Zandika’s cupboards had long since stopped closing properly.
On every shelf lay boxes of chocolates, chocolate bars, pralines and sweets in decorative wrappers. Each one was a gift from Pantalone. The banker loved to shower him with sweets, even though he knew full well that Zandik wasn’t particularly fond of them. To Feofan, however, that didn’t matter. The sight of yet another chocolate in Zandik’s hands brought a smile to his face that Dottore couldn’t help but return. Especially as, when Pantalone smiled at him so sincerely, he simply couldn’t look away.
Most of the supplies disappeared anyway, thanks to 8 and 18. They regularly nicked chocolates from the laboratory they had a greater craving for chocolate than their Creator.
That day, Zandik was sitting on the edge of the desk in Pantalone’s office.
His legs were casually crossed, and his hands rested at his sides. He looked down on the banker, effectively preventing him from working. Every time Feofan tried to return to his documents, he felt that piercing gaze upon him.
He sighed quietly.
-Since you’ve so effectively interrupted my work… I hope you’ll try the box of chocolates I was given recently. I’ll fetch it straight away.
He froze, watching as Pantalone turned towards the cupboard and began searching for something.
He had to get out. That was the first thought that flashed through his mind.
The door was unblocked. All he had to do was jump off the desk and simply walk out. Pantalone wouldn’t be able to stop him. He even managed to move slightly away from the edge...
-I’ve found it!
Pantalone’s cheerful voice dashed all his hopes. Zandik closed his eyes and quietly swallowed. The very thought of those sickly sweet chocolates made him feel queasy. The smell alone was enough to make him want to vomit. Feofan returned with a broad smile and placed the open box of chocolates on the desk.
Inside were dozens of pralines filled with caramel, nut cream, raspberries, nougat… Pantalone picked one out and, without a word, lifted it to Zandik’s lips.
For a moment, he stared at it with obvious distaste.
Finally, he sighed and opened his mouth. The chocolate cracked between his teeth. The sweet filling spread across his tongue almost immediately. He grimaced. A combination of sweet cherry and alcohol… Ehhh, it could have been coffee.
-Too sweet… I can’t manage any more - he muttered with obvious displeasure.
Feofan just laughed quietly.
-I knew you’d say that.
He really loved watching Zandik eat, especially as he often forgot about his own meals… They were both capable of it, but it was Pantalone who fed him more often. He was already reaching for another praline when Zandik suddenly beat him to it. He reached into the box, grabbed a chocolate and, without warning, pressed it to Pantalone’s lips.
-Now it’s your turn.
The banker smiled gently.
He obediently took a bite of the chocolate, and as he did so, he brushed his tongue against Zandik’s fingertips, licking a little chocolate off them. Since his lover wanted to feed him just this once, he could go along with it.
He muttered quietly, feeling a tongue on his fingers. It didn’t bother him in fact, it was rather pleasant. He reached for another praline. And so it went on and on, until Pantalone even had a bit of chocolate on his lips. Feofan was already sitting on his lap, having completely forgotten about the documents. Zandik held him around the waist with one arm, whilst with the other he patiently fed him more chocolates.
-Open your mouth, be a good boy for me...
"I hope these sweets will go straight to your boobs" - he thought
Feofan obediently parted his lips each time, accepting the next bite with obvious delight. His eyes sparkled with genuine happiness. Until, finally, he wanted to lean in and kiss his beloved, at which point the dottore merely narrowed his eyes and leaned back. Feofan simply licked his lips and burst out laughing, planting a gentle kiss on his forehead.
