Hearts of Hope (ManxMan)

Ch 11: Siblings

To say the party was just a passing night would have been a blessing. The universe didn't deal you in blessings. Of course, we were invited over again. Of course the Arnesons had something  to say behind the dressing of professionalism, business, and "oh, but shouldn't we get to know our future in-laws?"

We were invited for another party of socialites, another ball at their mansion of grandiose proportions. They did give us a few weeks grace where everything seemed fine between the five of us. 

Misha may have stayed holed up in his office, in search of Ross's brother, but he did stay home and that was  more than could be said before. I often dropped by so that he kept me updated. Ross would join us, dropping a kiss. He wouldn't say anything but seemed content that this little side project kept the two of us distracted from bigger issues. Those bigger issues including the Green Serpents. Of course, when he left for his business trips or to make a competitor piss their pants, Misha and I exchanged whispered words about the man at the party with the tattoo of the green snake. We didn't find much. Still, it was comforting.

It was a little rough when Ross left. We missed him. Especially Hans. He the mediator, the calm alpha keeping us  together like glue. Joe would put on his big boy pants and become the man of the house when Ross left for stretches at a time. He wasn't perfect. But he was fantastic. There was something about the weeks I had hardly experienced. Sitting in Misha's office on a rainy day, exchanging banter, maybe ending up in his lap,  kissing him, having him pin me against the wall or vice versa. Watching a Disney movie with Hans, wrapped in blankets, wrapped with each other on the sofa, singing to the songs so horribly loud and off-key that Joe would pause his cooking in the  kitchen to come and yell at us or scoop one of  us up and away with him. 

It was almost painful how tender and settled everything felt. Sometimes I'd grab drinks with Elise and Declan after a days work on a commission and we'd watch as Declan fumbled his way through not-flirting with James like the obtuse moron that he was. It was nice. Peaceful. Safe. Loving.

So, of course, life was waiting around the corner to kick me in the balls for it. It was only a natural progression. 

"Down to Earth yet, astroboy?"

A jumped a little as Gavin broke into my field of view, two glasses of wine in hand. I groaned. Wine was a curse upon this beer-loving nation. Gavin had a wry smirk that said that he knew exactly what I was thinking. He handed me a glass.

"Astroboy is a little too boomer, even for you."

Gavin gave a dramatic sigh. "Alas. Anyways, you seem absolutely thrilled to be here again."

"It's like deja vu of a nightmare film reel." I waved an arm, gesturing to what I hoped looked to be the entirety of the Arneson ballroom. It was the exact same with about as many sneering alphas, omegas and some betas as before. Delta and gamma servants hurried about. The music was pretentious. My suit was too tight. Where the fuck were Joe, Hans, and Ross? Oh, right. With the twitchy Arneson—Erik—and the scary one—Arthur or something.

I shivered as a lanky alpha stepped a little too close, reaching past me to grab something from the sample plate. Gavin frowned but before he could say anything, Misha was back with his arm around my waist. Firm and protective.

"You ok? The alpha pheromones aren't too strong?" He lips were close to my ear as he whispered. I leaned back against him, deciding that I didn't give a damn what others  thought. He was my beta and if he was offering comfort, I was taking it. 

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Took your medication?"

I nodded, feeling slightly childish and he gave me a comforting squeeze. "Alright, good. I found a good spot for us. Good for watching."