Alexei wasn’t feeling the alcohol. Not really. He could drink far more heavily than this and be fine. Metahuman metabolisms processed alcohol quicker, but that didn’t mean he wanted to be drunk. He just didn’t want to be alone. With company, even the overwhelming pain of losing someone lost some of its sting.
They finished the bottle between them in silence, with no further mishaps. When it was finally empty, Alexei stood up and offered his hand to Jamie.
“Come. Eat. Say goodbye to Katie,” he said.
Jamie looked at him, blue eyes still edged in red from days of crying, the grief still writ deep in his gaze, but he seemed a little more settled. Less like he was about to tear himself apart and leave them leaderless for good.
“Thank you,” Jamie said.
Alexei shrugged. “Don’t need thanks.”
Jamie reached for his hand and Alexei pulled him up until he was standing on his own two feet, mindful of the broken glass. They left the mess behind them and headed downstairs, following the sound of quiet voices to the dining room.
Katie sat at the wooden table with Sean and Charlotte. All three looked up at their arrival. Charlotte seemed relieved to see Jamie up and about. If it’d been Alexei’s mother sitting there, she’d have jumped up and rushed around the table to hug him. Charlotte seemed to recognize that Jamie wasn’t in the mood for such overt displays of affection.
“Jamie,” Charlotte said, giving him a tremulous smile. “Are you hungry?”
Jamie paused, as if he had to think about the last time he ate. Considering the beard didn’t quite hide the faint hollowness in his cheeks, Alexei figured it hadn’t been enough over the last few days. Sean had been diligent about forcing Alexei to eat even when he didn’t want to. If Sean wasn’t around to do it, then his mother and sisters were more than willing to take his place.
“I could eat,” Jamie said slowly.
“There’s leftovers from dinner last night in the refrigerator. I’ll see about heating some up for you.”
“I should get going,” Katie said, getting to her feet. “I need to check up on Matthew.”
Jamie frowned at her, shoulders tightening. “Katie?”
She came around the table and didn’t hesitate to hug Jamie. “Matthew is all right. He just lost someone on his team, too.”
Charlotte disappeared in the direction of the kitchen to fix lunch. Alexei let Jamie and Katie say goodbye in private and went to sit by Sean. He scooted his chair closer and immediately took Sean’s hand in his. Sean’s mouth quirked up at the corners; not quite a smile, but close.
“Can we go home tonight when our shift is finished? Sleep in our own bed?” Sean asked quietly. “I want one night at home with you. Just one. Please.”
Alexei wanted to say no. They’d been staying on base with his family since the attack because driving through D.C. right now was practically impossible. The entire megacity was still in heavy lockdown in places and recovery was still ongoing. It would be for weeks and weeks to come.
“Da,” Alexei said instead, because he didn’t have it in him to deny Sean anything right now. “We go home after, Senya.”
He leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to Sean’s mouth, taking comfort in the touch.
“Oh, pardon me.”
They broke apart at Charlotte’s voice, but Alexei didn’t let go of Sean’s hand. Charlotte set a plate of food in front of the seat beside hers and smiled at them. She glanced at Alexei then Sean curiously, though she didn’t ask whatever questions were obviously on her mind.
Sean cleared his throat. “Sorry. Thought we were alone.”
“You’re fine, Sean.” Charlotte took her seat again. “You’re both always welcome here.”
Alexei wasn’t sure about that, but he held his tongue.
“Thank you, ma’am,” Sean said.
“Please, call me Charlotte.”
Sean nodded dutifully at her request, but Alexei figured he’d keep calling herma’amlike all the rest of them did.
“Are you married?” Charlotte asked.
Alexei glanced down at his ring. “Engaged.”
