“Why didn’t you?” he whispered. He’d stopped paying attention to how long it’d been since he screwed up, but he knew it’d been a few days at least. Each day moved excruciatingly slowly without Wash. He felt selfish for wishing Wash had come back sooner, but he still wished it.
“I was afraid of saying something I didn’t mean. I was hurt and lashing out, and I could see how scared you were. I needed a chance to get my emotions under control before I spoke to you again. I didn’t want to hurt you any more than I already had.”
But it hurt just having him gone. Peri wasn’t sure which was worse. He didn't say that though. He didn’t want to make Wash feel bad. Instead, he decided to clear up something Wash said that didn’t make sense.
“I wasn’t afraid of you. I was afraid I’d lose you. I’d never be afraid of you.”
Wash’s grip tightened on him almost to the point of pain. It was just tight enough to make Peri feel loved without actually hurting him. “I hope I never make you afraid of me. And if I need some space to work through my emotions, I’ll tell you. I’m not going anywhere. I never was. I just needed a minute.”
Peri could give him that. Maybe. Possibly. Or maybe he’d just work really really hard not to chase Wash away again. That sounded like a better plan to him.
“Does everyone in the office know?”
They’d moved from the couch long enough to shower. Peri’s face was too salty, and he’d spent days in bed crying so he needed to get clean. Wash wasn’t willing to let him go even for a second, so he went with. It wasn’t anything sexual, that wasn’t what either of them needed right then, and Wash helping cleanhim made him feel cherished, not aroused. After drying off, they’d climbed into Peri’s bed with Wash on his back and Peri laying on his chest, drawing little hearts on his skin. He hoped some soul blooms would show up there. Right over Wash’s heart.
“No idea. I only went back today to talk to Elijah.”
Blinking, Peri sat up enough to look his boyfriend in the eyes. “You… didn’t go to work?”
Wash shook his head, unconcerned, like he hadn’t just admitted he’d skipped working for two whole days. That… Taron had said he never took time off, even when he was sick. He had to be banned from the building in order to get some rest, and he showed up a few days later healthy with a new device he’d tinkered with at home. Wash took workaholic to a new level.
Wash noticed mouth hanging open and rolled his eyes, knocking his knuckle lightly under Peri’s chin to close it. “What? You really think I could have gotten any of my work done with half my heart missing? I barely managed to feed myself.”
Peri melted at the sweet sentiment, but before he could comment on it, his stomach growled, reminding him that he hadn’t eaten at all since Wash left. Now that he knew everything was okay, he was starving.
His boyfriend smirked at the sound, cocking one eyebrow. “Hungry, baby?”
He nodded, his lip poking out in a pout. “Yes, but I don’t want to get out of bed. I like our bubble.”
He practically purred when Wash ran his fingers through his hair and down his back, making tingles spread along his skin.
Oh no. If Wash started touching him, they definitely wouldn’t get food. He was naked in bed with his boyfriend. He wouldn’t be able to make himself leave. But… he was so hungry!
“What if I promise it’ll be worth getting out of bed?” Wash suggested with a secretive grin that made Peri curious enough to follow his lead.
“Worth it how? What did you have in mind?”
“You’ll find out if you get your butt out of bed and get dressed,” Wash pointed out, tapping Peri’s butt lightly to get him moving.
“Yes, Daddy,” Peri purred and got a wink in response. Ohh… He’d been teasing, but if Wash really wanted to play like that he’d?—
Wash stalled his dirty thought process by physically lifting Peri off his chest and holding him there for just long enough to show Peri how amazingly strong he was before twisting and setting him on his feet. Now he really didn’t want to get out of bed.
He got dressed with some prodding from Wash, curiosity being the only reason he let himself be talked into leaving the apartment. He’d suggested take-out so they could eat it naked in bed, but Wash promised it’d be worth it and that was all the detail he was willing to give.
“Waaash,” Peri whined. “Where are we going?”
With an indulgent smirk, Wash pulled him into his arms, kissing his lips lightly. “We’ve been together for weeks, and I haven’t taken you out on a real date. You deserve to be pampered, baby. So we’re going out, and I’m going to spoil you a little.”
Well… he really couldn’t complain about that, could he?
“So where are we–eep!”
Wash teleported without warning right as Peri was speaking. The stomach flipping sensation made him laugh, and when they popped up outside a portal station, Peri was too busy giggling to notice which station they were at. He let Wash lead him inside,his eyes locked on his handsome boyfriend as they followed the crowd through the station.
“Do you ever teleport while flying? Can you do it in water?”
“Yes, and no. Something about water blocks teleportation magic. It’s why deep water makes me so uncomfortable,” Wash explained, keeping his wings spread just enough to keep Peri safe. He’d be fine if his wings brushed against Wash, he liked when his mate touched him, but he was grateful that Wash was so protective that he wouldn’t let anyone else near him.