Chapter 7

Since that time, the two had made dinner together several times. Iwai's new favorite thing was to refer to it as home-cooked rations.

"Definitely a meal ready to eat." Said Iwai, doling out portions of the food they'd both made.

Tonight, they'd tried their hand at making pasta from scratch.

"Don't we need a pasta maker for this, Sir?" Asked Mishima.

Iwai held up an empty wine bottle, the label having already been removed.

"Relax, boy, you worry too damn much. If it turns out rough, we can get something premade."

"How will we cut it?"

"With a pizza cutter. It might not turn out perfect, but I think you will still like it. Think of it as rustic."

Mishima smiled. He didn't care if it turned out to be a disaster, what he cared about was Iwai, and he always made time for things like this. Mishima was always so confused about their dynamic. They had this push-and-pull Dom/sub relationship that was always unfolding in the background, but, at the same time, They did things like this. Iwai treated him with tenderness and affection, even when he signaled to Mishima that they were in session. He tried his best not to overthink things, and just enjoy the ride.

The butter sauce they'd put on top of the noodles was incredible.

Between forkfuls of food, Mishima asked, "How can something so simple to make be so tasty?"

"Come on, the noodles took hours of prep."

"I meant the butter sauce."

Iwai chuckled. "It's because my boy helped his Sir make them."

Blushing while he laughed, I replied, "I wonder if it would have been any better if he had used a red sauce?"

"Does it matter?" His smile was engaging and wide.

Mishima didn't answer. He was right. I was just chitchatting anyway. They finished off the meal in companionable silence, then we went back down to his shop. Mishima liked when he could help make Iwa's life and business easier.

"Two AR-15 Airsoft guns." Called down Iwai.

"We sold two this week."

"Put another two on order. Probably some stupid action movie came out where they use them and now everyone wants to feel like the hero."

Sir?"

"Yes, boy?"

The two of them were alone in the shop.

"I have been thinking about college more."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. They send someone to talk to me and a few of the other students. Their offer still stands. I've been thinking I would get a business degree."

Iwai continued to shelve some items while tallying up others.

"What put you on that path?"

"I was thinking I could be of better assistance around the shop."

Iwai stopped what he was doing and came down the ladder.

"Boy, I know you mean well, but your whole life cannot revolve around me."

"But I just want to be helpful."

Iwai pulled him over to his desk and sat him down.

"I know, but at some point, you have to live your life for yourself, Mishima."

The use of his name did not go unnoticed. Mishima knew now was not the time to call him sir.

Iwai continued. "Look, I really appreciate everything you are doing for me, and I even love you in my own way, but you have your whole life ahead of you. I have this shop and my past. I don't want to see you throw your future away on a boyhood crush."

"But it's not a boyhood crush. I know what I feel. And this is not something I just came up with last night or something. I really mean it. I want to get a business degree. Yes it is to help you, but even if things changed between us, a business degree is useful no matter where I go. Office work is still much in demand."

Iwai let out a sound and removed his unlit cigarette. "Don't you want to be like most other kids your age? Go to art school or backpack through Europe or something?"

For the first time in a long time, Mishima spoke with energy and conviction, "I'm not a kid. I'm a man. Those idea's don't appeal to me. And I had most of my naivety taken from me by Kamoishida and his abuse. I'm not trying to make a thing out of it, really; but it made me have to either grow fast or stay a victim my entire life."

That drew a scoff from Iwai. "Entire life?! You're 18, Mishima. You are probably about ¼ through your life as it is. But…" He trailed off. "-but, I get it. You have seen a lot in your own way. It's just, well, let me stew on this for a while, Mishima. It's big news to absorb all at once. I need time to sit with it and see how it makes me feel."

"Okay, but I have done a lot of thinking about this, and I can do most of the courses through the web, I've been looking at the online syllabuses and-"

Iwai held up a hand to halt him. "Okay, I get it. You have thought about this. Now, let me think about this, boy. Give your Sir some time."

By saying it in this way, Mishima knew Iwai was saying two things without having to say them: 1. He wanted to return to a Dom/sub dynamic for the night, and 2. Iwai saying what he did wasn't an indication that he was dissatisfied with their relationship. Mishima was getting very good about picking up on these unspoken messages.

"Okay, I won't press the point anymore tonight, Sir."

Iwai climbed the ladder and ruffled Mishima's hair on the way up.

"You are a good listener. I'm very fond of you, boy." He waited a bit before continuing. "It does make me happy to know that you and I do not have a farewell hanging over our heads to come. I enjoy what we have, and I will continue to enjoy what we will make together, Mishima."

Mishima's chest fluttered in the way that only Iwai was capable of making it do. The rest of the night was spent with clerical duties, which Mishima counted as a good experience for the future.