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 Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2023 1:52 pm
The boys were safe, Michael knew that. They were with his mother. Oliver and Asher were there, too. He didn’t want to leave anything to chance. He knew they would be worried, so he made sure to send them a text that everything was okay. That Paris agreed to let the boys stay there and not wake them up since it was so late. They would be happier in the morning there, when they were treated to what would undoubtedly be a grand breakfast. His mother would want to show off.
Maybe he and Devyn would join them in the morning. He hadn’t decided. His mind was going in too many directions. He barely processed how he got from the park to home. At some point he and Devyn had powered down, he knew that, but his senses were on high alert. Any movement in the trees made him pause. Any distant car alarm going off made him tense. The noises and silence put him on edge that the only thing keeping him from slipping under the water of being too overstimulated was Devyn’s hand in his own. And the steady beat of the necklace against his chest.
He didn’t want Devyn to worry. He knew he was worried. He could feel the way he rubbed his thumb against his hand, or squeezed it. Michael forced a smile each time. A couple times he couldn’t help but laugh at himself. Because nothing happened. Nothing horrible at least. They didn’t get a chance to stop Faustite from youmafying. Lysithea suffered injuries, but it hadn’t seemed life threatening. Others…? Some hits from magic attacks, but none of the Negaverse agents used their weapons on them.
Maybe that was what bothered him the most. Aquamarine and Jet could have easily wiped out a good number of them -- those who were the least experienced. Michael felt guilty for not being able to help protect Varuna and Lysithea and the other two in the Court, but he’d been so focused on not letting Aquamarine team up with Jet --
Somehow they made it home. His hand was on the handle and he was pushing it open before he even realized it. With Devyn inside and the door locked behind them, Michael turned to wrap his arms around his husband and practically sink against him, hiding his face against Devyn’s shoulder. He doubted his heart would stop racing from anxiety any time soon.
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Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2023 2:01 pm
Michael was too quiet. Part of it was most certainly because of all of the thoughts flooding his mind, but when he sank too deeply into them, Devyn could see his brows furrow. He tried to pull him back before he could lose himself in them, but judging by the way every little noise seemed to put him on edge, Devyn didn’t want to risk talking over what might have been a legitimate threat.
The most he could do, at least until they got home, was make sure that Michael remembered he was there. They could deal with the rest once they were safe.
The hug was not entirely expected, but it was most certainly not unwelcome.
He hooked his arms behind Michael to give him whatever support he needed, and to make sure he knew that Devyn was here. For him. He wasn’t going anywhere.
For a moment, he was still. He let Michael relax against him, and ran his hand up and down his back. “You’re okay. We’re home, we’re safe. I’ve got you. You want to talk about it?”
Now, or later. Or never, if Michael was better off with another topic to focus on.
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Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2023 2:24 pm
Did he want to talk about it? He wasn’t sure. But he felt as though he always said that. For someone usually decisive about things, Michael certainly froze up when it came to talking about anything. He knew Devyn didn’t hold it against him. And he was trying to be better. There was just so much that he didn’t know where to begin or what to skip over or what was irrelevant or what was important.
The boys are safe, he reminded himself. The Reids were safe. No one had died. They hadn’t suffered many injuries…
“They were disorganized,” he finally said after a few long moments of trying to figure out what was bothering him the most. At least in terms of the present.
“You haven’t seen them when they are organized. When they’re not fighting each other. When they have a plan. Those two-- the blond. Named Aquamarine. And Jet. They fought Ganymede together. Knew each other’s weapons. Seemed like they could hear each other’s thoughts even -- they were that coordinated,” he frowned, because that sounded a bit ridiculous and he shook his head to try and stop himself from being so paranoid.
“A couple of the others there I’ve fought. I have scars from Faustite’s burns. Another there had poisoned daggers. I’ve stabbed Aquamarine with his own weapon before--”
He didn’t feel bad about it. He was just… confused. He didn’t want Devyn to underestimate them based on this one experience.
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Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2023 2:41 pm
“They’re dangerous,” Devyn surmised, but he already knew this. “My faith in your concern is unshaken by one disorganized assault. There were too many variables this time, but I won’t underestimate them. I’d rather treat them all like a threat than let hubris take me down.”
He continued to rub down Michael’s back, this time in a steady, predictable motion.
He wanted to give him something simple and easy to focus on, something less disorganized than the Negaverse had been.
“You’ve taken on enough of them that I know not to take things lightly. I’m glad they were disorganized tonight.” He was glad that everyone he knew got home–mostly safely. “Do you really think it’s so strange that they might be able to hear each other’s thoughts? Atrius used to have a pair. I used them a few times. Actually,” he was quiet for a moment and then said, “I’ll check the next time I head to Alastor. I don’t think I kept them with the rest of the treasury. They were special. I just didn’t have anyone to share them with, so I tucked them away. But the boys have a pair like that too, don’t they? Atrius had to have his made special, so mine are old. I’m sure they still work. I mean, I’m old, and I still do.”
He kissed atop Michael’s head while he had the chance.
“I’ve been meaning to dig around up there, anyway. I’m sure there’s plenty to find. I just hope some of it’s still useful.”
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Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2023 3:08 pm
He’d been frowning as he thought about everything Devyn said. He knew the boys had a pair of earrings where they said they could hear each other’s thoughts, but part of him, maybe naively, was hoping that they’d be unique. There was a part of him that felt like he already knew Artius had a pair as well, but he couldn’t remember if Devyn told him and he just forgot, or if Devyn didn’t tell him and he remembered.
Luckily, Devyn’s comment about being old and still working forced him to let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. The kiss to his head was sweet, and Devyn’s hands on his back was comforting in a way he couldn’t quite explain. But that didn’t stop him from glancing up at him with a vaguely exasperated but amused expression.
There was still a part of him that worried about Devyn being old. If his world had been keeping him young for a purpose, and if now it would speed up the time he had left. It was too soon to tell. But maybe in a few years, Michael would be able to be reassured or continue to worry, depending on how Devyn aged.
“I was hoping it was a one time fluke,” he admitted about Aquamarine and Jet seemingly knowing what the other was thinking. How many magical pairs of earrings could possibly be out there? At least three sets, apparently, which meant more were just as likely.
Michael lifted his head from Devyn’s shoulder then to frown at him. Well, not at him. Devyn hadn’t done anything wrong. In fact, he was doing a lot of things right, but Michael wasn’t sure how to express his gratitude beyond removing his hands from around him so he could place each hand against his cheeks instead to hold him still for a quick kiss.
“What would be useful is having magic like the Court,” he huffed, releasing Devyn’s face so he could rest his hands on his shoulders instead, kneading his fingers into the muscle there. “You saw what it was like. Our side is just as unorganized, but it’s more dangerous because we can’t reach out to others without risking everyone we care about.” He wasn’t willing to take that chance. He’d already been branching out more than he’d felt comfortable with, but… they had to do something, otherwise things would just continue as they were.
“If you need help, Peter and I can look through everything with you,” he suggested, because he did want to help Devyn. He’d promised he would, and Peter seemed interested when he’d texted him about an opportunity to hunt for treasure.
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Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2023 3:16 pm
Hoping for a one time fluke was one thing, but Devyn had promised to be careful and treat the Negaverse like the dangerous threat they were. A one time fluke would have brought him comfort, but he wasn’t going to discredit the possibility that they might have had those tools for the long run.
The kiss was nice, but all of them were. The hands on his shoulders felt heavenly.
“I’ve been meaning to reach out to Peter and ask. It’s been too long. I hope he’s interested in digging through all my treasures. Maybe I can let him keep some of them as payment, it’s a big task.”
He hummed thoughtfully, but it was a thought for tomorrow. Tonight, he wanted to focus on Michael.
“There’s a lot of magic out there in the universe, maybe we can find a way to tap into it. The more tools we have at our disposal, the better. Maybe we can ask around and see if anyone knows a good place to start. But.”
He didn’t draw away, but he tilted his head so he could see Michael a little better.
“I don’t even think I need a pair of earrings to tell me what’s going on in your mind. Right now, you’re thinking, ‘Oh, Devyn’s arms feel so nice. Has he been working out? I bet he could carry me all the way across the house and not even break a sweat.’ Which is true. And you’re thinking, ‘I’d really love a good glass of wine. Something rich and flavorful, but light, because we’ll want to head to bed soon. And I don’t want to overheat in the bath Devyn’s going to make me. I hope he uses the bubbles. And, when he does, I hope he gets in with me and can massage this kink I’ve got, right here.’” Devyn’s hand lifted to Michael’s shoulder briefly, where he knew to expect a knot.
He wasn’t surprised. And, he was determined to work it down before they went to bed, tonight.
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Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2023 5:51 pm
“Oh, you think you’re cute,” Michael laughed finally when Devyn found the knot in his shoulder. His frown never stood a chance against that charm, although it had slowly morphed into a smile as Devyn spoke.
Sure, he’d bite. He would just have to make sure he made it up to Devyn for taking care of him. Even though he didn’t have to.
Michael shifted a little on his feet, like he was trying very hard not to seem anxious or uncertain. Because he trusted Devyn with everything, but he wasn’t sure his confidence in himself was quite there.
He almost opened his mouth to ask if Devyn was sure he didn’t think carrying someone his own size was silly. But Devyn had told him before. Several times. That he enjoyed carrying him.
“You do have nice arms,” he agreed, moving his hands down Devyn’s arms, not shy about feeling the muscles there. He leaned down a bit more so he could work his shoes off and push them to the side in the entryway. He checked his phone to make sure there were no messages from the Reids or Paris or his mother, and once it was tucked back into his pocket he moved closer to Devyn so he could reach an arm around his shoulders to help with his weight for when Devyn picked him up.
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Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2023 7:09 pm
It was like Michael could read his mind too, because Devyn thought he was very cute. He liked the attention and was more than happy to flex while Michael felt his arms. He liked to show off, he couldn’t help it.
While Michael removed his shoes, Devyn followed suit. He’d worn zip up boots, so it took him significantly shorter than it otherwise might have, and though he hadn’t said anything about it, he had planned a bit for tonight even before the left.
If things went well, they could celebrate and have a night to themselves. If they went poorly, he’d still readied everything he needed to pamper Michael a bit. Tonight hadn’t gone as well as he’d wanted, but it hadn’t been catastrophic, either. And, it seemed like a waste not to try and make good of it while the boys were out of the house.
He smiled again when Michael put his arm around his shoulder and he welcomed the invitation to scoop him up into his arms.
Once, he’d thought only Percy would fit perfectly. It turned out that Michael did, too. Just differently.
He kissed him, quite satisfied with this, and made his way through the house as he carried him with what seemed like ease. He was excited to have a welcome invitation, and was eager to show Michael that he’d already hidden a few candles and had set out his favorite bubbles for the bath. He didn’t want to leave Michael’s side, but a moment to grab the wine and glasses wouldn’t kill either of them.
He navigated through the doorway carefully so he didn’t bump Michael. “Have I told you today, how happy you make me? Or how much I love you?”
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Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2023 7:19 pm
Even if he didn’t want to be, Michael was absolutely charmed by how eager Devyn was to lift him up and carry him around. The kiss made him smile, and he did his best to tuck his feet close and keep his elbow from sticking out too far so Devyn didn’t have too much difficulty maneuvering the both of them through the house.
“Even if you didn’t say it, you make sure that I know,” Michael reassured him, taking the time to run his fingers through Devyn’s hair and make sure he wasn’t pulling on it with his arm around his shoulders. “Just like you don’t have to pick me up to sweep me off my feet.”
He was still smiling, unable to stop himself. Even with how things went that night, it could have gone a lot worse. No one died, he reminded himself. No one lost limbs, although he wished no one had broken any either. He would have to send a message to Michel to make sure Lysithea was okay. Or Soleiyu even, although he didn’t see the Mauvian there.
“I do think you’re incredibly strong, Devyn,” he said after a moment, making sure he wasn’t being given any cues to help lower himself back to his feet yet. “More than just physically. Although you’re very nice to look at, I’m not going to lie. What can I do to help-- did you plan this?” he asked suddenly, because he could already see things that had been moved around after he was in their room last.
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Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2023 7:54 pm
“Maybe,” Devyn answered, a slight bit of playfulness in his voice. “I wanted to have something nice for you to come home to. But you can go on about how strong I am, and how nice I look if you like.”
Devyn was prideful but he wasn’t outright vain, and he was a good ways off from outright narcissist. Really, it was Michael’s fault that he made Devyn want to hear those nice things, anyway. He hadn’t had butterflies in his stomach for a long time, but this was close enough.
He didn’t want to put Michael down, he wanted to hold him for as long as he could. It wasn’t practical, but he didn’t care. Not everything had to be. He could just enjoy holding his husband while he sank down to sit on the side of the tub and stretched over to get the water running.
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Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2023 6:34 am
There were a few moments that Michael thought about suggesting that Devyn put him down. He didn’t want him falling and getting hurt. He didn’t worry so much about himself as he did about Devyn. But he knew Devyn knew his limits. He knew he’d put him down if he felt like it was necessary. So Michael forced himself to keep his mouth shut. To trust that he wouldn’t cause Devyn to injure himself.
It was difficult. He’d gotten used to being in control of things for so long. It caused problems for him, but it also saved him from a lot of unknowns that made him anxious and uneasy.
And he knew he wasn’t small. So Devyn working on maneuvering with him had to have been a challenge. But he did think Devyn was strong. So he kept his arm around his shoulders and did his best to not throw him off balance.
“Your eyes are mesmerizing, you know. I’ve never seen your eye color before. Like suns in a summer sky,” he hummed. “Or molten gold encased in ice.”
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Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2023 8:21 am
There was a split second where Devyn’s heart skipped a beat, and while he was sure that the necklace would pick up on it, he wasn’t sure if Michael would. He’d been running his hand underneath the water as it warmed up but the comment made him pause.
He smiled softly, like he did sometimes when he was treasuring a memory–old, or new.
He didn’t tell Michael that he wasn’t the first person to say such things. He didn’t ask if he’d chosen those words specifically or if they were just what felt right.
“Oh, you are a poet,” he said, softer than before. He drew Michael close, and kissed his temple gently. “I love you very much, Michael. Thank you. You know your eyes are beautiful too, right? I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve gotten lost in them. But I can tell you that I’ve enjoyed every moment of it.”
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Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2023 8:34 am
“They’re my best feature,” he admitted with a quiet snort of amusement, but didn’t resist Devyn drawing him closer or kissing his temple. It was sweet. Calming. And now that he knew Devyn had planned something, he didn’t want to do anything that would mess it up. He just hoped whatever Devyn had in mind, he didn’t do anything to ruin it.
Although he supposed there was at least one thing he could do to help. And that was to reach for the hem of Devyn’s shirt. He knew the plan Devyn mentioned included wine, but it wasn’t as though there were children wandering around the house at the moment.
And even if there were, maybe Atticus seeing both of his dads being comfortable with their scars would help him be less self conscious about his own.
Even if knowing about them made Michael’s blood boil. But right now it was easy to be distracted by Devyn and his sweet words and gestures.
“I love you, too,” he smiled. He might not have felt the change in the necklace because his own heart was busy doing its own fluttery thing, but he was pretty sure that if it was possible to fall in love with someone he was already in love with all over again, Devyn was making it a pretty easy argument to win.
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