“You should fix yourself up. I’ll handle my brother,” he growled while fixing his own clothes, grateful he always wore a t-shirt underneath the hoodies. It’d be less comfortable, they kept the floor cooler to not overheat projects, but he would handle it.
Peri made a noise of protest, but Wash didn’t feel like waiting around. If he kept his door mostly closed, it was likely no one would notice he had company. And he had no intention of inviting his brother inside.
Tossing his soiled sweater into the corner to deal with later, he jerked open the door just enough to glare at his brother on the other side. “What?”
Elijah frowned at his harsh tone, but what did he expect? Until recently, they went out of their way to avoid each other. They weren’t close, hadn’t been since they were kids, and Wash had long since accepted that it was always going to be that way. Elijah didn't want him interfering, and Wash wasn’t going to stick his nose where it wasn’t wanted.
Uneasily, Elijah said, “Someone said you’ve been sleeping in your office? I came to check on you–”
“I’m fine. Anything else?”
Guilt stabbed him in the chest seeing the hurt look on his brother’s face, but it was for the best. Despite Elijah’s recent interest in reconciling, he already made it perfectly clear he didn’t want Wash’s involvement in his affairs. Wash knew if he saw anyone mistreating him, he’d react whether Elijah wanted him to or not. It was easier for them both if they kept things as they were.
Since Elijah bonded, Wash no longer felt the oppressive weight of his magic on his skin. It was the benefit of finding his anchor, and something Wash was trying to replicate for unanchored telepaths so they would face less discrimination. Not that it mattered anyway. He’d spent his whole childhood helping Elijah learn the basics about his magic, while at the same time working on his mental shields to keep his brother out of his head. Not because he didn’t trust him, but because he knew how exhausting it was for Elijah to be constantly bombarded with other people’s thoughts and emotions. He had wanted to be a place of refuge for his brother. It worked in his favor now, knowing that Elijah had no idea what he was thinking.
Letting out a sigh, Elijah nodded. “Okay. If you’re sure.”
Wash stepped back, ready to close the door and see if he could figure out some way to sneak Peri out without anyone figuring out what had happened, but Elijah stopped him before he could.
“Um… I was wondering if you’d consider coming to dinner with me and Alistair? You haven’t met my anchor yet.”
Wash narrowed his eyes. In the entire time Elijah worked at Spellbound, as well as their entire adult life, Elijah had never invited him to his home. Even when Wash knew he was struggling and being treated unfairly, he didn’t ask for help. He made his boundaries perfectly clear in that regard. Having an anchor didn't change anything.
Unwilling to be any more of an ass to his brother than he already was, he hedged, “I’m busy with a few projects right now. Maybe another time.”
Another stab of guilt pierced his chest as Elijah’s shoulders slumped. “Alright. Just… let me know when, I guess…”
They stared awkwardly at each other for a long moment before Wash cleared his throat awkwardly. “I need to get back to work.”
He closed the door to block out the sadness on Elijah’s face, gritting his teeth against the urge to rush to his brother’s side. When they were kids, he was always there. He did everything to make Elijah happy. But that was a long time ago. It wasn’t his job anymore.
“Wash…”
Peri’s heartbroken murmur drew his attention, and when he turned around and saw tears spilling over the little fairy’s face, his mouth fell open.
“Peri? What–”
“You said that was your brother. But you’re like strangers! That’s so sad!”
Shit. He had no idea how to handle this. He was so rusty on caring for others, he didn’t even know where to start. He just stood there, hands raised in surrender, watching as the perpetual ball of sunshine from the other day fell apart in front of him.
Another knock on his door preceded Dakota asking, “Mr. Washburne? Have you seen Peri?”
A series of expletives left him in a rush, and he looked over his shoulder at the door, then back at the still crying Peri. Unlike many of his colleagues who’d earned his wrath in the past and knew better, Dakota didn’t wait for him to invite her inside, pushing the door open and peeking her head inside, her mouth already open to question him again. When she saw Peri crying, she threw the door open all the way and rushed in, nearly trampling one of his projects that was on the floor.
“Oh my goodness! Peri! What’s wrong?” She wrapped her arms around the fairy’s shoulders and swung her gaze to Wash, her tone accusing when she asked, “What did you do?”
“Nothing!” he rushed out.
“It was obviously something!” she screeched, pulling a still sobbing Peri toward the door. “You should be ashamed of yourself!”
This entire morning was not going to plan, and Wash had no clue what to do about it. Technically, it was his fault that Peri was crying, but not for anything he’d done intentionally. He doubted Dakota would listen even if he tried explaining. And despite Peri shaking his head, he was too upset to explain anything himself. Wash could only watch as Dakota dragged the little fairy away, shushing him and petting his hair, shooting daggers at Wash on her way out.
It took far toolong for Peri to get himself under control enough to explain. Long enough that Dakota called Kian to come downstairs. He’d already stormed off to talk to Wash, which only made Peri feel worse.
He was a sensitive person in general, but watching the way the two brothers interacted broke his heart. He was an only child, and he’d spent his whole childhood wishing he had a sibling to play with. Despite their best effort, his parents couldn’t conceive a second time, so it was just him. He considered his cousins siblings, but it wasn’t the same thing. He would have done anything to have a sibling, but Wash and his brother were so awkward it was painful to watch. And Peri could hear the heartache in both their voices as they danced around each other. It didn’t feel like either of them wanted things to be the way they were.
A snarl made Peri’s head jerk up, and he dashed away tears as he hurried toward the hall. Dakota had brought him to the break room to settle down, which was pretty far from Wash’s office. The fact that Peri could still hear him meant he was more than a little upset.