A Balance of Harmonies: Tree Surprise
May. 17th, 2013 08:56 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
frogs_of_warI’m working on a Bluebeard-like tale at the moment because I don’t think I’ve ever seen it done fluffy (I hated this story as a kid) and I was explaining the dynamic between the brothers to my daughter and she said they were Thor and Loki, which would make the main character Balder.
In researching for the story, I found out that the most popular (French) version is the only one the main character has to be rescued in. In all the other, older ones, she rescues herself and her older sisters by her wits. Now, that sounds more like a Fairy Tale.
Title: Tree surprise
Series: A Balance of Harmonies (Three)
Status: Chapter one hundred twenty-one of many
Genre: m/m romance, drama, city life, businessmen
Rating: R
Content: calls unanswered, party planning, invitations, voicemail, a surprise tree, rain, talk, freezing, warmth
Length: about 3,300 words
Summary: Kurt isn’t alone. Emil loses control of decorating. And Peregrine gests a bit chilly.
Master list
Kurt hit ignore on his phone and stuck it back in his pocket. He didn’t want to talk to his mother today. Saturday was his day to be with the family he’d chosen for himself. Olivia had coaxed him into helping her hang Christmas decorations in her room. She had her little tree bedazzled, but even on a chair she was wasn’t tall enough to hang garlands along the top of the walls.
Kurt’s phone buzzed again. He waiting until he was done tacking the garland up before checking it. Clara. But if he wasn’t answering his mother’s calls today, he probably shouldn’t answer Clara’s. He turned his phone off and slipped it away just as Olivia brought in a box of Christmas lights. He wasn’t finished helping her with her to do list.
--
Emil slipped into the front seat of the car, wide awake despite the late hours. He’d talked plans for the party and they were dancing inside his head. Willow and Dakota had the greatest ideas. One week until his party and a house full of people he wanted to see, plus the obligatory few others. He never been a host before, never invited people over for a day of food, dancing, and fun. He hoped he didn’t mess up.
--
Peregrine stopped at Andre’s door and turned back to his little shadow. “Aren’t you hungry?”
Addison shook his head.
That was a lie. Peregrine could hear his stomach rumble from five paces. “Eat and then I’ll find you.”
“I’ll wait for you.”
Peregrine closed his eyes and opened them with a sigh. “Addy my boy, go get me lunch when you get your own. I’ll be starving when I come out.”
Addison grinned and bounded away. Peregrine would figure out how to eat whatever Addison brought him. Andre nodded. “He’s taken to the shelter pretty well considering his age.”
He’d taken to Peregrine pretty well anyway. But that wasn’t why Peregrine was here. “Has JJ said anything about coming to my party?”
Andre leaned back in his chair. “You still think this is a good idea?”
Peregrine shrugged. “Hunter really wants to see him.”
Andre sighed.
“I want any meeting they have to be supervised.”
“On this we agree.”
“And my place has fewer places to hide than Keith’s. Plus I’m not sure I want JJ to know where Hunter lives.”
Andre looked out his widow. “I see the logic. He brags about being invited but says he’s not going.”
“Well he’s welcome any time on Saturday. And so are you.”
Andre gave his thanks, but they both knew he wasn’t going to come. Andre lived and breathed his job. Days off were foreign concepts.
--
Kurt looked at his phone and then put it back to his ear. On the voicemail Clara was trying to get their mother to hand her back her phone. Their mother’s voice was much louder as she said that Kurt always answered for Clara, but never for her. That wasn’t true at all. Kurt had talked to his mother several times in the last month.
But if his mother was borrowing Clara’s phone, maybe he should wait for a voicemail and then call Clara back.
The next message was from a number Kurt didn’t know, but Clara was the one who left the message. “Kurt, this is Todd’s phone. Mom has mine. I’m debating on whether to call it in as stolen. Todd’s putting out feelers about moving to a different office at least temporarily. I’m sure I’m going to start getting calls asking if my marriage is all right. But what I mean to say is that I really want you at Christmas, for the kids and for me. Thanks.”
Once Mom gave the phone back, Clara would forgive her and Todd wouldn’t end up changing branch offices. But knowing she felt as strangled by their mother as he did, helped.
--
Emil leaned against the kitchen counter. “Are you sure we need a tree?”
“Yes!” Olivia danced in a circle. “A party at Christmas time needs a Christmas tree!”
Liam laughed. “You knew better than to ask her that.”
Emil crossed his arms. “But I don’t want this to be a Christmas party. No eggnog or sugar cookie shaped like angels or presents. A housewarming.”
“What if we contain all the Christmas stuff to one corner of the living room?” Willow opened the box on the table.
Emil wasn’t going to win this one. “Where will we put the tree?”
Olivia ran to the ceiling to floor windows. “Right here.”
Hunter followed more slowly and walked to the actually corner. “Here. People can see it, but it won’t be in the way. They already bought it, you know. It’s in Dad’s truck.”
Emil had never stood a chance. “Ok. Bring it up. Olivia, Hunter, follow with the broom and dust pan to clean up the needles.”
The four rushed out and when they came back, Olivia carried a huge Christmas tree stand, Hunter right behind her holding a corner of white cloth, Willow was several steps behind, and Liam took up the rear of the very long train. They didn’t do anything by halves.
“After Christmas, you four have to take down this monstrosity.”
Liam laughed. “We have that covered.”
“You better.”
Kurt was home before the tree was all the way up and then Emil sent the kids down from his broom and to clean up the needles that had slipped though the tarp on their way up. The living room floor would be next. The tree had shed needles everywhere.
Emil leaned against Kurt and looked at the tree. “How are we going to get a star or what have you all the way up there?”
“Maybe we can borrow a ladder. You didn’t want a tree?”
Trees were a lot of bother for the week or so of pretty lights. “Did you want one?”
“I like Christmas trees. The kids and I will decorate. You won’t have to do a thing.”
“Thank you.” Emil kissed Kurt then turned to the kitchen. What did he have that was relatively quick and kids would eat?
--
Peregrine got on his bike and ruffled Addison’s hair. “See you Friday.”
Addison nodded, but he didn’t go back inside. The rain was light, but Addison’s hoody wouldn’t protect him from it at all. Peregrine pulled Addison’s hood over his hair and patted his shoulder. “Say hello to your mother from me when you see her tomorrow.”
His mother had a new job and a grant to pay first and last plus deposit on a new apartment. Now she just needed to find an apartment she liked. She was taking Addison with her to look at the apartments on her next day off.
Peregrine turned his bike toward home. The rain fell harder. Someone stepped out of a doorway.
JJ.
Peregrine stopped his bike. JJ stepped back under the shelter of the doorway. Peregrine wiped the rain off his nose. “What’s up?”
JJ crossed his arms. “I’m not going to your so called party.”
Peregrine shrugged. “Attendance isn’t mandatory.”
“Why did you even invite me?”
“I want you to come.”
“Why? You like Hunter better.”
Peregrine rolled his eyes. “This has never been a contest. Hunter wanted help. I gave him help. You didn’t, so I’ve left you alone.”
JJ cocked his head. “Are you saying if I had agreed to be adopted, I’d be living the high life like Hunter is?”
“You,” Peregrine pointed at JJ, “have a mother. And Hunter isn’t living the high life, unless by that you mean he sleeps in the same bed every night in a room by himself and only has to share a bathroom with Olivia.”
“He doesn’t have to pay his own way.”
Peregrine blew out a breath. “He’s not around for you to take advantage of anymore. If you don’t want to come, don’t.”
Rain pelted against Peregrine’s helmet and dripped down the back of his neck. Maybe he should take a hot bath when he got home. A shower wouldn’t be able to warm him up. He put his foot on the bike pedal.
“Hey!” JJ stepped to the edge of the little porch. “I didn’t take advantage of Hunter!”
That wasn’t how Hunter saw it. But standing on the street in ice cold rain wasn’t a good place to discuss the problem. “I’ll see you on Friday.”
“I didn’t take advantage of Hunter. I didn’t take advantage of anyone!”
Peregrine took a deep breath and patted JJ’s shoulder. “I’m sure it didn’t feel that way.”
JJ was a selfish kid, just like all kids his age. He had very few good examples of grownup behavior from the adults around him. No wonder he couldn’t put himself in Hunter’s shoes.
“I didn’t!” JJ jumped off the porch. “I never hurt him. He’s lying to make you feel sorry for him.”
Rain fell on his face obscuring how much of the liquid on his cheeks was tears. The poor, poor kid. “You want to tell me your side of the story.”
“I…” JJ wiped the back of his hand across his face.
The door opened behind him. A woman stepped out. She looked from JJ to Peregrine and back. “Is everything all right?”
JJ shrugged.
“You should come into my shop and dry off.” That comment was directed solely at JJ.
Peregrine put out his hand and introduced himself and explained where he worked and how he knew JJ. The woman’s frosty posture relaxed just a tad. Her hand was much warmer than his.
“I would be grateful if you’d let JJ warm up and dry off. He’s pretty upset right now.” Peregrine pulled out a shelter business card. Anyone willing to step into what might be a sticky situation to help a kid, especially a teenager as tall as she was, was worth getting to know. “If you could call Andre and tell him where JJ is, someone might be able to come to get him.”
The woman nodded. Peregrine nodded at JJ and rode away. The rain froze him so much that his exercise couldn’t warm him up. The car park was warmer than outside, but he shivered as he locked up his bike. He took the stairs at a run. His hand shook as he opened the front door.
Laughter floated down the hall and the food smelled lovely. Olivia jumped up from the table, but stopped inches from Peregrine. “You’re wet.”
“Rain does that.” He attempted to sound blasé, but his teeth chattered.
Emil rubbed a towel over Peregrine’s hair. “You’re frozen. Kurt, we have to warm him up.”
“No.” Peregrine was not going to be treated like an invalid. “I can warm myself up.”
“Peregrine.”
Kurt helped Peregrine out of his jacket and sat him in a chair Peregrine hadn’t noticed. There he removed Peregrine’s shoes and wet socks. The rest of Peregrine’s clothes didn’t soak up the rain, but they were still wet. Then Kurt led him to the bathroom.
Peregrine decided not to complain since Kurt was stripping himself. The water felt too hot against Peregrine’s skin, so did Kurt’s hands, but between them, Peregrine warmed up quickly.
After he died off, Peregrine put on his night clothes. He wouldn’t be painting tonight.
The kids were cleaning up after dinner. Olivia set down her hand towel and bounced up to him. “Did you see the tree?”
Christmas lights flickered on a tree that nearly brushed the ceiling. “Show me.”
Olivia took his hand and led him to the giant tree. She told him about picking it and having to cut off a few feet after they misjudged how high the living room ceiling was and all the fun she’d had decorating it. Peregrine ruffled Olivia’s curls. “And whose idea was this?”
“Mine!”
Hunter leaned on Peregrine’s other arm. “You don’t mind?”
Peregrine grinned. “It’s all good. Now, do you to want to sleep over after the party? You’ll have to share the bunk bed.”
“Yes!”
Willow laughed. “And Olivia didn’t even have to beg. She asks Dad about that at least once a day.”
Hunter looked down. “Me too.”
Peregrine rubbed his head. “You too.”
“You haven’t eaten dinner yet.”
“Well, then I better get to it.”
Olivia sat down beside Peregrine and entertained him with stories about her friends from church while he ate. As he finished his last bite, Willow closed the book she and Emil had been looking through. “Time to go home.”
Olivia pouted.
“Bed time. For them as well as us.”
Olivia fluffed up her skirts. “Adults stay up late.”
“Not tonight, unless I miss my guess.” Willow put on her coat. “Give hugs and then we’re out of here.”
“Please!”
“Tonight or Saturday.”
Olivia sighed and struggled into her coat. “Ok. Goodbye.”
She gave everyone a hug and then raced Hunter to the front door.
“Goodnight.” Liam nodded at Peregrine.
“We’ll see you Friday.” Willow hugged Emil. “Goodnight all.”
Kurt followed them out and returned as Peregrine put his plate in the dish washer. “Bedtime.”
Peregrine lifted his arms to Kurt. “I might need a little more warming up.”
He turned to Emil. “Lend a hand?”
Emil grinned. “I can do more than that.”
He wrapped his arms around Peregrine. Peregrine cuddled close. He would let his men spoil him tonight. He deserved it and so did they.
In researching for the story, I found out that the most popular (French) version is the only one the main character has to be rescued in. In all the other, older ones, she rescues herself and her older sisters by her wits. Now, that sounds more like a Fairy Tale.
Title: Tree surprise
Series: A Balance of Harmonies (Three)
Status: Chapter one hundred twenty-one of many
Genre: m/m romance, drama, city life, businessmen
Rating: R
Content: calls unanswered, party planning, invitations, voicemail, a surprise tree, rain, talk, freezing, warmth
Length: about 3,300 words
Summary: Kurt isn’t alone. Emil loses control of decorating. And Peregrine gests a bit chilly.
Master list
Kurt hit ignore on his phone and stuck it back in his pocket. He didn’t want to talk to his mother today. Saturday was his day to be with the family he’d chosen for himself. Olivia had coaxed him into helping her hang Christmas decorations in her room. She had her little tree bedazzled, but even on a chair she was wasn’t tall enough to hang garlands along the top of the walls.
Kurt’s phone buzzed again. He waiting until he was done tacking the garland up before checking it. Clara. But if he wasn’t answering his mother’s calls today, he probably shouldn’t answer Clara’s. He turned his phone off and slipped it away just as Olivia brought in a box of Christmas lights. He wasn’t finished helping her with her to do list.
--
Emil slipped into the front seat of the car, wide awake despite the late hours. He’d talked plans for the party and they were dancing inside his head. Willow and Dakota had the greatest ideas. One week until his party and a house full of people he wanted to see, plus the obligatory few others. He never been a host before, never invited people over for a day of food, dancing, and fun. He hoped he didn’t mess up.
--
Peregrine stopped at Andre’s door and turned back to his little shadow. “Aren’t you hungry?”
Addison shook his head.
That was a lie. Peregrine could hear his stomach rumble from five paces. “Eat and then I’ll find you.”
“I’ll wait for you.”
Peregrine closed his eyes and opened them with a sigh. “Addy my boy, go get me lunch when you get your own. I’ll be starving when I come out.”
Addison grinned and bounded away. Peregrine would figure out how to eat whatever Addison brought him. Andre nodded. “He’s taken to the shelter pretty well considering his age.”
He’d taken to Peregrine pretty well anyway. But that wasn’t why Peregrine was here. “Has JJ said anything about coming to my party?”
Andre leaned back in his chair. “You still think this is a good idea?”
Peregrine shrugged. “Hunter really wants to see him.”
Andre sighed.
“I want any meeting they have to be supervised.”
“On this we agree.”
“And my place has fewer places to hide than Keith’s. Plus I’m not sure I want JJ to know where Hunter lives.”
Andre looked out his widow. “I see the logic. He brags about being invited but says he’s not going.”
“Well he’s welcome any time on Saturday. And so are you.”
Andre gave his thanks, but they both knew he wasn’t going to come. Andre lived and breathed his job. Days off were foreign concepts.
--
Kurt looked at his phone and then put it back to his ear. On the voicemail Clara was trying to get their mother to hand her back her phone. Their mother’s voice was much louder as she said that Kurt always answered for Clara, but never for her. That wasn’t true at all. Kurt had talked to his mother several times in the last month.
But if his mother was borrowing Clara’s phone, maybe he should wait for a voicemail and then call Clara back.
The next message was from a number Kurt didn’t know, but Clara was the one who left the message. “Kurt, this is Todd’s phone. Mom has mine. I’m debating on whether to call it in as stolen. Todd’s putting out feelers about moving to a different office at least temporarily. I’m sure I’m going to start getting calls asking if my marriage is all right. But what I mean to say is that I really want you at Christmas, for the kids and for me. Thanks.”
Once Mom gave the phone back, Clara would forgive her and Todd wouldn’t end up changing branch offices. But knowing she felt as strangled by their mother as he did, helped.
--
Emil leaned against the kitchen counter. “Are you sure we need a tree?”
“Yes!” Olivia danced in a circle. “A party at Christmas time needs a Christmas tree!”
Liam laughed. “You knew better than to ask her that.”
Emil crossed his arms. “But I don’t want this to be a Christmas party. No eggnog or sugar cookie shaped like angels or presents. A housewarming.”
“What if we contain all the Christmas stuff to one corner of the living room?” Willow opened the box on the table.
Emil wasn’t going to win this one. “Where will we put the tree?”
Olivia ran to the ceiling to floor windows. “Right here.”
Hunter followed more slowly and walked to the actually corner. “Here. People can see it, but it won’t be in the way. They already bought it, you know. It’s in Dad’s truck.”
Emil had never stood a chance. “Ok. Bring it up. Olivia, Hunter, follow with the broom and dust pan to clean up the needles.”
The four rushed out and when they came back, Olivia carried a huge Christmas tree stand, Hunter right behind her holding a corner of white cloth, Willow was several steps behind, and Liam took up the rear of the very long train. They didn’t do anything by halves.
“After Christmas, you four have to take down this monstrosity.”
Liam laughed. “We have that covered.”
“You better.”
Kurt was home before the tree was all the way up and then Emil sent the kids down from his broom and to clean up the needles that had slipped though the tarp on their way up. The living room floor would be next. The tree had shed needles everywhere.
Emil leaned against Kurt and looked at the tree. “How are we going to get a star or what have you all the way up there?”
“Maybe we can borrow a ladder. You didn’t want a tree?”
Trees were a lot of bother for the week or so of pretty lights. “Did you want one?”
“I like Christmas trees. The kids and I will decorate. You won’t have to do a thing.”
“Thank you.” Emil kissed Kurt then turned to the kitchen. What did he have that was relatively quick and kids would eat?
--
Peregrine got on his bike and ruffled Addison’s hair. “See you Friday.”
Addison nodded, but he didn’t go back inside. The rain was light, but Addison’s hoody wouldn’t protect him from it at all. Peregrine pulled Addison’s hood over his hair and patted his shoulder. “Say hello to your mother from me when you see her tomorrow.”
His mother had a new job and a grant to pay first and last plus deposit on a new apartment. Now she just needed to find an apartment she liked. She was taking Addison with her to look at the apartments on her next day off.
Peregrine turned his bike toward home. The rain fell harder. Someone stepped out of a doorway.
JJ.
Peregrine stopped his bike. JJ stepped back under the shelter of the doorway. Peregrine wiped the rain off his nose. “What’s up?”
JJ crossed his arms. “I’m not going to your so called party.”
Peregrine shrugged. “Attendance isn’t mandatory.”
“Why did you even invite me?”
“I want you to come.”
“Why? You like Hunter better.”
Peregrine rolled his eyes. “This has never been a contest. Hunter wanted help. I gave him help. You didn’t, so I’ve left you alone.”
JJ cocked his head. “Are you saying if I had agreed to be adopted, I’d be living the high life like Hunter is?”
“You,” Peregrine pointed at JJ, “have a mother. And Hunter isn’t living the high life, unless by that you mean he sleeps in the same bed every night in a room by himself and only has to share a bathroom with Olivia.”
“He doesn’t have to pay his own way.”
Peregrine blew out a breath. “He’s not around for you to take advantage of anymore. If you don’t want to come, don’t.”
Rain pelted against Peregrine’s helmet and dripped down the back of his neck. Maybe he should take a hot bath when he got home. A shower wouldn’t be able to warm him up. He put his foot on the bike pedal.
“Hey!” JJ stepped to the edge of the little porch. “I didn’t take advantage of Hunter!”
That wasn’t how Hunter saw it. But standing on the street in ice cold rain wasn’t a good place to discuss the problem. “I’ll see you on Friday.”
“I didn’t take advantage of Hunter. I didn’t take advantage of anyone!”
Peregrine took a deep breath and patted JJ’s shoulder. “I’m sure it didn’t feel that way.”
JJ was a selfish kid, just like all kids his age. He had very few good examples of grownup behavior from the adults around him. No wonder he couldn’t put himself in Hunter’s shoes.
“I didn’t!” JJ jumped off the porch. “I never hurt him. He’s lying to make you feel sorry for him.”
Rain fell on his face obscuring how much of the liquid on his cheeks was tears. The poor, poor kid. “You want to tell me your side of the story.”
“I…” JJ wiped the back of his hand across his face.
The door opened behind him. A woman stepped out. She looked from JJ to Peregrine and back. “Is everything all right?”
JJ shrugged.
“You should come into my shop and dry off.” That comment was directed solely at JJ.
Peregrine put out his hand and introduced himself and explained where he worked and how he knew JJ. The woman’s frosty posture relaxed just a tad. Her hand was much warmer than his.
“I would be grateful if you’d let JJ warm up and dry off. He’s pretty upset right now.” Peregrine pulled out a shelter business card. Anyone willing to step into what might be a sticky situation to help a kid, especially a teenager as tall as she was, was worth getting to know. “If you could call Andre and tell him where JJ is, someone might be able to come to get him.”
The woman nodded. Peregrine nodded at JJ and rode away. The rain froze him so much that his exercise couldn’t warm him up. The car park was warmer than outside, but he shivered as he locked up his bike. He took the stairs at a run. His hand shook as he opened the front door.
Laughter floated down the hall and the food smelled lovely. Olivia jumped up from the table, but stopped inches from Peregrine. “You’re wet.”
“Rain does that.” He attempted to sound blasé, but his teeth chattered.
Emil rubbed a towel over Peregrine’s hair. “You’re frozen. Kurt, we have to warm him up.”
“No.” Peregrine was not going to be treated like an invalid. “I can warm myself up.”
“Peregrine.”
Kurt helped Peregrine out of his jacket and sat him in a chair Peregrine hadn’t noticed. There he removed Peregrine’s shoes and wet socks. The rest of Peregrine’s clothes didn’t soak up the rain, but they were still wet. Then Kurt led him to the bathroom.
Peregrine decided not to complain since Kurt was stripping himself. The water felt too hot against Peregrine’s skin, so did Kurt’s hands, but between them, Peregrine warmed up quickly.
After he died off, Peregrine put on his night clothes. He wouldn’t be painting tonight.
The kids were cleaning up after dinner. Olivia set down her hand towel and bounced up to him. “Did you see the tree?”
Christmas lights flickered on a tree that nearly brushed the ceiling. “Show me.”
Olivia took his hand and led him to the giant tree. She told him about picking it and having to cut off a few feet after they misjudged how high the living room ceiling was and all the fun she’d had decorating it. Peregrine ruffled Olivia’s curls. “And whose idea was this?”
“Mine!”
Hunter leaned on Peregrine’s other arm. “You don’t mind?”
Peregrine grinned. “It’s all good. Now, do you to want to sleep over after the party? You’ll have to share the bunk bed.”
“Yes!”
Willow laughed. “And Olivia didn’t even have to beg. She asks Dad about that at least once a day.”
Hunter looked down. “Me too.”
Peregrine rubbed his head. “You too.”
“You haven’t eaten dinner yet.”
“Well, then I better get to it.”
Olivia sat down beside Peregrine and entertained him with stories about her friends from church while he ate. As he finished his last bite, Willow closed the book she and Emil had been looking through. “Time to go home.”
Olivia pouted.
“Bed time. For them as well as us.”
Olivia fluffed up her skirts. “Adults stay up late.”
“Not tonight, unless I miss my guess.” Willow put on her coat. “Give hugs and then we’re out of here.”
“Please!”
“Tonight or Saturday.”
Olivia sighed and struggled into her coat. “Ok. Goodbye.”
She gave everyone a hug and then raced Hunter to the front door.
“Goodnight.” Liam nodded at Peregrine.
“We’ll see you Friday.” Willow hugged Emil. “Goodnight all.”
Kurt followed them out and returned as Peregrine put his plate in the dish washer. “Bedtime.”
Peregrine lifted his arms to Kurt. “I might need a little more warming up.”
He turned to Emil. “Lend a hand?”
Emil grinned. “I can do more than that.”
He wrapped his arms around Peregrine. Peregrine cuddled close. He would let his men spoil him tonight. He deserved it and so did they.
