Triton's Destiny

Part Forty-Five

- One Year Later -

Tristan smiled up at the warm light he could see spilling out onto their balcony. Maki always got home first and could usually be found in the kitchen making dinner when Tristan arrived a while later. His culinary skills had improved greatly since he started preparing human food and now he could make meals every bit as proficiently as Tristan could. Maki had a bit of a flair for the dramatic, though, so his dishes were more complex than what Tristan prepared and definitely more pleasing to the eye. The weekend classes at the café were certainly paying off.

They'd decided fairly quickly that they liked Faversham and wanted to stay. It was large enough to offer plenty of entertaining diversions, while still small enough to feel comfortable and friendly. The bakery they'd visited on their first day in town had become their favorite one and now Michel was a good friend to them both. Tristan had taken his mate's practical advice and applied for a position at the art gallery, if for nothing else than to be working in a field that allowed him to exercise his creativity. He had no delusional aspirations for his own artwork, but just being around the works of others inspired him and quelled a deep craving in his soul that he'd harbored for many years. He was happier here than he'd ever been in Vollendale and that counted for a lot.

What also satisfied him on a soul-deep level was the fact that Maki was happy too. His experience caring for animals made him perfectly suited to fill a vacancy at the Faversham animal hospital, and he seemed fulfilled in a way that Tristan had never witnessed before. It was like Maki had found his life's purpose and the sense of peace that radiated off him was both wonderful and reassuring. Tristan had worried that Maki might feel out of place among humans but he didn't worry about that anymore. If anything, Maki fit better in Faversham than Tristan did, quickly making friends and integrating seamlessly with the welcoming townsfolk. By now, everyone knew Maki Kirseren. And Tristan was content to be recognized as Maki's mate.

They'd built a lovely home for themselves in the beautiful seaside city full of stone buildings and winding cobblestone streets. Their place wasn't large, but it suited them perfectly. On the second floor of a small house next to the café where Maki learned how to cook, they had their own sitting room, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom, with just enough space for Tristan to paint and Maki to draw. The balcony faced to the west so they could see the sun set every day and Tristan was grateful to his partner for insisting on that little bit of comfort. It made their residence feel like home and now he couldn't imagine living anywhere else. They even had flowers to take care of and a steady supply of cool ocean air. It was everything they wanted and more. And now Tristan was about to spend the best part of his day with the one he loved the most. He couldn't believe this was his charmed life.

Climbing the stairs to their flat, Tristan let himself inside, trying to be quiet so he didn't disturb his mate. He smiled fondly when he saw Maki at the stove, stirring something that smelled amazing, and humming a soft tune to himself. Tristan pulled off his boots and set them next to his partner's by the door, padding across the sitting room to find out what concoction Maki was preparing that day. He set the white box he was carrying on the kitchen table and then stepped up behind his mate, sliding his hands around Maki's slim hips and leaning over his shoulder to look into the pot on the stove.

"Mmm..." Maki set his spoon aside and leaned into Tristan's body, curling one hand over Tristan's at his waist and cupping Tristan's cheek with the other one. "You're home. I didn't even hear you come in."

"You just looked so happy in here that I couldn't bear to startle you. Whatever you have in that pot smells wonderful. What are you making?"

"Pasta." Maki gestured to the large pot full of water that was just coming to a boil. "What you're smelling is the tomato sauce. I got the recipe from someone in my class and couldn't wait to try it."