|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2024 6:23 pm
Michael groaned as Devyn went through his list. Although it probably sounded more like a whine. And muffled against Devyn’s shoulder. Devyn knew how to fluster him, but he appreciated him more than he could possibly say.
So he didn’t, and just pressed another kiss to Devyn’s neck.
He wanted to tell Devyn that he was being silly, but he knew Devyn meant every word. Michael was just lucky that Devyn had experienced his new life on Earth with him before meeting anyone else to sway his thoughts about him.
As for telling Devyn when he was struggling… Michael was quiet for a few moments. He rubbed Devyn’s back and just relished the closeness between them a little while longer.
“I’ll try,” he promised. He was better about being honest. With anyone else, he wouldn’t have opened up about how he felt, but Devyn was always easy to talk to. “As long as you do the same for me.”
Devyn hadn’t had the easiest month… but hopefully things would get better. For both of them.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2024 6:57 pm
Devyn’s lip twitched again but the smile was unshakable. Michael was starting to get as dramatic as he was. He tilted his head to offer the space for more kisses.
He relaxed in Michael’s arms, deliberately. He hadn’t been that stressed to begin with, but he tensed his muscles, shifted his weight, and then made sure that Michael could feel the way he softened in his arms.
“I will,” he promised. “Even if it takes me a little while to figure out how I feel, or what I’m thinking, or what I need. I’ll do it. It’s still new to me.”
New again, at least. He hadn’t been very good at it when Percy was around, but if ever he’d been honest with someone before, it was him. He’d learned a lot in the short time he’d had with Percy, and he was going to make his best effort to take all of that and be better for Michael.
“I’ve spent a lot of time burying things, or trying to pretend like they weren’t important. I’ve developed a lot of bad habits on my own. Thank goodness I have you to take care of me now,” he hummed. “I’ll do my best. With your support, I can do anything.”
Even if it took him a little time to figure out the right words, or to sort out what he was thinking or feeling, he could do it. Michael was patient with him and gave him the time to process things. He didn’t rush him, he just gave him the space to figure things out, and when he was ready he was there to listen–and keep him from sinking too deep.
Michael was always there to pull him back up.
He wanted to be able to do that for him, too.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2024 7:09 pm
Michael held him. He kept his chin on Devyn’s shoulder, his arms around his waist, although he occasionally lifted his hand to stroke at his back or his hair. With the way Devyn tilted his head, how could he not press more kisses against the curve of his neck and jaw?
It wasn’t much, he knew, but Michael wanted every opportunity to express how much he appreciated Devyn. His patience, his understanding, his presence.
He knew there were a lot of things Devyn buried and kept to himself. Whether it be due to the nature of just being alone for hundreds of years, or not wanting to worry Michael about the things that bothered him. Whatever it was, Michael hoped Devyn knew he would get the same patience that he offered Michael.
“Alright… if you think ‘Papa’ is a good fit for me, then Atticus can call me that if he’d like,” he sighed as he pressed another kiss to Devyn’s neck.
“I want you to know… I’m struggling now,” Michael confessed, and he knew Devyn would be able to hear the frown in his voice.
“It’s really hard for me to not just say forget making dinner and just ordering pizza.” Because surely there would be so many other things they could do with their time than cutting vegetables and cooking steak.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2024 7:16 pm
“Oh?” Devyn asked like it was supposed to be a question but he had so much mirth in his voice that it sounded like he’d already figured out the answer.
“We didn’t get too far into our prep,” he mused. “...It would probably be fine if we wanted to pack things up and pick it up again tomorrow. It would be cruel to make you work when you’re struggling. Let me pamper you. We can go lay in bed and talk. You order the pizza and I’ll pack up. Or I can do both.”
He wasn’t the best with technology, even now, but Soleiyu had given him enough updates that he could manage ordering pizza. He wasn’t good at judging how many they needed, but extra food would never go to waste in this house. He couldn’t recall a time they’d ever had to throw away leftovers.
There was no reason to draw away; he left that choice in Michael’s hands, for whenever he was ready for it.
He didn’t need to tell Michael he was proud of him again; he placed a long, lasting kiss on his shoulder and poured all his love, all his praise, into that point of contact.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2024 11:47 am
“I don’t know,” he repeated once more, but this time there was clear amusement in his voice. “I think I’m going to need some more hands on pampering than just talking.” Not that he didn’t enjoy talking with Devyn. He would have been happy to just lay in bed and talk to him. But with all the little kisses, how could he not want more?
“We’ll split it,” he decided easily. They worked best together, so dividing tasks and things they had to do made everything easier on the both of them. “Start packing up and I’ll help once I’m doing ordering. Maybe I can send some over with Atticus and Lucien to the Reids,” he hummed, although he felt a little guilty about always pushing Atticus off on the Reids.
But he was also pretty sure Atticus would have more fun hanging out with Elliot than walking in on his daddy and papa making out.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2024 12:40 pm
As if Devyn would be daunted by hands on pampering. If anything, it would just make him work twice as fast to be finished sooner. He moved away finally so he could get started.
“I think that sounds like a good plan. Atticus probably won’t mind. Just hug him and call him son and tell him you love him. Papa.”
There was no shortage of amusement in Devyn’s voice, but he said the word as if it were something he was proud of. He loved Michael and he loved Atticus, and he’d seen both of them grow and change so much since they’d come into his life. He was proud of his family and he loved them dearly, and they both needed time to come out of their shells.
In their own way.
They were both very different, but he’d never loved either of them less for it.
He moved quickly, deliberately, to make sure he could safely clean everything up. He wasn’t going to risk slicing his hand open or spilling something in his haste. It was rare that Michael wanted to open up, and even if he was teasing or flirting, there was truth enough in what he’d said that Devyn wasn’t going to waste the opportunity that presented itself.
If Michael texted the Reids to ask if Atticus could come over, of course they’d agree. And if Elliot invited Atticus over, of course he’d agree.
He’d learned in his time here that the Reids were obliging parents, firm when they needed to be but always loving and adaptable. They’d made it clear that their home was always open to Atticus, and they were happy to do their part to make Michael’s life easier in any way that they could. If that meant asking Elliot to invite Atticus over, they’d come up with an idea. Movie night, craft night, homework party. Devyn had heard an array of creative invitations. He’d even heard his fair share of similarly creative invitations for Lucien to join them. The Mauvian might have been wiser to their antics, but he seemed no less interested in the praise and adoration he received from the Reids. Maybe it was a good exchange for everyone.
As long as his family was happy, Devyn was happy.
And if they weren’t, he’d do everything in his power to change that.
Especially if that meant spending more time with Michael.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
