Kitty's Keeper/No Clean Blades

Paul & John

Paul thought it best to shatter the silence before it crushed him. John beat him to it, and sent the shards raining over his body. "Eager, weren't we, bunny?"

"John, it was—"

"It was what? An accident? A misstep? A regrettable action?"

Paul sat up. "I don't regret it. They learned a lot."

John curled his lip. "Still pretty stupid of you to give them an actual dagger while under the smoke."

The younger siren folded his arms over his stomach. "Yes, I'm aware."

John looked back at the entrance to the bedchamber. "Did you push them to it? The lesson, I mean. I know I said they fight with us but I was hoping we could teach them together."

"I saw an opportunity and took it."

"Ah," he replied knowingly, facing Paul once again. "That old habit."

"They wanted to watch me sharpen my collection and I thought, 'Why not double their pleasure?'"

John chuckled. "Pleasure. Yours is a brutal pleasure, Paulie. Not everyone is ready for it."

Paul rested a hand behind his head. "Give it time. They'll love it later."

"Always so sure. Some would call that arrogance."

"Not you."

The older siren sat on the bed's edge, clasping his hands around Paul's free hand dramatically. "Oh, but I would, Paul. Recall that I am arrogant too. More arrogant than you."

Now it was Paul's turn to chuckle. "How could I forget?"

John leaned in. "And that arrogance forges our writer's bond."

Paul leaned in as well. "A bond sanctified by the eternal Muses themselves."

John closed the distance, spectacles sliding down his nose, leaving no barrier for Paul to overcome. "As officiated by the Songwriter's Society."

"To have and to craft..." the younger siren recited.

"With Fortune's mercy..." John continued.

"For as long as we both shall live," they finished in unison.

John nuzzled Paul's nose, smiling. "So you see why I'd rather not see ye hurt, yeah? Not without a good reason, at least."

Paul held his head close. "You're so tender, John-love."

The older siren wrinkled his nose. "Don't go soft on me." Then he smirked. "Not yet, anyway." He straightened. "I have to check on the others. You'll be alright by yourself for a bit?"

"Of course. In fact, I'll be serving you all drinks in an hour's time."

"Yes, and that's all you'll be doing, understand?"

"Yes, John."

"If he's up for it, I'll have Ritchie do 'Act Naturally.' Been a while since he sang by himself and it will quell most temptations on your part."

"Yes, John."