A Balance of Harmonies: Wings
May. 16th, 2012 05:47 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
frogs_of_warCan someone help me figure the last few of these movies out?
I got the white and pink and red and the second red and orange and yellow and green and blue and grey and black (with help from my family), but we can’t figure out the one between orange and yellow, the one between green and blue, and the purple one.
I waited a few weeks to see if anyone posted the answers, but alas no.
Title: Wings
Series: A Balance of Harmonies (Three)
Status: Chapter seventy of many
Genre: m/m romance, drama, city life, businessmen
Rating: R
Content: tea, waiting, Dad, plans, keeping busy, nosiness, bad news, impatience, inattention, respect, dripping, beef, wings, homework
Length: about 2,700 words
Summary: Kurt misses Peregrine. Emil has a good morning. And Peregrine spends money.
Master list
Emil took a sip of hot tea. He liked his tea hot even if the day was going to be roasting. The air condition in the condo kept the place from becoming the oven the apartment had been. He was glad Peregrine had bought this place. But he wished he’d been consulted first. Peregrine managed to talk Emil into the idea easily enough. He could have done that before the papers were signed. But everything had worked out. And now that Kurt was with them, they actually talked about things, so Peregrine knew how Emil felt. Peregrine thinking Emil would be fine with the condo had been as much Emil’s fault as Peregrine’s.
Hunter fidgeted on his chair. “Maybe I should just go myself.”
Emil set down his cup. “No, Dad wants to take you to school. He’ll be here in just a few minutes.”
Hunter stared at his hands. “He doesn’t have to.”
“He knows that. He wants to. He takes Olivia to school. He wants to take you too.”
Hunter glanced up. “What about his job?”
“Dad owns his business and he hired competent people, so it pretty much runs itself. He’s there for moral support and to be where the buck stops.”
Hunter looked up again. “What does that mean?”
“It means he takes responsibility for everything that happens in his business, no matter who does it. He hired them, so ultimately he’s responsible. He’s that way with us kids too. No matter what we do he will always love us and take care of us. Even if we aren’t used to being taken care of.”
“You’re not?”
Emil shook his head. “I’m still not comfortable accepting gifts.”
Hunter nodded solemnly. The poor kid.
“But Dad is nice and he’s good, all the way through. Not many people are. And Casey’s there to back Dad up and keep Dad in a good mood.”
Hunter drew in a deep breath. “Do Casey and… your dad kiss?”
They did a lot more than kiss. The soundproofing was just as much to keep sounds in their room as out. “Yes.”
“But not usually?”
Where was Hunter going with this? “They kiss a lot, but not in public.”
“Am I public?” Hunter pulled his long sleeves over his hands.
“They are private people, but have you seen how tenderly Dad holds Casey while they are dancing?”
Hunter looked away. “You dad only loves Casey in a dress?”
“No.”
The doorbell rang. Emil got up. “Dad loves Casey all the time, but not with handholding or kisses.”
He opened the door to Dad. Dad smiled at him. “Good morning, son. Is my other boy ready?”
Emil invited Dad in. Hunter got up and stood behind Emil. Dad smiled. “Getting to know your big brother, huh?”
Hunter looked away. Dad grinned. “Have you discussed where you’re sleeping tonight?”
Hunter looked up. “Here?”
“If that’s how you want it. Would you like to come to dinner with us?”
“Us?”
“Olivia wants you to come over again and look at the room she picked out for you.”
Hunter looked back at the floor.
Dad held up his hand. “You don’t need to sleep there if you don’t want to, but Olivia nags me so.” He put his hand on his heart and looked at the ceiling, but he was smiling. He looked back at Hunter. “She really wants you to be her brother and she’s not a very patient child. She also can’t wait for her hair to grow out, but that, like you, can’t be rushed. I can wait until you’re ready. I waited six years to make Emil here my son. I can wait for you.”
Hunter squeezed Emil hand. “I’ll get my stuff.”
Emil turned. “You can leave everything here, since you’re coming back tonight. No one will touch it.”
Hunter bit his lip.
Dad touched Hunter’s head. “Emil, remember how long you took to trust that anything would be where you put it.”
Dad was right. Emil’s best stuff had always been taken by other children or sometimes his foster parents. He still locked the front door when he was home alone. Safety and security were tenuous things.
“I’ll…” Hunter took in a deep breath. “I’ll leave everything here.”
Dad smiled. “I think you made Emil’s day.”
Now, that was a bit much.
“And… I’ll eat dinner at your house.”
Dad grinned. “And you made Olivia’s day too. I’ll bring her by when I come get you, if that’s all right.”
Hunter nodded. “But I’ll sleep here.”
“That works for me.” Dad put his hand on Emil’s shoulder. “See you this evening, son.”
“Bye, Dad.” Emil gave him a hug and waved goodbye. He was in a good mood. He hoped to get a lot done.
--
Peregrine stood in his mother’s doorway as Markus walked up the drive. “Do you ever have a day off?”
Markus shrugged. “Working’s better than the alternative.”
Peregrine nodded. “Where are your boys?”
“Home with Grandma. Jayden has the sniffles, so Justin and Jordon will probably be sniffling by tomorrow.” Markus set the bucket down by the ramp. He held up two white cloths. “Dad said you might help.”
Peregrine caught one. They would wipe the dust off the wood as preparation for the primer. Peregrine buffed the hand rail by the door. “Tell me about your boys.”
Markus grinned. “You always this curious?”
“I’m nosey. Your dad said your boys would all start school next year.”
“Triplets. Jad was dating a guy he thought would stick around and he’d always wanted a family, so he paid a surrogate. Two eggs were implanted, but one spilt, so he ended up with triplets. But the boys all look alike, so you’d never guess the fraternal one.”
“And how did they end up being yours?”
Markus grinned. “By Jad’s bad luck. His then-boyfriend had an affair with my roommate. Of course neither of us knew Jacob was attached at the time. Jad was lost in his boys and spoiling the woman carrying them, so he didn’t notice for months, and when he did, he worried more about losing the extra hands and their apartment than about losing Jacob.”
He dusted the floor of the ramp. “Jacob came by one evening in a rage. He’d not signed up to live with triplets. He’d barely agreed to just one and he’d been assured that two eggs might end up with no kids anyway, but then the third baby appeared and the surrogate and Jad refused to get rid of the extra two, so now three babies had taken over his house.”
Marcus stood up. “My roommate was understandably upset. She and I hopped in the car and drove over to Jad and Jacob’s. Poor Jad had his hands full. He barely asked who we were before he invited us in and handed us hungry babies. We moved him in with us that weekend. By the time the three of us could breathe again while juggling three little ones, jobs, and housework, the babies were six months old and Jad was already in my bed. Those boys are as much mine as his.”
“And your roommate?”
“She says she can do anything now. She heads a fashion company in London and says that some clients are more demanding than infants.”
“And your parents are happy?”
Marcus grinned. “My parents are ecstatic. Dad offered me a job and us a place to live the day I brought them up. Jad works at the hospital. He said he met you, or at least someone who looks like you.”
Peregrine laughed. “I’d say I was one of a kind, but my little brother looks like I did at his age. It’s like looking in a magic mirror.”
“Tattoos?”
Peregrine pulled up his sleeves. “Nope. I like my paint. His skin is still virgin.”
Markus grinned. “Jad has the boys names tattooed on his arm.”
“But not yours?”
“He wants a picture that makes him think of me, a sword or something.”
Peregrine grinned. “A sword?”
Markus blushed and nodded. “Yeah.”
They both laughed. The morning went quickly. After lunch, Peregrine got out a sketchbook and made final plans for the ramps decorations. He’d get through the next three days as long as he stayed busy.
--
Kurt hung up his phone with a sigh. The papers weren’t ready to be signed. Sarah said they should be ready tomorrow. Kurt hoped so. He didn’t want Emil to go back until the condo was theirs, but Peregrine couldn’t be left alone for too long.
Kurt leaned back in his chair. He was going down to be with his men. Emil was special and beautiful and precious, but sometimes Kurt needed a taste of Peregrine. How long before they were all home?
--
“Peregrine.”
Peregrine needed more lead. He needed paint. Where was the nearest art supply store?
“Peregrine?”
He needed to make a list.
“Peregrine!”
He pulled himself away from the sketch. He thought he had it: vines and flowers and trees in just the right pattern. Most of it was on paper.
A hand touched his arm. He looked up. Arwen smiled and pointed to their mother. Mom stood in the doorway with her hands on her hips. “Peregrine, you get in here this minute!”
He was so close. “Just a minute.”
“Right! Now!”
Peregrine sighed and got to his feet. “Arwen, let this be a lesson to you. You never grow out of being your parents’ kid.”
She smiled. The ‘wet paint’ ribbon circled the ramp, which was a good excuse to walk in through the back door. Peregrine was happy for the few extra moments. “So, Mom, what do you want?”
She narrowed her eyes. “A little respect.”
The words to the song ran through his head. “Mother dear, what can I do for you?”
“You have been sitting in the yard for hours.”
Peregrine nodded. He had.
Mom crossed her arms. “Why are you even here if you are never here?”
“You want me to leave? I’ll go. Arwen, where’s the best art supply store?”
Her smile bloomed. “I’ll show you.”
“Peregrine! Arwen!”
They hurried to Peregrine’s car and laughed as they drove away.
Peregrine took a deep breath. “Do you suppose she’ll ever forgive me?”
Arwen laughed. “She’ll recover.”
“I’m such a jerk. So, where?”
“San Francisco.”
“Of course. Where should we eat dinner?”
Arwen grinned. “I know just the place.”
Peregrine let Arwen pick the radio station. This trip would eat up several more hours. He was one day closer to Emil’s return.
--
Emil arranged vegetables on the tray. He added another radish rose. He wanted everything to look perfect. The door opened. Kurt was home. Emil met him in the entryway with a kiss. He tugged Kurt’s jacket off. Kurt growled and backed Emil against the wall. He pulled away abruptly. “Hunter?”
“Having dinner with Dad.”
“Good.” Kurt kissed Emil’s ear and neck. “Any reason I can’t take you right here?”
Emil smiled. “That depends on how hungry you are.”
“What if I’m hungry for something besides food?”
Kurt’s hands were wonderful.
“I think,” Emil moaned at Kurt’s touch, “I could live with that.”
None of the food that was out would spoil. And Emil didn’t think he’d last long anyway with Kurt touching him like this.
--
Kurt shifted on the blanket and licked the salad dressing off Emil’s arm. They were eating naked on the balcony. Even vegetables he didn’t like tasted good today. Emil laughed and held up a hand. “You’re dripping.”
Kurt’s tomato was dripping. Kurt popped it in his mouth then licked the rest of the drips off Emil’s skin. When he looked up, Emil fed him a bite-sized rolled up sandwich. Beef. Yum.
Emil ate another. Kurt kissed him to get a taste. Pastrami. They wrestled over who would feed who the next sandwich. Dinner was terrific.
Kurt sat back with a sigh. The only thing that would have made the meal better was if Peregrine could have been with him.
Emil rested his head on Kurt’s chest. “I miss him too.”
Kurt ran his fingers through Emil’s silky hair. “We haven’t been back together that long, but I feel like one of my hearts is missing.”
Emil nodded then lifted his head. “One of your hearts?”
Kurt grinned. “I have two. The other is exactly where I want him to be. I’m making a glass dragon. You should come and watch.”
“Can I?” Emil looked like Kurt had just given him a wonderful gift.
“Of course.”
“Tonight?”
Kurt ran his hand down Emil back and squeezed his ass. “I was thinking tomorrow. I have other plans for tonight.”
Emil grinned and lowered his lids. “Do you?”
Kurt opened the door to the bedroom and crawled inside. The paper had to be around here somewhere. When he found it he turned around. Emil was right behind him wearing an uncertain smile. Kurt sat and tugged Emil onto his lap. “Here. Which do you like best?”
Emil’s fingers brushed the paper. He lingered over the little monkeys and the fairy wings. He turned to Kurt. “What’s this?”
“This is you.”
Emil smiled. “But the wings?”
“A young person reminded me recently that blue monkeys have wings.” Kurt found a pen and paper and sketched out the features Emil’s fingers had stayed on the longest.
Emil shifted. “I can get out of your way.”
Kurt held him close. “I want you right here. Like this?”
“Oh, Kurt,” Emil’s voice cracked. “It’s so beautiful. It’s too beautiful to be me.”
Kurt wasn’t even done, but the rest would wait until he proved just how beautiful Emil was.
--
Peregrine pointed back at Arwen’s math homework.
Mom stepped into the kitchen. She must have been asleep for a while. “What are you two up to?”
“Arwen here promised me that she’d finish her homework tonight if I took her with me.”
“But, Peregrine, it’s not tonight anymore.”
“Hush. Dad’s asleep. Tomorrow doesn’t start until the sun rises and you can’t have that much homework.”
“Peregrine,” Arwen pouted.
Peregrine flicked his finger against the page. “Finish. You’ll survive a night without sleep. Think of it as practice for college.”
Mom hugged Peregrine. “I’m sorry I yelled.”
Peregrine hugged her back. “I’m sorry I’m such a jerk. I swear I’ll be more personable when Emil returns. I’m crazy without him.”
Arwen laughed. “You are crazy. You should have seen him, Mom. He spent over four hundred dollars.”
“What?”
“I needed supplies. I’ll use it all. Don’t worry.”
“Four hundred dollars!”
“Shh. Dad’s sleeping right on the other side of that wall. Hush.”
“Four hundred dollars,” Mom said just above a whisper. “How could you spend that much?”
“It takes money to make money. I could make… four thousand with what I bought.” Peregrine could make ten times that much, depending on what he painted, a hundred times maybe if he did a sexy painting series.
“But four hundred dollars.”
“A good blue paint is a hundred dollars a tube.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Then how can you afford to paint?”
Peregrine shrugged. “Because people buy my doodles. Now, princess, back to work.”
Mom stepped away. “Get some sleep.”
“Yeah,” said Arwen, “we should go to bed.”
“Nope.” Peregrine pointed back at Arwen’s paper. “All work and no play might make you dull, but all play and no work makes you a poor little church mouse who has to work twice as hard for half the pay as those who finished their homework.”
Mom kissed him good night and then Arwen. “Listen to your brother.”
Arwen finished the equation and sighed.
“So going shopping and eating out with me isn’t worth staying up to finish your homework? I could always take someone else next time.”
“No.” Arwen scribbled out the next equation. “You’re worth it.”
Peregrine hoped he was.
I got the white and pink and red and the second red and orange and yellow and green and blue and grey and black (with help from my family), but we can’t figure out the one between orange and yellow, the one between green and blue, and the purple one.
I waited a few weeks to see if anyone posted the answers, but alas no.
Title: Wings
Series: A Balance of Harmonies (Three)
Status: Chapter seventy of many
Genre: m/m romance, drama, city life, businessmen
Rating: R
Content: tea, waiting, Dad, plans, keeping busy, nosiness, bad news, impatience, inattention, respect, dripping, beef, wings, homework
Length: about 2,700 words
Summary: Kurt misses Peregrine. Emil has a good morning. And Peregrine spends money.
Master list
Emil took a sip of hot tea. He liked his tea hot even if the day was going to be roasting. The air condition in the condo kept the place from becoming the oven the apartment had been. He was glad Peregrine had bought this place. But he wished he’d been consulted first. Peregrine managed to talk Emil into the idea easily enough. He could have done that before the papers were signed. But everything had worked out. And now that Kurt was with them, they actually talked about things, so Peregrine knew how Emil felt. Peregrine thinking Emil would be fine with the condo had been as much Emil’s fault as Peregrine’s.
Hunter fidgeted on his chair. “Maybe I should just go myself.”
Emil set down his cup. “No, Dad wants to take you to school. He’ll be here in just a few minutes.”
Hunter stared at his hands. “He doesn’t have to.”
“He knows that. He wants to. He takes Olivia to school. He wants to take you too.”
Hunter glanced up. “What about his job?”
“Dad owns his business and he hired competent people, so it pretty much runs itself. He’s there for moral support and to be where the buck stops.”
Hunter looked up again. “What does that mean?”
“It means he takes responsibility for everything that happens in his business, no matter who does it. He hired them, so ultimately he’s responsible. He’s that way with us kids too. No matter what we do he will always love us and take care of us. Even if we aren’t used to being taken care of.”
“You’re not?”
Emil shook his head. “I’m still not comfortable accepting gifts.”
Hunter nodded solemnly. The poor kid.
“But Dad is nice and he’s good, all the way through. Not many people are. And Casey’s there to back Dad up and keep Dad in a good mood.”
Hunter drew in a deep breath. “Do Casey and… your dad kiss?”
They did a lot more than kiss. The soundproofing was just as much to keep sounds in their room as out. “Yes.”
“But not usually?”
Where was Hunter going with this? “They kiss a lot, but not in public.”
“Am I public?” Hunter pulled his long sleeves over his hands.
“They are private people, but have you seen how tenderly Dad holds Casey while they are dancing?”
Hunter looked away. “You dad only loves Casey in a dress?”
“No.”
The doorbell rang. Emil got up. “Dad loves Casey all the time, but not with handholding or kisses.”
He opened the door to Dad. Dad smiled at him. “Good morning, son. Is my other boy ready?”
Emil invited Dad in. Hunter got up and stood behind Emil. Dad smiled. “Getting to know your big brother, huh?”
Hunter looked away. Dad grinned. “Have you discussed where you’re sleeping tonight?”
Hunter looked up. “Here?”
“If that’s how you want it. Would you like to come to dinner with us?”
“Us?”
“Olivia wants you to come over again and look at the room she picked out for you.”
Hunter looked back at the floor.
Dad held up his hand. “You don’t need to sleep there if you don’t want to, but Olivia nags me so.” He put his hand on his heart and looked at the ceiling, but he was smiling. He looked back at Hunter. “She really wants you to be her brother and she’s not a very patient child. She also can’t wait for her hair to grow out, but that, like you, can’t be rushed. I can wait until you’re ready. I waited six years to make Emil here my son. I can wait for you.”
Hunter squeezed Emil hand. “I’ll get my stuff.”
Emil turned. “You can leave everything here, since you’re coming back tonight. No one will touch it.”
Hunter bit his lip.
Dad touched Hunter’s head. “Emil, remember how long you took to trust that anything would be where you put it.”
Dad was right. Emil’s best stuff had always been taken by other children or sometimes his foster parents. He still locked the front door when he was home alone. Safety and security were tenuous things.
“I’ll…” Hunter took in a deep breath. “I’ll leave everything here.”
Dad smiled. “I think you made Emil’s day.”
Now, that was a bit much.
“And… I’ll eat dinner at your house.”
Dad grinned. “And you made Olivia’s day too. I’ll bring her by when I come get you, if that’s all right.”
Hunter nodded. “But I’ll sleep here.”
“That works for me.” Dad put his hand on Emil’s shoulder. “See you this evening, son.”
“Bye, Dad.” Emil gave him a hug and waved goodbye. He was in a good mood. He hoped to get a lot done.
--
Peregrine stood in his mother’s doorway as Markus walked up the drive. “Do you ever have a day off?”
Markus shrugged. “Working’s better than the alternative.”
Peregrine nodded. “Where are your boys?”
“Home with Grandma. Jayden has the sniffles, so Justin and Jordon will probably be sniffling by tomorrow.” Markus set the bucket down by the ramp. He held up two white cloths. “Dad said you might help.”
Peregrine caught one. They would wipe the dust off the wood as preparation for the primer. Peregrine buffed the hand rail by the door. “Tell me about your boys.”
Markus grinned. “You always this curious?”
“I’m nosey. Your dad said your boys would all start school next year.”
“Triplets. Jad was dating a guy he thought would stick around and he’d always wanted a family, so he paid a surrogate. Two eggs were implanted, but one spilt, so he ended up with triplets. But the boys all look alike, so you’d never guess the fraternal one.”
“And how did they end up being yours?”
Markus grinned. “By Jad’s bad luck. His then-boyfriend had an affair with my roommate. Of course neither of us knew Jacob was attached at the time. Jad was lost in his boys and spoiling the woman carrying them, so he didn’t notice for months, and when he did, he worried more about losing the extra hands and their apartment than about losing Jacob.”
He dusted the floor of the ramp. “Jacob came by one evening in a rage. He’d not signed up to live with triplets. He’d barely agreed to just one and he’d been assured that two eggs might end up with no kids anyway, but then the third baby appeared and the surrogate and Jad refused to get rid of the extra two, so now three babies had taken over his house.”
Marcus stood up. “My roommate was understandably upset. She and I hopped in the car and drove over to Jad and Jacob’s. Poor Jad had his hands full. He barely asked who we were before he invited us in and handed us hungry babies. We moved him in with us that weekend. By the time the three of us could breathe again while juggling three little ones, jobs, and housework, the babies were six months old and Jad was already in my bed. Those boys are as much mine as his.”
“And your roommate?”
“She says she can do anything now. She heads a fashion company in London and says that some clients are more demanding than infants.”
“And your parents are happy?”
Marcus grinned. “My parents are ecstatic. Dad offered me a job and us a place to live the day I brought them up. Jad works at the hospital. He said he met you, or at least someone who looks like you.”
Peregrine laughed. “I’d say I was one of a kind, but my little brother looks like I did at his age. It’s like looking in a magic mirror.”
“Tattoos?”
Peregrine pulled up his sleeves. “Nope. I like my paint. His skin is still virgin.”
Markus grinned. “Jad has the boys names tattooed on his arm.”
“But not yours?”
“He wants a picture that makes him think of me, a sword or something.”
Peregrine grinned. “A sword?”
Markus blushed and nodded. “Yeah.”
They both laughed. The morning went quickly. After lunch, Peregrine got out a sketchbook and made final plans for the ramps decorations. He’d get through the next three days as long as he stayed busy.
--
Kurt hung up his phone with a sigh. The papers weren’t ready to be signed. Sarah said they should be ready tomorrow. Kurt hoped so. He didn’t want Emil to go back until the condo was theirs, but Peregrine couldn’t be left alone for too long.
Kurt leaned back in his chair. He was going down to be with his men. Emil was special and beautiful and precious, but sometimes Kurt needed a taste of Peregrine. How long before they were all home?
--
“Peregrine.”
Peregrine needed more lead. He needed paint. Where was the nearest art supply store?
“Peregrine?”
He needed to make a list.
“Peregrine!”
He pulled himself away from the sketch. He thought he had it: vines and flowers and trees in just the right pattern. Most of it was on paper.
A hand touched his arm. He looked up. Arwen smiled and pointed to their mother. Mom stood in the doorway with her hands on her hips. “Peregrine, you get in here this minute!”
He was so close. “Just a minute.”
“Right! Now!”
Peregrine sighed and got to his feet. “Arwen, let this be a lesson to you. You never grow out of being your parents’ kid.”
She smiled. The ‘wet paint’ ribbon circled the ramp, which was a good excuse to walk in through the back door. Peregrine was happy for the few extra moments. “So, Mom, what do you want?”
She narrowed her eyes. “A little respect.”
The words to the song ran through his head. “Mother dear, what can I do for you?”
“You have been sitting in the yard for hours.”
Peregrine nodded. He had.
Mom crossed her arms. “Why are you even here if you are never here?”
“You want me to leave? I’ll go. Arwen, where’s the best art supply store?”
Her smile bloomed. “I’ll show you.”
“Peregrine! Arwen!”
They hurried to Peregrine’s car and laughed as they drove away.
Peregrine took a deep breath. “Do you suppose she’ll ever forgive me?”
Arwen laughed. “She’ll recover.”
“I’m such a jerk. So, where?”
“San Francisco.”
“Of course. Where should we eat dinner?”
Arwen grinned. “I know just the place.”
Peregrine let Arwen pick the radio station. This trip would eat up several more hours. He was one day closer to Emil’s return.
--
Emil arranged vegetables on the tray. He added another radish rose. He wanted everything to look perfect. The door opened. Kurt was home. Emil met him in the entryway with a kiss. He tugged Kurt’s jacket off. Kurt growled and backed Emil against the wall. He pulled away abruptly. “Hunter?”
“Having dinner with Dad.”
“Good.” Kurt kissed Emil’s ear and neck. “Any reason I can’t take you right here?”
Emil smiled. “That depends on how hungry you are.”
“What if I’m hungry for something besides food?”
Kurt’s hands were wonderful.
“I think,” Emil moaned at Kurt’s touch, “I could live with that.”
None of the food that was out would spoil. And Emil didn’t think he’d last long anyway with Kurt touching him like this.
--
Kurt shifted on the blanket and licked the salad dressing off Emil’s arm. They were eating naked on the balcony. Even vegetables he didn’t like tasted good today. Emil laughed and held up a hand. “You’re dripping.”
Kurt’s tomato was dripping. Kurt popped it in his mouth then licked the rest of the drips off Emil’s skin. When he looked up, Emil fed him a bite-sized rolled up sandwich. Beef. Yum.
Emil ate another. Kurt kissed him to get a taste. Pastrami. They wrestled over who would feed who the next sandwich. Dinner was terrific.
Kurt sat back with a sigh. The only thing that would have made the meal better was if Peregrine could have been with him.
Emil rested his head on Kurt’s chest. “I miss him too.”
Kurt ran his fingers through Emil’s silky hair. “We haven’t been back together that long, but I feel like one of my hearts is missing.”
Emil nodded then lifted his head. “One of your hearts?”
Kurt grinned. “I have two. The other is exactly where I want him to be. I’m making a glass dragon. You should come and watch.”
“Can I?” Emil looked like Kurt had just given him a wonderful gift.
“Of course.”
“Tonight?”
Kurt ran his hand down Emil back and squeezed his ass. “I was thinking tomorrow. I have other plans for tonight.”
Emil grinned and lowered his lids. “Do you?”
Kurt opened the door to the bedroom and crawled inside. The paper had to be around here somewhere. When he found it he turned around. Emil was right behind him wearing an uncertain smile. Kurt sat and tugged Emil onto his lap. “Here. Which do you like best?”
Emil’s fingers brushed the paper. He lingered over the little monkeys and the fairy wings. He turned to Kurt. “What’s this?”
“This is you.”
Emil smiled. “But the wings?”
“A young person reminded me recently that blue monkeys have wings.” Kurt found a pen and paper and sketched out the features Emil’s fingers had stayed on the longest.
Emil shifted. “I can get out of your way.”
Kurt held him close. “I want you right here. Like this?”
“Oh, Kurt,” Emil’s voice cracked. “It’s so beautiful. It’s too beautiful to be me.”
Kurt wasn’t even done, but the rest would wait until he proved just how beautiful Emil was.
--
Peregrine pointed back at Arwen’s math homework.
Mom stepped into the kitchen. She must have been asleep for a while. “What are you two up to?”
“Arwen here promised me that she’d finish her homework tonight if I took her with me.”
“But, Peregrine, it’s not tonight anymore.”
“Hush. Dad’s asleep. Tomorrow doesn’t start until the sun rises and you can’t have that much homework.”
“Peregrine,” Arwen pouted.
Peregrine flicked his finger against the page. “Finish. You’ll survive a night without sleep. Think of it as practice for college.”
Mom hugged Peregrine. “I’m sorry I yelled.”
Peregrine hugged her back. “I’m sorry I’m such a jerk. I swear I’ll be more personable when Emil returns. I’m crazy without him.”
Arwen laughed. “You are crazy. You should have seen him, Mom. He spent over four hundred dollars.”
“What?”
“I needed supplies. I’ll use it all. Don’t worry.”
“Four hundred dollars!”
“Shh. Dad’s sleeping right on the other side of that wall. Hush.”
“Four hundred dollars,” Mom said just above a whisper. “How could you spend that much?”
“It takes money to make money. I could make… four thousand with what I bought.” Peregrine could make ten times that much, depending on what he painted, a hundred times maybe if he did a sexy painting series.
“But four hundred dollars.”
“A good blue paint is a hundred dollars a tube.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Then how can you afford to paint?”
Peregrine shrugged. “Because people buy my doodles. Now, princess, back to work.”
Mom stepped away. “Get some sleep.”
“Yeah,” said Arwen, “we should go to bed.”
“Nope.” Peregrine pointed back at Arwen’s paper. “All work and no play might make you dull, but all play and no work makes you a poor little church mouse who has to work twice as hard for half the pay as those who finished their homework.”
Mom kissed him good night and then Arwen. “Listen to your brother.”
Arwen finished the equation and sighed.
“So going shopping and eating out with me isn’t worth staying up to finish your homework? I could always take someone else next time.”
“No.” Arwen scribbled out the next equation. “You’re worth it.”
Peregrine hoped he was.
