Chapter 27
Twenty-Seven
When they finally joined the others downstairs, Peri was decidedly disheveled and sated.
He hadn’t realized his wings were an erogenous zone, though it made more sense when he thought about how uncomfortable it made him to have strangers touch them.
It wasn’t that no one could touch them, it was that he had to wait for the right person.
And he really liked that the person he felt comfortable enough to allow was Wash.
His grumpy demon felt more and more like Peri’s person as the days went on.
The slight uptick of Wash’s lips, even as they joined the rest of the group in the retreat restaurant, made Peri hopeful he felt the same way. It wasn’t much, Wash still had a resting demon face, but it was more than before. At least with Peri, he looked happy.
“Wash! Over here!” Taron called, waving his uninjured hand to catch their attention. His other hand was wrapped in bandages and resting in a sling against his chest. Peri hurried over to check on him, eyeing the bandages with a worried frown.
“Are you okay? I thought they sent for a healer. Was it broken?”
Taron’s smile said he appreciated Peri’s concern even as he waved it away.
“Nah, just sprained. Shapeshifters heal slower than most supes, that’s all.
Something about our chemistry and how we shift makes healing potions take longer.
I’ll be alright in a few days. And in the meantime, I get to be pampered.
I’m not complaining.” He leaned against Zephyr, who seemed to be hovering over Taron, his frown deep and unhappy.
“I thought you didn’t like it when he babied you,” Ozen pointed out as he set a drink in front of Taron. Apparently, Zephyr wasn’t the only one coddling the shapeshifter.
“He’s not babying him,” Peri argued. “He’s loving him. There’s a difference.”
Taron’s stunned expression made Peri think he hadn’t seen it that way before.
He glanced at his mate, studying his worried frown, and absolutely melted, nuzzling the bigger thunderbird shifter affectionately.
When Tony came to join them, carrying the notepad he’d been keeping score of the games on, he immediately got pulled into Zephyr’s lap, joining their cuddle pile like he was meant to be there.
Tony looked surprised but happy, leaning his head against Zephyr’s as he gently stroked Taron’s cheek with his thumb.
“Aw. They’re so sweet,” Peri sighed happily, leaning his shoulder against Wash.
“Sweet enough to give me a tooth ache,” Wash complained, though his voice was low enough that he wasn’t overheard by the throuple.
Peri shot him a pout.“You don’t think it's sweet?”
“Uh oh. Watch it, Wash,” Kian called from where he was sitting a few seats down, his tone teasing. “You’re treading on thin ice.”
Wash rolled his eyes, putting his arm around Peri’s shoulders. “Shut up, Kian. Baby, I think you’re sweet. The rest of them, not so much.”
Pursing his lips, Peri tried to decide if he liked that answer. On the one hand, he loved that Wash thought he was sweet. On the other, he wanted Wash to acknowledge the sweetness, because that was how Peri wanted to be treated, too.
Wash noticed Peri’s scrutiny, and the corner of his mouth ticked upward again. Peri decided to let it go. His current goal was to remind Wash how to be happy and have fun. He could always show Wash later how he wanted to be treated by treating him the same way. He’d pick it up eventually.
“Doth my eyes deceive me? Did our resident grump just smile?” Taron demanded, a wide grin on his face. “Peri, you little miracle worker!”
The tiny smile vanished, and Wash rolled his eyes, nudging Peri toward the opposite end of the table. “Let’s go sit over there.”
“Hey! Wait! No! Bestie, come back!” Taron pleaded. Wash tried to ignore him, but Peri tugged him back and sat across from the throuple, snickering at Wash’s put out expression.
“Have I mentioned lately that you’re my new favorite?” Taron queried, passing Peri his menu.
Peri winked and blew him a kiss, which made Taron laugh, but to his surprise, Wash snatched him out of his seat and into his lap, scowling at him.
“No. No blowing kisses at Taron. Or anyone else,” he growled low enough that most of the table didn't hear. Taron did, if the smirk was anything to go by, but he pretended otherwise, taking a sip of the drink Ozen brought him to hide his expression.
The possessiveness made Peri melt, and he tossed his arms around Wash’s neck, rubbing their noses together. “Okay. I’ll only blow kisses at you from now on.”
Wash was satisfied with that answer, but he didn’t let Peri get up from his lap until the food was served. Peri was smiling so much, his cheeks hurt. Possessive boyfriends for the win.
“Hey, who won the treasure hunt?” Taron piped up while Zephyr was cutting his food for him. He looked around the table eagerly before zeroing in on his mate’s notebook. He tipped his head at Tony.
Tony, for his part, looked like he was fighting back a smile when he admitted, “You did. You and Wash found all the hidden items first and got back here before everyone else.”
“Ha! See, Wash? I told you that was the last one we needed!”
Wash sighed heavily, but Peri didn’t miss the way his gaze flicked to Taron’s injured wrist before he reconsidered his words and gritted out, “Yeah, Taron. You were right. Congratulations.”
Taron looked baffled at Wash’s response, and the wide eyed confusion made Peri burst into giggles.
Wash was obviously being nice because Taron was hurt, but Taron didn’t know how to handle it.
He gaped at Wash until he scowled and refused to look at Taron again.
Then he shot a stunned look at Peri. “You really are a miracle worker.”
“Eat your food and stop irritating the man,” Zephyr interjected, handing Taron his fork. Of course, Taron used the opportunity to bat his eyelashes at his mate, his pout putting Peri’s to shame easily. “You aren’t going to feed me? I’m injured…”
Unlike Wash, who didn’t have enough patience for Taron’s antics, Zephyr grinned at that pout, leaning in to whisper into Taron’s ear. Whatever he said made Taron shudder and nod, taking his fork with his left hand and shoveling a bit of food into his mouth.
“Can we all have lessons on how you do that?” Isaac asked blandly. He was sitting next to Elijah at the other end of the table, watching on with amusement as Taron opened his mouth to comment, shot a look at Zephyr, then closed it again, turning back to his food.
“No,” Zephyr denied him, his grin almost shark-like. “I get the feeling you wouldn’t be able to follow through.”
No one needed any further explanation as to what Zephyr was promising to get Taron to behave. Peri hid a snicker behind his hand, replying in kind when Taron shot him a wink.
“This is a company retreat,” Wash pointed out grumpily.
“We’re all friends here,” Brennus argued, surprising them all. “We’re also all adults and most of us are mated. I think a little commentary is fine.”
The table was shocked silent for a long moment before Ozen started laughing.
He laughed so hard, it became contagious, and the rest of the table joined him.
Even Wash huffed a small laugh, shaking his head.
Peri beamed at that small sign of camaraderie.
This was a good group for his boyfriend.
They understood his grouchiness but didn’t let it bring them down.
Nor did it dissuade them from drawing him into the conversation.
If Peri could convince Wash to let them in, he’d never be wanting for friends with this group.
“There you are.”
Wash had woken up alone, the sheets rumpled and his boyfriend missing.
He’d gone looking for him, concerned Peri had been stolen away by Taron or Kian to cause some kind of mischief.
He should have known he’d find Peri in the retreat kitchens, a little corner near the ovens covered in baking supplies, and his sweet boyfriend humming to himself and dancing to music only he could hear as he stirred ingredients together in a bowl.
He looked up when Wash spoke, beaming at him, and Wash noticed a little spot of flour on his nose.
Rounding the counter, he leaned his hip against it, not wanting to interrupt Peri’s flow, but still wanting to be close. It’d only been a few weeks since they met and already Wash was starting to despise the moments they were apart. This little fairy was very quickly becoming his whole world.
The thought came out of nowhere, and he blinked a few times when he realized it.
Was he falling for Peri? He’d never been in love before, but the more time he spent with Peri, the more he wanted.
When he watched the little fairy dancing around the kitchen, he wanted nothing more than to drag him into his arms and never let go.
Was that love? Or was that him being possessive and demanding?
He almost didn’t want to know. He was an asshole, he knew that.
He didn't want to drag Peri down with him.
“Try this,” Peri demanded, interrupting his train of thought as he offered him a bite of something covered in sticky sweetness that smelled delicious. Wash obligingly took a bite, humming in approval as the flavors hit his tongue.
“What is that?” he asked, snagging Peri’s wrist to steal another bite. Peri giggled at Wash’s playfulness, holding the treat out so Wash could finish it.
“Churro crullers. I made fruit and cream cheese pastries too, but I was feeling fancy and wanted to try something new. Do you like them?”
“They’re amazing,” Wash agreed. “You’ve got real talent, you know?”
Peri’s cheeks turned a pale shade of pink, his expression pleased. Wash looked down at the trays of pastries already waiting to go to the dining room for breakfast, then the oven filled with even more.
“Have you ever thought of opening your own bakery?”
The way Peri blinked in confusion made Wash think he hadn’t.
Which was a shame. Peri’s desserts were amazing.
And while he selfishly wished he could keep them all to himself, he knew how happy it made Peri to share them.
Even now, just making them for his friends, he was beaming and practically dancing as he followed the staff out to the dining room so he could share his creations.
Peri set a plate down in front of Taron, who looked surprised and delighted. “What’s this?”
“A treat since you got hurt. Churro crullers and cream cheese pastries. All easy to eat so you won’t have to have anyone cut up your food for you. Bon appétit!”
The rest of the company all gathered to grab their own treats while Peri stood by with a bright smile on his face. Maybe he hadn’t considered this as his career, but Wash was going to look into it. This was what made Peri happy. He deserved to have a job that made him smile.