He looked over his shoulder again, watching as Elijah headed outside and smiled at Brennus and his mate. The smile didn’t reach his eyes, but Brennus didn’t seem to notice, drawing Elijah into their conversation with a wave of his claw.
Elijah must have asked Alistair to find out what was happening. Alistair hadn’t been anywhere near the group before, his talk with Ozen looked serious, so Wash didn’t think he’d just abandon it without being asked. And the rumor around the office was that Elijah and Alistair shared thoughts now that they were anchored. His brother asked his anchor to go find out what Taron was planning because Wash was worried about it. It made Wash feel like even more of a jerk for keeping him at a distance.
But that was what Elijah wanted, wasn’t it? He had been the one to ask Wash to back off. He had been the one who told him he was too protective. Too violent. That hadn’t really changed. The only difference now was that Wash’s focus was on Peri and protecting him. Peri seemed to like it, but Elijah had liked it too, at first. He said he was glad Wash had his back. How long until Peri asked him to stop too?
He grunted as Peri landed in his lap without warning, Wash’s chair going on two legs momentarily before the entire thing toppled. Wash’s hands shot out, pulling Peri against him protectively, and blinked up at the ceiling when they landed with a thud.
“Oh no! I’m so sorry,” Peri rushed out, popping up to look at him. “You looked upset. I wanted to make you feel better. Are you okay? Did you hit your head? Are your wings hurt?”
His lips twitched, and he tried so hard to fight it, but the shock dropped his walls for a minute, and he started laughing, the tension from his conversation with Elijah snapping like a rubber band, releasing him from that spiral so fast, it made his stomach dip.
Peri looked startled at his reaction for a moment before that bright beautiful grin came back and he giggled right along with him, still sitting on Wash, completely unharmed from the chaos he’d caused.
When Wash’s laughter subsided, Peri swiped a few tears from his eyes, still snickering when he asked, “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine, baby,” he assured him, snugging an arm around Peri’s waist as he sat up and got to his feet. Peri squealed when Wash brought him with him, wrapping his legs around Wash’s hips when they were both upright again.
“Have I mentioned how much I love your strength? You didn’t even grunt. It’s like I weigh nothing to you.”
Lifting an eyebrow, Wash pointed out, “You do weigh nothing, baby. I’m surprised you’re a chef. Do you ever eat any of your own creations?”
“Of course I do!” Peri pouted, though the grin snuck out despite his best efforts. “I’ve got a fairy’s metabolism. I’ll probably always be this small.”
Dipping to pick up the chair, he never let Peri go, smirking as Peri giggled and clung to him, smiling so brightly, the room felt warmer. “Good. I like you how you are. I wouldn’t complain if you put a little weight on either, though.”
Peri wrinkled his nose, bumping his forehead against Wash’s. “You’re too sweet. I like you the way you are, too.”
He couldn’t help himself. He had to ask, “Really? All of me? Even the possessive asshole parts?”
“I happen to like that about you,” Peri sniffed indignantly. “You make me feel cherished. I’ve never had a boyfriend so in tune to me that they’d automatically protect me first if a chair tipped over with both of us in it. You being protective is one of my favorite things about you.”
A part of him wanted to ask Peri to remind him of that often. He hadn’t realized until Peri said it out loud how much he needed to hear it. Maybe when they didn’t have an audience, they’d talk about it. If he wanted this relationship to last, he knew he had to be honest.
“Are you two alright?” Taron asked, flanked by both his mates who seemed to still be hovering.
To his surprise, Peri hugged his neck, beaming at them. “Yep. He protected me. We’re good.”
It only reinforced what Peri had said before. Maybe Wash wouldn’t have to ask him to keep reminding him. Peri seemed to pick up on what he needed all on his own.
Taron nodded sharply. “Good. I wouldn’t want my bestie injured before the relay. Winner gets two extra paid vacation days.”
Wash made a face, words poised to refuse automatically, when Peri bounced a little in his arms. “Yay! That means we can take a long weekend and go somewhere!” He whipped around to face Wash, grinning eagerly at him. “Starlight realm? Please?”
And just like that, all his arguments died on his tongue. If Peri wanted to go on vacation with him, Wash wasn’t about to tell him no. The sweet little fairy deserved to be spoiled.
“Sounds good,” Wash agreed, finally setting Peri on his feet. He cast a suspicious gaze at Taron. “What kind of relay?”
“A race, duh,” Taron grinned, dodging with a snicker when Wash tried to swipe at him. He hid behind Zephyr, who gave Wash a look that said try it and there would be hell to pay. The thunderbird’s protective instincts were triggered, and he didn’twant people messing around with his mate while he was injured. So triggered that when Taron tried to come back around, Zephyr sidestepped him, keeping the wily shapeshifter behind him. Taron gaped at him.
“Zeph!”
“Climb on his back,” Peri suggested before Zephyr could argue. “I do it all the time to Wash.”
A wicked grin cut across Taron’s face, and he didn’t hesitate to launch himself onto Zephyr’s back, draping his arms over his shoulders and leaning his head against Zephyr’s like a lazy prince. Zephyr just rolled his eyes, supporting Taron’s weight with his hands under his knees, and gave Peri a mock scowl.
“I feel like I shouldn’t let you two be alone together.”
“I agree,” Wash nodded.