JOYBOY (Now on Webnovel and Meganovel)

Chapter 34: Just For Kicks

Ken reached over with his free hand and grasped Dean's chin with his index finger and thumb. He noted the timid expression behind the younger lad's blue eyes and sighed.

"Listen don't ever be afraid to tell me what you want," he instructed the lad. "I ain't a mind reader and I have no interest in dictating what you can and can't do aside from breaking our arrangement."

Dean nodded and Ken treated him to something of a proud smile. His dark eyes had still been filled with lust as he let his hand drop from Dean's chin down to his lap and squeezed his thigh before turning his attention back to the road and the now green light.

Ken drove them to a diner that he knew and frequented citing his need for steak and a cup of coffee. Dean had no objections as he entered the diner with Ken noting the scent of stale coffee and cigarette smoke as they moved through and made their way toward a back booth that had been Ken's favorite spot every time he came to the place.

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Vic's Diner, 12th and Central, Baltiney New York...

Ken had been quite at home amid the retro chaotic decor and the older people who had seen better days. His sloppy attire didn't seem all that out of place as he leaned back against the red booth seats in the back of the place as Dean joined him. The younger lad had never been to a diner as far as he had known and thought it kind of odd like an old movie to have so many people casually eating and chatting as if they had not a care in the world despite looking as though they did.

Dean had thought the atmosphere had been a bit dated but enjoyed the rather quaint charm the place had. It had been the sort of place Dean had expected Ken to frequent so to speak. A redhead waitress approached them as Ken took a cigarette out of his pocket, put it to his lips, and lit it. She had been quite a haggard-looking older woman with ruby red lipstick and wrinkles behind her thick caking of makeup.

The name Gladys had been on her name tag in white letters as she stood with a pen and pad in her hand poised to take the older man's order while treating him to a knowing smile.

"Brought you some company today Ken?" asked Gladys still with a smile.

"Indeed, good company at that," replied Ken taking a drag from his newly lit cigarette. "Gladys this is Dean, Dean Gladys...she's the best damn thing about this place."

Gladys' cheeks turned a bit red in the wake of his comment and all the borderline clown makeup that covered her aged face. Dean thought her odd and a bit pitiful when he looked upon her and the wirey red locks that seemed to jumble on the top of her head.

"He's only saying that to get perks with his meal," Gladys replied turning her attention to the quiet lad who had been watching her and Ken share an inside joke he had not been privy to. "Anyway, what can I get ya, honey?"

Despite Ken's tendency to flirt with her when ordering his food, Dean knew all too well that she wasn't his type, he had only been trying to brighten her day.

"Got any pancakes?" asked Dean rather hopeful.

It had been a while since he had any and it was his favorite food and about the only thing his mother could cook before she took off. He had enjoyed them nonetheless, but always felt sad when eating them, Clint learned to cook them on special occasions and then Dean had tried his hand at making them when Clint couldn't be bothered. They had become something of a coping mechanism for when he'd had a bad day and or a means of celebration for him.

Things had not seemed to change all that much as he still preferred them even when he'd been having quite a good time with Ken.

"Alright one order of Hotcakes, a medium rare steak and eggs, with hot black coffee," said Gladys writing everything down. She had recalled Ken's order from previous visits and he simply puffed on his cigarette and smirked as he noted Dean's expression when she said Hotcakes. "Is that all love?"

"Not quite, a side of orange juice if you got it," added Ken looking at Dean as his cheeks turned red once more.

Ken had recalled that Dean had taken a liking to orange juice when he'd been in Spyder's domain. The lad had not been used to anyone knowing him so well. Gladys repeated the order and then went back to work after the approval of both Dean and Ken on the fine details.

The older man passed his lit cigarette to Dean who took a few puffs and finally put it out just as their food arrived. Ken had not been much of a smoker but used it to take the edge off following his many sex romps. He figured rather correctly that Dean had been the same way.

Gladys brought out their food and the two of them ate and drank their fill chatting on occasion about events past and possible future interests. Ken had not spoken much about his past aside from the upcoming event of dinner at his family home and Dean's invitation.

"We gotta get you something decent to wear before we head back," said Ken cutting into his steak and biting into the piece he had managed to get onto his fork. "Since you seem more partial to practicality, I'll be happy to give you some assistance when it comes to style this time around."

Dean ate his pancakes unsure of what to say in that moment as Ken treated him to a charming smile as they continued eating their respective meals. The younger lad couldn't help but admire the rather odd older man who had been slowly changing his perception of him with each passing moment. He had not expected him to invest so much in their arrangement aside from the occasional sex romp but here he was treating him like a person, something no one before had ever done not even Clint back in Bushwah.