A Balance of Harmonies: Normal
May. 21st, 2012 03:24 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
frogs_of_warA woman at work said she had no interest in watching Snow White and the Huntsman because she prefers the original, by which she meant the Disney version. How does a person get to be twenty-seven and still think that Disney came up with all the fairy tales it animated?
That just boggles the mind.
Title: Normal
Series: A Balance of Harmonies (Three)
Status: Chapter seventy-one of a hefty sum
Genre: m/m romance, drama, city life, businessmen
Rating: R
Content: Waking up, planning, surprise, longing, a call, questions, Dad, rushed lunch, meeting up, concession, cookies, invitation, pretending
Length: about 3,100 words
Summary: Peregrine wishes he were home. Not touching Emil is killing Kurt. And Emil has a beautiful day.
Master list
Kurt rolled over to turn off his alarm. Six had come too soon. He kissed Emil and slipped out of bed. What nice thing should he do for Emil this morning?
--
Emil woke to warm kisses and hands against his skin. Kurt. But the voice was Peregrine’s. Kurt laughed at something Peregrine said. “He’s waking up.”
Emil struggled to open his eyes. Kurt smiled down at him. “Peregrine is joining us this morning. Long distance, but still better than without him.”
Emil smiled. “I miss you.”
“You two are going to make me forsake my responsibilities and run home.”
“Good,” Kurt kissed Emil’s lowest rib, “we need you home.”
“None of that. Kurt, are you over him?”
“Yes.”
“Princess, I’m going to tell you where to touch each other, if you want to go off script, you’ll have to ask.”
Emil grinned. This was going to be a wonderful morning.
--
Peregrine laid back at watched the soft clouds move across the sky as the birds twittered in the trees. He had to get home soon, even if the papers were signed today. He missed home. He missed having a place that was his, a door he could shut to keep the world out or his lovers in. As soon as Emil returned he was getting a second hotel room, since Sam and his girls had taken over the other one.
He also needed to get back to his mother’s house, but not until he was through with his next call. Kurt said Hunter might benefit from talking to him again. He felt ineffectual so far from where important things were happening.
His phone rang. Hunter. “Hey, boy, how are you doing?”
“Ok.”
Peregrine talked about his trip to San Francisco with his sister and helping build the ramp outside his parent’s house. “What have you been up to?”
Hunter hesitated. “Emil’s dad takes me to school.”
“Is that good or bad?”
“Good, I guess. But it’s weird. Is it normal? Are dads like that?”
“Moms most of the time, I think, but Keith stands in for both parents.”
“He comes to get me, too. Olivia came with him yesterday.”
Peregrine smiled. “Did she have a new dress?”
“Maybe.”
“Does having them come embarrass you?”
“No. When Emil’s dad adopts me, will Casey be my father too?”
“Legally?” Peregrine made a note to call Keith. “Do you want him to?”
Hunter sighed. “I… I don’t know.”
“If that will make you more comfortable, I’m sure they will do it. Keith and Casey want you to feel happy and safe.”
“Ok.”
Peregrine was going to need to come back to that, preferable when he could see Hunter’s face as he talked. “How are things with JJ?”
“He’s avoiding me.”
“Did he tell you why?”
“I… I picked a home over him. And he thinks I’m stealing you from him. I think.”
“But he’s not,” Peregrine hated to even think it, “hurting you?”
“He won’t talk to me. That hurts so much.” Hunter gasped. “He won’t even look at me. I’ve got this hole in my chest.”
Peregrine wanted to pat Hunter’s shoulder and give him a quick hug. “We all feel like that sometimes.”
“Maybe I should have…”
“Should have what?”
“If I’d just let him… do what he wanted to, he wouldn’t hate me now.”
“He doesn’t hate you.”
“How do you know?”
“I know him, remember? It will take more than not getting his own way to make him hate you.”
“But I owe him so much. I couldn’t have survived without him. And I wouldn’t even go out on Saturday and earn easy money with him.”
Peregrine wanted to be home. He needed to be. But he kept his voice as even as possible. “Hunter, selling yourself isn’t easy money. Remember what Andre has told you—”
“I know! I didn’t go, okay? I spent the weekend with Kurt and now no one wants me to go home even though JJ never goes out on week nights.”
“Do you know why they don’t want you to sleep at the shelter?”
“Yes.” Hunter sounded so alone and vulnerable. “And they don’t even know the other part.”
Those words hit Peregrine like a punch. “What other part?”
“Well, JJ… once he’s earned his money. He says I’m supposed to do for him what he did for the men.”
Peregrine fought down a swell of anger. “And why is that?”
“It makes him feel manlier.”
“You do know that men are men no matter the position they take?”
“Yeah and when I said that, JJ said that was why he never lets me top, because I don’t care. Only I do care. It doesn’t matter and matters a lot at the same time.”
“I understand. Your position in the bed doesn’t matter as much as your position in the relationship. If you have no voice, you have no choice.”
Peregrine hadn’t meant for that to rhyme, but Hunter laughed, so all was well. “Exactly.”
“I think I’m going to need to talk to JJ.”
“Not until I move in with Emil’s dad.”
So was the move a given in his mind? “Ok. When do you think you’ll do that?”
Hunter sighed. “This weekend, maybe. Olivia showed me my new room and Emil’s dad bought me sheets and blankets that I got to pick out. I’ve never had a top sheet before.”
The shelter saved a lot on bedding and laundry costs by not using them.
“What color did you pick?”
“Olivia said I should pick blue because I’m a boy, but Emil’s dad said colors aren’t gendered and that his favorite color when he was my age was lilac, but he’d been too scared at the time to tell anyone. He said Liam and Willow’s bed is black and turquoise and his and Casey’s bed was scarlet and charcoal. That’s red and grey, right?”
“Yes. I wonder if he still likes lilac.” That color would be a great background for dancing couple if Peregrine opted for the room’s-spinning look in the paintings he planned for Keith’s ball room.
“He says that’s what their room was before, lilac and grey, but then Casey showed interest in a red pillow and Kurt redid the bedroom to match it for their anniversary.”
“That was very sweet of him.”
“I think so too. Emil said Dad doesn’t show his love for Casey out loud, with hand holding and kisses, but Emil says they still love each other, so I’m trying to see it.”
Peregrine made another note for when he spoke to Keith. “Remember they were both raised when people thought that men loving each other was wrong. It’s hard to overcome habits of childhood. Cut them a little slack.”
“I know I should, but I’d just feel better… Someone’s at the door. Dad, I’m talking to Peregrine. I’m almost done.”
Peregrine was sure Keith was beaming at the ‘dad’. “You want to call me tonight. I don’t want to make you late for school.”
“Andre says I can go even after I live with Emil’s dad.”
“Kit is a good teacher.”
“He is. I don’t want to be late. Bye.”
Peregrine stared at the phone. He needed to get up and back to the house before Markus arrived with the next layer of paint. Once that was on, Peregrine would put his drawings on, then Markus would seal it. He needed to buy some little cans of house paint in dark colors plus white. He’d never tried experimenting with outdoor paints before, but he liked learning new things.
--
Kurt stuffed his meatball wrap into his mouth. He needed to call Emil and tell him the papers could be signed today, but Sarah had gone on and on and his lunch was almost over and his food had grown cold and he had his art class at the shelter to teach in a few hours and he had to get back to work soon to finish up everything before he left for the day. Would he have time to sign those papers?
--
Emil bounced down the stairs. Zan had agreed to bring some of her art to the shelter, so Kurt and Emil could get the papers signed. He was going to meet all of them at the shelter. The day was warm without being too hot and the bird twittered in the trees. Emil had never been to the shelter before. He’d worked hard not to need a place like that. And then Dad had come along and given him the final security of having a family to fall back on. Now Dad was doing that for Hunter.
Dad loved kids at home. Emil wished him many more.
The shelter was quieter without any of the kids that he’d seen hanging around outside when picking Hunter and JJ up. He glanced over into the parking lot. Both Kurt and Zan’s cars were there. Emil stepped through the open wrought iron gates and headed for the building with the ‘Office’ sign on it. A woman greeted him as he stepped inside. He ducked his head. “I’m looking for Kurt.”
Kurt stepped out of an open door. “Emil.”
Emil hurried into Kurt’s arms. Zan and Autumn smiled his way. The man behind the cluttered desk gave Kurt an odd look then stood up and offered his hand to Emil. Kurt nodded toward the guy. “Emil, this is Andre. He was nice enough to let me off this afternoon.”
Andre’s handshake was warm but short. Emil was glad. He really didn’t like to shake hands.
Zan laughed. “We are going to show off paperweights and marbles, explain how they are made, and then come back on Friday to give a demonstration, so Kurt can join you and Peregrine in California. You’re coming over for dinner tonight, just so you know.”
Emil grinned. “Kurt promised to show me what he’s working on.”
“It doesn’t look like much yet.”
“Don’t let him fool you,” Zan said. “His not much is still impressive. You should see his drawing.”
Emil grinned up at Kurt. “Is that what you’re going to show me?”
Andre cleared his throat. JJ sauntered in the room. He glared at Kurt and Emil. “While the cats away…”
“Oh you cute little thing,” Zan hugged JJ and rubbed his head. “You’ll worry yourself sick. You know as well as I do that Peregrine sent Emil home to spend time with Kurt.”
Autumn joined in loading JJ with attention. Zan jerked her chin to the door. Hunter stood in the doorway with a frown. Emil touched Hunter’s head. Hunter leaned into him. Kurt put his hand on Hunter’s shoulder.
Andre smiled. “Is math over?”
Hunter nodded. “Are you both coming?”
Kurt touched Hunter head. “Emil and I need to signs some papers, but we’ll be back before class is over.”
Hunter frowned. “What papers?”
“We’re buying more space so our bathroom is connected to our bedroom.”
Hunter nodded. “Then come back.”
“We will.”
Zan turned to Hunter. “And you’re coming over tonight for dinner.”
JJ stared daggers at Hunter. Hunter looked away. Emil took Hunter’s hand. “Should we go to class?”
Just after Emil stepped into the classroom, Zan and Autumn arrived and passed out glass baubles for the kids to look at. Emil and Kurt made their escape. They had papers to sign. Maybe Peregrine would have some ideas for their new place. And maybe, if Peregrine asked nicely enough, they could use the art students at Greg’s college, as long as they didn’t have to deal with Greg.
--
Peregrine stared at his art on the ramp’s balustrade. He sighed. “I can’t figure out what’s missing.”
Markus looked over the work. “I don’t see anything missing. But then I’m not an artist.”’
At least he knew his limitations. “Say you aren’t a painter, but you can’t say you’re not creative. You build. That’s art.”
Markus laughed. “My dad drew the blueprints. How am I an artist?”
“You translated the ramp to fit this house. Isn’t that creative?”
Markus laughed again. “Jad says the same thing.”
“Jad is right. When am I going to meet him?”
“Do you want to?”
“How am I going to paint all of you if I never meet Jad or the boys?”
“You still want to do that?”
Peregrine got up. He’d been kneeling in one spot too long. He needed Emil’s presence to help him find that last thing that would bring the paintings to life. He collected his sketch book off the grass and skimmed through it. “This is how I remember your mother.”
He tore out a page and passed it to Markus. “So I drew how I remembered your dad because I don’t see how it’s fair to age him up but not her.”
Markus grinned. “She’d be very pleased.”
He tried to hand Peregrine back the sketch, but Peregrine wouldn’t take it. “I’m always obnoxious when my lovers aren’t around, so I’m not even going to try to be polite. Tell your mom it’s hers, but she owes me some cookies. I don’t have much of an appetite with Emil gone, but your mom’s cookies might bring it back.”
Markus smiled. “Your mom’s cookies don’t?”
“My mom puts honey and wheat germ in her cookies. Plus my dad is in the house. I’m trying my best to love him, like your dad told me to, but I find loving him easier from a distance.”
Markus looked down the street. “I thought so too, once.”
“Then you are ahead of me. Right now I’m so nervous and jumpy and nosey and irritating and generally obnoxious that I’m not the best company. Invite me over once Emil’s back, but not Thursday because we are eating with Tank that night.”
Markus smiled. “Do you always invite yourself places?”
“I’m normally more polite about it.”
Markus laughed. “But you’re entertaining. Do you want to come by tonight and meet the boys? Jad works until eight, but I hear tell that you’re good with kids.”
“Someone’s been telling tales.”
“I’ll ask my mother to make cookies. Any favorite kind?”
“Whatever she’s making is my favorite. If you’re sure it’s all right?”
“You’re the one who invited yourself.”
He had. “Thanks. I’ll come over after supper, if that’s all right. I inherited my parents eating habits.”
“So you did think something your parents did was right.”
Peregrine signed and leaned against a dry part of the ramp. Maybe Markus was correct, but then maybe Peregrine only didn’t eat meat because that’s what he was raised to think adults did. But if he was really fighting against them, he wouldn’t have taken on any of their way of life.
Peregrine glanced down and saw what his painting was missing. He’d thank Markus the next time he came up for air.
--
Kurt glanced in the class room. Zan still had the boy’s attention, even the ones with glass art in their hands. He scooted around the back of the room to the other side. He was going to die being so far for Emil, but if he was closer, Kurt would touch him. He couldn’t help it. Emil had agreed in principle that as Peregrine’s known boyfriend he and Kurt shouldn’t touch around the boys, but Kurt wasn’t so sure Emil could keep his resolution either.
Nick handed Kurt a glass ball that held a yellow and blue flower. “She told is how we can make one of these. I saw all the steps, but I still don’t quite believe it.”
Zan laughed. “You’ll believe it when you see it.”
“No,” said Hunter. “You still might not. It’s like magic.”
“Just for that, I’ll have you make several tonight.”
Hunter slid out of his seat and took Emil’s hand. “Only if Emil does one too.”
Emil laughed. “Maybe we can make Dad do one.”
Thon turned to Emil. “Who are you?”
Brandon rolled his eyes. “He’s Peregrine’s boyfriend. Who else?”
Thon shrugged. “What are you doing here?”
“Thon,” said Kit. “Let’s try that again. Start with your name and go from there.”
Thon got up. “But…”
“Here, let me.” Kit held out his hand to Emil. “Kit Stantini, I teach here.”
Emil took his hand. “Emil Bonsa-Faie. My Dad is the man who wants to adopt Hunter.”
Hunter smiled. “We’re gonna be brothers.”
“Kurt and I needed to sign some papers today and then we are going to Zan’s, so I just tagged along. I hope I’m not disturbing your class.”
Emil couldn’t be. Kurt felt the need to put an arm around him. “Emil writes books.”
“We have one.” Hunter ran to the bookshelves and pulled out half a dozen books. He handed the pile to Kit. “His name was Rainwater back before Dad adopted him.”
Kit looked over the books. “I didn’t realize you were local. We have a lot of your books.”
“Peregrine donated some of my free copies.”
Kit raised his eyebrows. “You didn’t mind?”
“They went to a good home.”
Kit nodded. “Thanks.”
“You live with Peregrine?” asked Nick.
Emil nodded.
“And Kurt?”
Emil nodded again. He smiled at Kit. “I gave a presentation a week ago to grade schoolers about writing. If I can give one here, I can leave in all the harsh details like that I started at seventeen so I could have some form of income when I aged out of foster care. I’ve never been homeless, but some foster parents made me contemplate living on the streets. I was a foster child for ten years and in that time I only have one foster parent who made me feel loved and he’s the one who adopted me when I turned eighteen. He takes in mostly LGBT kids. No Ls as of yet. His only girl is a T.”
Emil had Evan’s total attention. And most of Kurt’s. How could Kurt’s beautiful boyfriend say such horrid things with a straight face? How bad a boyfriend was Kurt because he didn’t run over and take Emil in his arms? This pretending not to be lovers in front of Peregrine’s boys was killing him.
That just boggles the mind.
Title: Normal
Series: A Balance of Harmonies (Three)
Status: Chapter seventy-one of a hefty sum
Genre: m/m romance, drama, city life, businessmen
Rating: R
Content: Waking up, planning, surprise, longing, a call, questions, Dad, rushed lunch, meeting up, concession, cookies, invitation, pretending
Length: about 3,100 words
Summary: Peregrine wishes he were home. Not touching Emil is killing Kurt. And Emil has a beautiful day.
Master list
Kurt rolled over to turn off his alarm. Six had come too soon. He kissed Emil and slipped out of bed. What nice thing should he do for Emil this morning?
--
Emil woke to warm kisses and hands against his skin. Kurt. But the voice was Peregrine’s. Kurt laughed at something Peregrine said. “He’s waking up.”
Emil struggled to open his eyes. Kurt smiled down at him. “Peregrine is joining us this morning. Long distance, but still better than without him.”
Emil smiled. “I miss you.”
“You two are going to make me forsake my responsibilities and run home.”
“Good,” Kurt kissed Emil’s lowest rib, “we need you home.”
“None of that. Kurt, are you over him?”
“Yes.”
“Princess, I’m going to tell you where to touch each other, if you want to go off script, you’ll have to ask.”
Emil grinned. This was going to be a wonderful morning.
--
Peregrine laid back at watched the soft clouds move across the sky as the birds twittered in the trees. He had to get home soon, even if the papers were signed today. He missed home. He missed having a place that was his, a door he could shut to keep the world out or his lovers in. As soon as Emil returned he was getting a second hotel room, since Sam and his girls had taken over the other one.
He also needed to get back to his mother’s house, but not until he was through with his next call. Kurt said Hunter might benefit from talking to him again. He felt ineffectual so far from where important things were happening.
His phone rang. Hunter. “Hey, boy, how are you doing?”
“Ok.”
Peregrine talked about his trip to San Francisco with his sister and helping build the ramp outside his parent’s house. “What have you been up to?”
Hunter hesitated. “Emil’s dad takes me to school.”
“Is that good or bad?”
“Good, I guess. But it’s weird. Is it normal? Are dads like that?”
“Moms most of the time, I think, but Keith stands in for both parents.”
“He comes to get me, too. Olivia came with him yesterday.”
Peregrine smiled. “Did she have a new dress?”
“Maybe.”
“Does having them come embarrass you?”
“No. When Emil’s dad adopts me, will Casey be my father too?”
“Legally?” Peregrine made a note to call Keith. “Do you want him to?”
Hunter sighed. “I… I don’t know.”
“If that will make you more comfortable, I’m sure they will do it. Keith and Casey want you to feel happy and safe.”
“Ok.”
Peregrine was going to need to come back to that, preferable when he could see Hunter’s face as he talked. “How are things with JJ?”
“He’s avoiding me.”
“Did he tell you why?”
“I… I picked a home over him. And he thinks I’m stealing you from him. I think.”
“But he’s not,” Peregrine hated to even think it, “hurting you?”
“He won’t talk to me. That hurts so much.” Hunter gasped. “He won’t even look at me. I’ve got this hole in my chest.”
Peregrine wanted to pat Hunter’s shoulder and give him a quick hug. “We all feel like that sometimes.”
“Maybe I should have…”
“Should have what?”
“If I’d just let him… do what he wanted to, he wouldn’t hate me now.”
“He doesn’t hate you.”
“How do you know?”
“I know him, remember? It will take more than not getting his own way to make him hate you.”
“But I owe him so much. I couldn’t have survived without him. And I wouldn’t even go out on Saturday and earn easy money with him.”
Peregrine wanted to be home. He needed to be. But he kept his voice as even as possible. “Hunter, selling yourself isn’t easy money. Remember what Andre has told you—”
“I know! I didn’t go, okay? I spent the weekend with Kurt and now no one wants me to go home even though JJ never goes out on week nights.”
“Do you know why they don’t want you to sleep at the shelter?”
“Yes.” Hunter sounded so alone and vulnerable. “And they don’t even know the other part.”
Those words hit Peregrine like a punch. “What other part?”
“Well, JJ… once he’s earned his money. He says I’m supposed to do for him what he did for the men.”
Peregrine fought down a swell of anger. “And why is that?”
“It makes him feel manlier.”
“You do know that men are men no matter the position they take?”
“Yeah and when I said that, JJ said that was why he never lets me top, because I don’t care. Only I do care. It doesn’t matter and matters a lot at the same time.”
“I understand. Your position in the bed doesn’t matter as much as your position in the relationship. If you have no voice, you have no choice.”
Peregrine hadn’t meant for that to rhyme, but Hunter laughed, so all was well. “Exactly.”
“I think I’m going to need to talk to JJ.”
“Not until I move in with Emil’s dad.”
So was the move a given in his mind? “Ok. When do you think you’ll do that?”
Hunter sighed. “This weekend, maybe. Olivia showed me my new room and Emil’s dad bought me sheets and blankets that I got to pick out. I’ve never had a top sheet before.”
The shelter saved a lot on bedding and laundry costs by not using them.
“What color did you pick?”
“Olivia said I should pick blue because I’m a boy, but Emil’s dad said colors aren’t gendered and that his favorite color when he was my age was lilac, but he’d been too scared at the time to tell anyone. He said Liam and Willow’s bed is black and turquoise and his and Casey’s bed was scarlet and charcoal. That’s red and grey, right?”
“Yes. I wonder if he still likes lilac.” That color would be a great background for dancing couple if Peregrine opted for the room’s-spinning look in the paintings he planned for Keith’s ball room.
“He says that’s what their room was before, lilac and grey, but then Casey showed interest in a red pillow and Kurt redid the bedroom to match it for their anniversary.”
“That was very sweet of him.”
“I think so too. Emil said Dad doesn’t show his love for Casey out loud, with hand holding and kisses, but Emil says they still love each other, so I’m trying to see it.”
Peregrine made another note for when he spoke to Keith. “Remember they were both raised when people thought that men loving each other was wrong. It’s hard to overcome habits of childhood. Cut them a little slack.”
“I know I should, but I’d just feel better… Someone’s at the door. Dad, I’m talking to Peregrine. I’m almost done.”
Peregrine was sure Keith was beaming at the ‘dad’. “You want to call me tonight. I don’t want to make you late for school.”
“Andre says I can go even after I live with Emil’s dad.”
“Kit is a good teacher.”
“He is. I don’t want to be late. Bye.”
Peregrine stared at the phone. He needed to get up and back to the house before Markus arrived with the next layer of paint. Once that was on, Peregrine would put his drawings on, then Markus would seal it. He needed to buy some little cans of house paint in dark colors plus white. He’d never tried experimenting with outdoor paints before, but he liked learning new things.
--
Kurt stuffed his meatball wrap into his mouth. He needed to call Emil and tell him the papers could be signed today, but Sarah had gone on and on and his lunch was almost over and his food had grown cold and he had his art class at the shelter to teach in a few hours and he had to get back to work soon to finish up everything before he left for the day. Would he have time to sign those papers?
--
Emil bounced down the stairs. Zan had agreed to bring some of her art to the shelter, so Kurt and Emil could get the papers signed. He was going to meet all of them at the shelter. The day was warm without being too hot and the bird twittered in the trees. Emil had never been to the shelter before. He’d worked hard not to need a place like that. And then Dad had come along and given him the final security of having a family to fall back on. Now Dad was doing that for Hunter.
Dad loved kids at home. Emil wished him many more.
The shelter was quieter without any of the kids that he’d seen hanging around outside when picking Hunter and JJ up. He glanced over into the parking lot. Both Kurt and Zan’s cars were there. Emil stepped through the open wrought iron gates and headed for the building with the ‘Office’ sign on it. A woman greeted him as he stepped inside. He ducked his head. “I’m looking for Kurt.”
Kurt stepped out of an open door. “Emil.”
Emil hurried into Kurt’s arms. Zan and Autumn smiled his way. The man behind the cluttered desk gave Kurt an odd look then stood up and offered his hand to Emil. Kurt nodded toward the guy. “Emil, this is Andre. He was nice enough to let me off this afternoon.”
Andre’s handshake was warm but short. Emil was glad. He really didn’t like to shake hands.
Zan laughed. “We are going to show off paperweights and marbles, explain how they are made, and then come back on Friday to give a demonstration, so Kurt can join you and Peregrine in California. You’re coming over for dinner tonight, just so you know.”
Emil grinned. “Kurt promised to show me what he’s working on.”
“It doesn’t look like much yet.”
“Don’t let him fool you,” Zan said. “His not much is still impressive. You should see his drawing.”
Emil grinned up at Kurt. “Is that what you’re going to show me?”
Andre cleared his throat. JJ sauntered in the room. He glared at Kurt and Emil. “While the cats away…”
“Oh you cute little thing,” Zan hugged JJ and rubbed his head. “You’ll worry yourself sick. You know as well as I do that Peregrine sent Emil home to spend time with Kurt.”
Autumn joined in loading JJ with attention. Zan jerked her chin to the door. Hunter stood in the doorway with a frown. Emil touched Hunter’s head. Hunter leaned into him. Kurt put his hand on Hunter’s shoulder.
Andre smiled. “Is math over?”
Hunter nodded. “Are you both coming?”
Kurt touched Hunter head. “Emil and I need to signs some papers, but we’ll be back before class is over.”
Hunter frowned. “What papers?”
“We’re buying more space so our bathroom is connected to our bedroom.”
Hunter nodded. “Then come back.”
“We will.”
Zan turned to Hunter. “And you’re coming over tonight for dinner.”
JJ stared daggers at Hunter. Hunter looked away. Emil took Hunter’s hand. “Should we go to class?”
Just after Emil stepped into the classroom, Zan and Autumn arrived and passed out glass baubles for the kids to look at. Emil and Kurt made their escape. They had papers to sign. Maybe Peregrine would have some ideas for their new place. And maybe, if Peregrine asked nicely enough, they could use the art students at Greg’s college, as long as they didn’t have to deal with Greg.
--
Peregrine stared at his art on the ramp’s balustrade. He sighed. “I can’t figure out what’s missing.”
Markus looked over the work. “I don’t see anything missing. But then I’m not an artist.”’
At least he knew his limitations. “Say you aren’t a painter, but you can’t say you’re not creative. You build. That’s art.”
Markus laughed. “My dad drew the blueprints. How am I an artist?”
“You translated the ramp to fit this house. Isn’t that creative?”
Markus laughed again. “Jad says the same thing.”
“Jad is right. When am I going to meet him?”
“Do you want to?”
“How am I going to paint all of you if I never meet Jad or the boys?”
“You still want to do that?”
Peregrine got up. He’d been kneeling in one spot too long. He needed Emil’s presence to help him find that last thing that would bring the paintings to life. He collected his sketch book off the grass and skimmed through it. “This is how I remember your mother.”
He tore out a page and passed it to Markus. “So I drew how I remembered your dad because I don’t see how it’s fair to age him up but not her.”
Markus grinned. “She’d be very pleased.”
He tried to hand Peregrine back the sketch, but Peregrine wouldn’t take it. “I’m always obnoxious when my lovers aren’t around, so I’m not even going to try to be polite. Tell your mom it’s hers, but she owes me some cookies. I don’t have much of an appetite with Emil gone, but your mom’s cookies might bring it back.”
Markus smiled. “Your mom’s cookies don’t?”
“My mom puts honey and wheat germ in her cookies. Plus my dad is in the house. I’m trying my best to love him, like your dad told me to, but I find loving him easier from a distance.”
Markus looked down the street. “I thought so too, once.”
“Then you are ahead of me. Right now I’m so nervous and jumpy and nosey and irritating and generally obnoxious that I’m not the best company. Invite me over once Emil’s back, but not Thursday because we are eating with Tank that night.”
Markus smiled. “Do you always invite yourself places?”
“I’m normally more polite about it.”
Markus laughed. “But you’re entertaining. Do you want to come by tonight and meet the boys? Jad works until eight, but I hear tell that you’re good with kids.”
“Someone’s been telling tales.”
“I’ll ask my mother to make cookies. Any favorite kind?”
“Whatever she’s making is my favorite. If you’re sure it’s all right?”
“You’re the one who invited yourself.”
He had. “Thanks. I’ll come over after supper, if that’s all right. I inherited my parents eating habits.”
“So you did think something your parents did was right.”
Peregrine signed and leaned against a dry part of the ramp. Maybe Markus was correct, but then maybe Peregrine only didn’t eat meat because that’s what he was raised to think adults did. But if he was really fighting against them, he wouldn’t have taken on any of their way of life.
Peregrine glanced down and saw what his painting was missing. He’d thank Markus the next time he came up for air.
--
Kurt glanced in the class room. Zan still had the boy’s attention, even the ones with glass art in their hands. He scooted around the back of the room to the other side. He was going to die being so far for Emil, but if he was closer, Kurt would touch him. He couldn’t help it. Emil had agreed in principle that as Peregrine’s known boyfriend he and Kurt shouldn’t touch around the boys, but Kurt wasn’t so sure Emil could keep his resolution either.
Nick handed Kurt a glass ball that held a yellow and blue flower. “She told is how we can make one of these. I saw all the steps, but I still don’t quite believe it.”
Zan laughed. “You’ll believe it when you see it.”
“No,” said Hunter. “You still might not. It’s like magic.”
“Just for that, I’ll have you make several tonight.”
Hunter slid out of his seat and took Emil’s hand. “Only if Emil does one too.”
Emil laughed. “Maybe we can make Dad do one.”
Thon turned to Emil. “Who are you?”
Brandon rolled his eyes. “He’s Peregrine’s boyfriend. Who else?”
Thon shrugged. “What are you doing here?”
“Thon,” said Kit. “Let’s try that again. Start with your name and go from there.”
Thon got up. “But…”
“Here, let me.” Kit held out his hand to Emil. “Kit Stantini, I teach here.”
Emil took his hand. “Emil Bonsa-Faie. My Dad is the man who wants to adopt Hunter.”
Hunter smiled. “We’re gonna be brothers.”
“Kurt and I needed to sign some papers today and then we are going to Zan’s, so I just tagged along. I hope I’m not disturbing your class.”
Emil couldn’t be. Kurt felt the need to put an arm around him. “Emil writes books.”
“We have one.” Hunter ran to the bookshelves and pulled out half a dozen books. He handed the pile to Kit. “His name was Rainwater back before Dad adopted him.”
Kit looked over the books. “I didn’t realize you were local. We have a lot of your books.”
“Peregrine donated some of my free copies.”
Kit raised his eyebrows. “You didn’t mind?”
“They went to a good home.”
Kit nodded. “Thanks.”
“You live with Peregrine?” asked Nick.
Emil nodded.
“And Kurt?”
Emil nodded again. He smiled at Kit. “I gave a presentation a week ago to grade schoolers about writing. If I can give one here, I can leave in all the harsh details like that I started at seventeen so I could have some form of income when I aged out of foster care. I’ve never been homeless, but some foster parents made me contemplate living on the streets. I was a foster child for ten years and in that time I only have one foster parent who made me feel loved and he’s the one who adopted me when I turned eighteen. He takes in mostly LGBT kids. No Ls as of yet. His only girl is a T.”
Emil had Evan’s total attention. And most of Kurt’s. How could Kurt’s beautiful boyfriend say such horrid things with a straight face? How bad a boyfriend was Kurt because he didn’t run over and take Emil in his arms? This pretending not to be lovers in front of Peregrine’s boys was killing him.
