A Balance of Harmonies: Heaven
Sep. 20th, 2013 10:08 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
frogs_of_warI’m so tired (and I’ve only worked three days out of what may be a nine day stretch) that I can’t blog about any of the things that have been on my mind recently (like this book I listen to that started out wonderful and then was suddenly a story I wish I’d had in book form so I could throw it at the wall).
Title: Heaven
Series: A Balance of Harmonies (Three)
Status: Chapter one hundred thirty-eight of one hundred thirty-eight
Genre: m/m romance, drama, city life, businessmen
Rating: R
Content: home, water, condescension, skinny ribs, easing, worship, remedy, relief, apology, rings, designs, attention, veggies, cooking, food and fun, joy, paint, humming, invitation, a plan, attention, a good life. The End.
Length: about 3,700 words
Summary:. Peregrine works on being a better man. Kurt feels pride. And Emil is in heaven on earth.
Master list
Emil stepped into the condo. Home was heaven.
Kurt set Emil’s bag on the couch. Peregrine picked it straight up and headed for the laundry room. “Kurt, get him some water.”
“I can get myself water.” He wasn’t an invalid. He’d just been ill.
“Let me.” Kurt filled a glass and handed it to him.
Emil sat down at the table where he could see both Kurt and the door to the laundry room. “I’m not going to let you treat me like a child.”
Peregrine poked his head out. “I don’t plan on treating you like a child. I’m going to cuddle up beside you tonight.”
That wasn’t what Emil had meant. But was Peregrine going to join them this evening? Emil really would rebel if they decided sex was too strenuous for him.
“Let us treat you like our precious treasure.” Kurt rubbed Emil’s shoulder. “The scare reminded both of us how important you are to our happiness and wellbeing.”
Emil sighed. He could live with some extra attention.
Peregrine leaned over the back of Emil’s chair and kissed his neck. “Once you’re healthy again, I’m going to paint you as a young god in jewels and little else. Kurt and I will be worshiping at your feet.”
Good, Peregrine was going to paint again. “I am healthy.”
“According to the hospital bed, you’ve lost more than ten pounds. Cover those ribs with flesh.”
Emil hadn’t felt well enough to exercise or eat, but he’d been hungry this morning, so that was a start. “Should I make lunch?”
“No, we’re going to ease you in slowly.” Peregrine rolled up his sleeves. “I’ll make lunch and Kurt’s going to make dinner.”
Emil sighed. When was he getting his kitchen back?
“Sandwiches, probably.” Kurt shrugged. “Peregrine promised to help me clean up after.”
“And what am I going to do?”
“You’re going to rest up.” Peregrine took Emil hand and tugged him to his feet. “None of us have been sleeping well or getting our proper exercise. I propose we start slow.”
Emil raised an eyebrow. “How slow?”
Peregrine pulled off his shirt. “Kurt and I want to worship you for a while.”
He unfastened his pants and chucked them onto the floor.
Kurt was a tad more careful with his own clothes, but very soon Emil had two naked lovers before him. Kurt slid his hands up under Emil’s shirt. “Let us know if you need a breather.”
Peregrine dropped to his knees between Emil’s feet. “My beautiful love, may I worship you?”
Emil nodded. He didn’t trust himself to speak with Peregrine’s hand pressed against him. Peregrine licked his lips and fell to his worship in the most wonderful way.
Hours later when Emil opened his eyes, he lay between and under and over his men. He’d taken a breather or three, but Peregrine and Kurt had needed them too. They’d missed lunch. Dinner time was around the corner. Maybe they’d stay in bed that long. Emil snuggled closer and closed his eyes. Yes, just where he wanted to be.
--
Kurt waved to Zawadzki and Ezra, who looked to be on their way to lunch. They waved back. Maybe he shouldn’t have waited until lunch time to stop by. Kurt took the first set of stairs and stopped by the big desk. The office ladies looked up. Pam grinned. “How was your vacation?”
Kurt sighed. “It made me love my life here all the more.”
She shook her head. “It can’t have been that bad.”
His dad was leaving his mom and his sister was moving across the country, which was good for both of them, but as much as he dislike being controlled and imprisoned, he still loved his mother. She’d be hurt once word got out. If only because she hadn’t been in the know. “Then I had to fly home early because one of my men was in the hospital.”
They asked which one and what Emil had had and gave their own experiences with hospital stays. Pam asked about insurance. “He isn’t on yours, is he?”
“That’s what I’m here to remedy.” Kurt set his briefcase on the counter and pulled out a sheaf of paper.
“It’s about time,” said one of the ladies in the back.
Kurt put his hand over his heart. “I am remiss.”
He bowed his head.
Pam laughed and took the papers. “Better late than never.”
“Better now than later,” said the lady in the back.
“So true.” Putting Emil on legal documents as his domestic partner was not denying Peregrine’s existence or picking Emil over Peregrine. Peregrine had good insurance thanks to the grant from Kurt’s company. He didn’t need Kurt’s high end insurance. Emil did. And Peregrine didn’t want the legal ties. He didn’t need them. Kurt couldn’t in good conscience say the same for either himself or Emil.
--
Peregrine knocked on the doorframe of Andre’s office. Andre turned and held his finger up. He was on the phone. He scribbled something onto a piece of paper. “Thank you. I’ll get that faxed right away.”
He hung up the phone with a sigh. “One last document and the auditors will be out of our hair.”
For now.
Peregrine stepped back. “I should let you get to that.”
“No.” Andre opened a drawer on a file cabinet. “This will only take a moment. Emil’s better, I hope.”
“Yeah.” Peregrine ran his hand through his hair and followed Andre out. “He came home yesterday.”
He couldn’t say what he’d come to say in the main office where anyone could be listening.
Tonia asked about Emil and Kurt’s trip home. Peregrine made small talk until the fax machine spit out a confirmation for Andre, and then he followed Andre back into his office.
Andre looked him over. He got up from his desk and closed the door. “I take it you’ve come for more than just to give an update on Emil.”
Peregrine looked out the window. “I’d like to work with the boys today if Kit can squeeze me in. I missed them yesterday.”
“And.”
Peregrine sighed. “I’m sorry I took you for granted. The shelter, the staff, and especially you.” He took a deep breath. “I’m not the man I should be.” He looked up at Andre and then at his feet. “I was hit full force the other day on all I could be and wasn’t. Thanks for putting up with me.”
“A New Years’ resolution?”
“No.” New Years was just round the corner, wasn’t it? “A near death experience. I’m going to be a better boyfriend, a better person, a better son. I called my mother this morning and even talked to my dad.”
His dad had been gruff, like always, but pleased Peregrine’s mother assured him.
“I’m not going to lose those things I care about and that includes you and the shelter.”
“And the boys.”
Peregrine nodded. “And the boys. I’m going to keep to my schedule even with the showing. My paintings aren’t as important as they are.”
Andre nodded. “I believe you.”
But even he didn’t think Peregrine could be selfless for long. Peregrine was going to prove him wrong.
--
Kurt looked around the small studio. The artist had several wax models for them to look at. Emil liked the simple braid best, while Kurt preferred the more intricate weave. Peregrine looked over all of the carefully without comment.
“If we choose today,” Emil turned from an earring display, “when could we have them finished?”
Did Emil want them by a certain date?
“I want them on us by my show. January twentieth.” Peregrine put down one model and picked up another.
The artist took his hat off and rubbed his head. “If you choose today.”
“If you get us your business cards, we will pass them out whenever anyone comments on the rings.” Kurt was sure they would if Peregrine flashed it even half as much as Kurt suspected he would. Peregrine was trying to make up for lost time.
“Of course.” Peregrine looked at his left hand. “This will be our debut as a triple to the wider world. People are bound to ask.”
Emil bit his lip. “So we have to choose today?”
“Will any of the designs not be done by then?” Kurt didn’t want to ask the impossible, but the showing was three weeks away.
The artist scratched his head again. “If you’re going to be showing them off…”
“Yeah.” Peregrine set down the model and turned to him.
“I’d rather you picked the most intricate one. So I can show off my work.” He scrunched his hat between his hands. “If you don’t mind.”
“Which one is that?”
He picked up a model and handed it to Peregrine.
“And with three colors, it would look like this.” He dug out a sketch book from the ones on his desk and opened it. “White, yellow, and green? Or rose?”
“Rose?”
“Or three colors of grey gold or different textures: satin, brushed, high-polish, sparkles…”
Emil raised his eyebrows. “Sparkles?”
The artist nodded. “In yellow or pink. I could even do black gold. Non-sparkly. But I could guarantee being done by the twentieth. I’d have to rent space in someone’s else’s studio.”
He dug a box from his desk and opened it. Inside were thin bands in many shades of yellow and grey. Even the same color looked different in a new texture.
“All those colors.” Emil frowned. “What about blue?”
“Blue can’t be worn. It tarnishes easily. Unless it’s oxidized blue, but again, I’d need to borrow equipment.”
Emil sighed. “We should have thought of rings earlier.”
The artist shrugged. “Enamel comes in a wide range of colors.”
“No.” Peregrine sat down the model. “We want the metal, and your work, to show.”
The artist lowered his head. He was a friend of Zan like every other artist in town seemed to be. He was good. Autumn said the best and she wore a number of his creations. But the poor man had few social skills.
“How about we trust him to make us the best rings?” Kurt took the sketchbook. “This looks good to me. Emil?”
Emil leaned on his arm. He took a deep breath. “Would we have to pick colors today?”
The artist bit his lower lip. “Soon.”
Kurt took out his wallet. “How much for the deposit?”
The artist bit his tongue. He had no business skills either. Kurt left him with a generous deposit. He’d need money to buy the metal.
Peregrine opened the door and held it for both Emil and Kurt. He walked beside Kurt will his hand on Kurt’s butt. Home was too far away. Emil took Kurt’s hand and they walked down the sidewalk together. Kurt loved the attention. He opened the passenger door for Emil. “I can’t help but think he needs a partner.”
Kurt had two wonderful ones.
“He needs a boyfriend who’s as dynamic as he is shy.” Emil got in the car. “Someone who loves his work and can work with his clients.”
Peregrine laughed and got in the back seat. “He needs a couple. Did you see the way he looked at us?”
Kurt hadn’t. He got into the driver’s seat. Emil put his hand on Kurt’s thigh and turned in his seat. “I thought he was just drooling over my boyfriends.”
Peregrine ginned. “He was drooling over the fact you had two.”
Kurt’s chest swelled. Someone was jealous of what he had. And even if the guy found his true loves, no matter the gender, he’d never find two as good as Kurt’s.
--
Emil checked the doneness of the noodles in the wok. He might be recovering, but the kitchen was his. Kurt set the knife down. “Carrots, sugar snaps, sweet peppers, baby corn, and green onions. Anything else?”
Emil looked over the colorful piles. “Meat.”
Kurt kissed his cheek.
Peregrine opened the utensil drawer. “Everything but the plates?”
Emil nodded and Peregrine carried napkins and utensils to the table. Emil turned back to the stove. The noodles should be ready by now. He drained them into a colander then ran water over them. He didn’t want them to finish cooking until he was ready.
He heated the pan back up to dry it. Kurt had most of the chicken sliced. Time to start cooking.
Kurt and Peregrine were great help and he wouldn’t mind if they kept it up. Especially if they helped him clean. The chicken cooked quickly. Peregrine cleaned and put away the knife, washed down the counter, and put the cutting board in the dishwasher while Kurt told about his latest conversation with his dad. They were getting along like never before and that was good for everyone.
Emil started with half the meat in Kurt’s batch. Kurt piled on the vegetables. Emil’s heart sang. He was the first to get Kurt to enjoy his greens. Kurt also wanted a lot of noodles. He had to eat a lot to stay that size. With a little garnish his plate was prettier than a restaurant’s.
Peregrine’s was mostly vegetables and a little noodles. Emil liked three parts noodles, two parts veggies, and one part meat. His Pad Thai was better than any other he’d tried. He added a few bean sprouts, a sprinkle of chopped peanuts, and a slice of lime. Perfect.
Kurt took the plate from his hand. “When you’ve been seated…”
Peregrine took Emil’s elbow and led him to the table then pulled out his chair. “A good seat, monsieur?”
Emil sat down and spread the napkin across his lap. He smiled up at his lover. “Perfect.”
“Good, good.” Peregrine had put wine glasses on the table and he showed Emil a bottle of sparkling orange juice. “Will this do?”
Emil preferred water with his meals, but he nodded, keeping with the play. Peregrine filled his glass. He took a sip and nodded, but he couldn’t keep a straight face.
“Good, good.” Peregrine stepped back and Kurt took his place. He sat the plate in front of Emil with a flourish.
Emil couldn’t help himself. He reached up and pulled Kurt down for a kiss. “Thank you.”
Kurt grinned wide at Peregrine. “Did you see the tip I just got?”
Peregrine humphed and rolled his eyes. “I will get a better one.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
Emil rolled his eyes, but with a smile. They were like two children sometimes. Or maybe like rivals. And if they chose to vie for Emil’s affections tonight as their game, Emil would make sure they both won.
--
Kurt lay back. He didn’t want to come too soon and miss anything as he slept it off. He still had lots to enjoy.
Emil touched Kurt’s cheek. He was close to coming. Kurt could see it in his eyes. But he chose to spend that moment with Kurt.
Peregrine push Emil into glory and then turned to Kurt. “You ready?”
Kurt was never ready for the intense love he felt while Peregrine or Emil was giving him their full attention. But he was eager. He reached for Peregrine, but Peregrine held up a hand. “Let me.”
And so he did. Emil rolled closer and joined in. Kurt was in heaven and when he woke up he’d make sure his men joined him.
--
Peregrine added texture to a tree truck. Emil was a barefoot boy asleep in a cave. Plants rose up around him because wherever he stepped, plants appeared. The cave was filled with warm light from a fire spirit and the world outside was covered in snow by the frost giant, who peeked in at the boy. He, modeled after Kurt, and the fire spirit, Peregrine, argued at the entrance. They were enemies, being fire and ice, but they both loved the boy and conspired to protect him, although they couldn’t touch him. Yet.
Peregrine liked the hope. It burned like charcoal, slow and hot. His hope was that he’d learn to be the man he wanted to be without constantly reminding himself how to act and what to do. That someday all this would be automatic.
The painting might not be done by the opening. That didn’t matter. His art was an expression of himself, but not all he was. Mike had enough paintings to fill a room. He had more than enough. Anything done would be sent to the gallery, but Peregrine wasn’t going to lose sleep over white space on the walls. He wasn’t going to lose time with his lovers either.
He added flowers in the branches and one small apple. What use really were plants growing from where one walked if none of the plants bore food?
Emil hummed away in the kitchen. Kurt was working on his glass at Zan’s. They would have lots to talk about at dinner. Maybe they could get Kurt to sit still for a subtitled movie before they dragged him off to bed.
Peregrine gave the leaves a bit more shine. The fire spirit was powerful after all. And so was Peregrine. He had the power to protect those he loved. And he would use it.
--
Emil leaned back in his chair. This draft was coming along nicely. And he should decide the animals for the next batch of books. What had the kids in Peregrine’s family been interested in? He could ask again next time Peregrine called. Maybe Kurt’s niece and nephews had ideas. He could dedicate a book to each of them.
His own cousins too. His grandmother had mentioned other kids. He should probably meet the family. He wasn’t really looking forward to it. Just one grandmother had been hugely overwhelming.
Emil looked at the time. Dinner wouldn’t start itself. But then he didn’t want it to. He was the kitchen king. He turned the radio on low, so Peregrine wouldn’t be disturbed, and hummed along. The enchilada sauce cooked up quickly and the meat had been stewing all day in the crockpot and the beans just needed rinsing. Filling the casserole pan took a matter of minutes.
He called Zan. Autumn answered, laughing. “Emil, dear, did you call Kurt first? He left his phone on Zan’s desk again and they are in their own little world I’m afraid.”
Kurt was spending the last few days of his vacation working on another surprise. It couldn’t be as good as his first one — the dragon with two hearts in the entryway — because nothing could be as good as that. Emil was looking forward to it though.
“No, I was wondering if you two would like to join us for dinner.”
“For a bit. We are going to Mike’s New Years’ Eve party.”
“We’ve decided to spend the evening together.”
“And you want us to join you? Thank you. I’ll go ask Zan.”
Emil got down the ingredients for another batch of enchilada sauce. Zan picked up the phone. “We’d love to come. Ice cream or cookies. I don’t have time to make a cheesecake.”
He should have thought of this earlier. Her cheesecakes were famous. “Anything.”
“When? Kurt is in the middle of… something special.”
Emil grinned. “Peregrine working too. Let me know before you leave, so I can preheat the oven.”
“Sounds like a plan. You won’t have to wait too long on us. I’ll call.”
Emil made more sauce and filled a second casserole pan. They would do fine on the counter for now.
He poked his head in to Peregrine’s studio. Peregrine looked up and lifted his arm. Emil stepped close. Peregrine had set aside his pallet to hold Emil. Emil wasn’t going to waste this moment. The kiss was long and very satisfying.
Peregrine ran his hand down Emil’s backside. “You smell delicious.”
“Enchiladas. Zan and Autumn are joining us.”
Peregrine kissed his fingers. “Good. They are the perfect friends. Entertaining, but they know when to go home.”
That was true.
“So after they leave…” Emil liked this new, more attentive, Peregrine. Would it last in the presents of others?
“Why wait.” Peregrine kissed him again and this time his hands wandered under Emil’s clothes. This felt so good. But…
Emil stepped back. “Your painting.”
“It will still be there.”
“Peregrine.”
Peregrine slipped his pallet into a large bag and sealed it. “Better?” His hands moved against Emil’s skin. His kissed Emil earlobe. “Or are you worried we’ll be interrupted.”
Emil shivered. Peregrine knew just how to work him up. “They said they’d call.”
Peregrine laughed. “Then we have nothing to worry about.”
He pulled his shirt over his head. He was really very handsome and the look he gave Emil was anything but distracted. Peregrine had never look this intense about anything that he wasn’t actively painting.
But his hands were warm and bold. Emil gave in. So what if he got paint in his hair or that he’d interrupted Peregrine’s painting midstroke or that this great wonderful Peregrine hadn’t broken from his shell until Kurt had reentered his life? Emil was loved. Every inch of him. He came before paintings and maybe even friends.
Emil returned every touch, every moan, every pleasure. As they caught their breath, the phone rang. Tonight, Emil would show Kurt just how much he appreciated Kurt’s contributions to their lives. Until then they’d have their fun out of bed, laughing and eating with their friends.
Emil had a good life. He hummed over to the phone. Kurt and the others would be here in ten minutes.
Peregrine, already dressed, sat Emil’s clothes by the phone. “Do you have to put them on yet?”
Emil shook his head. The oven would take a while to preheat.
“Good.” Peregrine picked back up the pile and stood at the door to the bedroom.
Yes, life was good indeed.
----
This is the last regular chapter. I still need the showing, Kurt’s mom’s visit, and maybe the wedding or something later (their anniversary?). And these might be longer than a chapter or only a very short one. Until my muse returns (it’s very tired), I’m posting picture and side stories. I’ve got two written so far and more plotted. So this is the end, but also not the end.
Man, this story has a lot of endings. This has got to be the third.
Title: Heaven
Series: A Balance of Harmonies (Three)
Status: Chapter one hundred thirty-eight of one hundred thirty-eight
Genre: m/m romance, drama, city life, businessmen
Rating: R
Content: home, water, condescension, skinny ribs, easing, worship, remedy, relief, apology, rings, designs, attention, veggies, cooking, food and fun, joy, paint, humming, invitation, a plan, attention, a good life. The End.
Length: about 3,700 words
Summary:. Peregrine works on being a better man. Kurt feels pride. And Emil is in heaven on earth.
Master list
Emil stepped into the condo. Home was heaven.
Kurt set Emil’s bag on the couch. Peregrine picked it straight up and headed for the laundry room. “Kurt, get him some water.”
“I can get myself water.” He wasn’t an invalid. He’d just been ill.
“Let me.” Kurt filled a glass and handed it to him.
Emil sat down at the table where he could see both Kurt and the door to the laundry room. “I’m not going to let you treat me like a child.”
Peregrine poked his head out. “I don’t plan on treating you like a child. I’m going to cuddle up beside you tonight.”
That wasn’t what Emil had meant. But was Peregrine going to join them this evening? Emil really would rebel if they decided sex was too strenuous for him.
“Let us treat you like our precious treasure.” Kurt rubbed Emil’s shoulder. “The scare reminded both of us how important you are to our happiness and wellbeing.”
Emil sighed. He could live with some extra attention.
Peregrine leaned over the back of Emil’s chair and kissed his neck. “Once you’re healthy again, I’m going to paint you as a young god in jewels and little else. Kurt and I will be worshiping at your feet.”
Good, Peregrine was going to paint again. “I am healthy.”
“According to the hospital bed, you’ve lost more than ten pounds. Cover those ribs with flesh.”
Emil hadn’t felt well enough to exercise or eat, but he’d been hungry this morning, so that was a start. “Should I make lunch?”
“No, we’re going to ease you in slowly.” Peregrine rolled up his sleeves. “I’ll make lunch and Kurt’s going to make dinner.”
Emil sighed. When was he getting his kitchen back?
“Sandwiches, probably.” Kurt shrugged. “Peregrine promised to help me clean up after.”
“And what am I going to do?”
“You’re going to rest up.” Peregrine took Emil hand and tugged him to his feet. “None of us have been sleeping well or getting our proper exercise. I propose we start slow.”
Emil raised an eyebrow. “How slow?”
Peregrine pulled off his shirt. “Kurt and I want to worship you for a while.”
He unfastened his pants and chucked them onto the floor.
Kurt was a tad more careful with his own clothes, but very soon Emil had two naked lovers before him. Kurt slid his hands up under Emil’s shirt. “Let us know if you need a breather.”
Peregrine dropped to his knees between Emil’s feet. “My beautiful love, may I worship you?”
Emil nodded. He didn’t trust himself to speak with Peregrine’s hand pressed against him. Peregrine licked his lips and fell to his worship in the most wonderful way.
Hours later when Emil opened his eyes, he lay between and under and over his men. He’d taken a breather or three, but Peregrine and Kurt had needed them too. They’d missed lunch. Dinner time was around the corner. Maybe they’d stay in bed that long. Emil snuggled closer and closed his eyes. Yes, just where he wanted to be.
--
Kurt waved to Zawadzki and Ezra, who looked to be on their way to lunch. They waved back. Maybe he shouldn’t have waited until lunch time to stop by. Kurt took the first set of stairs and stopped by the big desk. The office ladies looked up. Pam grinned. “How was your vacation?”
Kurt sighed. “It made me love my life here all the more.”
She shook her head. “It can’t have been that bad.”
His dad was leaving his mom and his sister was moving across the country, which was good for both of them, but as much as he dislike being controlled and imprisoned, he still loved his mother. She’d be hurt once word got out. If only because she hadn’t been in the know. “Then I had to fly home early because one of my men was in the hospital.”
They asked which one and what Emil had had and gave their own experiences with hospital stays. Pam asked about insurance. “He isn’t on yours, is he?”
“That’s what I’m here to remedy.” Kurt set his briefcase on the counter and pulled out a sheaf of paper.
“It’s about time,” said one of the ladies in the back.
Kurt put his hand over his heart. “I am remiss.”
He bowed his head.
Pam laughed and took the papers. “Better late than never.”
“Better now than later,” said the lady in the back.
“So true.” Putting Emil on legal documents as his domestic partner was not denying Peregrine’s existence or picking Emil over Peregrine. Peregrine had good insurance thanks to the grant from Kurt’s company. He didn’t need Kurt’s high end insurance. Emil did. And Peregrine didn’t want the legal ties. He didn’t need them. Kurt couldn’t in good conscience say the same for either himself or Emil.
--
Peregrine knocked on the doorframe of Andre’s office. Andre turned and held his finger up. He was on the phone. He scribbled something onto a piece of paper. “Thank you. I’ll get that faxed right away.”
He hung up the phone with a sigh. “One last document and the auditors will be out of our hair.”
For now.
Peregrine stepped back. “I should let you get to that.”
“No.” Andre opened a drawer on a file cabinet. “This will only take a moment. Emil’s better, I hope.”
“Yeah.” Peregrine ran his hand through his hair and followed Andre out. “He came home yesterday.”
He couldn’t say what he’d come to say in the main office where anyone could be listening.
Tonia asked about Emil and Kurt’s trip home. Peregrine made small talk until the fax machine spit out a confirmation for Andre, and then he followed Andre back into his office.
Andre looked him over. He got up from his desk and closed the door. “I take it you’ve come for more than just to give an update on Emil.”
Peregrine looked out the window. “I’d like to work with the boys today if Kit can squeeze me in. I missed them yesterday.”
“And.”
Peregrine sighed. “I’m sorry I took you for granted. The shelter, the staff, and especially you.” He took a deep breath. “I’m not the man I should be.” He looked up at Andre and then at his feet. “I was hit full force the other day on all I could be and wasn’t. Thanks for putting up with me.”
“A New Years’ resolution?”
“No.” New Years was just round the corner, wasn’t it? “A near death experience. I’m going to be a better boyfriend, a better person, a better son. I called my mother this morning and even talked to my dad.”
His dad had been gruff, like always, but pleased Peregrine’s mother assured him.
“I’m not going to lose those things I care about and that includes you and the shelter.”
“And the boys.”
Peregrine nodded. “And the boys. I’m going to keep to my schedule even with the showing. My paintings aren’t as important as they are.”
Andre nodded. “I believe you.”
But even he didn’t think Peregrine could be selfless for long. Peregrine was going to prove him wrong.
--
Kurt looked around the small studio. The artist had several wax models for them to look at. Emil liked the simple braid best, while Kurt preferred the more intricate weave. Peregrine looked over all of the carefully without comment.
“If we choose today,” Emil turned from an earring display, “when could we have them finished?”
Did Emil want them by a certain date?
“I want them on us by my show. January twentieth.” Peregrine put down one model and picked up another.
The artist took his hat off and rubbed his head. “If you choose today.”
“If you get us your business cards, we will pass them out whenever anyone comments on the rings.” Kurt was sure they would if Peregrine flashed it even half as much as Kurt suspected he would. Peregrine was trying to make up for lost time.
“Of course.” Peregrine looked at his left hand. “This will be our debut as a triple to the wider world. People are bound to ask.”
Emil bit his lip. “So we have to choose today?”
“Will any of the designs not be done by then?” Kurt didn’t want to ask the impossible, but the showing was three weeks away.
The artist scratched his head again. “If you’re going to be showing them off…”
“Yeah.” Peregrine set down the model and turned to him.
“I’d rather you picked the most intricate one. So I can show off my work.” He scrunched his hat between his hands. “If you don’t mind.”
“Which one is that?”
He picked up a model and handed it to Peregrine.
“And with three colors, it would look like this.” He dug out a sketch book from the ones on his desk and opened it. “White, yellow, and green? Or rose?”
“Rose?”
“Or three colors of grey gold or different textures: satin, brushed, high-polish, sparkles…”
Emil raised his eyebrows. “Sparkles?”
The artist nodded. “In yellow or pink. I could even do black gold. Non-sparkly. But I could guarantee being done by the twentieth. I’d have to rent space in someone’s else’s studio.”
He dug a box from his desk and opened it. Inside were thin bands in many shades of yellow and grey. Even the same color looked different in a new texture.
“All those colors.” Emil frowned. “What about blue?”
“Blue can’t be worn. It tarnishes easily. Unless it’s oxidized blue, but again, I’d need to borrow equipment.”
Emil sighed. “We should have thought of rings earlier.”
The artist shrugged. “Enamel comes in a wide range of colors.”
“No.” Peregrine sat down the model. “We want the metal, and your work, to show.”
The artist lowered his head. He was a friend of Zan like every other artist in town seemed to be. He was good. Autumn said the best and she wore a number of his creations. But the poor man had few social skills.
“How about we trust him to make us the best rings?” Kurt took the sketchbook. “This looks good to me. Emil?”
Emil leaned on his arm. He took a deep breath. “Would we have to pick colors today?”
The artist bit his lower lip. “Soon.”
Kurt took out his wallet. “How much for the deposit?”
The artist bit his tongue. He had no business skills either. Kurt left him with a generous deposit. He’d need money to buy the metal.
Peregrine opened the door and held it for both Emil and Kurt. He walked beside Kurt will his hand on Kurt’s butt. Home was too far away. Emil took Kurt’s hand and they walked down the sidewalk together. Kurt loved the attention. He opened the passenger door for Emil. “I can’t help but think he needs a partner.”
Kurt had two wonderful ones.
“He needs a boyfriend who’s as dynamic as he is shy.” Emil got in the car. “Someone who loves his work and can work with his clients.”
Peregrine laughed and got in the back seat. “He needs a couple. Did you see the way he looked at us?”
Kurt hadn’t. He got into the driver’s seat. Emil put his hand on Kurt’s thigh and turned in his seat. “I thought he was just drooling over my boyfriends.”
Peregrine ginned. “He was drooling over the fact you had two.”
Kurt’s chest swelled. Someone was jealous of what he had. And even if the guy found his true loves, no matter the gender, he’d never find two as good as Kurt’s.
--
Emil checked the doneness of the noodles in the wok. He might be recovering, but the kitchen was his. Kurt set the knife down. “Carrots, sugar snaps, sweet peppers, baby corn, and green onions. Anything else?”
Emil looked over the colorful piles. “Meat.”
Kurt kissed his cheek.
Peregrine opened the utensil drawer. “Everything but the plates?”
Emil nodded and Peregrine carried napkins and utensils to the table. Emil turned back to the stove. The noodles should be ready by now. He drained them into a colander then ran water over them. He didn’t want them to finish cooking until he was ready.
He heated the pan back up to dry it. Kurt had most of the chicken sliced. Time to start cooking.
Kurt and Peregrine were great help and he wouldn’t mind if they kept it up. Especially if they helped him clean. The chicken cooked quickly. Peregrine cleaned and put away the knife, washed down the counter, and put the cutting board in the dishwasher while Kurt told about his latest conversation with his dad. They were getting along like never before and that was good for everyone.
Emil started with half the meat in Kurt’s batch. Kurt piled on the vegetables. Emil’s heart sang. He was the first to get Kurt to enjoy his greens. Kurt also wanted a lot of noodles. He had to eat a lot to stay that size. With a little garnish his plate was prettier than a restaurant’s.
Peregrine’s was mostly vegetables and a little noodles. Emil liked three parts noodles, two parts veggies, and one part meat. His Pad Thai was better than any other he’d tried. He added a few bean sprouts, a sprinkle of chopped peanuts, and a slice of lime. Perfect.
Kurt took the plate from his hand. “When you’ve been seated…”
Peregrine took Emil’s elbow and led him to the table then pulled out his chair. “A good seat, monsieur?”
Emil sat down and spread the napkin across his lap. He smiled up at his lover. “Perfect.”
“Good, good.” Peregrine had put wine glasses on the table and he showed Emil a bottle of sparkling orange juice. “Will this do?”
Emil preferred water with his meals, but he nodded, keeping with the play. Peregrine filled his glass. He took a sip and nodded, but he couldn’t keep a straight face.
“Good, good.” Peregrine stepped back and Kurt took his place. He sat the plate in front of Emil with a flourish.
Emil couldn’t help himself. He reached up and pulled Kurt down for a kiss. “Thank you.”
Kurt grinned wide at Peregrine. “Did you see the tip I just got?”
Peregrine humphed and rolled his eyes. “I will get a better one.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
Emil rolled his eyes, but with a smile. They were like two children sometimes. Or maybe like rivals. And if they chose to vie for Emil’s affections tonight as their game, Emil would make sure they both won.
--
Kurt lay back. He didn’t want to come too soon and miss anything as he slept it off. He still had lots to enjoy.
Emil touched Kurt’s cheek. He was close to coming. Kurt could see it in his eyes. But he chose to spend that moment with Kurt.
Peregrine push Emil into glory and then turned to Kurt. “You ready?”
Kurt was never ready for the intense love he felt while Peregrine or Emil was giving him their full attention. But he was eager. He reached for Peregrine, but Peregrine held up a hand. “Let me.”
And so he did. Emil rolled closer and joined in. Kurt was in heaven and when he woke up he’d make sure his men joined him.
--
Peregrine added texture to a tree truck. Emil was a barefoot boy asleep in a cave. Plants rose up around him because wherever he stepped, plants appeared. The cave was filled with warm light from a fire spirit and the world outside was covered in snow by the frost giant, who peeked in at the boy. He, modeled after Kurt, and the fire spirit, Peregrine, argued at the entrance. They were enemies, being fire and ice, but they both loved the boy and conspired to protect him, although they couldn’t touch him. Yet.
Peregrine liked the hope. It burned like charcoal, slow and hot. His hope was that he’d learn to be the man he wanted to be without constantly reminding himself how to act and what to do. That someday all this would be automatic.
The painting might not be done by the opening. That didn’t matter. His art was an expression of himself, but not all he was. Mike had enough paintings to fill a room. He had more than enough. Anything done would be sent to the gallery, but Peregrine wasn’t going to lose sleep over white space on the walls. He wasn’t going to lose time with his lovers either.
He added flowers in the branches and one small apple. What use really were plants growing from where one walked if none of the plants bore food?
Emil hummed away in the kitchen. Kurt was working on his glass at Zan’s. They would have lots to talk about at dinner. Maybe they could get Kurt to sit still for a subtitled movie before they dragged him off to bed.
Peregrine gave the leaves a bit more shine. The fire spirit was powerful after all. And so was Peregrine. He had the power to protect those he loved. And he would use it.
--
Emil leaned back in his chair. This draft was coming along nicely. And he should decide the animals for the next batch of books. What had the kids in Peregrine’s family been interested in? He could ask again next time Peregrine called. Maybe Kurt’s niece and nephews had ideas. He could dedicate a book to each of them.
His own cousins too. His grandmother had mentioned other kids. He should probably meet the family. He wasn’t really looking forward to it. Just one grandmother had been hugely overwhelming.
Emil looked at the time. Dinner wouldn’t start itself. But then he didn’t want it to. He was the kitchen king. He turned the radio on low, so Peregrine wouldn’t be disturbed, and hummed along. The enchilada sauce cooked up quickly and the meat had been stewing all day in the crockpot and the beans just needed rinsing. Filling the casserole pan took a matter of minutes.
He called Zan. Autumn answered, laughing. “Emil, dear, did you call Kurt first? He left his phone on Zan’s desk again and they are in their own little world I’m afraid.”
Kurt was spending the last few days of his vacation working on another surprise. It couldn’t be as good as his first one — the dragon with two hearts in the entryway — because nothing could be as good as that. Emil was looking forward to it though.
“No, I was wondering if you two would like to join us for dinner.”
“For a bit. We are going to Mike’s New Years’ Eve party.”
“We’ve decided to spend the evening together.”
“And you want us to join you? Thank you. I’ll go ask Zan.”
Emil got down the ingredients for another batch of enchilada sauce. Zan picked up the phone. “We’d love to come. Ice cream or cookies. I don’t have time to make a cheesecake.”
He should have thought of this earlier. Her cheesecakes were famous. “Anything.”
“When? Kurt is in the middle of… something special.”
Emil grinned. “Peregrine working too. Let me know before you leave, so I can preheat the oven.”
“Sounds like a plan. You won’t have to wait too long on us. I’ll call.”
Emil made more sauce and filled a second casserole pan. They would do fine on the counter for now.
He poked his head in to Peregrine’s studio. Peregrine looked up and lifted his arm. Emil stepped close. Peregrine had set aside his pallet to hold Emil. Emil wasn’t going to waste this moment. The kiss was long and very satisfying.
Peregrine ran his hand down Emil’s backside. “You smell delicious.”
“Enchiladas. Zan and Autumn are joining us.”
Peregrine kissed his fingers. “Good. They are the perfect friends. Entertaining, but they know when to go home.”
That was true.
“So after they leave…” Emil liked this new, more attentive, Peregrine. Would it last in the presents of others?
“Why wait.” Peregrine kissed him again and this time his hands wandered under Emil’s clothes. This felt so good. But…
Emil stepped back. “Your painting.”
“It will still be there.”
“Peregrine.”
Peregrine slipped his pallet into a large bag and sealed it. “Better?” His hands moved against Emil’s skin. His kissed Emil earlobe. “Or are you worried we’ll be interrupted.”
Emil shivered. Peregrine knew just how to work him up. “They said they’d call.”
Peregrine laughed. “Then we have nothing to worry about.”
He pulled his shirt over his head. He was really very handsome and the look he gave Emil was anything but distracted. Peregrine had never look this intense about anything that he wasn’t actively painting.
But his hands were warm and bold. Emil gave in. So what if he got paint in his hair or that he’d interrupted Peregrine’s painting midstroke or that this great wonderful Peregrine hadn’t broken from his shell until Kurt had reentered his life? Emil was loved. Every inch of him. He came before paintings and maybe even friends.
Emil returned every touch, every moan, every pleasure. As they caught their breath, the phone rang. Tonight, Emil would show Kurt just how much he appreciated Kurt’s contributions to their lives. Until then they’d have their fun out of bed, laughing and eating with their friends.
Emil had a good life. He hummed over to the phone. Kurt and the others would be here in ten minutes.
Peregrine, already dressed, sat Emil’s clothes by the phone. “Do you have to put them on yet?”
Emil shook his head. The oven would take a while to preheat.
“Good.” Peregrine picked back up the pile and stood at the door to the bedroom.
Yes, life was good indeed.
----
This is the last regular chapter. I still need the showing, Kurt’s mom’s visit, and maybe the wedding or something later (their anniversary?). And these might be longer than a chapter or only a very short one. Until my muse returns (it’s very tired), I’m posting picture and side stories. I’ve got two written so far and more plotted. So this is the end, but also not the end.
Man, this story has a lot of endings. This has got to be the third.
