablet in on hand and the poor chewed up spoon in the other. "We have a case. Hey, do you have any gum?"
"I, uh, nope, not today. Hey, I'm gonna ask you a question and it might sound weird. Do you have a chewing problem?"
"The term is oral fixation. And yes, I do happen to have one." Matthew said with a rather bored tone as he stuck the spoon in mouth and he poked around his tablet. He walked away, assuming Alfred would follow.
And Alfred would, if only to observe him more.
Memory End.