Complex

[frogs_of_war]

Master bathroom is clean, ceiling to floor, aside from the two corners behind the toilet that I couldn't get the dust out of. We aren't putting everything back, so we now have a lot more counter space. We put the shower curtain through the washer, so now it's clean, but some of the color came off. More light in the shower?


Title: Complex
Chapter: 9
Length: 665 words
Summary: Steele reassures his husband.


Master list: lj DW


Steele was out of the shower before Dal got back to their room. Dal tried to pretend like nothing was different. Steele wrapped his arms gently around. "I love you."

Dal buried his face in Steele's shoulder. Steele petted his back. "Harder than you thought?"

Dal nodded without looking up.

"Do you want me to tell you about it?"

"No!" Dal pulled away, but he didn't go far. "Yes. Maybe?"

"He's not as good at sex as you are. If he starts thinking, he freezes up. I have a feeling that the next time, if there is one, will be a lot harder on all of us."

Dal snorted. "You think."

He sighed. "How did you finally break the ice?"

"I made him cry."

Dal glared at him. Steele laughed and pulled Dal close. "It's hard to stay mad at a guy who's crying over how much he hurt you."

"Over how much he hurt himself."

"Be that as it may." Steele kissed his head. "But I opened a wound and filled it."

"You filled it too much." Dal covered his face. "I could feel you come. I could feel him. I don't want to feel him anymore."

Steele held Dal and passed down tissues. "I'm sorry."

"No." Dal sniffed. "Salathiel told me what it's like for a demon to be apart from their Mate, even one they love and hate to equal degrees. He needs me even if I don't want him. So now he needs you."

"Husband mine," Steele stroked his arm. "Tell me what you want."

"I want you to take me to bed, then tell me how much more pleasure you get from me."

Steele laughed. "I could tell you that now."

"Objectively. After."

"Your wish, my husband, is what my soul desires."

Dal barked a laugh. "None of that. Objectively."

So Steele set to work on his husband's desire and it wasn't hard to tick off the differences. "One, he doesn't know what he's doing. He fumbles a lot. Makes me feel sorry for Lope, only I guess she doesn't know what she's doing either."

"Let her teach him."

"Good idea." Steele kissed Dal's fingers. "Two, Like I said he thinks too much. He knows how things are 'supposed to' go and gets agitated when I don't follow the script. He wanted to wine and dine me. I'm more of a beer and takeout pizza guy."

"You like good foods."

"I have no taste. Fried chicken tastes as good from a road-side stand, a fancy restaurant, or a box. Food is good."

"You are a slut for food." Dal laughed.

"I've been called that before. I prefer unpicky."

Dal laughed. "I love you."

"And I think what was most different." Steele shifted so Dal could settle back against his side.

"Humm."

"Is that I love you."

"Good."

"I've never had sex with anyone I've been in love with before. Or even had a crush on. You've made me feel the difference."

"And Hez?"

"I feel sorry for him."

"Really?"

"I mean, he had you and he gave you up. I'm not going to be that stupid."

Dal rubbed his cheek against Steele's chest. "My wonderful husband."

"Yours." Always and forever.

~~~~~

Steele spotted Hezekiel's parents before they saw him. They were watching Dal. Steele came up behind them and said hi. Salathiel squeaked and put they hand over their heart. "I didn't see you."

He smiled at them. "Watching Dal?"

Cunobelinus shrugged. "Waiting for you. We have a few more questions about where Dal lived, but didn't want to ask him without you to comfort him."

The questions were much more specific than Steele could have imagined. Cunobelinus had pictures of the house Dal was raised in and in the corner of one was a tiny cat, who Dal was sure was his papa.

He cried so hard he couldn't stay upright.

Salathiel took his hand. "We will find them. We will save them."

Steele sure hoped that was true.