Dinner

'Talking to their werecat'

~Mind-link~

Theo's P.O.V.

Hearing Mikey say this my ears start to burn hot as they turn red. "You think so?"

"Mhm, it means that you care a lot about them. Not all kings are like that."

At this I can't help, but frown slightly as I have heard rumors of how King Raphael treats his pride. Plus, I had seen the state he was in even after being cleaned up. It enrages Kyle at not just the thought of our mate being treated, so poorly. But also, that a king would neglect his pride in such a way. 'He doesn't deserve the right to be king of any pride. Rogues deserve it more than him.'

'I agree with you on that, but as much as we dislike him, we have no say in how he runs his pride.'

At this Kyle lets out a low growl in disgust and anger. Mentally I sigh as I try to sooth him. 'Easy we don't want Mikey to sense our anger. We don't want to scare him.'

Taking a deep breath Kyle forces his hackles down as he controls his temper. As we don't want to scare Mikey away by having him feel our anger through our mate-bond. Since it could push him away or let him believe that we are similar to Raphael. 'We have to take it nice and slow and show him that it is safe here. As well as that we won't hurt him so that we can be trusted.'

'I know his cheetah Chase wants to be with us. They both do, but they have been through so much that it is hard for Mikey to trust.'

Agreeing with him I come back to the present and go back to cooking. Getting out the asparagus I can feel Mikey's eyes on me along with his worry. As I cut the ends off before then cutting them in half. Once they are cut in half, I toss them into a bowl till they are in the bowl. Tossing out the ends I then start to add seasoning to the asparagus. Using my sense of smell to make sure I don't pour too much. While also checking with Axel as over seasoned food can be just as bad as under seasoning food. As I cook, I can't help, but smile when I feel the curious graze of my mate on me. "Wondering how I make it work?"

"Make it work?"

"Cooking while blind."

"Well... um..."

"It's alright I don't mind talking about it. As for cooking, it wasn't easy to relearn how to cook again."

"Relearn how to cook?"

"Yes, I wasn't always blind, so I had to relearn a few things."

"Oh."

"We learned it's best if he doesn't cook alone."

"What Axle means is that it's best if I have someone with me when cooking. That way I have someone who can make sure I don't over-season or under season the food."

"Yeah, that we learned the hard way."

I am guessing that Katie made a face as she said this as I could hear Mickey giggle slightly. Which makes my heart race a bit when I hear him. As I start to work on the salmon, I try to think of something else to talk to Mikey about. 'Kyle, what do you think?'

'What do I think?'

'Yes, what should I say to our mate?'

'I don't know whatever you want to talk to him about I suppose.'

Mentally I groan as I lay another seasoned filet of salmon on the baking tray. 'I can't just ask him anything.'

'What why?'

'Because I don't want to accidently trigger him.'

'Trigger him?'

'Well yes, he has been through a lot of trauma. I don't want to accidently trigger him by something I say or do.'

'Well, you are going to.'

'What?'

'Look Theo he is our mate, and we are his, we are made for each other. But you and I both know that we are far from perfect. We are going to slip up, we are going to mess up. It is part of building a mate bond we are going to have to learn. That is going to mean making some mistakes, but we can't coddle him or treat him like he is going to break. You have to accept that Theo. We will apologize and do better. It's part of earning his trust.'

'Yeah, you might be right.'

'Might be? You mean I am right because I am.'

'Yeah, yeah I get it.'

Kyle huffs at me in defiance before retreating back into my mind. Letting out a mental sigh as he leaves, I place the last piece of salmon on the full tray. "So, um Mikey..."

While Axle puts the two trays of salmon in the oven, I can hear Mikey shift when I say his name. "Y-yes?"

"So, I was thinking if you would like we could find you a hobby or two. To help you feel more comfortable and relaxed here. If you would like that is."

"Hobby?"

"Mhm it is something someone does in their free time to keep them busy or to help them relax."

"Oh."

"Is there anything you might possibly be interested in? It might be some trial and error to find something you like, but that is perfectly alright."

"Oh, um hm I've never had a hobby before."

At this Katie joins in on the conversation clearly to help soothe Mikey as he had started to sound a bit worried. "That's okay like Theo said we can figure it out together. Like one of my hobbies is painting."

I listen as Mikey hums softly as he tries to think of something. "Well, um I did like watching those movies with Katie. I had actually watched a movie before. Does that count as a hobby?"

"They can, yes. What kind of movies did you two watch?"

"They were animated family movies, right?"

As he says this, I couldn't help but smile as he asked Katie. As his unsureness in this moment sounded so adorable. "That's right I figured a family friendly movie would be the best for a first movie."

"That and you still watch them all the time."

Katie grumbles at Axle as he calls her out like that. "There is nothing wrong with still enjoying our childhood movies."

Axle and I both chuckle as he makes his way over to her. "I never said there was."

"Good because you would have been in trouble otherwise."

"What about you?"

I perk up when I hear Mikey ask me this question. "Me?"

"Mhm d-do you have any hobbies?"

"Oh um... yes I have a few hobbies. Though I unfortunately don't have much time to do them."

At this I hear Katie and Axel both snort at me in disagreement. "What?"

"That is, so not true. You just never set aside the time for them anymore. Since you are a workaholic that doesn't know how to take a break."

I frown slightly at Katie being more offended than anything. "I do take breaks from work at times."

"Us making you doesn't count as taking a break since it is a forced break."

Mikey's P.O.V.

"Alright alright I will work on taking more actual breaks."

I watch in amazement at Theo holds up his hands in a sign of surrender. While I also make a mental note that he doesn't take breaks like he should. Since he is my mate and I told him I would give this a chance. As Theo gets scolded still, I can't help, but compare him to King Raphael. The difference between them both being as clear as night and day. If anyone had spoken to King Raphael like that, he would have killed them in an instant. Even if it was his second-in-command who is his best friend. While Theo is taking it in stride as Katie and Axel aren't trying to be mean. They only seem to be scolding him lightly as they clearly care deeply for him. There is a dashing smile that forms on his face that makes my heart skip a beat. That is when his head turns to me as he clears his throat. Which makes me perk up a bit nervously. "Now to answer your question. My hobbies are cooking of course, going for runs, reading, and music."

"I'm sorry but how does that work?"

Seeming to know exactly what I mean he smiles softly. "The reading."

Seeing his reaction and with my comfortability around him grows I let my curiosity out for once. "Yes, I mean I know there are ways for books to be read to you. But I also noticed that you had a paper that you seemed to be reading in your office."

"Yes, audio books are what you are talking about and yes they are helpful for those who are blind. However, I prefer actually holding a real book in my hands. I am able to read on paper because of braille."

"Braille?"

"Yes, think of it like another language in a way. So, for me to read the words I feel them. Every letter is replaced with a certain pattern of bumps. It uses special paper that is thicker than normal paper. It is then put through a machine that makes those bumps on the paper. Raising it so I can read by touch if I don't want to listen to something."

I listen to his words, interested in how braille works. "So, is it hard to learn?"

"It can be."

I hum a bit thinking to myself about all of this. Which is when the beeping sound of the timer sounds. It startled me, causing me to jump slightly in my seat. Katie places a hand over mine giving it a small squeeze. It helps me settle back down as Axle gets off to turn off the timer. "Are you alright?"

Hearing Theo's voice I glanced back up at him, noticing the concerned look on his face. I have never seen anyone look so worried about me till I came here. As I was normally looked at with disgust and hate. "Y-yeah I'm... I'm alright, the sound just startled me."

Hearing this I notice his shoulders relax as a faint sigh seems to leave him. "I am glad that you are alright."

Becoming a bit flustered I can feel my cheeks start to burn up a bit. As I scold myself mentally for blushing like this. Especially since Chase is encouraging this behavior. 'Stop it, we barely know anything about him. We can't fall all over him just because he is nice to us.'

'He is our mate too.'

'Yes, I know that I can feel the mate bond just like you.'

'Could have fooled me.'

I hold back a whine in complaint at Chase's comment. 'Don't be like that, I just want to be cautious.'

'I get that Mikey I really do. But we agreed to give him a chance. Which means we more specifically you need to give him an actual chance. I'm not going to let you get hurt. We are in this together and form a real mate bond with Theo and Kyle.'

'I know. It's hard, you know.'

'I know just don't forget I am always here for you.'

Hearing this I smile though I am quickly pulled from my chat with Chase. As my stomach lets out a loud growl. When the smell of cooked salmon reaches my nose. "Hungry?"

My blush grows as I nod shyly before quickly remembering. "Yes."

Theo smiles faintly as he nods before getting up from his chair. He heads to the sink and takes two steps to his right before opening a cabinet. From the cabinet he pulls out four plates. Holding them carefully in both hands after closing the door he makes his way to Axel. His steps were very cautious and meticulous. As he sets them down near the stove Axel takes one as he starts to fill it with food. Once the plate is filled, he places it in Theo's hands. Who makes his walks past Katie and stops next to me. I freeze as he is very close to me not that he realizes, I think. It makes my breath catch in my throat as I watch him closely. To my surprise he places the plate down near me. Not exactly in front of me, but close enough to make it clear that it is for me. Though I can't help but question this yet again because of my past. "This is for me?"

"Of course."

I glance down at the plate being filled with a piece of salmon, roasted asparagus, and roasted potatoes. Though it is a simple dish, it was more than I normally ate in a week. It is smelling just as delicious as it looks. "Mikey are you alright?"

"Huh?"

"You are crying."

Surprised, I bring my hand to my cheeks feeling the tears that stain my face. Realizing this more tears start to fall as my shoulders start to shake. "I'm sorry."

"Oh, Mikey you have nothing to be sorry for."

Katie gets up to go to me, but before she can make her way over to me Theo holds his hands out to me. Being respectful of my personal space he doesn't touch me but makes it my choice. With him, so close I can't ignore the warmth and comfort he and the mate bond are offering. Whimpering, I reach out and wrap my arms around him. Making him step closer to me so that I don't fall out of my chair. His arms wrap around me loosely while my grip on him is tightened. As I bury my face into his toros as my tears start to flow more freely. Feeling his hands touch my back softly I end up shivering against. Not just out of habit but from the sparks that erupted from where we touched. "It is going to be okay Mikey. I know it might not feel like it right now, but it will eventually."

Sniffling, I glance up at him to find him looking down at me. Well not really, but despite his missing sight. It felt like he could see me like he was looking at me. Carefully he brings one of his hands to my face and wipes away my tears. Unable to help myself yet again I lean into his touch. Causing more sparks to dance across my skin. "There we go, no more tears."

Thanks to Theo I was able to settle down quickly. "Feeling a bit better?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Good now, let's eat before our dinner gets cold."

He gives me a warm and sweet smile that makes my heart flutter again. Knowing that I am doing better he lets me go. Though as he lets me go his touch seems to linger on me just for a bit. But I don't mind as I do enjoy the sparks that our contact causes. I know that he also has to feel the same as he releases me from his arms. Once I am no longer in his arms he returns to his seat. As Axle places the remaining plates down for everyone else before sitting down next to Katie. Once everyone is seated, they all start to eat together. I can't help but hesitate slightly before starting to eat with them. Bringing the fork to my mouth I take a bite of salmon. As soon as it enters my mouth I perk up as I have never tasted anything so delicious. Granted I have never had salmon before, but still. As I take another mouthful I hear a faint chuckle. Blushing darkly, I look up at Theo whose eyes despite their lack of sight seem to be looking at me. “I take it that you like it.”

"Yes, I do. But how could you tell?"

"With being blind my other senses had to pick up the slack per say."

"So, your other senses are heightened?"

"Yes, more so than the normal were-cat since our senses are already heightened to begin with. Which is how I was able to hear you perk up in your chair. But I could also hear you purr."

I blush yet again as I realize just how much of his attention I have. Though I become confused when he says he heard me purr. "I didn't purr."

At this his smile grows slightly. "You did what is called a silent purr. Sometimes the one doing it doesn't even realize that they are doing it."

'Did we purr? I've never heard of a silent purr before.'

'Yes, we did though very quietly to the point it was almost silent. Hence the name.'

'Oh...'

Realizing all this I just can't help but turn even redder. It seems all I have been doing today. Not that I can help it when my mate keeps focusing on me like this. "Well, I am glad that you like it."

Having my attention pulled back to him my heart skips a beat when I see that dashing smile again. The rest of dinner was uneventful as we all ate. Chattering away as we do all three of them making sure that I am not left out of the conversation. It felt strange, but I enjoyed it very much. Once we all finish eating, I help Katie with the dishes after a bit of convincing. When we finished, I let out a yawn as my full belly was making me sleepy. "Tired?"

"Maybe just a little."

Katie chuckles which makes me smile tiredly. "Well, you did have a very eventful day. Heading to bed is probably a good idea. We are going to do a good bit of walking at the mall."

"Okay."

"I'll see you in the morning then."

Katie gave me a hug which I happily returned. "Goodnight Katie."

"Goodnight Mikey."

Letting go of each I then glance at Theo and Axel. "Goodnight Axel. G-Goodnight, T-Theo."

Axle gives me a slight nod before speaking. "Goodnight Mikey."

Then there is Theo who makes my heart race yet again. As he gives me a very warm and sweet smile. "Goodnight Mikey, sleep well."

Feeling a bit flushed I chew at my bottom lip a little. "You are too."

Not wanting to get any redder I quickly hurry off to my room. Ready to enter my food coma I don't bother with a shower. Instead, I pull back the covers and climb into bed. Covering myself back up with the blankets I bury my face into them. Breathing in the still lingering scent of my mate on the covers. His scent helping soothe me off to a peaceful slumber.