It’s nice that he includes me in a conversation that he doesn’t have to. I bet Romily would have said that aloud, but since he can’t or doesn’t want to, Darcy does it for him, and that’s maybe even sexier than when he threatened to kill Stalker Steve for me. Not as sexy as when he bosses me around, but I don’t think private Darcy and public Darcy should be compared like that.
“Is that why you call me Red? I thought it was because I’m a ginger,” Bellamy’s workout flush becomes an embarrassment blush. Poor guy.
“He did call you that because you’re a ginger,” I point out, glancing up at Darcy. “Same for me. He’s just getting the colors from a specific perspective.”
Darcy grins, leans down and kisses the top of my head. “It’s a lovely view.”
I turn to Bellamy. “See, it’s a lovely view.”
Bellamy blushes harder, and I get the impression that he doesn’t like talking about his past partners. Well, it’s possible they’re still partners, but I don’t think Darcy’s the kind of dick that would flaunt a side piece to his main man, so I’m thinking they’re probably not fucking anymore.
Bellamy turns toward the stairs, calling over his shoulder, “I’m not hungry!” and flees.
“I think I embarrassed him.” I didn’t mean to, but I had the impression that the people in this house aren’t the type to getupset over a little sex talk, so I didn’t think it would be a big deal. I’ll have to be more careful with Bellamy going forward.
Darcy laughs again. “He’s less inclined than most people to talk about his experience in the sack and more inclined to blush like he hasn’t had my cock in every available hole.”
“Being shy isn’t a character flaw,” I point out, wagging my finger at him. “Don’t embarrass him on purpose; he deserves to end his hookups with his dignity intact just like you do. I’m not going to go out of my way to humiliate you when I’m done with you.”
Woah, that sounds really wrong coming out of my mouth. I don’t think I’m ever going to be done with him, and that’s a violation of the parameters he’s already set up. Huh. Gonna have to work on that.
“Bellamy deserves to have you respect his limits. Don’t embarrass him because he’s cute when he blushes, and I think you should ask if he wants you to stop calling him Red now that he knows why you do it.” I am also going to take my own advice and work on respecting Darcy’s boundaries. I don’t get to keep him.
That thought turns sour in my head, but until he tells me this isn’t temporary, I’m going to have to act like the thought of giving him up doesn’t make me want to tie him to one of these tables.
Darcy considers my words for a couple of seconds before grudgingly replying, “I’ll ask.”
20
Darcy draws his travel array on the top of the Foxilys’ kitchen table after breakfast, but he doesn’t make me climb up there to get on it, rather he guides it to the floor when it’s done and I sit on it, pulling my crutches up with me. Romily gestures to indicate his desire to accompany us, and the array expands big enough to include Romily and Fox. Fox calls up the stairs before we leave, “Son! Are you coming?”
Darcy moves the array to the landing and Bellamy appears at the top of the stairs, looking down at us. “What are you doing?”
Darcy cackles, cracking his knuckles. “We’re gonna go reacquire Elijah’s personal effects from the demons who stole them.”
I hold out my short leg. “I’m hoping we find my leg. If we stop by my apartment, I can get my other one and ditch the crutches.”
Bellamy reaches into a closet at the top of the stairs (I hadn’t even noticed that it existed when we came down earlier) and pulls out a duffle bag that hangs heavy in his hand. He descends the stairs and joins us on the array. Instead of braids, he’s sporting a thick ballet bun, and he’s wearing a turquoise silk top with loose chinos and a pair of boat shoes.
“Anything to avoid the office,” he confesses when he sees me checking out his clothes.
I nod, completely understanding the sentiment. “I’m not looking forward to growing up and getting a real job.” Darcy takes my hand, and I thread my fingers in with his. “I’m a bit of a lazy bastard. If I could justify becoming a professional student, I’d do that instead of graduating next spring.”
“How old are you?” a mechanical voice asks.
I look over to Romily, who holds up his phone with a grimace.
“Yeah, that voice is the worst. Make Darcy talk for you if no one else will,” I volunteer. “I’ll do it when I get a phone. I don’t mind it, but I don’t think I can pull off the same voice acting Darcy does.”
Romily smiles happily and leans into Fox, who puts his arms around his partner and says, “Thank you. Everyone here gives me a voice when I need one.”
I love that for Romily. “Sweet. Telepathic connection to your partner? That’s awesome. I’m twenty five.”
Romily huffs a laugh, nodding to confirm the magical connection between him and his beau. “I’m still the youngest,” Fox says for him.
Fox kisses his cheek.
“Age is just a number. Darcy’s over seven thousand years old, and I'm not about to stop the old man from taking me to the stratosphere, you know?”
