Chapter 28: Dorm Life

Wilt PoV

As soon as they got home, the boys started cooking. Wilt had decided to make tofu stew.

"Next time, we're getting steak," Loxus declared as he sliced vegetables with surprising skill.

Wilt raised an eyebrow. "Steak, huh? You planning on winning the lottery?"

"Who knows," Loxus said with a grin. "Maybe I'll just have to beat you on the court and make you buy it as a wager."

"Keep dreaming, Loxus," Wilt replied, but he couldn't hide his own smile. "But sure, let's make it interesting. Loser buys steak. Although I doubt your broke ass can afford it."

Loxus scoffed and turned to look at him. "Stop yapping and keep cutting."

Wilt focused back on the tofu, slicing it into perfect cubes. "If I'm yapping, you're barking," he retorted, keeping the mood light.

Loxus chuckled, shaking his head. "Just for that, I'm going to make sure you're the one buying steak. And not just any steak, we're talking ribeye."

The kitchen filled with the sounds of chopping and the aroma of fresh ingredients. Wilt added the tofu to the simmering pot, watching as the stew began to come together. He glanced over at Loxus, who was now meticulously dicing an onion, his earlier bravado replaced with concentration.

"You know, for all your talk, you're pretty good in the kitchen," Wilt admitted, a note of respect in his voice.

Loxus looked up, a slight flush on his cheeks. "Yeah, well, had to learn somehow. Can't eat out all the time. The other guys don't bother learning how. Besides me, Brick, the big guy, is the only one who knows."

"Eh? That's hard to imagine."

Loxus shrugged. "Just shows how shallow you are."

Wilt grumbled but then recalled how he used to make fun of Natasha when they were kids for wearing braces. Was he still a shallow person?

He set the knife down and looked at Loxus, his expression sserious. He wanted to say that maybe he had a point there, but his pride wouldn't let him.

Wilt set the knife down and let out a deep breath, trying to shake off the sting of Loxus's words. "Yeah, well, we can't all be as perfect as you, Loxus," he said, his voice laced with sarcasm.

Loxus just shrugged, a smug look on his face. "Never said I was perfect. If anything, you act that way more than I did. But at least I'm not pretending to be something I'm not."

The tension in the room ratcheted up a notch, but Wilt was determined not to let Loxus get under his skin. He picked up the knife and went back to chopping vegetables for the stew. "Let's just get this dinner done with," he muttered.

Loxus chuckled, clearly enjoying the discomfort he'd caused. "Sure thing, 'mom'. Just don't cut yourself with that knife. I'd hate to have to take care of you."

Wilt rolled his eyes but kept his focus on the task at hand. He wasn't about to give Loxus the satisfaction of seeing him rattled. They finished cooking in silence, the only sounds the sizzle of tofu in the pot and the occasional meow from Dusk.

As they sat down to eat, Wilt couldn't help but think that this was going to be a long semester. But no matter how much of a jerk Loxus was, he was a part of the team, and Wilt would just have to find a way to deal with him.

Loxus looked up, his golden eyes shined. "Not bad." He ate faster.

Wilt snickered. And he thought he was the hungry one here.

"Easy there, tiger. It's not going anywhere," he said, his own spoon pausing mid-air.

Loxus barely looked up from his bowl, his focus entirely on the food. "When it's good, it's good," he mumbled between mouthfuls. "You might actually make a decent househusband for whoever you end up marrying one day."

Wilt laughed, shaking his head. "Thanks, I guess. But don't forget, you're helping next time too. I'm not running a free diner here. Either we both help or we alternate."

Loxus finally raised his eyes, meeting Wilt's gaze. "Deal. But if I'm cooking, we're spicing things up. None of this bland health food."

"It's not bland, it's seasoned for athletes," Wilt corrected, but he was already thinking of the challenge. "Alright, spice master, show me what you've got next time. Just don't poison us."

He scoffed. "I'm not that inept in the kitchen."

Wilt chuckled and leaned back in his chair, feeling full and content. "I'll hold you to that. And I expect a full culinary experience, not just extra salt and pepper."

Loxus smirked, his competitive nature never far from the surface. "Oh, you'll get an experience alright. Just be ready to eat your words along with my cooking."

The two cleared the table, their movements synchronized in a comfortable routine. As they washed the dishes, Wilt couldn't help but think that maybe this odd partnership with Loxus had its perks. They were like two sides of the same coin, different yet somehow fitting together well.

"Next time, we're doing something with meat," Loxus said, breaking the silence. "I'll show you that healthy doesn't have to mean vegetarian."

Wilt raised an eyebrow, accepting the challenge. "Bring it on. But remember, we're athletes. It's gotta be lean. Use the chicken breast we got."

Loxus nodded, a plan already forming in his mind. "Don't worry, I've got the perfect dish in mind." He rubbed the back of his neck. "That said, what about the food for Dusk?"

He gasped as he remembered he planned to make some chicken breast for the kitten.

Wilt quickly filled a small pot with water and placed it on the stove. "I'll boil a chicken breast for Dusk. It won't take long," he said, retrieving one from the refrigerator.

Loxus leaned against the counter, watching Wilt with a curious expression. "You're really going all out for this kitten, huh?"

Wilt smiled as he gently placed the chicken breast into the boiling water. "Well, Dusk is part of the dorm now, too. Can't have our mascot going hungry."

As the chicken cooked, Wilt turned to Loxus. "You know, for all the grief you give me, you're not so bad, Loxus. I think we might just survive this semester without killing each other."

Loxus snorted, but there was a hint of warmth in his voice. "Don't get sentimental on me now. We've got a long way to go before we're buddy-buddy."

Wilt laughed, the sound echoing in the kitchen. "Fair enough. But admit it, you're enjoying this domestic life more than you thought you would."

Loxus shrugged, but he couldn't hide the small smile that tugged at his lips. "Maybe. But don't tell anyone. I've got a reputation to maintain."

The chicken finished cooking, and Wilt carefully removed it from the pot, setting it aside to cool. Once it was safe to handle, he chopped it into small, bite-sized pieces suitable for the kitten.

Dusk, sensing the food was for him, meowed and pawed at Wilt's leg. Wilt set a small portion on a saucer and placed it on the floor. The kitten immediately began to eat, purring contentedly.

Loxus watched, a softness in his eyes that he usually kept hidden. "T-thanks, Pest."

Wilt nodded, feeling a sense of satisfaction. "Anytime. Now, let's finish cleaning up. We've got a big day tomorrow."

As they resumed their chores, Wilt couldn't help but feel that despite the initial friction, he and Loxus were starting to make a pretty good team. And with Dusk as their unexpected little companion, life at the dorm was looking up.