A Balance of Harmonies: Desire
Jan. 16th, 2013 02:55 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
frogs_of_warSomeone read Wings and commented that they would like to see more of my stories have gender variance as I one was of the few who had any gender variance at all. (Which reminds me that I haven’t yet posted For an Uninterrupted Date on FP). In reply I mentioned that I had two stories with gender variant leads that weren’t yet complete. So I read what I had of Be My Queen (Lavender and Diego’s story) and I wanted to read the rest, so instead of writing another chapter of Harmonies or getting Gestures ready to submit like I’d planned, I spent the last two days nearly doubling how much I’d written of BMQ (12k to 23k) and got the story from Sunday (in a Saturday to Saturday story time) to Wednesday.
I came up with a bunch of new conflicts that I hadn’t considered before (jealously, pride, etc), so I don’t think the story suffered from being ignored for almost two years. And I’m not going to worry about the thing that stopped me cold during my first attempt at getting words on paper until I’ve completed the story. Sure, I know next to nothing about the setting, but changing which beach, park, or pier they are at won’t mess up anything important. I can Google Map everything later.
Title: Desire
Series: A Balance of Harmonies (Three)
Status: Chapter one hundred five of
Genre: m/m romance, drama, city life, businessmen
Rating: R
Content: waking up, coming home, empathy, joy, being wanted, home, breakfast, planning, kids and candy, stories, pizza, dressing up, fun duty, desire
Length: about 2,700 words
Summary: Peregrine comes home. Emil has hours to waste. And Kurt has fun.
Master list
Peregrine blinked and stretched. He’d fallen asleep on the plane. He waited until the rush was over before he got his bag. He was not in the mood to be jostled. He still got to the front of the plane before the last of the impatient types were out the door. Someone behind him attempted to make conversation, but Peregrine wasn’t in the mood for that either.
His men were waiting for him.
Kurt wasn’t quite so put together as normal, while Emil looked dangerously tempting. They grinned wide and Peregrine felt like he was finally home. Kurt took his bag and Emil took his hand and suddenly Peregrine was impatient to be alone with the two he loved most. “How far away is this hotel?”
Kurt grinned. “We will be in our room in twenty minutes.”
That didn’t seem soon enough. He headed to the front doors. Kurt opened one from Peregrine and Emil. Emil steered Peregrine into the parking lot. “How long will you be with us this time?”
“I have no plans to go back.”
Kurt took Peregrine’s free hand. “Does that mean you aren’t going back, or that you don’t know which day?”
Peregrine sighed. “I’ve made a few commitments, but when I go back I’m not staying with my parents. I might not even see them.”
Emil rubbed his shoulder. “Something happen?”
“Dad was being Dad. I thought I could put up with his attitude for the children’s sake, but I guess it has to be my sake or nothing. I’ll visit the kids maybe, but unless my parents ask, I’m not going to see them.” And since they had ignored him for so long, they probably would again. “Sam and Markus can watch over Dad. They are more patient than I am.”
“Families have baggage.” Kurt pressed the key fob and unlocked the car. “I don’t look forward to seeing mine.”
“Too bad we can’t pick our families.” Peregrine would have chosen to be born into the Matheson’s.
Emil grinned. “But we do.”
And he kissed Peregrine. Peregrine would be at home with his men, not matter where that happened to be. They really were the best family on earth.
--
Emil followed Peregrine into the hotel room. This room wasn’t as nice as the first place they stayed, but they really didn’t need all the luxuries as long as they had each other.
“Princess,” Peregrine’s eyed Emil. “Get ready for bed, but leave your clothes on. I have an idea.”
Emil almost skipped into the bathroom. He would love Peregrine’s idea, whatever it was.
--
Kurt opened his eyes. Emil was snuggled close to him, breathing softly, but Peregrine sat at the edge of the bed looking like he’d never need to sleep. He trailed his fingers up Kurt’s leg. “It’s been a long time since it was just the two of us.”
Kurt grinned. Emil moaned softly. Kurt gently scooted away. He was as hard as a rock again. He covered Emil up and turned to Peregrine. “Here?”
Peregrine lowly looked him down. Kurt could almost feel his gaze on his skin. Peregrine cocked his head towards the door. As Kurt went out into the living room, Peregrine caressed his ass. He glanced back at Peregrine. Peregrine licked his lips.
He was going to take Kurt, fully and completely, which was a little scary and a lot sexy. Kurt couldn’t wait.
--
Peregrine moved from the couch to the fire place to sketch Kurt at another angle. Kurt lay sprawled across the carpet, one arm under his head as a pillow and the angle of his leg the only thing covering his jewels. He was beautiful. Peregrine would make this into a painting. Only where and how to add Emil and himself?
But he could think of that later. He bumped Kurt’s foot with his own. “Wake up, Sleeping Beauty?”
Kurt blinked. “Is it morning?”
Peregrine took his hand. “Emil is waiting for us in bed. We don’t want him to wake up alone.”
“True.” Kurt’s eyes kept closing. Peregrine had really worn him out.
Peregrine hummed to himself as he got ready for bed. Then he slipped in beside his sleeping lovers. Emil sighed and put his hand on Peregrine’s chest. Peregrine closed his eyes. This was where he wanted to be.
--
Emil dug into the scrambled eggs. Even if this room hadn’t seemed as luxurious as the last, the breakfast was even better. Peregrine sat across the table in Emil’s shirt. He used to hate Emil wearing next to nothing. Now he was doing it himself. Kurt had on boxers and Emil was wearing Kurt’s shirt with only one button done up. Peregrine had said not to bother getting dressed because they would all take a shower later. This room didn’t have a huge tub, but it had a shower stall that might be bigger than their new one at home.
Peregrine picked up his toast. “What’s the schedule for today?”
Kurt set down his coffee mug. “Nothing until we go to Keith’s tonight.”
Emil grinned. “Pizza for dinner, since it’s Halloween.”
“What kind?” Kurt picked up his fork.
“Willow and Liam are making them. You could put in a request, I’m sure.”
Peregrine grinned. “Steak pizza?”
“Yum.” Kurt grinned back. “And for you?”
“Cheese: Emmental, Asiago, sharp cheddar, apple smoked Gruyère, havarti and whatever else Keith has in his kitchen.”
Kurt’s knee rubbed Emil’s. “And you?”
“I’ll take a slice of whatever is available. Willow and Liam are very creative.”
Peregrine lifted his coffee mug. “Are we dressing up?”
“Once we get there.” Emil didn’t want to walk around in broad daylight as a butterfly. “And I brought your face stuff. I don’t think any of them have seen you in full costume.”
Peregrine smiled. “I’ll scare all the trick or treating kids.”
Kurt patted his arm. “Only if you want to.”
Peregrine’s smile widened to a grin. “I think I do.”
Emil looped his legs around Peregrine’s. Tonight, at the next hotel, Emil was going to show Peregrine just how not scary he was. Or maybe he’d do it now. They had hours to waste.
--
Kurt had to wait to pull up at Keith’s because a parent was buckling kids up in an idling car. Then as he parked, the car stopped in front of the next house and the costumed kids jumped out. What a waste of gas and time. Another troop of kids had traveled twice as fast by just walking house to house.
They had to wait their turn at the door. Olivia, dressed in a diaphanous light pink dress that was so full it was almost a tutu and a tall pink crown, gave out candy. She squealed when she spotted them. She put the bowl of candy down and picked up a pink wand. “I’m Glinda.”
A group of children came up the walk. Kurt shut the door, so they would have the joy of yelling ‘trick or treat’ when the door opened. That had always been his favorite part.
Hunter’s puppy ran up to Kurt then ran back around the corner. He was back a moment later followed by Dorothy, the scarecrow, and the tin man. Tyler didn’t have sliver paint on his face, but he was in grey from head to toe and he wore a metal funnel on his head.
Dakota grinned at Kurt. “We are doing the Wizard of Oz. Benji is Toto and Dad’s the Wizard. But Casey, Willow and Liam had already picked their costumes. You have to come see.”
Emil had beat Kurt to the kitchen, rolled up his sleeves, and was washing his hands. The first smells of baking pizza were making Kurt’s belly rumble.
Willow had a short wig that curled at her cheeks like a flapper. Her dress was covered by a massive apron. Liam leaned against the counter. His pinstriped pants were huge and held up by old fashion suspenders and the matching jacket brushed the floor from the back of a tall stool. He wore a hat and his wide sleeves were rolled up past his elbows. He grinned at Kurt. “If I made a steak and egg would you help me eat it?”
“Definitely!” That’s sounded delicious.
Peregrine leaned against Kurt. “Where’s our stuff?”
Kurt took him up to the bedroom. He dug through a bag. “Emil is terrific. He brought everything I need.”
Peregrine stepped up to Kurt and kissed him. “And so are you, so skedaddle before you distract me.”
Kurt had his own costume, but that could wait until Peregrine was ready. He went back downstairs. The Wizard of Oz team was on trick or treat duty. Keith grinned at his kids. “Aren’t they great?”
Kurt patted his shoulder. “You picked well. How many little visitors are you likely to get tonight and are yours going?”
“After they eat,” Willow said from the other room. “No candy until they have real food.”
“Because,” Kurt paused for the doorbell to finished sounding, “I’ll take them.”
“Will you?” Olivia bounced. Her dressed didn’t settle until she was back in the air.
“And maybe Peregrine could answer the door. He sounded like he wanted to.”
Keith grinned. “That would be a weight off my mind. Thanks.”
“Food!” shouted Willow.
“What’s first?” asked Hunter. He and the others went into the kitchen.
Keith answered the door to the next group of kids. After they left, Kurt glanced out the window. “Incoming. Is this normal?”
Keith grinned. “I get about a hundred groups in two, two and a half hours and then no one.”
“So the kids better leave soon?”
Keith shook his head. “Everyone will have plenty for the stragglers. Maybe more for the stragglers. We all have enough for a hundred extra kids. Who needs that much candy just sitting around the house?”
Hunter stepped around the corner and bit his lip.
Kurt touched his head. “Need something?”
Hunter looked at Kurt, Keith, the floor, the door as Keith opened it, the kids asking for candy, and back at his feet.
Kurt steered him out of the entry way. “Can I do something for you?”
“I… Maybe I should stay here?”
“Why?”
“I.. I’ll pass out the candy.”
“Peregrine can do that.”
“Then… I’ll help clean the kitchen.”
“Willow and Emil are going to do that.” Probably.
“Then I’ll…”
“You don’t want to go trick or treating?”
Hunter looked down. “I’ve never been.” He looked up though his eyelashes. “I might do it wrong.”
Kurt fought down his smile. “There is no right way. And I’m sure no one else cares. They can teach you.”
Hunter bit his lip. “I don’t know.”
“I’ll be there.” Kurt took Hunter’s hand.
Hunter nodded. He turned back to the kitchen, but didn’t let go of Kurt’s hand. The kids were on tall stools at the island. Willow pulled another pizza from the top of the double oven, put another one in, and then cut a third. She slid a piece onto a plate and set it in front of Hunter. He took a slow bite. Kurt leaned against the counter. “When I was young, I loved shouting ‘trick or treat’ more than I liked the candy.”
He told a few Halloween stories. Liam added his own. Dakota went ever year, but his parents were very strict about what costumes he could choose from. He had wanted to be Belle so much, but he knew better than to ask because he wasn’t allowed to wear anything deemed by his parents to be even the least bit feminine even on Halloween. His only conciliation was that his sister wasn’t allowed to be Belle either because Belle’s fancy dress was off the shoulders. But then she got the hooded cap from Beauty and the Beast’s Christmas special. She wore it everywhere until he hid it under his bed. He left it there when he left home. He hoped his parents found it, so they’d know why he couldn’t live with them anymore.
Emil handed Kurt a plate full of steak pizza and told about trick or treating as a very small child with his mother. Later, when she was either drunk or high, he could still rouse her out of her stupor long enough to take him out. But his first year in foster care the family had said Halloween was satanic and wouldn’t let the boys go. The second year, he’d been forced to wear an old cowboy costume worn by many boys before him. His foster sister was dressed as Tinkerbelle even though she got cold easily and the night was freezing. That night had been miserable and he’d never wanted to go back. But then Emil had moved to Keith’s house where he was encouraged to be creative. He’d dressed all in black and been Bagheera the panther.
Tyler had made all his costumes from clothes he found in his house with no help from his sick, overworked mother or his busy father. Once his mother died, his father was even more distant, not coming home for days or weeks. When Andre called his father after Tyler moved into the shelter, his father hadn’t even known he was gone.
Olivia stared at her empty plate. “I’ve never had Halloween before. Like Emil’s first foster family, mine didn’t celebrate.”
Hunter looked up. “Neither have I.”
Olivia smiled. “Then our first times will be together. We will really be twins.”
Hunter grinned and took her hand.
Peregrine came down the stair wearing a shirt that so sheer it left nothing to the imagination, pants that covered everything necessary, but still showed off the tattoos on his legs, and butterflies and swirls on his face. Olivia frowned. Peregrine laughed and jumped the last few steps to the floor.
“Wow!” Tyler surveyed Peregrine’s costume.
Dakota pulled Tyler close and set his head on Tyler’s shoulder. “Imagine what Andre would say.”
Peregrine laughed again. “I’d rather not. I’m off to scare the little kiddies.”
Tyler watched him go. “He wasn’t scary exactly.”
Dakota nibbled Tyler’s ear. “I told you that you weren’t as straight as you thought you were.”
“No.” Tyler turned in Dakota’s arms. “I…”
Kurt turned to give them a bit of privacy. “Emil, if you don’t mind, I’ll change now.”
“Go.” Emil wiggled his fingers. “I’ll change when you’re done.”
“Emil,” Willow took off her apron. Her dress was black with very long tassels. Flapper attire flattered her slim figure. “You can use our bathroom. No point waiting.”
Kurt quickly changed into a black suit with satin lapels, a red bow tie, and suspenders. When he went back down stairs, the kids were waiting to him to lead them around. He did his duty. It was a lot of fun. Keith had given him too extra pillow cases just in case, which was good because the kids got more than they could carry in under an hour.
When they got back to Keith’s music was playing and Willow and Liam danced across the floor to the table. Kurt dumped his two bags and the kids dumped theirs. Dakota looked over the huge pile. “This is easier on the floor.”
Benji leaped around their feet.
“But this will do.”
Kurt left the kids to share their treasure equally.
Emil sat up in such a sexy way that it took Kurt’s breath. He was wearing a black kimono and Willow’s butterfly wings and makeup. He was so beautiful that men would have paid just to look at him. Peregrine turned his sketch book and added shading. Kurt wanted that painting to go in their bedroom. “Don’t let me interrupt.”
“I’m almost done.” Peregrine turned the page. His almost might be Kurt’s not even close.
Kurt sat down and watched. Emil glanced into the ballroom and then to the dining room. He licked his lips. “Guess what I have under this.”
The silk of the kimono clung to him. Kurt could see no lines of any under things. He swallowed hard. Peregrine nudged him. “You will just have to wait, like any good guests, we can’t make our goodbyes for at least another hour.
How in the world was Kurt going to wait that long?
I came up with a bunch of new conflicts that I hadn’t considered before (jealously, pride, etc), so I don’t think the story suffered from being ignored for almost two years. And I’m not going to worry about the thing that stopped me cold during my first attempt at getting words on paper until I’ve completed the story. Sure, I know next to nothing about the setting, but changing which beach, park, or pier they are at won’t mess up anything important. I can Google Map everything later.
Title: Desire
Series: A Balance of Harmonies (Three)
Status: Chapter one hundred five of
Genre: m/m romance, drama, city life, businessmen
Rating: R
Content: waking up, coming home, empathy, joy, being wanted, home, breakfast, planning, kids and candy, stories, pizza, dressing up, fun duty, desire
Length: about 2,700 words
Summary: Peregrine comes home. Emil has hours to waste. And Kurt has fun.
Master list
Peregrine blinked and stretched. He’d fallen asleep on the plane. He waited until the rush was over before he got his bag. He was not in the mood to be jostled. He still got to the front of the plane before the last of the impatient types were out the door. Someone behind him attempted to make conversation, but Peregrine wasn’t in the mood for that either.
His men were waiting for him.
Kurt wasn’t quite so put together as normal, while Emil looked dangerously tempting. They grinned wide and Peregrine felt like he was finally home. Kurt took his bag and Emil took his hand and suddenly Peregrine was impatient to be alone with the two he loved most. “How far away is this hotel?”
Kurt grinned. “We will be in our room in twenty minutes.”
That didn’t seem soon enough. He headed to the front doors. Kurt opened one from Peregrine and Emil. Emil steered Peregrine into the parking lot. “How long will you be with us this time?”
“I have no plans to go back.”
Kurt took Peregrine’s free hand. “Does that mean you aren’t going back, or that you don’t know which day?”
Peregrine sighed. “I’ve made a few commitments, but when I go back I’m not staying with my parents. I might not even see them.”
Emil rubbed his shoulder. “Something happen?”
“Dad was being Dad. I thought I could put up with his attitude for the children’s sake, but I guess it has to be my sake or nothing. I’ll visit the kids maybe, but unless my parents ask, I’m not going to see them.” And since they had ignored him for so long, they probably would again. “Sam and Markus can watch over Dad. They are more patient than I am.”
“Families have baggage.” Kurt pressed the key fob and unlocked the car. “I don’t look forward to seeing mine.”
“Too bad we can’t pick our families.” Peregrine would have chosen to be born into the Matheson’s.
Emil grinned. “But we do.”
And he kissed Peregrine. Peregrine would be at home with his men, not matter where that happened to be. They really were the best family on earth.
--
Emil followed Peregrine into the hotel room. This room wasn’t as nice as the first place they stayed, but they really didn’t need all the luxuries as long as they had each other.
“Princess,” Peregrine’s eyed Emil. “Get ready for bed, but leave your clothes on. I have an idea.”
Emil almost skipped into the bathroom. He would love Peregrine’s idea, whatever it was.
--
Kurt opened his eyes. Emil was snuggled close to him, breathing softly, but Peregrine sat at the edge of the bed looking like he’d never need to sleep. He trailed his fingers up Kurt’s leg. “It’s been a long time since it was just the two of us.”
Kurt grinned. Emil moaned softly. Kurt gently scooted away. He was as hard as a rock again. He covered Emil up and turned to Peregrine. “Here?”
Peregrine lowly looked him down. Kurt could almost feel his gaze on his skin. Peregrine cocked his head towards the door. As Kurt went out into the living room, Peregrine caressed his ass. He glanced back at Peregrine. Peregrine licked his lips.
He was going to take Kurt, fully and completely, which was a little scary and a lot sexy. Kurt couldn’t wait.
--
Peregrine moved from the couch to the fire place to sketch Kurt at another angle. Kurt lay sprawled across the carpet, one arm under his head as a pillow and the angle of his leg the only thing covering his jewels. He was beautiful. Peregrine would make this into a painting. Only where and how to add Emil and himself?
But he could think of that later. He bumped Kurt’s foot with his own. “Wake up, Sleeping Beauty?”
Kurt blinked. “Is it morning?”
Peregrine took his hand. “Emil is waiting for us in bed. We don’t want him to wake up alone.”
“True.” Kurt’s eyes kept closing. Peregrine had really worn him out.
Peregrine hummed to himself as he got ready for bed. Then he slipped in beside his sleeping lovers. Emil sighed and put his hand on Peregrine’s chest. Peregrine closed his eyes. This was where he wanted to be.
--
Emil dug into the scrambled eggs. Even if this room hadn’t seemed as luxurious as the last, the breakfast was even better. Peregrine sat across the table in Emil’s shirt. He used to hate Emil wearing next to nothing. Now he was doing it himself. Kurt had on boxers and Emil was wearing Kurt’s shirt with only one button done up. Peregrine had said not to bother getting dressed because they would all take a shower later. This room didn’t have a huge tub, but it had a shower stall that might be bigger than their new one at home.
Peregrine picked up his toast. “What’s the schedule for today?”
Kurt set down his coffee mug. “Nothing until we go to Keith’s tonight.”
Emil grinned. “Pizza for dinner, since it’s Halloween.”
“What kind?” Kurt picked up his fork.
“Willow and Liam are making them. You could put in a request, I’m sure.”
Peregrine grinned. “Steak pizza?”
“Yum.” Kurt grinned back. “And for you?”
“Cheese: Emmental, Asiago, sharp cheddar, apple smoked Gruyère, havarti and whatever else Keith has in his kitchen.”
Kurt’s knee rubbed Emil’s. “And you?”
“I’ll take a slice of whatever is available. Willow and Liam are very creative.”
Peregrine lifted his coffee mug. “Are we dressing up?”
“Once we get there.” Emil didn’t want to walk around in broad daylight as a butterfly. “And I brought your face stuff. I don’t think any of them have seen you in full costume.”
Peregrine smiled. “I’ll scare all the trick or treating kids.”
Kurt patted his arm. “Only if you want to.”
Peregrine’s smile widened to a grin. “I think I do.”
Emil looped his legs around Peregrine’s. Tonight, at the next hotel, Emil was going to show Peregrine just how not scary he was. Or maybe he’d do it now. They had hours to waste.
--
Kurt had to wait to pull up at Keith’s because a parent was buckling kids up in an idling car. Then as he parked, the car stopped in front of the next house and the costumed kids jumped out. What a waste of gas and time. Another troop of kids had traveled twice as fast by just walking house to house.
They had to wait their turn at the door. Olivia, dressed in a diaphanous light pink dress that was so full it was almost a tutu and a tall pink crown, gave out candy. She squealed when she spotted them. She put the bowl of candy down and picked up a pink wand. “I’m Glinda.”
A group of children came up the walk. Kurt shut the door, so they would have the joy of yelling ‘trick or treat’ when the door opened. That had always been his favorite part.
Hunter’s puppy ran up to Kurt then ran back around the corner. He was back a moment later followed by Dorothy, the scarecrow, and the tin man. Tyler didn’t have sliver paint on his face, but he was in grey from head to toe and he wore a metal funnel on his head.
Dakota grinned at Kurt. “We are doing the Wizard of Oz. Benji is Toto and Dad’s the Wizard. But Casey, Willow and Liam had already picked their costumes. You have to come see.”
Emil had beat Kurt to the kitchen, rolled up his sleeves, and was washing his hands. The first smells of baking pizza were making Kurt’s belly rumble.
Willow had a short wig that curled at her cheeks like a flapper. Her dress was covered by a massive apron. Liam leaned against the counter. His pinstriped pants were huge and held up by old fashion suspenders and the matching jacket brushed the floor from the back of a tall stool. He wore a hat and his wide sleeves were rolled up past his elbows. He grinned at Kurt. “If I made a steak and egg would you help me eat it?”
“Definitely!” That’s sounded delicious.
Peregrine leaned against Kurt. “Where’s our stuff?”
Kurt took him up to the bedroom. He dug through a bag. “Emil is terrific. He brought everything I need.”
Peregrine stepped up to Kurt and kissed him. “And so are you, so skedaddle before you distract me.”
Kurt had his own costume, but that could wait until Peregrine was ready. He went back downstairs. The Wizard of Oz team was on trick or treat duty. Keith grinned at his kids. “Aren’t they great?”
Kurt patted his shoulder. “You picked well. How many little visitors are you likely to get tonight and are yours going?”
“After they eat,” Willow said from the other room. “No candy until they have real food.”
“Because,” Kurt paused for the doorbell to finished sounding, “I’ll take them.”
“Will you?” Olivia bounced. Her dressed didn’t settle until she was back in the air.
“And maybe Peregrine could answer the door. He sounded like he wanted to.”
Keith grinned. “That would be a weight off my mind. Thanks.”
“Food!” shouted Willow.
“What’s first?” asked Hunter. He and the others went into the kitchen.
Keith answered the door to the next group of kids. After they left, Kurt glanced out the window. “Incoming. Is this normal?”
Keith grinned. “I get about a hundred groups in two, two and a half hours and then no one.”
“So the kids better leave soon?”
Keith shook his head. “Everyone will have plenty for the stragglers. Maybe more for the stragglers. We all have enough for a hundred extra kids. Who needs that much candy just sitting around the house?”
Hunter stepped around the corner and bit his lip.
Kurt touched his head. “Need something?”
Hunter looked at Kurt, Keith, the floor, the door as Keith opened it, the kids asking for candy, and back at his feet.
Kurt steered him out of the entry way. “Can I do something for you?”
“I… Maybe I should stay here?”
“Why?”
“I.. I’ll pass out the candy.”
“Peregrine can do that.”
“Then… I’ll help clean the kitchen.”
“Willow and Emil are going to do that.” Probably.
“Then I’ll…”
“You don’t want to go trick or treating?”
Hunter looked down. “I’ve never been.” He looked up though his eyelashes. “I might do it wrong.”
Kurt fought down his smile. “There is no right way. And I’m sure no one else cares. They can teach you.”
Hunter bit his lip. “I don’t know.”
“I’ll be there.” Kurt took Hunter’s hand.
Hunter nodded. He turned back to the kitchen, but didn’t let go of Kurt’s hand. The kids were on tall stools at the island. Willow pulled another pizza from the top of the double oven, put another one in, and then cut a third. She slid a piece onto a plate and set it in front of Hunter. He took a slow bite. Kurt leaned against the counter. “When I was young, I loved shouting ‘trick or treat’ more than I liked the candy.”
He told a few Halloween stories. Liam added his own. Dakota went ever year, but his parents were very strict about what costumes he could choose from. He had wanted to be Belle so much, but he knew better than to ask because he wasn’t allowed to wear anything deemed by his parents to be even the least bit feminine even on Halloween. His only conciliation was that his sister wasn’t allowed to be Belle either because Belle’s fancy dress was off the shoulders. But then she got the hooded cap from Beauty and the Beast’s Christmas special. She wore it everywhere until he hid it under his bed. He left it there when he left home. He hoped his parents found it, so they’d know why he couldn’t live with them anymore.
Emil handed Kurt a plate full of steak pizza and told about trick or treating as a very small child with his mother. Later, when she was either drunk or high, he could still rouse her out of her stupor long enough to take him out. But his first year in foster care the family had said Halloween was satanic and wouldn’t let the boys go. The second year, he’d been forced to wear an old cowboy costume worn by many boys before him. His foster sister was dressed as Tinkerbelle even though she got cold easily and the night was freezing. That night had been miserable and he’d never wanted to go back. But then Emil had moved to Keith’s house where he was encouraged to be creative. He’d dressed all in black and been Bagheera the panther.
Tyler had made all his costumes from clothes he found in his house with no help from his sick, overworked mother or his busy father. Once his mother died, his father was even more distant, not coming home for days or weeks. When Andre called his father after Tyler moved into the shelter, his father hadn’t even known he was gone.
Olivia stared at her empty plate. “I’ve never had Halloween before. Like Emil’s first foster family, mine didn’t celebrate.”
Hunter looked up. “Neither have I.”
Olivia smiled. “Then our first times will be together. We will really be twins.”
Hunter grinned and took her hand.
Peregrine came down the stair wearing a shirt that so sheer it left nothing to the imagination, pants that covered everything necessary, but still showed off the tattoos on his legs, and butterflies and swirls on his face. Olivia frowned. Peregrine laughed and jumped the last few steps to the floor.
“Wow!” Tyler surveyed Peregrine’s costume.
Dakota pulled Tyler close and set his head on Tyler’s shoulder. “Imagine what Andre would say.”
Peregrine laughed again. “I’d rather not. I’m off to scare the little kiddies.”
Tyler watched him go. “He wasn’t scary exactly.”
Dakota nibbled Tyler’s ear. “I told you that you weren’t as straight as you thought you were.”
“No.” Tyler turned in Dakota’s arms. “I…”
Kurt turned to give them a bit of privacy. “Emil, if you don’t mind, I’ll change now.”
“Go.” Emil wiggled his fingers. “I’ll change when you’re done.”
“Emil,” Willow took off her apron. Her dress was black with very long tassels. Flapper attire flattered her slim figure. “You can use our bathroom. No point waiting.”
Kurt quickly changed into a black suit with satin lapels, a red bow tie, and suspenders. When he went back down stairs, the kids were waiting to him to lead them around. He did his duty. It was a lot of fun. Keith had given him too extra pillow cases just in case, which was good because the kids got more than they could carry in under an hour.
When they got back to Keith’s music was playing and Willow and Liam danced across the floor to the table. Kurt dumped his two bags and the kids dumped theirs. Dakota looked over the huge pile. “This is easier on the floor.”
Benji leaped around their feet.
“But this will do.”
Kurt left the kids to share their treasure equally.
Emil sat up in such a sexy way that it took Kurt’s breath. He was wearing a black kimono and Willow’s butterfly wings and makeup. He was so beautiful that men would have paid just to look at him. Peregrine turned his sketch book and added shading. Kurt wanted that painting to go in their bedroom. “Don’t let me interrupt.”
“I’m almost done.” Peregrine turned the page. His almost might be Kurt’s not even close.
Kurt sat down and watched. Emil glanced into the ballroom and then to the dining room. He licked his lips. “Guess what I have under this.”
The silk of the kimono clung to him. Kurt could see no lines of any under things. He swallowed hard. Peregrine nudged him. “You will just have to wait, like any good guests, we can’t make our goodbyes for at least another hour.
How in the world was Kurt going to wait that long?
