Chapter 44
Chapter
Forty-Four
Percival heard footsteps approach the door. Snapping awake from his nap, Percival opened his eyes and sat up in bed.
The door opened. Leo stepped in, grinning from ear to ear. “Percy!”
Percival threw back the sheet and opened his arms wide. Leo fell on top of him.
“I wasn’t sure you’d be home yet.” Leo breathed against Percival’s cheek. He smelled of baked bread and the wood-fire oven at the Christmas markets.
“It’s been a long day. I needed a nap,” Percival murmured. “How was work?”
“Fine. Nothing too exciting. Although, all my siblings who weren’t there last night had a lot of questions.” Leo pulled back. “Did everything go okay today for you?”
They settled into bed, facing each other. Leo’s hand roamed Percival’s side.
“Pretty good, I think. Nix was happy to have me back.” Percival smiled.
“So were all the workers actually. Then I told them all to have the day off. Which made them even happier.” He laughed.
“But Nix stuck around to help me organise the clean-up and repairs. He’s very competent.
I’m thinking I might train him to help me run the place. ”
“Look at you, planning the future of the factory already.” Then Leo made a face. “And what about your uncle?”
Percival pressed his lips together. “That was less positive. I went to his home. He signed the contract handing over control and ownership of Everflame Glass Factory to me. He was…generally unpleasant.” Which was putting it mildly. “He tried to get me to change my mind.”
Leo grinned. “But you were firm with him.”
“I was firm.” Percival chuckled.
Leo grabbed his hand. “You did well, Percy. I’m proud of you. And Cyprian?”
“Hmm.” Shortly before they’d reached home the previous night, Percival’s cousin had begun to grow into an adult phoenix. Then he’d shot flames in all directions. Percival had controlled them, though, so nothing caught fire. But Cyprian hadn’t shifted into his human form.
They’d gotten him home. He’d slept in front of the fireplace. Percival and Leo had slept on the settee, taking turns watching over him through the night. But Cyprian had slept through.
Before leaving for the factory, Percival had asked Uzoth to watch over his cousin. Just in case Cyprian got up to anything whilst he was gone.
“Cyprian was human when I got home from the factory,” Percival said. “We talked.”
“And?”
“He was pretty scattered. Which is not uncommon so soon after a rebirth. The main thing he cared about was being away from his father. He didn’t ask about the factory or his money or anything.” Percival sighed. “He just kept talking about being finally free of Uncle Ignatius.”
It had been pretty upsetting to witness how relieved Cyprian had been. “Cyprian is older than I am. He’s always lived beneath his father’s control. He was practically gleeful at the idea of not having to see his father ever again.”
“Did he seem angry?” Leo asked. “Or murderous?”
Percival laughed. “Not really. But we’ll have to wait and see. He hasn’t really…settled yet. Although, he apologised for trying to kill me. He seemed genuine. But like I said, he was all over the place.”
“Apologising is a good sign though.”
Percival nodded. “I still don’t trust him. Not yet. I want to, but—”
“He tried to kill you twice,” Leo stated. “I think trusting him yet would be foolish.”
“Yeah. We’ll just have to wait and see. And hope.” Percival sighed. “Honestly, I’m not sure what my plan is for him.”
“We’ll work it out.” Leo squeezed his hand. “Where is he now?”
“I rented an apartment down the street.” Once again Percival had his surplus of money and could make things happen very quickly.
“I also hired two guards to stay with him and watch over him,” Percival said. “I told Cyprian it was for his protection, to keep Uncle Ignatius away. He was pleased about that. But I’ve also instructed the guards to keep an eye on him and ensure he doesn’t try and kill me or anyone else.”
“You’ve been very busy,” Leo said.
Percival groaned and rolled onto his back, facing the ceiling. “And I’ve still got so much to work out. Cyprian is my responsibility now. So is the factory and all those working there.”
Leo leaned over him. “Well, I think those worries will keep until tomorrow. You should take the rest of the night off.”
“Yeah?” Percival slid a hand around Leo’s neck, massaging his nape. “What would I do with this night off?”
“I’m sure we can think of something.” Then Leo leaned down and kissed him.
Percival pushed the stress of his responsibilities away. They’d keep. He gave himself over to Leo’s touch and kisses as they undressed.
Percival needed to feel Leo, touch him, be surrounded by him. He wanted to taste and breathe Leo. Be consumed by him.
“I love you,” Percival whispered.
Leo pressed kisses along his jaw. “I love you too, Percy.”
Percival tilted his head back, and Leo continued to kiss down Percival’s neck, over his Adam’s apple, and to the base of his throat. He slid his hands over Percival’s bare shoulders. They touched and frotted, cocks rubbing against naked skin. They rolled on the bed until Leo was beneath him.
Leo gasped. “Fuck me. Please. I want to feel your dick inside me.”
Leaning back, Percival reached for the oil on the floor. They’d started to keep it by the bed so it was easy to reach. He unstopped the bottle and poured the oil on his hand. Leo spread his legs, hands gripping his knees, opening himself to Percival.
Percival paused for a moment, taking in the beauty that was the man he loved. His chest tightened.
“I am so happy you found me in the alley that day.” Percival pressed his oil-slick fingers against Leo’s tight entrance.
“Me too.” Then Leo’s words morphed into a moan. His eyes rolled back as Percival slid two fingers past Leo’s rim and further inside him.
Percival slid his fingers in and out, stretching them apart. Then he added a third. Leo gasped, undulating on his fingers, head tilted back. Leo released his hand on one knee and gripped his dick. He stroked and moaned.
For several seconds, Percival just watched, enraptured by the sight in front of him. Then he tugged his fingers free, grabbed the oil, and slicked his dick. “I need to be inside you, Leo.”
“Yes.” Leo reached for Percival, tugging him forward.
Percival moved in between Leo’s spread legs. He lay down on top of Leo, guiding his cock to Leo’s entrance. Without pausing, Percival thrust, cock shoving deep into Leo, right to the hilt.
“Oh!” Leo groaned.
Slowly, Percival began to rock, cock sliding in and out of Leo’s body.
Leo’s arms and legs wrapped around him, locking their bodies together. Percival nuzzled his face into Leo’s neck. He took deep breaths and inhaled Leo’s scent.
Their bodies moved as one, rocking together. Percival’s prick slid in and out of Leo’s tight hole. The muscles of Leo’s channel squeezed around Percival’s dick. Percival gasped. Around them the air sparked.
He could feel the heat burning through his veins alongside the lust and overwhelming love he felt for Leo.
Growling, Percival moved faster. Leo’s nails scraped down his back. Leo’s dick, trapped between their stomachs, leaked pre-cum. The smell of arousal and smoke lingered in the air.
Percival shoved forward, angling his hips. Leo cried out as Percival nailed that nub inside him. Percival hit that spot again and again as he fucked Leo.
“I’m close!” Leo’s arms and legs tightened around him. “So close.” Then he threw his head back, eyes scrunching as he spilled between them.
Leo’s channel milked Percival’s dick. Percival’s gut tightened, and his balls tingled. He shoved forward, burying himself deep. He cried out as his pleasure peaked. He spent deep inside Leo and filled him with his cum.
After he got his breath back, Percival pushed up. He looked down into Leo’s flushed face.
“I have lived many lives, Leo. I remember them all.” Percival stroked Leo’s cheek. “I have lived hundreds of years, and I have never loved anyone like I love you.”
Leo took Percival’s hand and kissed his fingertips. “I’ve only lived one life. I imagine it’s pretty short in comparison to most of your lives. But I love you, Percy. And I can’t imagine loving anyone more than I love you.”
Percival leaned down and kissed him.