A Balance of Harmonies: Getting ready
Dec. 7th, 2012 10:06 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
frogs_of_warI thought I was only working three days this week, but then the deli manager asked me to work on Tuesday and on Wednesday the store manager asked me to work on Thursday, and on Thursday the Floral manager asked me to work today, so I only got Sunday off this week. I’ve had no chance to write.
But Sunday was good. We took my daughter boyfriend Christmas shopping with us then we all came back to our house and watch this season’s Doctor Who episodes. It’s nice that he has shared interests.
Title: Getting Ready
Series: A Balance of Harmonies (Three)
Status: Chapter ninety-nine of many
Genre: m/m romance, drama, city life, businessmen
Rating: R
Content: delays, a call, finger kisses, invitations, a request, passing the buck, hot food, a great idea, cleaning, a reward, dancing, clearing out, plans
Length: about 1,900 words
Summary: Kurt is late. Emil has lots to do. And Peregrine cares for his dad.
Master list
Kurt was late leaving work. His higher up had wanted a full recital of the lunch meeting and everything he could remember about Veronica’s and Beka’s complaints. He also wanted to know if anything had been documented. Kurt wasn’t sure, but he did his bit to help the women he worked with.
He stopped at the mailboxes and checked for mail. Nothing for him again, but Rowe had been sent something that might need to be forward. He stowed it in his pocket. Did he have Rowe’s number on his phone? Maybe Emil would know.
“Who do you think you are?”
Kurt turned. A small man stared up at him like he was an ogre.
“Excuse me.”
“You waltz in like you own the place and take over our meeting. You brought a lawyer. I couldn’t believe it.”
Ah. He was Tettle, the Homeowners’ Association Treasurer.
“And once you pass your little idea, you’ll waltz out and then where will we be? Unable to pass anything ever again, that’s where.” He went on and on about how Kurt had ruined everything and how his calm and peaceful world and be destroyed by the biggest bad guy around, Kurt.
“I’m sorry you feel that way.” Kurt looked Tettle over. The man was less articulate than Veronica had been after three drinks. “I don’t plan to stop going to meeting. In fact I have several other ideas.”
Absentee voting for one. Not everyone could go to every meeting. Those who cared should be allowed to vote.
“You would.” Tettle scowled and stumbled back.
Kurt reached out to pull him upright, but he dodged and ran right into another resident. That guy put up his hands. Tettle bounced off a wall. The new guy watched him walk away. “What was his problem? Skyles, right? You talked at the Home Ass meeting. Is that painter guy going to paint again at the next one? The other guys on my floor would have come if they’d known.”
Kurt assured him that Peregrine would and they parted ways. Kurt was two hours late getting home on his date night with Emil. Emil would forgive him, but he shouldn’t have to.
--
Emil heard the front door open. He was very glad to see Kurt, but he couldn’t do more than blow him a kiss because Dad had just called. Olivia was going to die if Peregrine didn’t see her in her Halloween costume. And Dad, of course, was trying to get her what she wanted. Emil pressed his fingers to Kurt’s lips. “Peregrine will be back Sunday. Maybe we can swing by then.”
“If we aren’t going to Keith’s on Saturday, we have our pick of Halloween parties.” Kurt looked like he wanted to go. Emil didn’t have a costume and he’d rather spend the night in bed with Kurt until they went to get Peregrine at the airport. But if Kurt wanted to go…
“Will there be one with dancing?”
Kurt grinned. “Let me see.”
“And have you made hotel reservations?”
“What’s this?” asked Dad.
“Our contractor had the idea to get the kitchen part of the remodel over with quickly. But we’ll need a place to stay for five nights. Kurt, don’t get anything too expensive.”
“Emil, you can stay with us.”
Emil moved the phone from his ear then put it back. “You don’t need to do that. We’ll manage.”
“But why spend money on a hotel, when you have a dad with spare rooms?”
Emil sighed and held the phone against his chest. “Dad wants us to stay with him.”
Kurt held his hand out. Emil passed over the phone. He hated to say no to Dad, especially to things that a blood related son would say yes to. He hated hurting Dad, but he wasn’t going to be a burden. He checked out the time until the sausage scalloped potatoes would be done and then he ducked into the bathroom. He looked decent enough to go dancing. If they still had time to go dancing after dinner.
Emil stepped back into the kitchen as the timer rang. The casserole was piping hot. Kurt said his farewells to Dad and hung up. “Smells wonderful.”
“I’m glad.” Emil turned and wrapped his arms around Kurt’s neck.
Kurt grinned. “So does the food.”
“Kurt.” Emil slapped a hand against Kurt’s chest and then sighed. “Can we still go dancing after supper?”
“The nightclubs are open until after midnight. We’ll just go later than normal.”
Emil pushed his hips against Kurt. “Will you dress me up?”
Kurt growled. He glanced over Emil’s shoulder. “Does that need a few minutes to cool? Because I have a great idea…”
Emil grinned back. “It’s great, is it?”
“Very. But I’ll let you judge for yourself.”
Emil was glad he’d mopped the kitchen floor after the workers left and that no buildings were level with their front windows. He had absolutely nothing to hold him back. Kurt idea was wonderful, like always.
--
Peregrine arrived back at his parents’ house in time to tuck his youngest sister into bed. Arwen wasn’t done with her homework, so he cleaned up the living room around her until she finished in self-defense. She put her binder into her backpack. “You should drive me to school while you’re here.”
“And why is that?” Peregrine fluffed a couch pillow and sat it into place.
“I could sleep in later.”
“I think a better idea,” Peregrine pulled his sister from her spot, “is to go to bed now.”
He fluffed the pillow she had been leaning on.
“Dad drove me sometimes.”
“Then we’ll just have to encourage him to get better so he can do it again.”
Arwen rolled her eyes and shook her head. Peregrine finished tidying the living room while Arwen kiss Dad’s cheek and wished him sweet dreams. But the pain wasn’t going to let Dad sleep. Mom stepped into the living room and shooed Arwen to bed. Peregrine turned out most of the lights and pulled up a chair beside Dad’s bed. “We all want to see you get better.”
“So you can stop coming home?”
“Home is Portland. Here is my parent’s house.”
“Ouch.”
Peregrine shrugged. “When was the last time you called Grandma’s house home?”
Dad frowned. “That doesn’t count. She’s moved three times since I’ve grown up.”
“But her house isn’t home, just like this hasn’t been home in a long, long time.” Peregrine picked up a magazine from Dad’s stack. “Are you learning anything?”
“That I’m as weak as a babe. Turning pages makes me tired. Sometimes I just stare at one page for a long time.”
Peregrine looked at Dad. “The TV was easier?”
“Much.”
“You did your exercises today. Do you want me to turn it on?”
Dad shook his head. “I’ve gotten used to not watching.”
Dad would never get used to not watching. Peregrine stepped over to the dining room TV and got down the remote. He turned it on and found a sport game. “Is this good?”
Dad grunted, but didn’t pull his eyes from the screen.
Peregrine turned off the last few lights and sat back down. Randomly he turned the sound down until the sports caster voice mixed with the mummer of cheering fans. Dad’s eyes closed several times before he stopped opening them. Peregrine took his bag into the bathroom and got ready for bed. He settled into the recliner in the living room. Dad probably wouldn’t sleep long, but Peregrine would be there for Dad when he awoke.
--
Kurt watched the dance floor. The atmosphere was different at ten then it was at eight. People were much more flirty and they kept trying to distract him from watching Emil. Kurt attempted to be polite, but when the guy stepped in front of him, Kurt got up and walked through the dancers.
Emil looked up and smiled. He was sex on two legs.
Kurt leaned down. “I don’t mean to cut your night short, but I couldn’t help coming for a better look. May I have this dance?”
Emil grinned wider and wrapped his arms around Kurt’s neck. “Any time, with you.”
Kurt never felt more proud. “I love you, too.”
Emil rested his face against Kurt’s chest. “Dance with me.”
And so they did and when they were done, Kurt took Emil home where they danced some more.
--
Emil looked around the kitchen and dining room. All this would need to be moved out. He got boxes out of the laundry room and set to work on the top shelves. He had hardly anything done when the workers arrived. He had to get with it. If they spent Sunday at Dad’s and Saturday getting ready and going to a Halloween party, then he only had today and tomorrow to pack.
The foreman stepped over to the counter and spread two blueprints. Emil got down to look. The foreman pointed at the new entry. “We will be tearing the laundry room out as well.”
Emil bit his upper lip. One more room. “And everything near what is the entryway now?”
“Yes. We’ll move the heavy stuff. But you might want to push all your living room furniture to a corner. I have drop cloths to toss over it to keep the dust off.”
The workers could probably use the extra space. Emil nodded. “I’ll see what I can do.”
This was going to be more trouble than moving. Everything Peregrine, Kurt, and Emil owned needed fit into the two bedrooms. Maybe they should spend Sunday night in a hotel as well. That way Emil could cover the bed with canned goods or something. He took a deep breath. Time to get back to work.
--
Peregrine put the last of the breakfast dishes away. Mom put the kettle on to boil. “Do you have plans for today?”
“Some. But I do have someone to take over Dad’s exercises when I’m gone.”
Mom sighed. “Are you leaving us?”
He patted her hand. “I’m not permanent. But I won’t turn my back on you again.”
Mom smiled. “Thank you.”
“What’s this about exercises?” Dad grunted. “Get in here where I can see you.”
Mom patted Peregrine’s arm. “I’ll get ready to take him to physical therapy.”
Peregrine held up his hand. “You have the day off. Do whatever you like.”
She looked past him. “Are you sure?”
“Peregrine!”
“Yes. Dad, I’m taking you to PT today. Markus will meet us there. I want him to learn from the doctors, so I don’t pass on any mistakes.”
Dad crossed his arms. “Why Markus Matheson?”
“Do you want me to get some stranger?”
Dad looked away. “No.”
“Then Markus will have to do. He’s strong and gentle and he puts up with you better than I do.”
“He’s nicer.”
Peregrine smiled. “On that we agree.”
He bent down and lifted Dad’s ankle. He’d asked a lot of Markus, but now that Markus was Sam’s lover, he was practically family. Of course Peregrine had asked a lot of him before that. Mr. Matheson could do every job set before him and Markus was shaping up to be just as good. Peregrine glanced up at his miserable father. He hadn’t fallen far from the tree either.
--
I just had the weirdest phone call. My mom called to tell me I might have been switched at birth. She has her reason, all of which I've heard over the years. But it's still weird.
But Sunday was good. We took my daughter boyfriend Christmas shopping with us then we all came back to our house and watch this season’s Doctor Who episodes. It’s nice that he has shared interests.
Title: Getting Ready
Series: A Balance of Harmonies (Three)
Status: Chapter ninety-nine of many
Genre: m/m romance, drama, city life, businessmen
Rating: R
Content: delays, a call, finger kisses, invitations, a request, passing the buck, hot food, a great idea, cleaning, a reward, dancing, clearing out, plans
Length: about 1,900 words
Summary: Kurt is late. Emil has lots to do. And Peregrine cares for his dad.
Master list
Kurt was late leaving work. His higher up had wanted a full recital of the lunch meeting and everything he could remember about Veronica’s and Beka’s complaints. He also wanted to know if anything had been documented. Kurt wasn’t sure, but he did his bit to help the women he worked with.
He stopped at the mailboxes and checked for mail. Nothing for him again, but Rowe had been sent something that might need to be forward. He stowed it in his pocket. Did he have Rowe’s number on his phone? Maybe Emil would know.
“Who do you think you are?”
Kurt turned. A small man stared up at him like he was an ogre.
“Excuse me.”
“You waltz in like you own the place and take over our meeting. You brought a lawyer. I couldn’t believe it.”
Ah. He was Tettle, the Homeowners’ Association Treasurer.
“And once you pass your little idea, you’ll waltz out and then where will we be? Unable to pass anything ever again, that’s where.” He went on and on about how Kurt had ruined everything and how his calm and peaceful world and be destroyed by the biggest bad guy around, Kurt.
“I’m sorry you feel that way.” Kurt looked Tettle over. The man was less articulate than Veronica had been after three drinks. “I don’t plan to stop going to meeting. In fact I have several other ideas.”
Absentee voting for one. Not everyone could go to every meeting. Those who cared should be allowed to vote.
“You would.” Tettle scowled and stumbled back.
Kurt reached out to pull him upright, but he dodged and ran right into another resident. That guy put up his hands. Tettle bounced off a wall. The new guy watched him walk away. “What was his problem? Skyles, right? You talked at the Home Ass meeting. Is that painter guy going to paint again at the next one? The other guys on my floor would have come if they’d known.”
Kurt assured him that Peregrine would and they parted ways. Kurt was two hours late getting home on his date night with Emil. Emil would forgive him, but he shouldn’t have to.
--
Emil heard the front door open. He was very glad to see Kurt, but he couldn’t do more than blow him a kiss because Dad had just called. Olivia was going to die if Peregrine didn’t see her in her Halloween costume. And Dad, of course, was trying to get her what she wanted. Emil pressed his fingers to Kurt’s lips. “Peregrine will be back Sunday. Maybe we can swing by then.”
“If we aren’t going to Keith’s on Saturday, we have our pick of Halloween parties.” Kurt looked like he wanted to go. Emil didn’t have a costume and he’d rather spend the night in bed with Kurt until they went to get Peregrine at the airport. But if Kurt wanted to go…
“Will there be one with dancing?”
Kurt grinned. “Let me see.”
“And have you made hotel reservations?”
“What’s this?” asked Dad.
“Our contractor had the idea to get the kitchen part of the remodel over with quickly. But we’ll need a place to stay for five nights. Kurt, don’t get anything too expensive.”
“Emil, you can stay with us.”
Emil moved the phone from his ear then put it back. “You don’t need to do that. We’ll manage.”
“But why spend money on a hotel, when you have a dad with spare rooms?”
Emil sighed and held the phone against his chest. “Dad wants us to stay with him.”
Kurt held his hand out. Emil passed over the phone. He hated to say no to Dad, especially to things that a blood related son would say yes to. He hated hurting Dad, but he wasn’t going to be a burden. He checked out the time until the sausage scalloped potatoes would be done and then he ducked into the bathroom. He looked decent enough to go dancing. If they still had time to go dancing after dinner.
Emil stepped back into the kitchen as the timer rang. The casserole was piping hot. Kurt said his farewells to Dad and hung up. “Smells wonderful.”
“I’m glad.” Emil turned and wrapped his arms around Kurt’s neck.
Kurt grinned. “So does the food.”
“Kurt.” Emil slapped a hand against Kurt’s chest and then sighed. “Can we still go dancing after supper?”
“The nightclubs are open until after midnight. We’ll just go later than normal.”
Emil pushed his hips against Kurt. “Will you dress me up?”
Kurt growled. He glanced over Emil’s shoulder. “Does that need a few minutes to cool? Because I have a great idea…”
Emil grinned back. “It’s great, is it?”
“Very. But I’ll let you judge for yourself.”
Emil was glad he’d mopped the kitchen floor after the workers left and that no buildings were level with their front windows. He had absolutely nothing to hold him back. Kurt idea was wonderful, like always.
--
Peregrine arrived back at his parents’ house in time to tuck his youngest sister into bed. Arwen wasn’t done with her homework, so he cleaned up the living room around her until she finished in self-defense. She put her binder into her backpack. “You should drive me to school while you’re here.”
“And why is that?” Peregrine fluffed a couch pillow and sat it into place.
“I could sleep in later.”
“I think a better idea,” Peregrine pulled his sister from her spot, “is to go to bed now.”
He fluffed the pillow she had been leaning on.
“Dad drove me sometimes.”
“Then we’ll just have to encourage him to get better so he can do it again.”
Arwen rolled her eyes and shook her head. Peregrine finished tidying the living room while Arwen kiss Dad’s cheek and wished him sweet dreams. But the pain wasn’t going to let Dad sleep. Mom stepped into the living room and shooed Arwen to bed. Peregrine turned out most of the lights and pulled up a chair beside Dad’s bed. “We all want to see you get better.”
“So you can stop coming home?”
“Home is Portland. Here is my parent’s house.”
“Ouch.”
Peregrine shrugged. “When was the last time you called Grandma’s house home?”
Dad frowned. “That doesn’t count. She’s moved three times since I’ve grown up.”
“But her house isn’t home, just like this hasn’t been home in a long, long time.” Peregrine picked up a magazine from Dad’s stack. “Are you learning anything?”
“That I’m as weak as a babe. Turning pages makes me tired. Sometimes I just stare at one page for a long time.”
Peregrine looked at Dad. “The TV was easier?”
“Much.”
“You did your exercises today. Do you want me to turn it on?”
Dad shook his head. “I’ve gotten used to not watching.”
Dad would never get used to not watching. Peregrine stepped over to the dining room TV and got down the remote. He turned it on and found a sport game. “Is this good?”
Dad grunted, but didn’t pull his eyes from the screen.
Peregrine turned off the last few lights and sat back down. Randomly he turned the sound down until the sports caster voice mixed with the mummer of cheering fans. Dad’s eyes closed several times before he stopped opening them. Peregrine took his bag into the bathroom and got ready for bed. He settled into the recliner in the living room. Dad probably wouldn’t sleep long, but Peregrine would be there for Dad when he awoke.
--
Kurt watched the dance floor. The atmosphere was different at ten then it was at eight. People were much more flirty and they kept trying to distract him from watching Emil. Kurt attempted to be polite, but when the guy stepped in front of him, Kurt got up and walked through the dancers.
Emil looked up and smiled. He was sex on two legs.
Kurt leaned down. “I don’t mean to cut your night short, but I couldn’t help coming for a better look. May I have this dance?”
Emil grinned wider and wrapped his arms around Kurt’s neck. “Any time, with you.”
Kurt never felt more proud. “I love you, too.”
Emil rested his face against Kurt’s chest. “Dance with me.”
And so they did and when they were done, Kurt took Emil home where they danced some more.
--
Emil looked around the kitchen and dining room. All this would need to be moved out. He got boxes out of the laundry room and set to work on the top shelves. He had hardly anything done when the workers arrived. He had to get with it. If they spent Sunday at Dad’s and Saturday getting ready and going to a Halloween party, then he only had today and tomorrow to pack.
The foreman stepped over to the counter and spread two blueprints. Emil got down to look. The foreman pointed at the new entry. “We will be tearing the laundry room out as well.”
Emil bit his upper lip. One more room. “And everything near what is the entryway now?”
“Yes. We’ll move the heavy stuff. But you might want to push all your living room furniture to a corner. I have drop cloths to toss over it to keep the dust off.”
The workers could probably use the extra space. Emil nodded. “I’ll see what I can do.”
This was going to be more trouble than moving. Everything Peregrine, Kurt, and Emil owned needed fit into the two bedrooms. Maybe they should spend Sunday night in a hotel as well. That way Emil could cover the bed with canned goods or something. He took a deep breath. Time to get back to work.
--
Peregrine put the last of the breakfast dishes away. Mom put the kettle on to boil. “Do you have plans for today?”
“Some. But I do have someone to take over Dad’s exercises when I’m gone.”
Mom sighed. “Are you leaving us?”
He patted her hand. “I’m not permanent. But I won’t turn my back on you again.”
Mom smiled. “Thank you.”
“What’s this about exercises?” Dad grunted. “Get in here where I can see you.”
Mom patted Peregrine’s arm. “I’ll get ready to take him to physical therapy.”
Peregrine held up his hand. “You have the day off. Do whatever you like.”
She looked past him. “Are you sure?”
“Peregrine!”
“Yes. Dad, I’m taking you to PT today. Markus will meet us there. I want him to learn from the doctors, so I don’t pass on any mistakes.”
Dad crossed his arms. “Why Markus Matheson?”
“Do you want me to get some stranger?”
Dad looked away. “No.”
“Then Markus will have to do. He’s strong and gentle and he puts up with you better than I do.”
“He’s nicer.”
Peregrine smiled. “On that we agree.”
He bent down and lifted Dad’s ankle. He’d asked a lot of Markus, but now that Markus was Sam’s lover, he was practically family. Of course Peregrine had asked a lot of him before that. Mr. Matheson could do every job set before him and Markus was shaping up to be just as good. Peregrine glanced up at his miserable father. He hadn’t fallen far from the tree either.
--
I just had the weirdest phone call. My mom called to tell me I might have been switched at birth. She has her reason, all of which I've heard over the years. But it's still weird.
