Chapter 26

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Rule number 27 - Sick leave - A feeder is allowed to request sick leave at any time and is encouraged to take this leave if it directly affects their ability to do their job.

Avery was still tired when Ozen finally pulled him out of bed. He honestly dreaded the trip home, but he couldn’t stay in the office forever. It was a Friday evening. He had an entire weekend to recuperate before he was back on Monday.

He needed to check his email before he left. He didn’t know where his next assignment was yet, but while he was thinking about where to check it so he could avoid the research floor, he missed Ozen speaking to him.

“Avery?”

Jerking his head up, he grimaced. “Yes?”

“So you’re amenable to the plan, then?”

“Uh…” Avery didn’t want to admit he hadn’t been listening. Ozen just spent hours comforting and cuddling him. He didn’t want to appear rude or ungrateful. So he just went with it. “Yes.”

Ozen nodded once. “Then we will stop by your apartment to grab you some things. For tonight, I think we will order in. You’ve proven incapable of resting without assistance, and I’m not sure I trust you to relax if I’m in the kitchen.”

Avery wasn’t sure which thread to follow. For one thing, he resented the idea that he didn't know how to relax. He knew plenty. He just hadn’t had the time this week. But he didn't know why that was relevant, either. And what was this about stopping by his apartment? What exactly had he agreed to do?

He was too tired to argue or question what was going on. He trusted Ozen. He let the incubus lead him downstairs and out of the building, nudging him into the back of Ozen’s town car. They didn’t even pull away from the curb before Avery was asleep.

He woke up again to Ozen’s fingers carding through his hair. “Avery. You need to wake up.”

He groaned, burying his face farther into the pillow. “Five more minutes.”

Someone made a poor attempt to cough to cover their laugh, and Ozen chuckled. “I’m afraid I must insist. At least until you get out of the car. I’ll carry you inside if you’re too tired to remain upright.”

Avery’s brain felt fuzzy, and he didn’t really know what was happening. He assumed Ozen was nice enough to drive him home. It spared Avery a train ride, which was a win in his book. But then, where did Ozen get a pillow for his head?

Forcing his eyes open took considerable effort, and it took a second for him to figure out what was happening. Apparently, in his sleep, he decided Ozen’s lap was the perfect resting place. The pillow in question was actually Ozen’s thigh. He was warm under Ozen’s jacket, too. A blush stole up his cheeks, and he sat up abruptly.

“Oh crap. I’m so sorry.”

Ozen chuckled again. “Relax, firefly. You needed the rest. Come. You need to eat something. It will help.”

“Okay…” He didn’t want to point out that there was probably no decent food in his apartment. Avery had been neglectful of keeping the place clean, and the fridge probably needed to be cleared out. He doubted there was anything safe to eat in there.

But when Avery looked around, they weren’t parked in front of his apartment. Instead, they were in front of a row of brownstones several stories high and covered in ivy. The one they were parked in front of looked a little like a castle with its fancy facade and big stone fence in front. Ozen’s hand on Avery’s back guided him forward, and Avery was startled to realize they were going inside.

“W-Where are we?”

“My home,” Ozen replied evenly. “Do you not remember our conversation earlier?”

Avery was suddenly glad Brennus wasn’t around. He played up the fatigue because, no, he had no idea what Ozen was talking about. As far as he knew, Ozen’s home was off limits to feeders. Avery rubbed his eyes, trying to make his brain work while emphasizing his exhaustion.

“Uh, no. Not really. I’m really tired. Why are we here?”

Ozen’s expression softened and turned sympathetic. “You’re staying with me this weekend. I overdid it, and you need to be taken care of. Food should be delivered momentarily, so let’s head inside and you can change into something more comfortable.”

Avery felt like his eyes were going to bug out of his head. “But… I thought feeders weren’t allowed here.”

“I trust you to maintain professionalism. You have never given me any reason to doubt that,” was Ozen’s smooth reply as he guided Avery inside. Avery felt a little proud of himself that he had Ozen’s trust, but he was also freaking out on the inside. Avery did his best to keep things professional, but if Ozen spent the entire weekend taking care of him, it might blur the lines a little. Or a lot.

He felt his ears pop as they stepped through the wards surrounding the building. It wasn’t Avery’s first experience with wards, but it was disconcerting each time. They stepped into the foyer, and Avery looked around while Ozen gave him a quick tour.

“This is the formal living room. Just past it is the dining room and at the end of the hall is the kitchen.” Avery got a peek into each room before they moved on. Ozen seemed to have a nice balance between vintage and renovated. He kept the things that made a brownstone special, like the crown molding and the intricate designs in the wood of the handrails and around the doors and windows, but the paint was fresh, the chandeliers looked well maintained, and there were definite upgrades like a redone kitchen that chefs would drool over. The bathrooms were all renovated as well.

The second floor had Ozen’s home office, a media room, and a freaking library. Avery might have drooled a little when he saw that.

The top two floors were all bedrooms. Three on the third floor, two on the fourth. The master took up half the fourth floor, and the master bath took up another quarter of it. The guest room next to it was small in comparison, but still lavish and beautiful. That was where Ozen said Avery would sleep. He tried not to get too caught on the fact that Ozen was going to be just down the hall. Be professional, be professional, be professional.

The tour ended with the rooftop terrace. It wasn’t as fancy as the rest of the house. Ozen obviously didn’t spend much time up here. Avery loved it, though. There was an amazing view of the city and plenty of room for plants and comfortable seating if Ozen ever wanted to have outdoor parties. He let his imagination run away with him as he followed Ozen back downstairs, imagining fancy parties with hor d'oeuvres and champagne and twinkle lights. Maybe one day, if Avery ever got the nerve to publish his book, he might be invited to parties like that.

The doorbell rang and Ozen answered it, taking the food from the teenage kitsune delivery girl. Her tails swayed happily when Ozen handed her a big tip, and she gave him a small bow before scurrying away. Ozen locked the door behind her, gesturing to the stairs with his chin as he handed Avery the bag of food.

“I usually eat in the den or the media room. I’ll grab us some drinks.”

Avery nodded quickly and headed back up the stairs. It still felt surreal, being in Ozen’s home, and Avery’s nerves were doing a little tap dance as he set the food on the coffee table in front of the absolutely massive couch in the media room. He was certain a troll could sit comfortably on it without scrunching themselves up even a little. It could be a bed all on its own. It sat in front of a tv that took up an entire wall. There was a bar behind the couch, and a popcorn maker in the corner that didn’t look like a decoration. Avery had to muffle a snicker at the thought of Ozen making popcorn for himself and his guests on movie night.

“What’s so funny?”

Avery spun around, putting on his most innocent expression. “Nothing!”

Ozen raised an eyebrow. He had divested himself of his suit jacket at some point, his tie was missing, and the top two buttons of his dress shirt were undone. He was rolling up his sleeves, and Avery had to work hard not to stare. He had yet to see a version of the incubus he didn't think was drool-worthy.

“Feel free to get comfortable. You’re not working tonight.”

“Well, if I’m working after hours, I’m usually naked, so–” Avery cut himself off with a squeak. Where had that come from? He was not usually so devil-may-care around Ozen. His boss. Several times over. He was more tired than he thought if his mouth was running away from him.

Ozen’s smirk said he didn't mind the joke. “If that’s truly how you wish to spend the evening, I’m not going to say no. However, you won’t be feeding me tonight, so it might not be as beneficial as you’d hoped.”

Avery blushed hard, shaking his head quickly. “N-Nope. I’m good. I just, uh… I say weird things when I’m tired. Or I’ve been drinking. Or after a session, sometimes. Just ignore me.”

“I have no interest in doing that. I find your rambling amusing. Come sit down. I ordered sushi and a few appetizers from a friend’s restaurant.” He paused, frowning down at the food. “I realize now I should have asked first. Do you even like sushi?”

“When I can afford it, yes, I like it. Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

Ozen’s shoulders loosened a little, and Avery fought off a grin. Ozen taking care of him outside of aftercare was going to be interesting, that was for sure. Avery was used to being in the caretaker roll, so he was uncomfortable letting people take care of him. Meanwhile, Ozen was accustomed to people caring for him, bringing him the things he needed and making sure he was comfortable. The role reversal was disconcerting, and they were both a little out of sorts.

Dinner was amazing. Avery had never had fresh made sushi delivered before. He groaned with every bite and earned more than a few heated looks from Ozen in response. He couldn’t help himself. It was just that good. While they ate, they watched a popular cooking show that Ozen followed. Avery didn’t watch much tv, preferring to read and work on his book, but it was interesting. He couldn’t cook, so he didn’t know half the words they were using, but Ozen made comments now and then about flavor profiles and recipes he’d tried to mimic, and Avery loved to hear him talk. He had such a nice voice.

The awkward tension faded eventually, and when Avery’s head ended up pillowed in Ozen’s lap for the second time that night, Ozen helped Avery up to his room and gave him some spare pajamas to change into. Because Avery passed out before they could reach his apartment, Ozen hadn’t had the heart to wake him to pick up his things. He promised he’d send someone to pick him up some clothes the following morning so he had something to change into. Avery tried to protest, his apartment was a mess, but Ozen was determined to make up for the rough week Avery had endured, which seemed to include keeping Avery with him at all times. Unless he was willing to let Ozen see his destroyed apartment, it was better to let someone else pick him up some clothes. Maybe he could just buy something new to avoid both scenarios.