asphaltcowgrrl (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
asphaltcowgrrl) wrote2020-12-17 01:01 pm
asphaltcowgrrl) wrote2020-12-17 01:01 pm
Entry tags:
Love and Quotations (Romani Detective Original Fiction)
Title: Love and Quotations
Fandom: Romani Detective Original Fiction
Pairing: Andrej Zeklos/James Rosewood/Zayne Reyes
Rating: PG-13-ish (maybe more)
Word Count: 3,062
Summary: I can’t even explain this. It’s more a series of vignettes smooshed together than anything.
Author’s Notes: Written for the weekend challenge at 1_million_words. I was given some quotes and managed to work all three in, plus one from another favorite author (Armistead Maupin). Also: yes, I know, dumb title, but I'm at a loss. And no, I don't believe this makes any damn sense.
“Excuse you,” Zayne said, glaring at the redhead. “I pride myself on having an open mind, thanks.”
James scoffed. "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."
“What the hell is that supposed to mean, narco?” Zayne moved towards the redhead, but Andrej stepped in between them.
“He means that if you are too open to things, dishonest or manipulative people can put ideas into your head.” He glared at James for a moment before returning his attention to Zayne. “Not that I believe anyone could ever convince you of anything other than what you already believe, but there is always that possibility.”
“Thanks,” Zayne said. He made a face. “I think.”
“He was insulting you, cowboy,” James drawled, loving the way Zayne’s face changed from proud to pissed in the span of four seconds.
“I was not insulting him,” Andrej said with a sigh. “And please stop picking fights with him, Jay. It is beginning to get on my nerves.”
“So, if you weren’t insulting me,” Zayne said, moving closer to Andrej now that he was blocking the narco, “what were you saying?”
Andrej rubbed a hand across his jaw. Zayne stood with his head cocked, lips in a sexy pout. He swallowed hard and tried to focus on Zayne’s question rather than his delectable mouth. “I only meant that you are very set in your opinions and it takes a lot to change your mind.”
“And?” That suggestive mouth twitched up into a hint of a smile.
“And you have been known to be persuaded at times,” James added with a knowing smirk. “The fact that you’re here is proof of that.”
“Fuck you,” Zayne said without any real heat.
“Andy.”
“Yes, Jay?” He looked over his shoulder at his other boyfriend. James was wearing that annoyed expression he often sported in Zayne’s presence. It wasn’t half as sexy as Zayne’s pout, but it suggested a lot of pent-up frustrations, which could be fun if harnessed properly.
“Stop getting distracted,” James said, trying not to smile. “We need to get out of here or we’ll be late.”
Embarrassed at being caught staring lustfully at Zayne, Andrej turned so that he was fully facing James. “If you would stop inciting his ego, we would not be having this conversation.”
“Busted,” Zayne cooed.
“You are not helping,” Andrej added.
“Fine,” Zayne said, rolling his eyes. “Go on your date then. Leave me here to fend for myself. I might starve you know. But don’t worry about me. I’ll find a way to survive.”
“We’ll be gone three hours, tops, Reyes,” James said, sounding aggravated. “I think you’ll manage.”
Zayne sniffed. “That’s what you think.”
Andrej squeezed his eyes shut, counting his breaths, trying to find his fleeing Zen. “There are leftover noodles in the fridge,” he said, eyes still closed. “There is also everything you might want to make a taco. We will not be any later than ten as I have to get up early tomorrow to meet Eli.” He took a step away from his boyfriends, heading towards where he kept his shoes.
“Wait,” James said, grabbing Andrej by the arm. “Why are you meeting with that little bartender?”
He glared at James with narrowed eyes. This jealous act was exhausting. “He needs my help with something Jay, nothing more.”
James opened his mouth to argue when Zayne interrupted him. “I’d stop while you’re ahead, gingerbread. Otherwise, you might be having dinner by yourself.”
James gave Zayne a nasty look. “Shut up.”
“James,” Andrej warned.
He shut his mouth. Andrej only called him by his full name when he was at the end of his patience. Or about to come his brains out, but seeing as they were in the middle of an argument, he erred on the side of caution and figured he’d overstepped. “Sorry. Are we ready?”
“Let me find my shoes,” Andrej said, his words clipped.
“Fuck,” he muttered under his breath.
“You gotta watch it,” Zayne whispered. “There are not many things he gets touchy about, but that little cupcake is one of them.”
James nodded, not willing to trust his mouth yet.
“I am ready, Jay,” Andrej called, causing James to relax. His nickname was back, so maybe they’d have a nice dinner after all.
A giant grin spread across his handsome face. “And he didn’t question you?”
“No,” Zayne said, stretching on the couch. “It’s rare, but sometimes it does happen. Especially when it deals with someone in Zek’s like before the narco came into it.”
Eli chuckled and Zayne couldn’t help but smile. He’d always figured Andrej had hooked up with the kid because he was handsome. But the more he got to know the bartender, the more he realized what a fun guy he was.
“Well, at least I was able to get what Andrej asked about for James’ present,” Eli said, claiming Andrej’s favorite spot on the couch. “You’ll keep it in your room until you can give it to him when the pelirrojo is not around?”
Zayne grinned at Eli’s use of the Spanish word for redhead. “Yeah, promise. I even have a foolproof hiding place.”
“Nothing is ever foolproof,” Eli told him, wagging a playful finger in his direction. “A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools."
Snickering, Zayne got up. “I know that quote,” he said, knowing it came from one of Andrej’s favorite books. “But you’re not wrong either. And Rosewood is just smart enough and observant enough to be dangerous. I’ll text Zek and let him know I have it, but I’ll make sure he still comes to meet you for breakfast like y’all had planned. I mean, he owes you that much right?”
“He owes me nothing,” Eli said. “But I sure as hell won’t turn down breakfast.”
“I like you more and more every time we talk,” Zayne laughed. He glanced at his phone. “Shit, he and Jimmy boy are on their way back already. You ought to scoot.”
“We do not need for me to get caught here, having a beer with you,” Elias agreed. “Thank you again.”
“Anytime,” Zayne said, finding that he meant it. “And feel free to hit me up. It’s nice to be able to listen to a language I understand.”
Elias laughed. “When Andrej gets on a roll you do not know what is going to come out of his mouth. Which can be quite an adventure.”
“He’s learning Spanish,” Zayne said. “He told me it had the same roots as both Romanian and French, so we’ll see how fast he picks it up.”
“Knowing him, it won’t take long,” Eli surmised. “He’s smart as a whip and picks things up faster than anyone I’ve ever known.”
“No kidding,” Zayne said with a laugh. “I learned a long ass time ago to never lie to him because he called my ass out on it every time. And as much as that sucks, it’s what makes him so good at his job so I shouldn’t complain.”
“You shouldn’t,” Eli said slyly as he rose from his seat, “but you will.”
“Well, of course I will,” Zayne confirmed, walking Elias to the door. “I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t bitch about shit I already know is wrong with me, right?”
“I’ve known you long enough to know that that is indeed part of your charm,” he said. “Thanks, Zayne.”
Zayne looked up from the magazine he was reading when he heard the soft knock on his door. “Come in,” he said, knowing it could only be one of two people. When Andrej poked his head through the door, he smiled. “You know you don’t need to knock, baby. It’s your house.”
“You deserve your privacy all the same,” he said. “May I come in?”
“I’d be more upset if you didn’t,” Zayne teased. Scooting over, he made room for his partner. “Sit. How was dinner?”
They’d gotten home over an hour ago, but the narco was being handsy and the two of them had disappeared shortly after their return. Which was why Zayne was in his room, with the door shut, trying to read a damn magazine.
“Dinner was okay,” Andrej said, sitting down on Zayne’s bed. He relaxed back against the headboard and closed his eyes.
“He wouldn’t let it go, huh,” Zayne surmised.
“No,” Andrej sighed. “He would not. I have not been involved with Elias in a very long time, so I do not understand why Jay is so angry.”
“Asshole’s jealous.” Zayne reached over and took Zeklos’ hand in his own. Elias had broken off the relationship between them before Zeklos had even met Rosewood, so the ginger’s obsession was a bit over the top. “Why’d you go to bed with him then? I’d have sent his ass packing.”
Cracking an eyelid, Zeklos looked at him. “I had too much to drink at dinner and I wasn’t in a mood to really care.”
Snorting, Zayne gave Zeklos’ hand a squeeze. “We’ve all been there, baby, trust me.”
“Sometimes, it’s easier to give you both what you want,” he murmured, both eyes closed again. “It is not worth the argument.”
Zayne frowned, although Andrej couldn’t see it. Knowing that his partner and boyfriend gave in and let him have his way simply because he didn’t want to argue about it made him sick. He resolved to do better by Andrej and respect all he’d done and given for both himself and the narco. “You want to stay with me tonight,” he asked, his hold on Zek’s hand tightening. “He’s likely asleep already and won’t know either way.”
“No,” Andrej sighed. “I must go back to my own room but thank you for listening to me.”
“It’s why I’m here,” Zayne said, releasing his hold on Andrej’s hand. “Well, that and other things,” he added with a lecherous grin.
“I will remember that,” Andrej said, a fond smile on his face. He leaned over and briefly pressed his lips against Zayne’s. “Good night.”
“Wait,” Zayne said as he reached the door. “Elias left Rosewood’s present. It’s in my closet.”
Andrej’s eyes flickered to the closed closet. “Hold on to it for me, please? I will get it tomorrow and wrap it, so he has less chance of seeing what it is.”
“I can do that,” Zayne said, knowing he owed the man a lot more than that. It was a start, however.
“Thank you,” he said again. “I will see you in the morning.”
“Ah, thank you,” Andrej said, seeing Zayne in the doorway, James’ present in his hands. “Let me wrap this so I can put it under the tree.”
“Rosewood left already,” Zayne asked, looking around the room, waiting for the redhead to appear from behind a door or something.
“He got a call at about six thirty,” Andrej said, going into the closet for a roll of wrapping paper. When he returned, he was carrying a tube of paper with rainbow-colored penguins all over it. “So, he has been gone for some time now.”
“Unwillingly, I bet,” Zayne snorted.
“Indeed,” Andrej confirmed. “He was not very happy about it either, but I am honestly relieved. Maybe he will let his insecurities go if he and Jake do some good work today.”
“Speaking of the narco’s insecurities, what time are you meeting the little tart?”
Andrej frowned at Zayne. “Will you not call him that? I thought the two of you were friendly?”
“Oh, we are,” Zayne said, sitting o the edge of the bed. “We even shared a beer last night after he stopped by. But I love how you don’t know whether to be pissed or embarrassed when I do it.”
“You are awful,” Andrej grunted.
“Explain to me why Elias had to procure a blanket for the gingerbread? Couldn’t you have found one yourself?”
“I could have, yes,” Andrej said. “However, Jay was complaining that he did not have a good blanket and he wanted one that was both lightweight and warm.” He gave Zayne a guilty look, his cheeks burning red as he continued. “I remember one that Eli had in his apartment that fit that description well. I called and asked him about it and Eli said a friend of his mother made them.”
“You couldn’t have gotten it from her?”
He shook his head. “She and Elias’ mother both live in Mexico, so it would have been difficult. However, he went home a couple weeks ago to visit and brought this back for me.”
“Ah, I see,” Zayne said. “That was nice of him.”
“It was,” Andrej agreed. “And yet, I am suffering for trying to do a good thing.”
“Forget the narco,” Zayne said. “He’ll get over it. It’s almost eight now, Zek. Are you going to be late for breakfast?”
He finished wrapping James’ present and gave Zayne a pleading look. “I was going to cancel but I owe him at least breakfast for all he’s done.”
“Go,” Zayne said. “I’ll be fine. There are Pop Tarts in the cupboard. Go have breakfast with your own little tart.”
“Sometimes, I really hate you,” Andrej laughed.
“Nah, you love me you jerk.”
Andy, I’m sorry.
It’s okay, Jay.
No, it's not. I'm a jerk.
You're a jealous jerk and it needs to stop,
“So, the narco’s no longer on your shit list,” Trish asked, blowing on her coffee before taking a sip.
“No, not any longer,” Andrej admitted. “He is not as bad as you all want to believe either.”
“He just gets wrapped up in his own ego and his own opinions,” Hilary said lightly. “And don’t look at me like that. Those are Jake’s words, not mine.”
Andrej sighed. “Jake is not wrong, either, but Jay is working on it. Sort of.”
“You mean like how Zayne’s working on keeping his fool mouth shut.”
He grinned at her. “Exactly.”
“So,” Trish laughed, “In other words, you’re not holding out much hope for either of them?”
“Not particularly,” Andrej confessed, “but they are both trying.”
“Well,” Hilary said, breaking a corner off Andrej’s scone, “that’s something.”
“I suppose it is for you and me,” Trish said, nudging Andrej with her knee. “But what does that do to his well-ordered life? Chaos does not become our Andy.”
“The rules of a well-ordered life,” Andrej said slowly, folding his napkin and setting it on the table, “are never enough when other people refused to obey them.”
The girls stared at him.
“What?”
“You are so odd sometimes,” Hilary said warmly.
“I have had worse said about me,” he assured them.
“We can live with odd,” Trish said. “I mean, how many years did we put up with Reyes before you arrived?”
Andrej laughed. “Zayne is not odd, he is just very blunt. Jay is more tactful, but not much different than Zayne.”
“Where does that leave you,” Trish asked, curious.
“I am not sure,” he said. “However, I am quite positive that I am exactly where I need to be.”
Andrej cracked the door and slipped into Zayne’s room as quietly as he could. He didn’t want to wake his partner, but he needed to be near him, too. All he wanted was to feel the heat of Zayne’s body, smell the scent of his skin, and then he could return to his own bed and sleep. He couldn’t explain it, but tonight he needed to be near them both.
“What are you doing, crawling into my bed in the middle of the night,” Zayne teased. He opened his arms so that Andrej could snuggle in close. “Let me guess, you’re looking for a late night hookup?”
“No,” Andrej chuckled, despite the fact his body responded eagerly to Zayne’s suggestion. “I just wanted to be near you for a moment.”
“We can arrange that,” Zayne said, tugging Andrej closer to him, fitting their bodies together as if they were two pieces of the same puzzle.
“Too bad being near you always leads to hooking up.”
Zayne tilted his head back so that he could see the silhouette in the doorway. “You say that like it’s a bad thing, gingerbread.”
“Only when I’m not invited,” James said, stepping further into the bedroom. “Like now.”
“Sorry,” Andrej muttered, his face buried in Zayne’s chest. “I was not planning on staying here.”
“Sure you weren’t,” James teased. He knew the pull that the cowboy had over Andrej, over them all. But he accepted it and all that went with it gladly.
“How about you consider this your invitation to join us,’ Zayne said.
“For a hookup or just a cuddle session?” James stepped closer to the bed.
“Cuddles only,” Andrej said, exhaustion weighing heavily on every word. “I am tired.”
“Right,” Zayne said, patting the mattress beside Andrej. “There’s plenty of time for fucking in the morning. For now, we can snuggle and get some much needed rest.”
James laughed. “You’ve become rather practical, Reyes. It’s starting to scare me.”
“It is beginning to frighten us all, Jay,” Andrej joked. “Please, come help keep me warm and we can revisit this conversation once the sun’s come up.”
“Gladly,” James said. He pulled the covers back and fitted himself into the spot left for him.
“And don’t think we’re not going to do just that,” Zayne threatened.
“I do not expect anything less,” Andrej said, kissing Zayne’s collar bone before turning his head to accept a kiss from James. “And if you did not, I surely would have brought it up myself.”
Zayne cackled. “Never in my lifetime would I have ever suspected you to be such a horny bastard, Zek,” he said. “But I’m not complaining.”
“Me either,” James said, draping an arm so that it rested across Andrej’s body, his fingertips brushing Zayne’s side.
“Would not want it any other way,” Andrej muttered before falling soundly back to sleep.
Fandom: Romani Detective Original Fiction
Pairing: Andrej Zeklos/James Rosewood/Zayne Reyes
Rating: PG-13-ish (maybe more)
Word Count: 3,062
Summary: I can’t even explain this. It’s more a series of vignettes smooshed together than anything.
Author’s Notes: Written for the weekend challenge at 1_million_words. I was given some quotes and managed to work all three in, plus one from another favorite author (Armistead Maupin). Also: yes, I know, dumb title, but I'm at a loss. And no, I don't believe this makes any damn sense.
“Excuse you,” Zayne said, glaring at the redhead. “I pride myself on having an open mind, thanks.”
James scoffed. "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."
“What the hell is that supposed to mean, narco?” Zayne moved towards the redhead, but Andrej stepped in between them.
“He means that if you are too open to things, dishonest or manipulative people can put ideas into your head.” He glared at James for a moment before returning his attention to Zayne. “Not that I believe anyone could ever convince you of anything other than what you already believe, but there is always that possibility.”
“Thanks,” Zayne said. He made a face. “I think.”
“He was insulting you, cowboy,” James drawled, loving the way Zayne’s face changed from proud to pissed in the span of four seconds.
“I was not insulting him,” Andrej said with a sigh. “And please stop picking fights with him, Jay. It is beginning to get on my nerves.”
“So, if you weren’t insulting me,” Zayne said, moving closer to Andrej now that he was blocking the narco, “what were you saying?”
Andrej rubbed a hand across his jaw. Zayne stood with his head cocked, lips in a sexy pout. He swallowed hard and tried to focus on Zayne’s question rather than his delectable mouth. “I only meant that you are very set in your opinions and it takes a lot to change your mind.”
“And?” That suggestive mouth twitched up into a hint of a smile.
“And you have been known to be persuaded at times,” James added with a knowing smirk. “The fact that you’re here is proof of that.”
“Fuck you,” Zayne said without any real heat.
“Andy.”
“Yes, Jay?” He looked over his shoulder at his other boyfriend. James was wearing that annoyed expression he often sported in Zayne’s presence. It wasn’t half as sexy as Zayne’s pout, but it suggested a lot of pent-up frustrations, which could be fun if harnessed properly.
“Stop getting distracted,” James said, trying not to smile. “We need to get out of here or we’ll be late.”
Embarrassed at being caught staring lustfully at Zayne, Andrej turned so that he was fully facing James. “If you would stop inciting his ego, we would not be having this conversation.”
“Busted,” Zayne cooed.
“You are not helping,” Andrej added.
“Fine,” Zayne said, rolling his eyes. “Go on your date then. Leave me here to fend for myself. I might starve you know. But don’t worry about me. I’ll find a way to survive.”
“We’ll be gone three hours, tops, Reyes,” James said, sounding aggravated. “I think you’ll manage.”
Zayne sniffed. “That’s what you think.”
Andrej squeezed his eyes shut, counting his breaths, trying to find his fleeing Zen. “There are leftover noodles in the fridge,” he said, eyes still closed. “There is also everything you might want to make a taco. We will not be any later than ten as I have to get up early tomorrow to meet Eli.” He took a step away from his boyfriends, heading towards where he kept his shoes.
“Wait,” James said, grabbing Andrej by the arm. “Why are you meeting with that little bartender?”
He glared at James with narrowed eyes. This jealous act was exhausting. “He needs my help with something Jay, nothing more.”
James opened his mouth to argue when Zayne interrupted him. “I’d stop while you’re ahead, gingerbread. Otherwise, you might be having dinner by yourself.”
James gave Zayne a nasty look. “Shut up.”
“James,” Andrej warned.
He shut his mouth. Andrej only called him by his full name when he was at the end of his patience. Or about to come his brains out, but seeing as they were in the middle of an argument, he erred on the side of caution and figured he’d overstepped. “Sorry. Are we ready?”
“Let me find my shoes,” Andrej said, his words clipped.
“Fuck,” he muttered under his breath.
“You gotta watch it,” Zayne whispered. “There are not many things he gets touchy about, but that little cupcake is one of them.”
James nodded, not willing to trust his mouth yet.
“I am ready, Jay,” Andrej called, causing James to relax. His nickname was back, so maybe they’d have a nice dinner after all.
A giant grin spread across his handsome face. “And he didn’t question you?”
“No,” Zayne said, stretching on the couch. “It’s rare, but sometimes it does happen. Especially when it deals with someone in Zek’s like before the narco came into it.”
Eli chuckled and Zayne couldn’t help but smile. He’d always figured Andrej had hooked up with the kid because he was handsome. But the more he got to know the bartender, the more he realized what a fun guy he was.
“Well, at least I was able to get what Andrej asked about for James’ present,” Eli said, claiming Andrej’s favorite spot on the couch. “You’ll keep it in your room until you can give it to him when the pelirrojo is not around?”
Zayne grinned at Eli’s use of the Spanish word for redhead. “Yeah, promise. I even have a foolproof hiding place.”
“Nothing is ever foolproof,” Eli told him, wagging a playful finger in his direction. “A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools."
Snickering, Zayne got up. “I know that quote,” he said, knowing it came from one of Andrej’s favorite books. “But you’re not wrong either. And Rosewood is just smart enough and observant enough to be dangerous. I’ll text Zek and let him know I have it, but I’ll make sure he still comes to meet you for breakfast like y’all had planned. I mean, he owes you that much right?”
“He owes me nothing,” Eli said. “But I sure as hell won’t turn down breakfast.”
“I like you more and more every time we talk,” Zayne laughed. He glanced at his phone. “Shit, he and Jimmy boy are on their way back already. You ought to scoot.”
“We do not need for me to get caught here, having a beer with you,” Elias agreed. “Thank you again.”
“Anytime,” Zayne said, finding that he meant it. “And feel free to hit me up. It’s nice to be able to listen to a language I understand.”
Elias laughed. “When Andrej gets on a roll you do not know what is going to come out of his mouth. Which can be quite an adventure.”
“He’s learning Spanish,” Zayne said. “He told me it had the same roots as both Romanian and French, so we’ll see how fast he picks it up.”
“Knowing him, it won’t take long,” Eli surmised. “He’s smart as a whip and picks things up faster than anyone I’ve ever known.”
“No kidding,” Zayne said with a laugh. “I learned a long ass time ago to never lie to him because he called my ass out on it every time. And as much as that sucks, it’s what makes him so good at his job so I shouldn’t complain.”
“You shouldn’t,” Eli said slyly as he rose from his seat, “but you will.”
“Well, of course I will,” Zayne confirmed, walking Elias to the door. “I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t bitch about shit I already know is wrong with me, right?”
“I’ve known you long enough to know that that is indeed part of your charm,” he said. “Thanks, Zayne.”
Zayne looked up from the magazine he was reading when he heard the soft knock on his door. “Come in,” he said, knowing it could only be one of two people. When Andrej poked his head through the door, he smiled. “You know you don’t need to knock, baby. It’s your house.”
“You deserve your privacy all the same,” he said. “May I come in?”
“I’d be more upset if you didn’t,” Zayne teased. Scooting over, he made room for his partner. “Sit. How was dinner?”
They’d gotten home over an hour ago, but the narco was being handsy and the two of them had disappeared shortly after their return. Which was why Zayne was in his room, with the door shut, trying to read a damn magazine.
“Dinner was okay,” Andrej said, sitting down on Zayne’s bed. He relaxed back against the headboard and closed his eyes.
“He wouldn’t let it go, huh,” Zayne surmised.
“No,” Andrej sighed. “He would not. I have not been involved with Elias in a very long time, so I do not understand why Jay is so angry.”
“Asshole’s jealous.” Zayne reached over and took Zeklos’ hand in his own. Elias had broken off the relationship between them before Zeklos had even met Rosewood, so the ginger’s obsession was a bit over the top. “Why’d you go to bed with him then? I’d have sent his ass packing.”
Cracking an eyelid, Zeklos looked at him. “I had too much to drink at dinner and I wasn’t in a mood to really care.”
Snorting, Zayne gave Zeklos’ hand a squeeze. “We’ve all been there, baby, trust me.”
“Sometimes, it’s easier to give you both what you want,” he murmured, both eyes closed again. “It is not worth the argument.”
Zayne frowned, although Andrej couldn’t see it. Knowing that his partner and boyfriend gave in and let him have his way simply because he didn’t want to argue about it made him sick. He resolved to do better by Andrej and respect all he’d done and given for both himself and the narco. “You want to stay with me tonight,” he asked, his hold on Zek’s hand tightening. “He’s likely asleep already and won’t know either way.”
“No,” Andrej sighed. “I must go back to my own room but thank you for listening to me.”
“It’s why I’m here,” Zayne said, releasing his hold on Andrej’s hand. “Well, that and other things,” he added with a lecherous grin.
“I will remember that,” Andrej said, a fond smile on his face. He leaned over and briefly pressed his lips against Zayne’s. “Good night.”
“Wait,” Zayne said as he reached the door. “Elias left Rosewood’s present. It’s in my closet.”
Andrej’s eyes flickered to the closed closet. “Hold on to it for me, please? I will get it tomorrow and wrap it, so he has less chance of seeing what it is.”
“I can do that,” Zayne said, knowing he owed the man a lot more than that. It was a start, however.
“Thank you,” he said again. “I will see you in the morning.”
“Ah, thank you,” Andrej said, seeing Zayne in the doorway, James’ present in his hands. “Let me wrap this so I can put it under the tree.”
“Rosewood left already,” Zayne asked, looking around the room, waiting for the redhead to appear from behind a door or something.
“He got a call at about six thirty,” Andrej said, going into the closet for a roll of wrapping paper. When he returned, he was carrying a tube of paper with rainbow-colored penguins all over it. “So, he has been gone for some time now.”
“Unwillingly, I bet,” Zayne snorted.
“Indeed,” Andrej confirmed. “He was not very happy about it either, but I am honestly relieved. Maybe he will let his insecurities go if he and Jake do some good work today.”
“Speaking of the narco’s insecurities, what time are you meeting the little tart?”
Andrej frowned at Zayne. “Will you not call him that? I thought the two of you were friendly?”
“Oh, we are,” Zayne said, sitting o the edge of the bed. “We even shared a beer last night after he stopped by. But I love how you don’t know whether to be pissed or embarrassed when I do it.”
“You are awful,” Andrej grunted.
“Explain to me why Elias had to procure a blanket for the gingerbread? Couldn’t you have found one yourself?”
“I could have, yes,” Andrej said. “However, Jay was complaining that he did not have a good blanket and he wanted one that was both lightweight and warm.” He gave Zayne a guilty look, his cheeks burning red as he continued. “I remember one that Eli had in his apartment that fit that description well. I called and asked him about it and Eli said a friend of his mother made them.”
“You couldn’t have gotten it from her?”
He shook his head. “She and Elias’ mother both live in Mexico, so it would have been difficult. However, he went home a couple weeks ago to visit and brought this back for me.”
“Ah, I see,” Zayne said. “That was nice of him.”
“It was,” Andrej agreed. “And yet, I am suffering for trying to do a good thing.”
“Forget the narco,” Zayne said. “He’ll get over it. It’s almost eight now, Zek. Are you going to be late for breakfast?”
He finished wrapping James’ present and gave Zayne a pleading look. “I was going to cancel but I owe him at least breakfast for all he’s done.”
“Go,” Zayne said. “I’ll be fine. There are Pop Tarts in the cupboard. Go have breakfast with your own little tart.”
“Sometimes, I really hate you,” Andrej laughed.
“Nah, you love me you jerk.”
James Rosewood
Dec 15, 2020, 11:17 AM
Dec 15, 2020, 11:17 AM
Andy, I’m sorry.
It’s okay, Jay.
No, it's not. I'm a jerk.
You're a jealous jerk and it needs to stop,
but it is still okay because i love you.
Tell the cowboy to give you your phone back.
He is not even here, Jay. But my point stands.
I hate that you're right, Andy.
Tell the cowboy to give you your phone back.
He is not even here, Jay. But my point stands.
I hate that you're right, Andy.
“So, the narco’s no longer on your shit list,” Trish asked, blowing on her coffee before taking a sip.
“No, not any longer,” Andrej admitted. “He is not as bad as you all want to believe either.”
“He just gets wrapped up in his own ego and his own opinions,” Hilary said lightly. “And don’t look at me like that. Those are Jake’s words, not mine.”
Andrej sighed. “Jake is not wrong, either, but Jay is working on it. Sort of.”
“You mean like how Zayne’s working on keeping his fool mouth shut.”
He grinned at her. “Exactly.”
“So,” Trish laughed, “In other words, you’re not holding out much hope for either of them?”
“Not particularly,” Andrej confessed, “but they are both trying.”
“Well,” Hilary said, breaking a corner off Andrej’s scone, “that’s something.”
“I suppose it is for you and me,” Trish said, nudging Andrej with her knee. “But what does that do to his well-ordered life? Chaos does not become our Andy.”
“The rules of a well-ordered life,” Andrej said slowly, folding his napkin and setting it on the table, “are never enough when other people refused to obey them.”
The girls stared at him.
“What?”
“You are so odd sometimes,” Hilary said warmly.
“I have had worse said about me,” he assured them.
“We can live with odd,” Trish said. “I mean, how many years did we put up with Reyes before you arrived?”
Andrej laughed. “Zayne is not odd, he is just very blunt. Jay is more tactful, but not much different than Zayne.”
“Where does that leave you,” Trish asked, curious.
“I am not sure,” he said. “However, I am quite positive that I am exactly where I need to be.”
Andrej cracked the door and slipped into Zayne’s room as quietly as he could. He didn’t want to wake his partner, but he needed to be near him, too. All he wanted was to feel the heat of Zayne’s body, smell the scent of his skin, and then he could return to his own bed and sleep. He couldn’t explain it, but tonight he needed to be near them both.
“What are you doing, crawling into my bed in the middle of the night,” Zayne teased. He opened his arms so that Andrej could snuggle in close. “Let me guess, you’re looking for a late night hookup?”
“No,” Andrej chuckled, despite the fact his body responded eagerly to Zayne’s suggestion. “I just wanted to be near you for a moment.”
“We can arrange that,” Zayne said, tugging Andrej closer to him, fitting their bodies together as if they were two pieces of the same puzzle.
“Too bad being near you always leads to hooking up.”
Zayne tilted his head back so that he could see the silhouette in the doorway. “You say that like it’s a bad thing, gingerbread.”
“Only when I’m not invited,” James said, stepping further into the bedroom. “Like now.”
“Sorry,” Andrej muttered, his face buried in Zayne’s chest. “I was not planning on staying here.”
“Sure you weren’t,” James teased. He knew the pull that the cowboy had over Andrej, over them all. But he accepted it and all that went with it gladly.
“How about you consider this your invitation to join us,’ Zayne said.
“For a hookup or just a cuddle session?” James stepped closer to the bed.
“Cuddles only,” Andrej said, exhaustion weighing heavily on every word. “I am tired.”
“Right,” Zayne said, patting the mattress beside Andrej. “There’s plenty of time for fucking in the morning. For now, we can snuggle and get some much needed rest.”
James laughed. “You’ve become rather practical, Reyes. It’s starting to scare me.”
“It is beginning to frighten us all, Jay,” Andrej joked. “Please, come help keep me warm and we can revisit this conversation once the sun’s come up.”
“Gladly,” James said. He pulled the covers back and fitted himself into the spot left for him.
“And don’t think we’re not going to do just that,” Zayne threatened.
“I do not expect anything less,” Andrej said, kissing Zayne’s collar bone before turning his head to accept a kiss from James. “And if you did not, I surely would have brought it up myself.”
Zayne cackled. “Never in my lifetime would I have ever suspected you to be such a horny bastard, Zek,” he said. “But I’m not complaining.”
“Me either,” James said, draping an arm so that it rested across Andrej’s body, his fingertips brushing Zayne’s side.
“Would not want it any other way,” Andrej muttered before falling soundly back to sleep.
no subject
Jay still needs to get over himself.
Love Eli. I think he needs his own series. ;)
no subject
Yes, he does, but he'll get there eventually.
Yay! I love him, too, so I'm glad you're enjoying him. Hahaha - now that would be a fun idea.