Chapter 24 #3
“That is my new employer you are talking about.” Sariel grinned.
“And? He’s still a dick.”
“Could be worse,” Day said with a cheerful meow.
“If you need help with finding a new place to live?” Absolis purred as he strolled over, arm in arm with Vilanos. “We’d be happy to help.”
“We’d be so happy to help you,” Vilanos echoed.
“Nope, nope, nope.” Seymour glared. “I ain’t gettin’ into anymore mess with you two. You already got your stupid question, and now I owe you for a thank-you or something? Can’t even be polite without worryin’ ’bout you guys fuckin’ with me.”
“Us?” Absolis gasped.
“Fuck with you?” Vilanos gasped.
They gasped again in unison, appearing perfectly mortified.
“Play nicely, children,” Zolrya scolded as he sauntered up to them, neatly arranging the small bouquet together. “Don’t upset my human.”
My human.
Oh, great.
Seymour chose his words carefully and said, “I appreciate that, Your Majesty.”
“Of course you do,” Zolrya purred, leaning in to fuss with Seymour’s vest. The sunflower had vanished, and the little bouquet of Jerry-flowers took its place. “There. Perfect.” He smiled sweetly. “I am going to be hungry very soon.”
“Yup.” Seymour nodded. “And you just tell me what you would like to eat, and I… I will have suggestions for what to eat. With what. For those combinations.”
“Excellent!” Zolrya clapped his hands. “I can’t wait to—”
“Darling? My love?” It was Talos, his voice coming out from all around them as a sultry growl. “Are you done saving that silly flesh bag? I’m still waiting.”
Zolrya giggled. “Oh, my love. Did you find the Crisco? Truly a human marvel if there ever was one.”
“Got it right here. Butter flavored.”
“Darling!” Zolrya squealed. “You always know what I like.”
“I love you,” Talos cooed. “So very much.”
“Oh! And I have your brain. My little human found it just like he said he would.” Zolrya laughed heartily. “I probably should have mentioned that before asking about Crisco…”
“That’s quite all right. Come on home to me.” Talos sounded like he was smiling. “My hands are already dripping.”
“Talos! My love.” Zolrya giggled again and blew kisses at the air. “So soon.” He turned to the others, wiggling his fingers in farewell. “Take care, my darlings. I have a beautiful naked man waiting for me.”
“The best kind.” Seymour chuckled and waved. “You take care, Your Majesty.”
“Goodbye.” Sariel squeezed Seymour closer.
“Bye!” Day waved. “Thanks for not showing your butt!”
Zolrya eyed the twins and smirked. “Run along, children… I don’t want either of you tempted to commit mischief when I leave.”
Absolis and Vilanos both gave polite smiles, but Seymour was fairly certain they were not happy about being denied the chance to screw with Seymour some more. They bowed low, but they each gave Seymour a sharp smile.
Literally.
Because sharp, stabby little teeth.
Ugh.
“Have fun with your little angel,” Absolis cooed.
“Have lots and lots of fun,” added Vilanos.
“I will. And thank—” Seymour coughed. “I appreciate your help.”
Absolis and Vilanos grinned like sharks.
“He’s learning,” Vilanos teased.
“Finally.” Absolis laughed.
They waved, flashed one last predatory smile, and then disappeared.
Zolrya hummed, sniffed the air, and then nodded as if satisfied they were really gone. He smiled at Seymour and gave a slight tilt of his head. “Try not to get stabbed again, little human.”
“I will do my best,” Seymour swore.
With that, Zolrya was gone.
Seymour sighed loudly in relief. “Holy fuck. Wow. So, uh. All of that just happened? The faerie king saved me thanks to the power of Frosties and french fries?”
“We got his boyfriend’s brain back and saved the city!” Day cheered.
“You freed me,” Sariel said with a soft sigh. “I am finally free. And oh, I have a new job.”
“Isn’t it gonna be pretty much like your old one?” Seymour asked. “Just without the whole freaky master shit?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, but that’s still good.” Seymour dropped his head on Sariel’s shoulder, cradling Day against his chest as they all embraced. “And we got a family. Our very own.”
“Our very own,” Day repeated with a delighted purr. “Today has been perfect. The most perfect day ever.”
Sariel smiled warmly. “Yes, today has been quite exciting, but there is still one more thing.”
Seymour lifted his head back up. “What? Think we pretty much covered everything. Unless we wanna talk about the Jerry flowers on me, which are both creepy and thoughtful.”
“You love me.”
“Yeah, uh, so. That. Yup.” Seymour laughed, and his face got hot. “Kinda just came out, and maybe I’m a lil’ crazy, but… I do.”
Sariel cradled Seymour’s scalding cheek. “That is quite a coincidence.”
“What?”
“Seeing as how I love you too.”
Seymour swallowed hard, eyes blurring. “Wow. Yeah, that is some damn coincidence.” He kissed Sariel and hugged him tight, never wanting to ever let go. He knew this time that the flutter in his heart, this sweet ache, would never end, and he’d never been so happy.
The empty void inside of him had finally been filled, and he wished his mother was alive.
He wished she could see him right now, to know the family and the love he’d found.
Considering all the other crazy magical weird things Seymour had encountered this week, maybe thinking that she could wasn’t so far out from reality.
He had the love of an angel and an adorable kitty girl, and he couldn’t ask for anything more.
Day meowed.
“Hmm?” Seymour smiled. “What is it?”
She eyed them both suspiciously. “Are you two going to make the Great Cat with two backs?”
“Day!”
“What? I’m just asking!”
“Let’s go the fuck home.”