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 Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2024 6:52 pm
Michael had some errands to run today before he came home from work, and Atticus was over with the Reids working on homework. Lucien had been working on some project, but Devyn wasn’t sure if he was out testing it or if Soleiyu had recruited him for one of his own projects, or if he was also over at the Reids waiting to get pampered. Either way, he was sure that Lucien was safe.
But, it meant that Devyn was home alone.
The Reids were probably going to feed Atticus, and if they didn’t there would be plenty here when he got back in. He’d brought home the fresh baked baguette but the cod stew had been cooking on the stove for a while now.
It wasn’t going to go bad sitting on the stove as long as he mixed it every now and then, but it was probably ready to eat now–or whenever Michael made it home.
Which should be soon. Not that he’d kept his eye on the phone to make sure Michael hadn’t been further delayed. He was very good at keeping Devyn updated, and his estimates for how long it would take him to get anywhere were nearly always spot-on.
Devyn had done his best to time things so he’d be just about ready to finish up his project when Michael got in.
It was nearly spring, but still in the transition stages of chill mornings and warm afternoons, where winter clothes were too heavy but spring clothes were too light. Naturally, he wanted to make sure Atticus had an appropriate wardrobe. His closet wasn’t quite running out of space, but Devyn had already considered clearing out a room on Alastor to store his off season clothes. Just in case. They’d gone through a catalog earlier in the month and he’d had Atticus pick some designs he liked, and they’d spent some time together taking measurements and drafting patterns and sewing together.
Now, they were mostly in the finishing stages. Devyn was embroidering pastel flowers in the cuffs, partly for aesthetics and partly because he thought the texture was nice. Atticus had a habit of worrying, and Devyn wanted to give him something he could focus on if he needed to. He supposed Elliot would probably be with Atticus, but he wanted to make sure that no matter where he went, he had a reminder of how loved he was.
The dining room table was set for three, but Devyn was currently seated in the empty seat at the other end of the table. It wasn’t the most comfortable, but he wanted to be able to check on dinner. It was too easy to get engrossed in his embroidery otherwise, and having an excuse to get up and stir the stew every few minutes sated his unwavering energy levels for now. He might have run around earlier, but all this week he’d been restless–and probably not doing a great job of hiding it.
He heard the car pull in, and he heard Michael closing the door behind him.
He gave him a few seconds to start removing his shoes before he called, “Welcome home! Do you need help bringing anything in from the car or shall I just come carry you in, instead?”
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Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2024 7:34 pm
Michael was already in a good mood by the time he made his way into the house, but Devyn’s greeting, which was not unsimilar to all of his greetings, made his heart swell. He laughed quietly as he used the toe of his shoe to step on the heel of the other to remove them.
He was carrying a few bags with him, filled with produce that would undoubtedly be used within a few days, but that just meant they could get new, fresh produce at that point.
“I’ve got everything from the car, but I wouldn’t mind some help putting this stuff away,” he suggested instead. Who knew what nonsense would happen if he let Devyn carry him around every time he felt like it. He had to be somewhat responsible, especially when there was a teenager in the house. Well, maybe not at that moment, since he knew Atticus had gone over to the Reids, but still.
“Smells good,” he commented as he made his way into the kitchen. He didn’t need to look at the stove to know that Devyn had everything under control. Instead he crossed the distance to where his husband was sitting at the table to give him a kiss.
“Missed you. I hope your day wasn’t too boring,” he hummed, his expression a bit thoughtful as he placed the reusable cloth bags on the counter. “Sorry, I wanted to grab this before I forgot, but next time we’ll go together if you’d like? I think you have a better eye for picking out the good vegetables than I do.”
Michael tried to make sure Devyn went with him, or if their plans worked out, Devyn was perfectly capable of picking things up at the store as well.
“You don’t have any plans tomorrow night, do you?” he asked, maybe a bit suddenly since he hadn’t even waited for Devyn to respond. He didn’t look over at Devyn, but instead busied himself with removing a head of lettuce from the bag to set on the counter.
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Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2024 7:42 pm
Devyn had waited for his kiss, because he knew it was coming, and had deftly strung the last bit of thread through the fabric of the sleeve so he could bring himself to a decent stopping point for now. He rose swiftly, making his way into the kitchen after Michael so he could help. “I haven’t made any plans specifically, no.”
He paused by the stove just briefly to stir the stew, mulling over the date and trying to recall if there was anything in particular about it. Nothing came to mind
He leaned over to kiss Michael’s cheek because he couldn’t help himself, and then happily began going through the bags to help put them away.
Honestly, they all looked just fine; Michael had more than a good eye and was probably pickier than Devyn was, but he wouldn’t ever turn down an excuse to spend time with Michael. Besides, Devyn liked being surrounded by food. Michael always bought him a treat whenever they were out.
“Is there something I should be looking forward to?”
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Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2024 7:48 pm
Michael’s lip twitched into a smile when he got another kiss on his cheek, and he couldn’t stop himself from glancing over at Devyn just to look at him.
Sometimes it was impossible to think that not so long ago, he and Devyn were exchanging words for the first time. Michael had been suspicious of a Senshi who walked around powered up in broad daylight, but then things became even more strange when they learned who Devyn was. Where he was from. When he was from. And who he was looking for.
Although Michael wasn’t sure he believed in things like fate (it seemed rather unfair to live predetermined lives), he’d eventually come to accept that maybe there was a reason everything seemed to piece together now.
Or maybe there wasn’t and it was just a coincidence.
“Well,” he hummed again, feigning nonchalance as he emptied a carton of strawberries and blueberries into a bowl of water and some vinegar to soak and decontaminate. “The other week I found an advertisement for a tournament of sorts. Hand to hand combat. Nothing fancy. So… I signed you up. I received confirmation this morning that all the paperwork was in order and it starts tomorrow night.”
Michael paused, turning to lean against the counter to look at Devyn more fully.
“Sorry, I should have asked you. It was a last minute entry and I guess someone else dropped out, which is why I didn’t know for sure until this morning. I know you could have spent that time training or at least getting ready in some way,” he quietly explained, his enthusiasm and good mood tempered until he knew what Devyn thought.
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Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2024 8:04 pm
Despite the task at hand, Devyn found plenty of time to watch Michael instead of the produce he was working with. Michael was handsome even just doing the most mundane of tasks. How could he take his eyes off of him now?
Michael worried about him, constantly. Devyn had been taking it particularly easy, perhaps as an apology for stressing him out while he was gone with Atticus on Urania.
Was he being cautious now? So reserved?
He’d signed Devyn up for a tournament of his own accord. No wonder he hadn’t told him; Devyn would have been disappointed if he’d known he was unchosen on a waitlist.
A smile cracked across his face, and he looked at Michael with such tender affection that he couldn’t help but laugh and lean forward to kiss him again. It wasn’t enough. He placed the produce on the counter, easily forgotten, and moved so he could plant one hand on either side of Michael and lean into him as he rested against the counter.
Another kiss, a better one. On the lips.
Quick, and passionate, because Devyn was prone to energetic outbursts when he was excited.
“What training could I do in a week that would make such a difference?” It couldn’t be much different than his usual workouts, and beyond that–did he really need to prepare? Combat was in his blood. Time had given him an unfair advantage to hone his skills, but had he really learned anything in the last few hundred years, or just been repeating the motions?
Well, he supposed he’d picked up some new habits when sparring with Michael, but the advantage was probably more in being raised on a war-faring world more so than the generally more peaceful Earth.
Devyn’s eyes were nearly sparkling with delight, and he couldn’t wipe the smile from his face. “A bit mischievous of you, keeping secrets from me. It’s a lovely surprise, though.”
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Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2024 8:12 pm
As if Michael minded Devyn’s energetic outbursts…
When Devyn leaned into him, Michael easily raised his hands to settle along Devyn’s waist. Like this, he was able to relax more. Especially since Devyn seemed to like the idea.
“I’m more mischievous than you’d think,” he hummed, trying to control a teasing grin. “For example. I already talked to Atticus about it.”
Atticus was worse than him when it came to worrying, but a part of that was likely because he was so empathetic that Michael wouldn’t be surprised if he could easily imagine the pain others felt. Another part was that he just genuinely cared about others. Of course he’d be upset if someone he loved was hurt.
“I’m sure he can tell you himself, but he said he wanted you to have fun. And if you end up getting hurt, he’d have his magic ready,” Michael summarized.
“But he’ll be at the Reids tomorrow night. I promised I’d cheer you on in his stead.”
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Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2024 8:42 pm
“You talked to Atticus!” Devyn exclaimed, a visible mixture of amused and surprised. “When? Our son, keeping secrets from me?”
Devyn had no venom in his voice, he laughed and peppered Michael’s face with kisses.
“Is he spending the night tomorrow? We can stay out late. I’ll put on a good show for you. And win, of course.” Maybe it was hubris that gave him such confidence, but he tended to do very well in the ring, and he’d not yet found someone who had bested him. He supposed he’d earned the right to brag about it–and he very much liked to.
He wasn’t going to lose his undefeated legacy, and most certainly not while Michael was there to cheer him on.
His fights had been a fairly private affair until now; he’d told Michael he needed to get out, told him where he’d be, what he was doing. Michael understood, he supported him. But now he was coming to cheer him on? Of course he was elated.
“Shall I take a bruise or two so Atticus can come heal me or will he be disappointed if I make it out in one piece?” Oh, but Michael would probably worry, especially if he was there. Devyn almost laughed at the idea, but he supposed he wouldn’t have to wait for too long to see how Michael held up in the audience. He didn’t want Michael to worry, so it was probably obvious that he was only teasing.
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Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2024 9:06 pm
“I don’t think he wants you to get hurt, but he knows it’s a possibility,” Michael smiled in amusement, although he absolutely tilted his head to receive more kisses since they were being given so freely.
“But yeah, he’ll probably stay with the Reids all weekend. So we can absolutely stay out late. I talked to him a few days ago at school. Let him know it might be possible that you’d be fighting.”
Michael knew how important it was in Devyn’s culture to fight. It was social as much as it was status. A few flittering memories were able to piece more together, and while he didn’t fully understand it, he did like seeing Devyn happy.
If that meant being able to let loose and spar with someone other than his husband, then Michael would be happy to let him do that. Even if he worried about Devyn getting hurt, he had confidence in Devyn’s abilities. And if this helped to release some of his energy, then that was a good thing!
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Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2024 12:13 am
“So sneaky,” Devyn hummed, but again there was no concern or anger. He was simply amused that they’d both been able to keep this to themselves for days now. “I had no idea, Michael. But thank you. I’m very excited, and very much looking forward to it.”
He thought he’d been doing a good job of hiding how much pent up energy he was trying to work through, but maybe he hadn’t been as clever as he thought. Or, maybe that necklace was revealing too much to Michael.
He wasn’t upset. Michael was observant.
And thoughtful, and kind. And supportive. And perfect.
He shifted his weight to only one hand, still at Michael’s side, and raised his other so he could stroke his husband’s cheek.
“I’ll do my best not to get hurt. For you and him. If we’ve got a whole weekend together, I’d rather not spend it battered. We should make good use of that time. Although, I suppose I’m still getting a good deal out of it if I’ve got you tending to and pampering me,” he hummed.
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Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2024 8:42 am
“I intend on pampering you,” Michael laughed softly, tilting his head into Devyn’s touch. He kept his arms looped loosely around Devyn’s waist, but playfully tugged at his shirt to get it untucked from his pants and sneak a hand underneath to press against Devyn’s back.
“I’ve already got everything ready. New candles. Refreshed first aid. I’ll have food delivered so we can just relax,” he grinned.
If Michael was being honest, he didn’t need to rely on the necklace to know how Devyn was feeling. It was mostly there to keep him grounded and remind him that there were people in his life that cared about him. Just as he cared about them in return.
“I know you’re going to win, so I put a lot of money on you, just so you know. I figure we can donate the winnings,” he suggested, because he really didn’t have to bet on Devyn, but he kind of wanted to see the look on people’s faces when someone as elegant as his husband came out on top.
“Is there anything you’d like to do to prepare? I know it’s short notice and I know you said there wasn’t really any training that could be done on such short notice but. Should you eat something specific or. Did you want me to start pampering you now?”
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Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2024 9:55 am
When Devyn smiled, his eyes softened. If there had been any worry on his face, it had long since evaporated. He’d forgotten the discomfort of being hunched over at the dining room table, working the needle with speed and precision but with such force that his fingers bore small tracks from where he’d held the needle so tightly. He forgot about the mounting pressure of having so much to do and not enough time to do it.
His worries washed away, surprisingly easily given how long he’d been holding on to some of them. It wasn’t a perfect solution, but it was a perfect solution for now.
How could he have room in his heart or mind to fret about anything when it was so swollen with love?
Michael betting on him was cute in a way that gave him butterflies, and Devyn thought he should be too old to have them flapping around in his stomach but it tickled enough that he laughed.
“Ah, well I suppose I wouldn’t mind a little pampering now. But I’ve had all day to take it easy, so maybe it should be my turn to pamper you. But I suppose we should put away these groceries, first. And then we should have dinner. And then a bath, because I’m sure–”
He lowered his hand from Michael’s cheek to rest on his shoulder, where he gently massaged his fingers into his muscles. “–that you could use a little relaxation. You’re not as tense as I thought you’d be, I haven’t been making you worry enough, hm?”
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Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2024 12:33 pm
“Sometimes I think you want me to worry so you can fuss over me,” Michael chuckled with teasing amusement, closing the already small distance between them so he could press his lips to Devyn’s.
“I’m not worried,” he promised, running his hands up and down Devyn’s back somewhat lazily. “I know you’ll win. Do I want you to get hurt? No, but it’s not like you’ll be fighting someone with a sword,” he pointed out. “Believe it or not, I used to do competitions like this when I was younger and in the Navy because how else was I supposed to get out my energy and anger and whatever else was built up?”
It had been a long time, though. He could still fight, but things had shifted for his priorities. He didn’t have to fight to survive like Devyn had for so long.
Or at least not physically fighting. Michael was well aware of how precariously close to the edge he’d come over the course of his life. He’d been lucky that there were those in his life who pulled him back, at the last moment.
“We should definitely get everything put away and have some dinner. I look forward to relaxing with you.”
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Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2024 1:25 pm
Devyn didn’t move immediately, instead taking the opportunity to appreciate having Michael between him and the counter. “I do like fussing over you,” he mused, a shadow of mischief in his voice. “But I suppose I don’t need a reason to do that.”
One more kiss, longer and more passionate, but still tame enough that he wouldn’t have been embarrassed if Atticus walked through the door just then. Finally, he pulled away. “You’ll have to tell me about your competitions, Michael. You know I like stories.”
Far more interesting than washing produce and putting it away, but.
He stirred the stew again before he returned to unpacking what Michael had picked out for them. Of course, it was difficult to focus on such mundane little things when his charming, thoughtful, considerate husband was just a foot away.
There were days where he felt his age. Where the memories just felt like a weight on his shoulders he couldn’t be free of. There were times when he could have gotten sick just thinking about everything he had to do.
Not tonight. He felt young, and happy, and alive.
Michael was better to him than he was to himself. He’d been in a good mood already, but now he just had a glow about him that he couldn’t seem to shut off.
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