“Is something wrong with the device?” Wash asked when Taron tried to insist for a third time.
Taron spun around with a pout. “No. But he doesn’t need to put himself out just because I want to go to a restaurant. Maybe we should go to the sandwich shop across the street. It’s closer and–”
“He’s fine, T. Don’t smother him,” Zephyr chided, urging Taron toward the sidewalk with a gentle nudge. Taron shot his thunderbird mate a dirty look, followed by a pout that would make most people cave instantly. Zephyr just smacked a kiss on those pouting lips and slapped his ass lightly to get him moving. “He’ll be fine. I’ll watch over him. Besides, this restaurant was his idea, remember? Don’t make him wait.”
Shoulders slumping, Taron acquiesced, leaning into Zephyr’s chest for a moment before bouncing back like the rubber ball he was. He did a little spin, situating himself between his mates so he could hold hands with both of them, then tipped his head in the direction they were meant to be going.
“Let’s go, then!”
Peri hid a giggle behind his hand, falling into step beside Wash, who shook his head. “Don’t laugh. You’ll only encourage him.”
Eyes dancing, Peri pursed his lips in an attempt to hide his grin. It broke free after a few seconds, and he had to hide it behind his hands again.“Sorry! I’m trying!”
Wash felt his lips twitch, a smile threatening to escape, but he stuffed it back down. Peri’s laughter was contagious. He’d need to be careful about that.
Six
Peri had intended to ask Hugo to join him for lunch, hoping maybe if he asked, the demon might take a break and eat with him, but he supposed a lunch with Hugo’s friends was just as good. He liked Taron. The tall man with pretty brown skin and laugh lines around his eyes had a welcoming energy and was very friendly with everyone he met. He greeted the hostess who seated them like they were buddies and beamed at the waiter who brought them water to drink. He was Peri’s kind of people.
Peri’s eyes strayed once again to the demon sitting beside him. He still looked grumpy, like going out to eat with his friends was the last place he wanted to be. It fueled something in Peri that made him want to find some way to make the demon smile. If he could get Kuzmila to like him, surely he could get the handsome demon to like him as well.
Like he could feel Peri’s stare, Hugo’s gaze shifted from his menu to Peri, suspicion and distrust clearly written all over his face. “Problem?”
Peri made a noise of disagreement, shaking his head rapidly. He felt the tips of his ears turn red and hid behind his menu fora little while, silently chiding himself for staring. Making Hugo uncomfortable wasn’t going to get him to like him.
“So, Hugo. What was so important that you missed my birthday party?” Taron demanded, drawing everyone’s focus.
Everyone except Hugo, who didn't even look up from his menu when he responded. “Work. You know, that thing everyone else does but you?”
Taron mock gasped and put a hand on his chest. “Excuse me? Who do you think came up with half the projects your team is working on?”
“Did you really?” Peri asked curiously. During his training, a few of the researchers showed him some of what they were working on, mostly to warn him which experiments were safe to get near and which to only approach when he had a magical barrier in place. Most of the experiments were really interesting.
Tony, one of Taron’s mates, looked proud when he explained, “Taron is the co-founder of the company but where he really thrives is as the ideas man. He’s got enough of an understanding of the science to know if something is possible, and he helps figure out the kinks as the project moves along.”
Taron shot his mate a bright smile, leaning to nudge his shoulder.
“That’s amazing,” Peri gushed. “You’re like an inventor.”
Hugo scoffed in disagreement. “No. He’s like a menace who occasionally has a good idea. The people working in the research department are the inventors.”
“You know, I’d be offended, but I know deep down inside what a snuggly marshmallow you truly are. You can gnash your teeth all you want, I’m still going to love you,” Taron cooed, batting his eyelashes at Hugo.
Peri tried not to laugh, he really did, but it was obvious that Taron was teasing, and while Hugo gave Taron a dirty look forthe comment, he didn't start a fight. He just ignored him, lifting his menu high enough to block Taron’s view of him.
“Aw, is my Hugo being shy?” Taron teased. “You know I can–” His voice cut off in a yelp, and he jerked his seat back far enough to rub his shin. “Rude!”
“You asked for that, T,” Zephyr said blandly, like he was used to his mate causing trouble and was unfazed by it. Tony at least patted Taron’s shoulder reassuringly and rubbed his back when Taron leaned against him to whine about the cruelty of his friends and lover.
“Have you all decided what you want?” the waiter asked as they appeared beside the table, making Peri jump in surprise. He’d been so distracted by Taron and Hugo’s interactions, he’d forgotten entirely that he hadn’t picked something to eat yet. Glancing down at it, he scrambled to figure out what to get, blurting out the first thing his eyes landed on when the waiter turned to him expectantly. It was only after the waiter wrote it down that Peri noticed the five chili peppers directly after the dish's name. Oh no… He couldn’t handle spicy food in the slightest.
He opened his mouth to ask to change his order, but just as quickly as the waiter appeared, he was gone again, the menus disappearing right along with him.
Well… maybe it was for the best. He felt like he was old enough now that he should be more used to spicy foods. And he had a glass of water. He could use that to ease the spice a little, right?
He fidgeted nervously in his seat, stomach flipping when the waiter came back with steaming dishes a little while later. Peri could smell the spiciness before the bowl of noodles was even set in front of him, and his delicate insides sent up a protest before he even took his first bite.
The rest of the table was oblivious to his turmoil, Taron offering a bite of his dish to Tony, holding it out like a parent would to a toddler. Tony smiled indulgently and took the bite before pushing his plate toward the middle so his other mate could try it. Hugo watched them with a scowl, though Peri couldn’t even begin to guess why. What was wrong with sharing food with your partners? Feeding people was his love language.