Mel hugged Caden back, once more his fingers finding their way into Caden's hair. He hoped the gesture was as comforting to the younger man as Mel found it, or maybe Caden was simply so touch starved that he was allowing anything even if it wasn't helpful. Mel didn't want it to be that but was too weak willed to stop himself. Caden's hair was just so soft, fluffy, touching it like petting a kitten, "and you're certainly not taking advantage of me. I was the one who offered to help, remember?"<br/><br/>If anyone was taking advantage of the situation it was Mel. His infatuation with the younger man could easily make his actions suspect...but Mel knew he'd offer the same things to anyone he knew who was in the same position as Caden. He couldn't just stand by and not assist someone who needed help, especially so desperately. And despite his one sided pinning, Mel knew how to keep himself in control. He'd spent years playing a part so pretending he felt nothing but a paternal affection for the man currently holding onto him like a lifeline wouldn't be too much of a challenge. He hoped. He didn't want Caden to run or feel pressured into something should he slip up.<br/><br/>"As for throwing you out I could never do that. Everyone needs help from time to time. No one should have to suffer alone," Mel said, "and you don't have to say anything else. You can stay as long as you need to. As long as you want. As for police involvement don't worry. I have a few friends on the force who'll be happy to help keep it from getting out of hand,"<br/><br/>Not that he could say that Officer Castillo and the others could keep someone from coming out to make sure Caden wasn't being held against his will but he was sure they could keep it from affecting the shop as they did enjoy the coffee. Of course if cops started coming around for more than coffee and Richard found out...no. Mel slammed the door shut on those thoughts. It'd do him no good to think about it. No good to stress. He'd deal with that when and if it happened and not a moment sooner. It certainly wasn't the time for him to get lost in his own head. Not with Caden there hugging him.<br/><br/>The older man didn't comment on Caden saying he wouldn't sleep around anymore. Though it did come as a relief. One less worry he had for Caden was good, especially as he wasn't sure the boy's parents weren't physically abusing him. Sure Mel didn't see any bruises, but those could easily be hidden or covered up. He wasn't about to ask Caden to strip so he could check, he'd just have to trust the younger man to tell him if and when he was ready.<br/><br/>When Caden pulled back Mel let him go, dropping his hand from Caden's hair. A chuckle slipped past his lips at the boy's attempt at humor, "you've seen how my staff dress haven't you? Your old clothes would have worked just as well...and honestly I would prefer you in those you don't seem as comfortable in these ones, though they do look good on you,"<br/><br/>Mel hoped the compliment wasn't too much, but it was true. Caden did look good, but Mel was sure the younger man would look good no matter what he wore.<br/><br/>"As for you actually working...that would help out quite a bit...of course there's some paperwork to do first and you need your food handlers license...not to mention training..." Mel trailed off for a moment, worrying his bottom lip with his teeth. Mel wouldn't be opposed to teaching Caden himself but he had paperwork to do. He supposed he could help Caden and just take his work home, it wouldn't be the first time he'd done it and it wouldn't be the last. However if Caden would be staying with him there was things he'd need to get. Which meant Mel would be up till well past midnight and he had to be up at four to make sure the shop opened on time and...<br/><br/>A knock sounded at the door and a pink head of hair popped in. The makeup the man had been wearing earlier was gone and Mel could guess how the visit to his husband's office had gone. Of course nothing else gave the man away, "Hey, Boss, Chris said you came back here a while ago and I just wanted to let you know I was here for my shift,"<br/><br/>Caleb's blue grey eyes then moved over to Caden and he grinned. Mel knew that wicked edge all too well and let out a groan, his face already flushing red though nothing left the man's mouth yet.<br/><br/>"Oh, I'm going to guess you're Caden," Mel stood and made a quick gesture out of Caden's field of view, but of course Caleb being Caleb he just grinned more and continued on like normal, "it's nice you're back, I thought Mel was going to wear a hole in the lobby floor with all his pacing and watching the door. I seriously expected him to file a missing person's report,"<br/><br/>Well it hadn't been as bad as Mel expected it to be, showing his friend did have some tact, but Caden was already worried about telling Mel what he had and he certainly didn't need to know how worried he'd been over the boy's welfare. Caleb however wasn't through talking.<br/><br/>"Of course Boss, being Boss worries about everything even if it's not an issue. Though he seemed extra worried about you. Now I see why, you're incredibly adorable," Caleb pushed open the door fully and stepped into the room. The man was a head shorter than Mel, with slim shoulders and wide hips. His jeans had a distressed look to them but his shirt was more of a respectable button up. An inky black that made Caleb look almost pearl like, with shimmering pinstripes in the colors of a rainbow. He tilted his head then, realizing something wasn't quite right but at Mel's shake of the head he didn't ask. Something Mel was grateful for. Even Caleb knew when to just leave some things alone. Of course what Caden would see as an entirely carefree tone Mel knew had threads of actual relief in it. That his friend had been as worried over him as Mel had been over Caden.<br/><br/>To prevent Caleb from continuing, and hinting at things he shouldn't, Mel cleared his throat, "Yes...uh, Caden, this is Caleb. He's been a friend of mine for years and is a part time manager here, so feel free to ask him anything if you're unsure about something and can't find me,"<br/><br/>Mel then paused, an idea coming to him though it could be the worst idea he'd had in a while, though he really needed to get that paperwork done, "actually, Caleb will be over seeing your training. He's trained at least half of the employees here so you're in good hands,"<br/><br/>He then turned to Caleb, "Cay, this is Caden, he's going to work a shift here today...please be on your best behavior,"<br/><br/>Cay was quiet for a moment then shrugged, "Alright Boss, so just take him up front then?"<br/><br/>Mel shook his head, "You're going to have to go through the paperwork with him, and he needs his food handlers license,"<br/><br/>Cay nodded, as though it was a normal thing to begin training that way even though they both knew it wasn't, "So we'll be using your work laptop right? Password still the same?"<br/><br/>"Yes, go ahead and use my address too," Caleb arched a brow at that but didn't say anything. Instead he slipped into Mel's office to get the laptop. Alone with Caden once again he looked down at the boy and smiled, "you're in good hands with Caleb, but if you need me I'll be in my office,"<br/><br/>He reached out and patted Caden's shoulder, "and don't worry about me. I'm more than fine, and there is nothing to apologize for. As for your number I'll go ahead and pull it from the record alright? And I'm always willing to listen if you need to talk,"<br/><br/>With that said Mel headed into his office as Caleb stepped out. The pink haired man shooting Caden a bright smile, "All right! Let's get this show on the road. We'll do the application first since it won't take long, we just need it on file for legal purposes. Then we'll get the license, sounds scary but it takes about an hour to an hour and a half and it's all online. Finally we'll take a break then do on the floor training,"