Chapter 20
Twenty
Peri could practically feel it when Wash’s control on his temper snapped.
He released his grip on Peri’s arm, teeth bared and claws out as he went after him.
Given that the guy he was confronting was human, Peri knew he couldn’t let Wash attack the guy.
Humans were fragile, and demons were already seen in a bad light by humans. The fallout would be insane.
The only way he’d figured out to keep Wash calm was to climb on him.
Peri didn’t hesitate, jumping onto Wash’s back and wrapping himself around the angry demon like an octopus.
Wash froze inches away from the human, his claws still out and a growl in his throat.
He was still pissed, but unwilling to bring Peri any closer to the potential violence.
“Don’t fight,” Peri murmured in his ear pleadingly. “You’ll get arrested, and I’ll definitely cry if you do.”
It wasn’t much of a threat, but it seemed to work wonders on Wash. His snarl turned into a low growl, and he took a step back, putting more space between him and the human.
Was the human smart enough to take the opening to escape? Nope. He decided to dig his grave a little deeper.
“That’s right. Listen to the man and go back to your mommy. I’m sure she’s looking for you by now. Isn’t it past your nap time?”
It was Peri’s turn to growl, and he lifted himself up, forcing Wash to reach behind himself to hold Peri steady or risk him falling off. “Hey, jerkface! Why don’t you take your own advice! I bet your mom would have something to say about you picking a fight with a demon!”
The human scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. Yes, he was taller than both of them, but he was also human with no magic. If Peri had let him, Wash would’ve wiped the floor with him. His height wouldn’t have made any difference.
“Why would I be worried about a pipsqueak like him? Are you even a demon? I’ve seen imps bigger than you.”
Wash’s shoulders tightened, and Peri could feel his patience holding on by a thread. He might not be willing to get closer while Peri was with him, but what was stopping him from using his magic to set the human on fire?
“Come on, princess. How about I show you what it’s like being with a real man,” the human invited with a slimy smirk. “No need to waste your time with someone like him.”
Peri didn’t get mad often, he didn’t like confrontation, but the way the human said ‘him’ like there was something wrong with Wash, made Peri lose his temper. He sparkled with magic, considering shrinking the guy’s junk to better match his personality. He had wish magic, he could totally do it.
It was Wash’s turn to hold Peri back, a hand on his knee tightening to ground him in the moment. What bothered Peri the most was how Wash didn’t blink at the insults. Like he’d heard them all before.
“What’s going on here?”
The voice of the head chef drew their attention and Peri seized the moment, pointing at the human with a scowl. “You should reconsider who you hire. Unless you look for small minded humans who pick fights with your guests.”
The human blanched, putting his hands up when the head chef turned his glare toward the human. “We’ve talked about this, Barney.”
Barney pointed an accusing finger at Wash. “He started it! He grabbed the pixie like some kind of animal! I was trying to stick up for him!”
“He did not! Wash would never hurt me! And I’m not a pixie!” Peri shouted back.
The head chef looked between the human and where Peri was clinging to Wash’s back like a fairy backpack, Wash’s hands gently supporting him, his expression back to neutral and annoyed.
When the head chef turned back to Barney, his lips were pressed into a thin line.
“He doesn’t look like he’s in any danger.
You can’t keep doing this, Barney. You’re going to pick a fight with the wrong supe one day, and I won’t be there to rescue you. Go clock out. You’re done for the day.”
Barney wasn’t happy about it, but he seemed unwilling to truly argue with his boss. He stormed off, muttering unkind things under his breath that Peri was pretty sure everyone pretended they didn’t hear. It wasn’t worth it to call him back when he was already being sent home.
The head chef turned to face them, his expression tight with exasperation. “My apologies. He’s got talent in the kitchen, but he’s young and human with very little life experience outside of those of us he’s met here. I’ll keep a better eye on him from now on.”
Peri nodded sharply, still upset but hoping for the conversation to be over anyway. The head chef offered a free meal in the resort restaurant, but they both turned him down, and he eventually went back to his work, leaving Peri and Wash alone.
Wiggling to get down, Peri slipped off Wash’s back and returned to his spot at the long stainless steel counter, frowning at the ingredients he’d picked out. He wasn’t feeling cupcakes anymore. They were a happy treat. He wasn’t feeling so happy right now.
“Peri…”
His shoulders came up, and his hands fisted on the counter’s surface, his normally bright mood overshadowed by human bullies, and Wash’s refusal to say they were together in front of his brother.
His wings drooped. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea for Peri to come along on this retreat.
He’d been a lot happier in his apartment that morning.
Wash’s hands settled on either side of the counter by Peri’s hips, his presence warm against Peri’s back without getting so close that he’d hurt Peri’s wings. When Wash rested his forehead against Peri’s shoulder, Peri’s shoulders came down, giving him more room.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have lost my temper,” Wash murmured. “I saw him flirting with you, and I just… snapped.”
“I don’t mind that part,” Peri whispered back. He liked the possessiveness. It made him feel wanted.
“Tell me what I said to upset you, then,” Wash cajoled. “I know I did. Your light got all dim when we were at lunch.”
Peri busied his hands with measuring ingredients, pretending he was too busy to answer.
He didn’t want to talk about it. If they did, then Peri would have to admit he didn’t have a chance.
Wash wasn’t going to keep him. He’d never agreed to a relationship.
He’d offered to take care of Peri’s needs. It was just sex. Nothing more.
Wash’s hands moved to his hips, making Peri’s movements slow.
Then, very deliberately, he pressed himself fully against Peri’s back, gently enough to not risk hurting Peri’s wings.
The warmth and pressure made Peri gasp, tingles sweeping through his body at the foreign sensation.
It was rare that anything touched Peri’s wings.
He slept on his belly, stood in a corner on trains, and used a magic charm in the winter to protect his wings from the cold.
And he never had people touch them. He had never trusted anyone enough to allow them to touch.
That his first instinct was to lean into Wash’s warmth told him just how smitten he was with the demon. He knew Wash would never hurt him.
“Talk to me, baby. Tell me what I did wrong so I can fix it.”
Ugh, the pet names. Peri didn’t stand a chance against the pet names.
He melted, tipping his head to the side when Wash pressed kisses against his shoulder and neck.
“I… I don’t have a good reason to be upset.
We never said we were dating or anything.
If you don’t want your brother to know about us–”
Wash lifted his head, his frown pronounced with the way his brows were furrowed. “Hold on. What? I don’t care if Elijah knows about us. When did I say I did?”
Peri lifted a shoulder awkwardly. “I mean, you didn’t say anything, but when Elijah asked why Taron picked us both up from my apartment, you told him you were just bringing me coffee.
It was obvious he assumed there was more, but you didn’t say anything else.
You kind of shut him down. It sounded like you were saying there was nothing between us.
” He dropped his gaze to the counter, running his fingers through the flour that had spilled when Wash had dragged him possessively away from the human.
Peri hadn’t even noticed the flirting for what it was until Wash got all growly like that.
Why did he have to be so cute protecting him like that if he wasn’t going to claim him?
Wash didn’t reply right away, and when Peri looked over his shoulder to better gauge what he was thinking, he looked confused.
“What?” Peri asked with a frown.
“I don’t remember that. I wasn’t really paying attention. I just answered automatically.”
Peri’s mouth fell open, eyes wide. “Wait. What?”
Wash shrugged, looking a little uncomfortable when he admitted, “Elijah made it clear that he didn’t want me interfering with his life. I try to keep my distance. The only reason I was anywhere near him was because you were there.”
Peri’s brows snapped together. He hadn’t gotten that impression from Elijah.
If anything, Elijah looked heartbroken every time Wash shut him down.
He got the feeling he was missing part of the puzzle, and until he understood more, he needed to tread more carefully.
Misunderstandings were bound to happen if neither of them understood the other.
Wash continued, not noticing Peri’s confusion.
“Me keeping things brief had nothing to do with you. I’ve got no interest in hiding.
But you’re right that we never discussed it.
I probably would’ve kept my mouth shut anyway because of that.
I wouldn’t want you to feel obligated to be with me just because I said something. ”
That startled Peri enough that he wanted to turn around. He would’ve if Wash wasn’t pressed so securely against his back. He wiggled a little, but unless he wanted to hurt himself, he’d have to tell Wash to back up first, and he wasn’t willing to do that when Wash obviously needed to be close.
With a put upon sigh, Peri gave Wash his most stern expression over his shoulder, which probably didn’t amount to much when Wash could only see half his face.
“Of course I wouldn’t feel obligated! I’d be happy to call you my boyfriend!” He felt his face heat as he quietly admitted, “I just didn’t know if you felt the same way.”
Wash huffed, squeezing Peri’s hips gently. “Apparently we need to work on our communication.”
Peri pursed his lips playfully. “I don’t know what you mean. I’m an excellent communicator.”
There. The smile that Peri worked so hard to earn finally peeked out as Wash chuckled, pressing a kiss against Peri’s shoulder. The last of the tension in Peri’s chest settled, and he nuzzled Wash’s jaw with a smile.
“So… Boyfriends?” he asked hopefully.
Wash hummed in agreement. “Mm. I’m fine with that. Just don’t expect me to get all chatty about it at work. I prefer to keep my private life private. A task made difficult with nosy colleagues and Taron at the helm.”
Peri could accept that. He didn’t want to change Wash, after all. He liked him just as he was, grumpy moods and all.