cleaning a mess

ooc: A continuation of Shy's kidnapping plot. Written for theatrical_muse.

"Do you really want to go home?"

"Not if they don't want me."

Kevin smiled at Shy's answer and handed him a potato chip. He'd been taking advantage of Shy's obvious mental break, finding it easier than he ever thought to turn the young man against his family.

"Do you want to stay with me?"

Shy slowly chewed as he looked at Kevin, his eyes void of any emotion. "Only if you want me."

"I do," Kevin said softly, reaching to rub a hand over Shy's head, the short hair as soft as velvet under his fingers. "I want you very much. I want to take care of you. Can't you tell?"

Shrugging, Shy picked up his sandwich and took a bite. The usual tray of food Kevin had brought him had been accompanied by a bottle of wine and some fresh fruit and pastries. As Shy chewed his ham and cheese, he couldn't stop looking at a couple of eclairs.

"Would you like to skip to dessert?" Kevin asked with a chuckle when he noticed.

"Can I?"

Kevin nodded and smiled when Shy put down the sandwich and reached for his treat. "I'll open the wine."

For the first time, Shy noticed the corkscrew that was on the tray. He could have grabbed it and jammed it into the side of Kevin's neck. He could have taken the bottle and broken it over Kevin's head. Kevin was either slipping up or demonstrating his trust in him. Shy wasn't sure what to make of that. Even worse, he wasn't sure what to make of the fact that he didn't necessarily want to escape.

"Here you go." Kevin handed Shy a plastic cup with some wine in it. "Sorry we don't have real glasses. I can get some the next time I'm on the shore."

"This is fine," Shy said, greedily chugging the beverage and handing the empty cup back to Kevin with a hopeful smile. "It's good."

Kevin refilled the cup and gave it back to Shy. "I'm glad you like it."

"This is good, too," Shy said, holding up the eclair before taking a big bite. Cream squirted out the end of it and landed with a plop on the bed.

"God damn it, Shy," Kevin snapped, grabbing the pastry out of his hand and hurling it at the wall where it landed with a splat. "Don't be such a pig."

"I'm sorry," Shy said softly, lowering his eyes.

"It's okay," Kevin said, taking back the cup. "I'll let you clean it up and then you can have another one."

Shy nodded and picked up the paper napkin that was on the tray. Working carefully, he cleaned up bed, then went into the bathroom to get a cloth so he could start on the mess Kevin had made on the wall.

"Don't forget the floor," Kevin said, watching him with amusement. It had been so easy to keep him in line, it would be a shame to have to give him back any time soon.

When Shy had completed his task, he looked to Kevin for approval. Kevin nodded and held the cup of wine out to him.

"Good boy," Kevin said when Shy took the cup. "You know, you did such a good job, I think I'll let you go above deck tomorrow."

Shy's eyes lit and he hugged Kevin, careful not to let any of his wine spill. "Thank you," he said softly. "Thank you." If he could see the sun, he would feel better. He knew it.

Kevin had been surprised by the hug, the genuine display of affection catching him off guard. "You're welcome," he said, awkwardly patting Shy's back, then pushing him away. "I have to go."

"What? Why?" Shy had started looking forward to Kevin keeping him company while he ate.

"I have things to do. Finish eating. I'll be back later." Kevin didn't bother to wait for a reply before he turned and walked out the door.