A Balance of Harmonies: Taste
Jun. 9th, 2012 09:10 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
frogs_of_warI work five days next week. Again. My stories would come along better (and my house would be cleaner) if I got one more day off. But I walked into the File Maintenance room, where the computer is, while the deli manager was writing his schedule. He flipped to the floral schedule and mentioned that I only had four days and could give him one. He has no help.
When he looks at me with puppy dog eyes I can’t say no. I’ve given in several weeks now. Plus yesterday this guy went home early because he was throwing up blood (his ulcers) which meant that when he asked, I didn’t hesitate to agree even though I didn’t want to. Maybe I should treat myself with the extra money, but what I really want to buy is one more day off.
Title: Taste
Series: A Balance of Harmonies (Three)
Status: Chapter seventy-three of many
Genre: m/m romance, drama, city life, businessmen
Rating: R
Content: plans, a full house, stepping out, secrets shared, back up, questions, waking up, jealousy, ideas, helpful colleagues, food.
Length: about 2,500 words
Summary: Kurt dances. Emil is brilliant. And Peregrine gets jealous.
Master list
Kurt swept into the condo and gathered Emil into his arms. “My Beautiful, what shall we do tonight?”
Emil wrapped his arms around Kurt’s neck. “I’d be content staying in bed, but maybe we should go out since Hunter gave us a kid-free evening.”
Kurt nibbled Emil’s ear. “We can dance and then make an early evening of it. Your flight doesn’t leave until three. Anything we need to do?”
Emil shook his head. “I took Hunter’s stuff to Zan’s. He left his toothbrush here.”
Kurt hugged Emil. “We’ll have a place for him if he needs it.”
“Thanks. But hopefully he won’t. Let’s dress up again.”
Kurt grinned. This evening was starting right.
--
Peregrine stepped aside as children ran through the living room. Sam had gone to get his girls from Éowen’s and come back with Éowen’s whole family.
Sam’s youngest stopped in front of Peregrine. “Have you drawn me?”
Peregrine looked through his sketch book. “Not in this one. Let’s look in the others.”
Isabella stuck her tongue out of the corner of her mouth as she looked through the books with Peregrine. She pointed at the fairy princess. “Who is that?”
“That isn’t anyone.”
“Can it be me?”
The girl in the drawing was a few years older with light hair. “Do you want me to make this you?”
“No. I want you to say it’s me. That’s what I want to look like.”
“Do you? I think you are very beautiful just the way you are.”
“You do? Mommy says she wishes I had blonde hair.”
Peregrine touched her brown hair. “I don’t see why. I’ve always been partial to brown myself. That’s probably the narcissist in me. I think your dad isn’t bad looking either and I know that’s narcissism.”
“What’s narsism?”
Peregrine smiled and patted her head. “That’s when you think you are very beautiful. Did you know that your daddy looks just like I did?” He held up his hand. “Lots of people say so. Let’s go see if Grandma has a picture of me in high school.”
This was more of a hunt than he expected. Most of the pictures Mom had up were of her kids when they were young. Hailey followed Peregrine and Isabella down the hall, but didn’t play ‘where’s Peregrine’ with them. They did finally find Peregrine’s senior picture in a photo album with the other kids’ senior pictures.
Peregrine took the album into the living room and spread it open on the coffee table so Isabella and Hailey could see it better. Lúth looked over Peregrine’s shoulder. “Is that Uncle Sam?”
“No. This is Sam.” He turned to Sam’s page. He looked up at Sam. “Your hair was longer than mine was, and the clothes date me so horribly. But I think they are going date you worse. Cute get up though. Kurt would look adorable in it.”
“Who is Kurt?”
“He’s my other boyfriend.” Peregrine needed to step out of this closet before Kurt showed up. Kurt better come down this weekend. Peregrine needed his kind of strength.
“His ex,” said Éowen. “He’s the reason Peregrine stopped coming home.”
Arwen opened her mouth. Peregrine shook his head. Sam frowned. Peregrine mouthed, “Later.”
Arwen popped to her feet and dragged Sam out the front door.
Mom stepped in the living room. “Éowen, I was the reason he didn’t come home. I failed to accept him as he was.”
Peregrine took her hand. “Failure is a part of life and this fail wasn’t all that bad in the spectrum of failures.”
Mom sighed. “So you are saying it could have been worse.”
“Everything could have been worse, Dad’s accident for example. He’s hurt not dead, and he’ll walk again.”
“Don’t talk about me when I can’t defend myself.” Dad called from the dining room.
Peregrine walked over to him. Six kids sat at the foot of Dad’s bed, two of whom Peregrine didn’t even recognize. Peregrine gave Dad a hug. “Dad, I’m glad you alive, even if the kicking will have to wait.”
Dad opened his mouth. Éowen came up and hugged Dad too. “Dad, I love you. Thanks for surviving.”
Dad patted her back. “You’re welcome, not that I had anything to do with it.”
“I don’t care. Thanks anyway.”
Harrison wrapped his arms around Éowen. “We are glad you made it.”
“So am I,” said Dad. “So am I.” He looked at Peregrine. “See, some people appreciate me.”
“Dad!” said Éowen.
Harrison rested his hand on Peregrine’s shoulder. “And these same people appreciate Peregrine, so what kind of taste does that say we have?”
Peregrine and Dad laughed, but Éowen swatted her husband. “Harrison!”
He pulled her close and kissed her head. “Don’t forget I was in love with Peregrine first. You are my best love, not my first.”
“At least I’m you best.”
“Definitely my best girl.”
Éowen fake smacked Harrison again.
Dad frowned. “Harry, you were in love with Peregrine.”
Harrison shrugged. “How do you think I put up with him?”
“Thank you.” Peregrine bowed. He, of all people, knew just how annoying he was.
“But, Harry, you married Éowen.”
“I love her too.”
“But Peregrine is a guy.”
“And Éowen is a girl.”
“But how can you love them both?”
Harrison shrugged. “How could someone not? They are both beautiful people, outside and in their hearts.”
“But…”
“But what? Do you think that men who love men can’t be the manliest men around?” He flexed his arm.
“Show off.” But Éowen smiled.
Dad had lots more questions. Harrison answered all of them with a great deal of patience and candor. When Mom called them in for dinner, Harrison put his hand on Peregrine’s shoulder. “I’ve got your back.”
Peregrine smiled. Harrison was still his best friend. He would have Peregrine’s back when it came to Dad and everything else.
--
Kurt watched Emil’s hair swish as he danced to the throbbing music. Kurt stood up so he could get a better look at Emil’s happy face. Someone bumped his arm. “Is that one yours?”
Kurt followed the pointed finger to Emil. He nodded.
“The dark one?”
Kurt nodded. How was this any of the man’s business?
“He’s really pretty.”
“Thanks.”
“I hear tell you have more than one.”
Kurt looked at the man for the first time. He didn’t look familiar at all. Kurt looked back at Emil. “So what if I do?”
“I was just wondering… are you looking for any more?”
Kurt gave him a once over. So that’s what this was about. “Sorry, I don’t choose. My short, snarky, non-dancing bottom does.”
The man looked around. “Is he here?”
“No, because he doesn’t dance.”
“Too bad.” He sighed and then looked up, his eyes wide and hopeful. “You top? All the time?”
Kurt shrugged. “Sorry. Excuse me.”
Kurt slid his way to Emil. Emil looked back the way he’s come. “What was that?”
“Someone was trying to proposition me, I think.”
Emil wrapped his arms around Kurt as he swayed to the music. “I don’t see why. You are only one of the best looking men on the planet.”
Kurt slid his hands over Emil’s ass. “Actually I think we were both being propositioned.”
Emil looked up. “What? a threesome?”
Then he laughed. “I can’t believe that surprised me.”
Kurt danced with Emil longer than he usually did then he took him to bed and kept him there until they had to get up to go to the airport. He was going to miss his men even more now that he knew what life felt like without them.
--
Emil woke when the plane landed. He shuffled off the plane and into the airport. He didn’t think he’d sleep, especially after the hour he waited for his connecting flight, but he must have been tired. He still was.
Peregrine appeared and took his bag and guided him out the door and into the morning sun. Emil sank into the car. Peregrine put his hand on Emil’s knee. “You can sleep.”
Emil blinked a few times. “No. I’m awake.”
“Don’t bother. I need a rest from my family anyway.” Peregrine pulled out of the lot and drove off.
Emil closed his eyes and opened them to the view of a beach. He stretched. “It’s pretty here.”
“I think so. So how was home?”
“Not the same without you.”
“That’s good to hear.”
How could Peregrine think anything else? “I love you.”
Peregrine smiled. “I know. Arrogant I may be, but I love you too.”
Emil smiled and took Peregrine’s hand. “And I missed you more than I can say.”
“Coming from a writer that means a lot. I love you more than I can draw.”
Emil leaned over and met Peregrine for a kiss, which ended with Peregrine on Emil’s lap in the passenger seat. Exactly where Emil wanted him.
Peregrine pulled back, as always, too soon. He looked over his shoulder. “Do you want to walk on the sand?”
Emil grinned. He wanted to feel the wet sand under his feet and Peregrine’s hand in his.
Peregrine locked up the car and led him onto the sand. “I had the weirdest thing happen to me yesterday. Someone asked me to join them in a threesome.”
Emil laughed and took Peregrine’s offered hand.
Peregrine pulled him close. “You aren’t upset?”
Emil shrugged. “Someone proposed the same thing to Kurt, only he wanted to be the third to Kurt and me.”
Peregrine stopped walking. “Did you know him?”
Emil shook his head. “Kurt said he didn’t look familiar.”
Peregrine bit his lip. “I find myself very jealous.”
“We said no.”
“Of course you did, sweetheart. But the thought of you two with anyone else make me want to throttle someone, preferably that other guy.”
“But he’s lost in the crowd. Did you know the men who asked you?”
Peregrine looked out at the sea. “One had a crush on me since middle school.”
Emil arched an eyebrow. “Did he now?”
“But both of them find Sam more to their liking.”
“I’m glad.”
“So am I. They are nice guys. I’m sure they will treat Sam well.”
Emil stopped. That wasn’t what he meant at all. “I wouldn’t have wanted to share you with anyone else.”
Peregrine looked at him, eyes wide. “You are never going to share me with anyone else.”
“Everyone loves you.”
Peregrine shrugged. “If they weren’t nice enough to stay in town for…”
Emil took in a deep breath. “And I shouldn’t be jealous?”
Peregrine slid his fingers into Emil’s hair. “You… I’m glad you jealous. You and Kurt are the ones I love. I’m never going to stray, body or heart, but,” he grinned, “you would fight for me?”
“With my fists and my fingernails and my last breath.”
Peregrine wrapped Emil’s arms around him. “Now I feel loved.”
He stood on his toes and kissed Emil. “Do you want to put your feet in the water? The water is pretty cold, but I’m just aching to draw you frolicking in the surf.”
“Then I’ll frolic.” The water was cold and the wet sand was hard under his feet, but the air was warm and the day was beautiful and he had his lover’s undivided attention.
--
Peregrine drove back to his parent’s house. When the car dried out, he’d need to vacuum the sand out of it, but the inconvenience was worth Emil’s smile. Peregrine had to take him to the beach again, maybe with Kurt, and at least once at night when fewer people were out; Sex on the Beach would make a wonderful painting.
Would Mrs. Matheson let him use her tablecloth? His men both looked good against red. Would she ask what he was using it for? She probably would. Maybe he should just use an old sheet and draw it as red.
Should he tell a story with this painting? What stories were set at the beach? A retelling of the Little Mermaid? But his ending would be happier. And should he be in it? And if so, hiding somewhere, watching in the open, or joining them on the sheet? He liked the idea of being Triton or Neptune and watching from the water, but he liked the idea of joining them more. What about he is a merman and their passion calls him out of the sea?
Emil put his hand on Peregrine’s thigh. “What are you thinking of?”
“How lovely you will look naked on the beach.”
“Will I be Andromeda tied to a rock as sacrifice while Kurt as Cetus rises from the sea to have his wicked way with me and you’ll be Perseus trying to save me for yourself?”
He should really let Emil come up with the plots for his paintings more often. “Brilliant. And maybe at the end the three of us will live in Kurt’s underwater palace.”
“Even if it’s just a simple grotto, I will be happy with the two of you.”
Peregrine patted his hand. Emil really was too good for him.
--
Kurt looked at the clock. He had three hours to get all his work done, so he could go to Hunter’s appointment, but if he didn’t eat, he couldn’t concentrate and if he couldn’t concentrate, he wasn’t going to get anything done. And why was he in such demand today? Chambers wanted to talk about his latest conquest and Zawadzki wanted some advice about something to do with Ezra, but he refused to talk in front of Chambers, and Beka and Veronica were arguing over what gay men liked and out of all the gay men in the office, they asked him and it wasn’t just a yes-no question.
He was never going to get anything done and if he couldn’t finish it now, he’d have to do it tomorrow and if he couldn’t get everything done by two tomorrow afternoon, he’d miss his flight and not get to see his men for even longer.
Amy, Pam, and Mel strode into Kurt’s office. Amy put two full bags of what smelled like Nordic meatball and Gjetost wraps on his desk as Mel set down a large coffee and Pam forced everyone out of the door. She turned, locked the door, and just before she pulled it shut she grinned. “Call us when you need more food or coffee. We know how much you want to get away for the weekend.”
She deserved thanks for that, even if the locked door didn’t keep everyone away. All the office ladies did. After Kurt downed enough food for his brain to work, he called his florist and had them make the office ladies another bouquet.
When he looks at me with puppy dog eyes I can’t say no. I’ve given in several weeks now. Plus yesterday this guy went home early because he was throwing up blood (his ulcers) which meant that when he asked, I didn’t hesitate to agree even though I didn’t want to. Maybe I should treat myself with the extra money, but what I really want to buy is one more day off.
Title: Taste
Series: A Balance of Harmonies (Three)
Status: Chapter seventy-three of many
Genre: m/m romance, drama, city life, businessmen
Rating: R
Content: plans, a full house, stepping out, secrets shared, back up, questions, waking up, jealousy, ideas, helpful colleagues, food.
Length: about 2,500 words
Summary: Kurt dances. Emil is brilliant. And Peregrine gets jealous.
Master list
Kurt swept into the condo and gathered Emil into his arms. “My Beautiful, what shall we do tonight?”
Emil wrapped his arms around Kurt’s neck. “I’d be content staying in bed, but maybe we should go out since Hunter gave us a kid-free evening.”
Kurt nibbled Emil’s ear. “We can dance and then make an early evening of it. Your flight doesn’t leave until three. Anything we need to do?”
Emil shook his head. “I took Hunter’s stuff to Zan’s. He left his toothbrush here.”
Kurt hugged Emil. “We’ll have a place for him if he needs it.”
“Thanks. But hopefully he won’t. Let’s dress up again.”
Kurt grinned. This evening was starting right.
--
Peregrine stepped aside as children ran through the living room. Sam had gone to get his girls from Éowen’s and come back with Éowen’s whole family.
Sam’s youngest stopped in front of Peregrine. “Have you drawn me?”
Peregrine looked through his sketch book. “Not in this one. Let’s look in the others.”
Isabella stuck her tongue out of the corner of her mouth as she looked through the books with Peregrine. She pointed at the fairy princess. “Who is that?”
“That isn’t anyone.”
“Can it be me?”
The girl in the drawing was a few years older with light hair. “Do you want me to make this you?”
“No. I want you to say it’s me. That’s what I want to look like.”
“Do you? I think you are very beautiful just the way you are.”
“You do? Mommy says she wishes I had blonde hair.”
Peregrine touched her brown hair. “I don’t see why. I’ve always been partial to brown myself. That’s probably the narcissist in me. I think your dad isn’t bad looking either and I know that’s narcissism.”
“What’s narsism?”
Peregrine smiled and patted her head. “That’s when you think you are very beautiful. Did you know that your daddy looks just like I did?” He held up his hand. “Lots of people say so. Let’s go see if Grandma has a picture of me in high school.”
This was more of a hunt than he expected. Most of the pictures Mom had up were of her kids when they were young. Hailey followed Peregrine and Isabella down the hall, but didn’t play ‘where’s Peregrine’ with them. They did finally find Peregrine’s senior picture in a photo album with the other kids’ senior pictures.
Peregrine took the album into the living room and spread it open on the coffee table so Isabella and Hailey could see it better. Lúth looked over Peregrine’s shoulder. “Is that Uncle Sam?”
“No. This is Sam.” He turned to Sam’s page. He looked up at Sam. “Your hair was longer than mine was, and the clothes date me so horribly. But I think they are going date you worse. Cute get up though. Kurt would look adorable in it.”
“Who is Kurt?”
“He’s my other boyfriend.” Peregrine needed to step out of this closet before Kurt showed up. Kurt better come down this weekend. Peregrine needed his kind of strength.
“His ex,” said Éowen. “He’s the reason Peregrine stopped coming home.”
Arwen opened her mouth. Peregrine shook his head. Sam frowned. Peregrine mouthed, “Later.”
Arwen popped to her feet and dragged Sam out the front door.
Mom stepped in the living room. “Éowen, I was the reason he didn’t come home. I failed to accept him as he was.”
Peregrine took her hand. “Failure is a part of life and this fail wasn’t all that bad in the spectrum of failures.”
Mom sighed. “So you are saying it could have been worse.”
“Everything could have been worse, Dad’s accident for example. He’s hurt not dead, and he’ll walk again.”
“Don’t talk about me when I can’t defend myself.” Dad called from the dining room.
Peregrine walked over to him. Six kids sat at the foot of Dad’s bed, two of whom Peregrine didn’t even recognize. Peregrine gave Dad a hug. “Dad, I’m glad you alive, even if the kicking will have to wait.”
Dad opened his mouth. Éowen came up and hugged Dad too. “Dad, I love you. Thanks for surviving.”
Dad patted her back. “You’re welcome, not that I had anything to do with it.”
“I don’t care. Thanks anyway.”
Harrison wrapped his arms around Éowen. “We are glad you made it.”
“So am I,” said Dad. “So am I.” He looked at Peregrine. “See, some people appreciate me.”
“Dad!” said Éowen.
Harrison rested his hand on Peregrine’s shoulder. “And these same people appreciate Peregrine, so what kind of taste does that say we have?”
Peregrine and Dad laughed, but Éowen swatted her husband. “Harrison!”
He pulled her close and kissed her head. “Don’t forget I was in love with Peregrine first. You are my best love, not my first.”
“At least I’m you best.”
“Definitely my best girl.”
Éowen fake smacked Harrison again.
Dad frowned. “Harry, you were in love with Peregrine.”
Harrison shrugged. “How do you think I put up with him?”
“Thank you.” Peregrine bowed. He, of all people, knew just how annoying he was.
“But, Harry, you married Éowen.”
“I love her too.”
“But Peregrine is a guy.”
“And Éowen is a girl.”
“But how can you love them both?”
Harrison shrugged. “How could someone not? They are both beautiful people, outside and in their hearts.”
“But…”
“But what? Do you think that men who love men can’t be the manliest men around?” He flexed his arm.
“Show off.” But Éowen smiled.
Dad had lots more questions. Harrison answered all of them with a great deal of patience and candor. When Mom called them in for dinner, Harrison put his hand on Peregrine’s shoulder. “I’ve got your back.”
Peregrine smiled. Harrison was still his best friend. He would have Peregrine’s back when it came to Dad and everything else.
--
Kurt watched Emil’s hair swish as he danced to the throbbing music. Kurt stood up so he could get a better look at Emil’s happy face. Someone bumped his arm. “Is that one yours?”
Kurt followed the pointed finger to Emil. He nodded.
“The dark one?”
Kurt nodded. How was this any of the man’s business?
“He’s really pretty.”
“Thanks.”
“I hear tell you have more than one.”
Kurt looked at the man for the first time. He didn’t look familiar at all. Kurt looked back at Emil. “So what if I do?”
“I was just wondering… are you looking for any more?”
Kurt gave him a once over. So that’s what this was about. “Sorry, I don’t choose. My short, snarky, non-dancing bottom does.”
The man looked around. “Is he here?”
“No, because he doesn’t dance.”
“Too bad.” He sighed and then looked up, his eyes wide and hopeful. “You top? All the time?”
Kurt shrugged. “Sorry. Excuse me.”
Kurt slid his way to Emil. Emil looked back the way he’s come. “What was that?”
“Someone was trying to proposition me, I think.”
Emil wrapped his arms around Kurt as he swayed to the music. “I don’t see why. You are only one of the best looking men on the planet.”
Kurt slid his hands over Emil’s ass. “Actually I think we were both being propositioned.”
Emil looked up. “What? a threesome?”
Then he laughed. “I can’t believe that surprised me.”
Kurt danced with Emil longer than he usually did then he took him to bed and kept him there until they had to get up to go to the airport. He was going to miss his men even more now that he knew what life felt like without them.
--
Emil woke when the plane landed. He shuffled off the plane and into the airport. He didn’t think he’d sleep, especially after the hour he waited for his connecting flight, but he must have been tired. He still was.
Peregrine appeared and took his bag and guided him out the door and into the morning sun. Emil sank into the car. Peregrine put his hand on Emil’s knee. “You can sleep.”
Emil blinked a few times. “No. I’m awake.”
“Don’t bother. I need a rest from my family anyway.” Peregrine pulled out of the lot and drove off.
Emil closed his eyes and opened them to the view of a beach. He stretched. “It’s pretty here.”
“I think so. So how was home?”
“Not the same without you.”
“That’s good to hear.”
How could Peregrine think anything else? “I love you.”
Peregrine smiled. “I know. Arrogant I may be, but I love you too.”
Emil smiled and took Peregrine’s hand. “And I missed you more than I can say.”
“Coming from a writer that means a lot. I love you more than I can draw.”
Emil leaned over and met Peregrine for a kiss, which ended with Peregrine on Emil’s lap in the passenger seat. Exactly where Emil wanted him.
Peregrine pulled back, as always, too soon. He looked over his shoulder. “Do you want to walk on the sand?”
Emil grinned. He wanted to feel the wet sand under his feet and Peregrine’s hand in his.
Peregrine locked up the car and led him onto the sand. “I had the weirdest thing happen to me yesterday. Someone asked me to join them in a threesome.”
Emil laughed and took Peregrine’s offered hand.
Peregrine pulled him close. “You aren’t upset?”
Emil shrugged. “Someone proposed the same thing to Kurt, only he wanted to be the third to Kurt and me.”
Peregrine stopped walking. “Did you know him?”
Emil shook his head. “Kurt said he didn’t look familiar.”
Peregrine bit his lip. “I find myself very jealous.”
“We said no.”
“Of course you did, sweetheart. But the thought of you two with anyone else make me want to throttle someone, preferably that other guy.”
“But he’s lost in the crowd. Did you know the men who asked you?”
Peregrine looked out at the sea. “One had a crush on me since middle school.”
Emil arched an eyebrow. “Did he now?”
“But both of them find Sam more to their liking.”
“I’m glad.”
“So am I. They are nice guys. I’m sure they will treat Sam well.”
Emil stopped. That wasn’t what he meant at all. “I wouldn’t have wanted to share you with anyone else.”
Peregrine looked at him, eyes wide. “You are never going to share me with anyone else.”
“Everyone loves you.”
Peregrine shrugged. “If they weren’t nice enough to stay in town for…”
Emil took in a deep breath. “And I shouldn’t be jealous?”
Peregrine slid his fingers into Emil’s hair. “You… I’m glad you jealous. You and Kurt are the ones I love. I’m never going to stray, body or heart, but,” he grinned, “you would fight for me?”
“With my fists and my fingernails and my last breath.”
Peregrine wrapped Emil’s arms around him. “Now I feel loved.”
He stood on his toes and kissed Emil. “Do you want to put your feet in the water? The water is pretty cold, but I’m just aching to draw you frolicking in the surf.”
“Then I’ll frolic.” The water was cold and the wet sand was hard under his feet, but the air was warm and the day was beautiful and he had his lover’s undivided attention.
--
Peregrine drove back to his parent’s house. When the car dried out, he’d need to vacuum the sand out of it, but the inconvenience was worth Emil’s smile. Peregrine had to take him to the beach again, maybe with Kurt, and at least once at night when fewer people were out; Sex on the Beach would make a wonderful painting.
Would Mrs. Matheson let him use her tablecloth? His men both looked good against red. Would she ask what he was using it for? She probably would. Maybe he should just use an old sheet and draw it as red.
Should he tell a story with this painting? What stories were set at the beach? A retelling of the Little Mermaid? But his ending would be happier. And should he be in it? And if so, hiding somewhere, watching in the open, or joining them on the sheet? He liked the idea of being Triton or Neptune and watching from the water, but he liked the idea of joining them more. What about he is a merman and their passion calls him out of the sea?
Emil put his hand on Peregrine’s thigh. “What are you thinking of?”
“How lovely you will look naked on the beach.”
“Will I be Andromeda tied to a rock as sacrifice while Kurt as Cetus rises from the sea to have his wicked way with me and you’ll be Perseus trying to save me for yourself?”
He should really let Emil come up with the plots for his paintings more often. “Brilliant. And maybe at the end the three of us will live in Kurt’s underwater palace.”
“Even if it’s just a simple grotto, I will be happy with the two of you.”
Peregrine patted his hand. Emil really was too good for him.
--
Kurt looked at the clock. He had three hours to get all his work done, so he could go to Hunter’s appointment, but if he didn’t eat, he couldn’t concentrate and if he couldn’t concentrate, he wasn’t going to get anything done. And why was he in such demand today? Chambers wanted to talk about his latest conquest and Zawadzki wanted some advice about something to do with Ezra, but he refused to talk in front of Chambers, and Beka and Veronica were arguing over what gay men liked and out of all the gay men in the office, they asked him and it wasn’t just a yes-no question.
He was never going to get anything done and if he couldn’t finish it now, he’d have to do it tomorrow and if he couldn’t get everything done by two tomorrow afternoon, he’d miss his flight and not get to see his men for even longer.
Amy, Pam, and Mel strode into Kurt’s office. Amy put two full bags of what smelled like Nordic meatball and Gjetost wraps on his desk as Mel set down a large coffee and Pam forced everyone out of the door. She turned, locked the door, and just before she pulled it shut she grinned. “Call us when you need more food or coffee. We know how much you want to get away for the weekend.”
She deserved thanks for that, even if the locked door didn’t keep everyone away. All the office ladies did. After Kurt downed enough food for his brain to work, he called his florist and had them make the office ladies another bouquet.
