“Do you have mint, Brandon?”
“I’m pretty sure I do, Peter—”
“No, no. Alain knows his way around a kitchen. Would you find me some mint for my tea, little one? And a nice long spoon to stir it in, please.”
“Oui, M’sieur.” Alain hopped up with a smile and bounced off into the kitchen.
“He was looking very comfortable at your feet. Until he wasn’t.” Brandon nodded to him.
“Mm. He doesn’t seem to understand his headspace yet.” Or maybe Alain was never going to be the settled type, and that was okay too. But he wouldn’t know if they didn’t push that boundary a bit.
“It’s sort of nice, in a way, Sirs.” Peter shrugged and offered them a quiet smile. “He’s finally starting to be the little ball of energy that I remember.”
That made Isaac smile. “I’m glad. I hope to help him settle a bit more, but I’m also perfectly happy to work with him if it’s just not something he can do. He was starting to fidget; that’s why I gave him an excuse to move.”
Peter offered him a smile. “That’s incredibly cool, Sir. Thank you.”
“He was so happy to be coming over here. He got up early to cook and everything. He misses you, Peter. You two should get together more.”
“Maybe after our vacation.”
“What vacation?” Brandon teased.
“Our vacation, Master, the one we get to go on together and enjoy each other.”
“Oh! That vacation. You’re in luck. Isaac has convinced me it’s a good idea.”
He snorted. “Please. You were already there. You just wanted someone else to validate you.” He smiled as Alain came back into the room, took his glass, and expertly muddled the mint into his tea for him.
He could get used to this. Neil was way more likely to order him mint tea and have it delivered.
“Thank you, boy.” He pointed for Alain to sit again. “Master Brandon is taking Peter on vacation. Where do you think they should go? Where would you go?”
“Oh…” Alain closed his eyes, obviously thinking. “If you go somewhere with just a pool, that would be hard for Master Brandon, because of the water and the wheelchair and the cast, but if you go to one of them resorts with massages and being lazy, that might be fun. I love being in the sun and water.”
Brandon nodded and grinned at Peter. “All-inclusive resort in Mexico it is.”
“Mexico!” Peter hopped up and threw his arms around Brandon’s neck.
Isaac stroked a hand down Alain’s back as praise and reassurance. “Good answer, boy.”
“Thank you, M’sieur.” Alain leaned into him and relaxed.
“Alain and I are going to have a scene today,” he said deliberately, and specifically for Alain to hear. “Our first. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Are you? Congratulations. That’s a special time for a couple, that’s for sure.” Brandon was more than willing to help him ramp Alain up.
“Really?” Peter chimed in but didn’t seem at all aware of the game he and Brandon were playing. “Oh, Alain, I’m so happy for you. That is amazing.”
“Thanks, cher.” Alain glanced up at him, obviously curious, then away.
The rest of their visit was mostly small talk, and after they’d finished their tea and he’d picked out a playful paddle for Neil, he decided they should be on their way.
“Have a wonderful vacation. You deserve it.” He shook Brandon’s hand, covering it with his other one for a moment.
“You ought to as well. Take your boys somewhere to play.”
“I think I will. You’ve inspired me.” There weren’t any distractions up at the cabin, so it might be a good place for something more intense. “Go on and say goodbye, boy.” He gave Alain a little pat.