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.

Usually when someone proclaimed they were starting on a 'clean slate' it meant taking a turn in their lives, a turn for the better. In one particular man's case, it very well could be a turn for the worse. Rather than relieved, Will felt mortified, paranoid even, about his own feelings and Gill's complete disregard for them. Hell, that morning Gill smiled at him—smiled, and kept on a conversation. No shouts, no outbursts, not even a snide remark.

One might think, 'Oh, hey, that's great. He must be starting to like me now.' But Will knew better than to believe that. There was something going on. Either Gill honestly wanted to forget the entire ordeal or he was so enraged he finally snapped.

That very same Gill went off to work that morning with a skip and a jump. That might be exaggerating things, but still. Creepy.

Will brushed Arthur's mane up and down as his thoughts drowned out any sounds from the outside world.

Remember Will, every girl has a princess deep down inside, and every woman a queen. You must treat them with utmost respect.

But mom, what about boys? How do you treat a prince? If he knew then what he knew now, he might have asked her that. Or not. His mom could be a little eccentric at times. But her words really did affect him to the point they were ingrained in his everyday behavior.

A light bop on the head sent him spiraling back into reality just in time to see a giggling Angela with a rolled up newspaper in her hand. "You seem to have mistaken me for your dog," he joked, rubbing his head as though he'd been grievously wounded.

Angela shrugged, "You were spacing out. Actually, I have a favor to ask of you…"

"Anything for you," Will mentally kicked himself—he considered Angela nothing but a friend but his wiles still slipped from time to time.

The brunette woman didn't seem bothered. "Would you mind keeping an eye on the other animals? I hate to ask this of you, but…"

"A date?"

Her gushing and squirming gave her away and he didn't even need to respond. She left much the same way Gill left the house earlier that morning…to be honest everyone's high spirits were aggravating. Though he'd never admit it, jealousy over the newly formed couple boiled him over. Luna was just as hot-headed as Gill, so how did they connect so easily?

Will sighed, watching Angela's sheep lazily graze out in the fields.

Gill fumbled with the keys to the house, admittedly anxious over meeting the blond-haired Prince Charming that evening, or even his father for that matter. He never hid much from his father, so having to keep this latest affair top secret slowly ate away at his core. And sure he agreed to put the past behind him, but when that past occasionally haunted him with memories of someone else's tongue in his mouth he couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.

And dreaming about it? Definitely not normal.

He needed therapy or something.

Just when he thought he could sneak off to bed by himself, the door did open and not too far behind came Hamilton. Lately he'd been out late, so Gill hadn't expected to see his father home so early. "How was work today?" greeted Hamilton with his usual rosy cheeks and wrinkled smile.

Gill plastered a weak smile of his own, hiding his shaking hands behind his back. "Pleasantly short. And you?"

"It was wonderful," the short man replied, rambling on and on about something or the other.

Will eased into the lounge chair, sinking deep into the plush cushions. They were new chairs, but they felt the same as the ones they had when he was a boy. He could remember sinking to his waist in them and pretending he was burrowing deep into the earth. Just like those little sprites. "Wasn't there someone else who could see them too?"

"See who?"

As his thoughts lingered he didn't notice the third occupant in the room until it was too late. A hand brushed against his shoulder as a familiar scent sent a warm chill from his toes to his face.

Will laughed, leaning incredibly too close, "You didn't notice? You must be very tired."

Gill slapped the hand away though a light blush crept up his cheeks—then remembered he had to be nice so he settled for staring at the floor. "Welcome back."

"So who are these invisible creatures you're talking about?" Will pressed on with his usual gentle smile that Gill absolutely loathed. Loathed.

He waited and listened for any sign that his father might be around, and when he ascertained that the coasts were clear, cleared his throat, "Y—you'll probably think I'm crazy…"

"I would never," said Will truthfully and reassuringly.

Somehow Gill didn't believe it, but hey, what did he have to lose? He closed his eyes as he remembered the scenes from long ago, "When I was a child, I used to see these things…called Harvest Sprites. It was back when Waffle Town still prospered, the soil fertile…everything was great and then one day, they just disappeared… I haven't seen them since, but… I know I'm forgetting something else." He cracked open an eye to see if his guest were staring at him funny or cracking up or fallen asleep.

But Will seemed genuinely interested. This was oddly pleasant.

"L—like I said, it happened a long time ago, but…I definitely wasn't dreaming!"

The blond chuckled, "No, I believe you."

"Don't tell anyone else I told you," Gill warned, though he knew he must have sounded like such a child just then. He didn't particularly care if Will thought he was a weirdo but he didn't need anyone else thinking that—yeah, that's the reason why he told him. It's definitely not because Gill had a lingering desire to share with William all his experiences or anything mushy like that.

Will's smile made him both happy and annoyed; annoying because it made him happy. "You're so confusing," he sighed, folding one leg over the other only to flinch as a weight sank into the couch right next to him. Being close enough to smell that smelly cologne made his heart race a tad too fast, but if he got up now it'd probably look like he were avoiding Will, and only cowards avoid their problems!

"S—so, I wanted to know this for a while, but…what made you come to Waffle Town? Or how did you hear about us?" Goddess, he sounded like an electronic survey.

The blond blinked, "I never would have dreamed you would ask about me!"

"It's not you I want to know more about! I just want to know how I can make this town more attractive, that's all," Gill flushed, turning his head and folding his arms in defiance.

Will chuckled again, pausing a moment to get his thoughts together. "My uncle mentioned it to me once… he lives on an island too, though it's a bit different from this one. I just wanted to get away from my family for a while; I didn't plan on staying here long, but…"

"But?" Gill didn't notice himself leaning in as though to catch every word.

Will shook his head, thinking better of it. "No, no, it's nothing. I really enjoy it here. Thank you for always putting up with me."

Gill pulled back as if the spell were broken. Now things were back to being awkward. "It's no problem, really," he lied, fiddling his fingers together nervously. Why did he have to go and say something like that? He just completely spoiled the mood. Gill blinked. Mood? Am I insane? And if the thumping in his chest weren't enough, he was getting these bizarre thoughts in his head.

Luckily Hamilton popped in with a worried expression on his face, "Gill, are we having anything for dinner tonight?"

Gill snapped at the opportunity and practically leaped off the couch, "I almost forgot!" He paused a moment, turning to Will and ignoring the disappointed look on his face. "What do you want to eat tonight, Hams?"

"…Please call me Will," the blond sighed, a bead of sweat trickling down his face as he leaned back. "Something simple, please." He sighed again, this time more deeply.

"Next time, be more specific," Gill warned before disappearing into the kitchen.

Will's long lashes fluttered shut as he drifted into sleep.

Remember Will, every girl has a princess deep down inside, and every woman a queen. You must treat them with utmost respect.

Courtesy and respect.

But mom, what if it's a boy? How am I supposed to behave?