Bastian opened the back door, squinting into the snow. He looked for the bright red blob he'd seen moments ago. The snow made it stand out even more, but it had flown out of his vision.
"Everett! Malcolm! Come on!" he called.
After the events of three months ago, the fae had basically moved into Malcolm's Victorian house to help with the werewolf's healing. He lifted him from wheelchair to chair for the first several weeks then he helped with dressing as best as he could. He was good at the physical aspects; moving, lifting, tugging. He left the rest with Everett.
He had a chance to watch their relationship grow as well. Everett became more self-assured with himself as he cared for his slowly healing partner. Mal became more patient since his body wasn't working as he wanted. He had to rely on the help of others to do some of the most basic hygiene. They had really progressed.
One night while Everett had slept, Mal and Bastian had talked in depth. As much as he hated to, he'd admitted that his body may not be able to give Everett what he deserved for a while. Mal had given Bastian permission to sleep with Everett whenever he needed it or wanted it. It had taken the fae by surprise, but he hadn't argued. He hadn't wanted to upset the werewolf more than he already was.
They hadn't done anything at first. Everett had taken care of Mal when he'd been home and had continued working on his multiple projects. He'd worked so diligienty he'd nearly worked himself into sickness which shouldn't have been possible due to his nature.
Bastian had finally told him to take the night off. He'd made it easier on him and had taken care of everything. The cooking, cleaning, and laundry had all been done when he'd come down from working on his latest video game. He'd stared at Bastian as he'd pulled food from the oven.
Mal had been asleep, something he did recently because of how bad his body had been damaged. Donovan had mandated he not return to work until he could change without three days in between. That had taken a while so the detective had been put on sabbatical after his active cases had been wrapped up.
Their first night alone had been that night. Everett had been reserved so Bastian had taken it slowly. He had been so preoccupied that the fae hadn't held it against him. They'd simply given each other handjobs with light kisses dispersed throughout. Bastian had known it would take some time for Everett to get used to the idea so he'd kept his thoughts to himself.
A fae healer had come to help Mal. stating what they also knew, Mal was going to have a hard time healing. Annaliese had sent her best healer to help rid the stricken werewolf with his silver poisoning. He had heale the damaged skin and muscles, but his heart had taken severe damage when the arrow had been removed. His supernatural healing had saved his life, but the silver had done its deed. Mal's heart would never fully heal, and he would have the equivalent of a heart murmur in a human.
Mal had gone back to work but was on desk duty for the next six months. He had taken it in stride, but htye had all known how relieved he'd been. He'd even told Bastian he was happy not to have to catch bad guys. He'd rather do all of Carver's and Strictland's dirty work - i.e. paperwork- than have to run the streets. It had given him time to rest while he worked as well.
The trees behind the house rustled, and a big grey wolf burst out. It shook its fur out then sat down to scratch its ear. It huffed a bit before padding across the backyard. Then from the sky a great red bird dropped to its shoulders. The tail feathers dropped into the snow and trailed in it as the wolf walked.
Bastian held the door open so the creatures could come through without any hindrance. With a tiny pop, the red bird became Everett. The man shook off the tingles of magic that accompanied his change every time. He ruffled Mal's fur, kissing the top of his head and hugging him. He smiled tenderly at Bastian before going into the kitchen.
Mal huffed at him then disappeared down the hall. He didn't like people seeing him change from beast to human. Everyone respected his decision and tried to stay in another room while he did so.
"What did you make tonight?" Everett asked.
Bastian crossed the room and stood by him at the stove, a hand on his waist. "Taco soup with sweet corn bread. I thought you'd want something warm and comforting after Malcolm's first run."
Mal had been able to change, but Donovan had forbidden him from overworking himself. He hadn't been able to run or join the monthly hunts for the last several months. Donovan had only allowed him to go if Everett flew above him. It was the only time Everett really took the form everyone called him.
Everett grabbed a bowl and sat at the table Ezra had replaced. It had come right after they'd come back to the house, and Everett loved it. It was bigger than the last one but he wasn't complaining.
Mal returned a minute or so later. A thin sheen of sweat was beaded on his upper lip. It was still difficult for him to change forms, and no one was sure if it would get easier.
Bastian made him a bowl and dunked a piece of cornbread in it. He handed it to Mal and caressed his face gently, wiping the sweat from his lip. Mal nodded with a pained smile then went to the table. He sat down with a sigh. It took a minute, but he was soon settled enough to eat. He took one bite, and his shoulders immediately sagged. Bastian was right about his soup being comfort food.
They ate in silence for a long while. Everett was content, Bastian was curious and Mal was trying to settle into his new body. It wasn't really new, but the events that changed it made it feel like it was. He was lucky Everett and Bastian had been so patient.
Mal ate one bowl and then he was full. He sat back, eyes closed as he decided on what he should do. He looked at Everett as spoke to Bastian about his newest game development. The fae was still learning, but he looked interested enough it kept the young man talking.
"Bastian?" he said. The man looked at him. "Do you want to stay here?" you've been helpful for a long while now."
A smile tugged at the edge of the fae's lips. "What? Do you like me now?"
Mal shrugged. "It'd be a lie if I said no, but also one if I said yes. The better term would be fondness. I'm fond of you, but I was thinking more about Everett. He likes you, and I don't want him to be sad anymore."
Bastian looked at Everett. The young man's face was drawn in shock. He was just as surprised by the question as the fae. Obviously Mal hadn't talked with him about it.
"I don't want to interfere with you guys," he said.
"I don't think you are," Mal opposed. Bastian gaped at him. "I've watched both of you closely. Everett is happier because you're here. You understand his other side better than both of us, and you're honest about it. He's not afraid to be around you."
The werewolf shifted in his seat. "As for the sex, I think your chemistry adds to ours. I don't want to take away anything from him because I may not be able to do as much as I used to."
"Mal?" Everett said.
He shook his head. "No, it's fine. If I didn't trust Bastian, I wouldn't ask him. He proved his mettle that day. And if I say I wanted him to disappear, it would be a lie. He's good to you, and you enjoy his company. Since I've been healing, he's made you smile and laugh. I know you haven't allowed him to have sex with you because you're nervous, but I don't think you should be anymore. I may not be able to enter you anymore, but that doesn't mean I can't be an active part."
Bastian rounded the table and tipped Mal's head up. Everett looked at him, interest coloring his face. Mal looked at the fae calmly, already understanding what he was about to do. Slowly, Bastian pressed a gentle kiss to the werewolf's mouth, coaxing him to respond. When he did, the fae smiled before pecking his lips one time.
"I'll take fondness," he said. "I like both of you so it's not going to make anything awkward for me. I just didn't want to intrude."
Mal snorted. "You did that a long time ago." His face sobered. "Just don't make him cry. I've never liked doing it, yet I still do. If you do, I'll kill you."
"Mal!" Everett scolded.
The two men burst into laughter. It wasn't awkward anymore. They were all comfortable with each other. Mal and Bastian could be in the same room and not want to kill each other. It was because of Everett they had decided to get along. They both loved him and would do anything for him.
But Bastian wasn't stupid. He knew Mal was Everett's main person. He had always known he would be a confidant and friend first with a lover on the back burner. He was okay with it as long as he was happy. Now that Mal was allowing him to live here, it would make things so much easier for all of them.
The two older men started ribbing the younger one, and he lashed back at them. When he had enough, he got up and put his bowl in the sink only to storm out. Mal and Bastain chuckled as they finished supper. They cleaned up and went to make amends to the firebird in whatever way he wanted. They were sure they knew what he wanted, and they would gladly tease him into oblivion.
THE END