Peter considered that.“I like black because of the stains.I won’t let him near you, but just in case, pick something you won’t miss too much.”
Theo frowned.“You get that that was a rhetorical question, right?I didn’t really expect you to answer it, and definitely not as if you’ve done this before.”
Sex with Theodore had clearly impacted Peter’s ability to read the room.“I’ve never gone to murder—” Peter thought for a second.“—someone born only last century in the park.”
Theo narrowed his eyes.“First time for everything?”
“Indeed.”Peter bent over Theo to kiss him sweetly.“First time for everything.”
“I’ll go clean up real quick and see if I have a black tee somewhere.”
“Take one of mine.”
Peter got out of bed and headed over to his walk-in closet.He grabbed one of his charcoal T-shirts and tossed it to Theo.
“Thanks.”
“My pleasure, dearest.”
Peter went to get dressed himself.He opted for a fine cotton shirt in all black, and dark gray slacks, rolling the sleeves of the shirt up to just below his elbows.He also decided to wear a belt, because those could be handy if one needed a ligature on short notice.
Theo walked out of the bathroom not long after, and seeing him wear something of Peter’s started a warm boil of unfamiliar emotions deep in Peter’s chest.
He’s beautiful.Precious and beautiful.And mine.
“Ready?”Peter asked, smoothing a hand over his shirt.
“No.But we can leave.”
“Fair enough.Let’s do this fast then.”
“Off to murder a man in the park.”Theo shook his head as if to dispel the presumed madness of that concept.
Peter smiled his megawatt smile and held out his hand for Theo to take.It amazed him how easily the other man’s fingers fit between his.
“Your smile’s still creepy.”
“Why, thank you, Theodore.A balm to my ego.”
Theo snorted.“Weirdo.”
Peter thought that was likely praise as well.He decided to take it as such.
New Elvenswood’s Centennial Park was a manmade creation stuffed with plant life.Hills and artificial lakes created a landscape crisscrossed by footpaths and broken up by a playground for small New Elvenswooders and picnic areas for those that ate food.
The park wasn’t small.Peter had the suspicion that either the witches or the elves or both had had a hand in setting aside such a generous allotment to become an area in which one could get lost for several hours at a time.
Centennial Park was also a place for artists to showcase their work, and currently, light installations kept the darkness at bay in various corners of the park.The exhibition wasn’t limited to just the park though.The sculptures had their own spots all over the city, and the whole thing came with an event calendar that had influenced Peter’s decision to try to deal with Bernard tonight.
As they made their way to the park a little after sunset, a drone firework display was scheduled right outside the folklore museum, and the way it had been advertised, it was sure to draw a lot of people who might have otherwise sought out the park.Still, some might come to see the light installations in the park after, so we should get this over and done with as soon as possible.The bother.
On the drive there, Theo remained quiet, though his fidgeting betrayed him.
“You don’t have to worry.”Peter reached over to keep him from scratching his cuticles bloody.“This will all be over soon.”
Theo snorted.“That’s not ominous at all.”
“It’s not.Just a fact.”
