The Bohemians (2 page)

Grinning Leonaka grabbed the sacks with huge, calloused hands, shiny black hair held back in a braid. “What did she say, Topaz?”

He sighed, heading for the refrigerator for some tea. “She said I have to wait for him to come to me. That the spirits want me to be patient and calm.” He poured a glass and then brought the pitcher to the table, refreshing Leo’s and Stephan’s before kissing Stephan’s cheek. “I don’t do patient so well, Daisy.”

Topaz settled into a padded chair, watching Leo wash the food in the bright, sun-drenched kitchen. One of the kittens climbed up for her love, his fingers stroking her soft ears without hesitation.

Stephan smoothed the edge of Leo’s t-shirt down with graceful fingers and then came over and began to rub his shoulders. “You don’t do patient well? Leo, do you believe that?”

“Little bit, I have seen you sit for hours and hours, untangling a single skein of thread. You might be eager, but you are the most patient man I know.” Leo chuckled, gaze warm. “He’s that special?”

Topaz relaxed under Stephan’s magical fingers, the worries and negative energy of the day fading. “You should see his eyes, Ku. There’s something about them. Something I want to know all about.”

“They are a pretty blue,” Stephan added. “I haven’t seen you this excited about someone in a long time, Sunshine.”

“Oh, Daisy. It’s been so long since I had a soul mate. Someone who looked at me like Leo looks at you.” He turned his head, kissed Stephan’s fingers. “I know you two love me, but part of my heart is missing. Maybe making those eyes laugh is a piece of that.”

He heard Ku’s soft cluck, the worried sound that meant that Leo was sure he was leaping into open air without a net. Again.

Stephan’s hands tightened on his shoulders and then pet him gently, his friend sitting next to him. “How can we help, Sunshine?”

“Rosa did my cards, Daisy. She says he’ll come. That I should be still.” Topaz grinned, taking Stephan’s hand in his. “That doesn’t mean we can’t let the universe know I’m interested though. I’m thinking some long meditations, a cleansing bath, a few candles lit in hope.” He gave Stephan a grin. “Maybe some more wildflowers?”

Stephan grinned back, brown eyes dancing. “From you? Or anonymously? I could start small -- a single marigold and work up to romantic. Something every day.”

Leo started chopping, knife flashing in the sunlight. “And beads, I think. A blue one for memory. Violet for love. Ruby for passion.”

“Perfect,” murmured Stephan, fingers sliding over the cloth on the table, tracing the patterned stitching. “Your Gemini with the blue eyes will be coming for you in no time.”

The scent of roasting tomatoes and basil filled the air, the kiss of garlic behind it. “With your magic behind me, Daisy? I don’t doubt.”

Brown eyes found him, Stephen’s hand reaching out to trace his cheek, Stephan never quite trusting his eyes to tell him the whole story. “Anything for you, Sunshine.”

Oh, he loved them. Loved them both dearly and couldn’t manage without. Topaz dropped an open-mouthed kiss onto Stephan’s palm. “You’re the best of me, you and your mountain man.”

The kitten -- Cerridwen, he thought it was, though it might have been Hera -- chose that moment to stretch up, peek into Stephan’s hand and rub her little cheek, adding her touch with a mew. Leo’s chuckle filled the kitchen. “Someone grab the plates and someone else pull the bread out. Supper’s on.”

Stephan’s fingers lingered for a moment longer and then a kiss was dropped on his head. “I’ll get the plates. Those nice mosaic once Dehafra made, the pattern on them really is lovely.”

Stephan moved with his usual grace, hands sliding over Leo as he passed his lover.

Topaz put the kitten into her basket with her siblings and went to wash his hands, grabbing the loaf of peasant bread and a ceramic tub of honey butter, sampling the pasta while his best friends lost themselves in a kiss.

Stephan looked more than a little dazed when they broke apart, setting the plates on the table with a soft smile and faraway eyes.

Topaz started singing, something sweet and sexy he’d learned at some ren faire, teasing his friends as they got ready for supper. Soon his Gemini would be here, would see this, would come play. Soon.

Chapter Three

Stephan locked up the shop, pocketing the keys, and made his way down the block. It was early evening, a light breeze carrying the smell of lilacs on it. He stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and closed his eyes, breathing in deeply and listening to the evening birds beginning their song just below the sound of the street itself.

It was late enough that the bulk of rush hour traffic had left the downtown core and the people walking were out and about shopping, going for supper. Laughter and happy chatter and the smell of lilacs and the hyacinths in his basket.

Lovely.

He opened his eyes and continued his way on down to The Loft to pick up Leo and Topaz.

The front door was open, inviting the smells and breezes and passers-by in.

“Hello lovers,” he called out.

The soft clack-clack of the loom answered him, Topaz’s happy cry of “Daisy-love!” echoing through the tall wooden ceilings

Leo’s lower rumble sounded, those rich almost-black eyes shining from the display where he was placing two new vases -- one bright green, one a delicious rose red.

“Oh, lover, I must have the red one for my peach roses!”

He made his way to Leo, reaching for the vase, eager to learn its textures.

Topaz’s laughter was warm, so happy. “I told you, Ku! I knew he’d fall in love with it.”

Leo handed the smooth, round vase over, the crackled texture fabulous and intriguing. His lover leaned toward him and offered a slow, deep kiss. “I thought of you as I formed it, of your cries when you come.”

“Oh... “ A shiver went through him and he held the vase close so that he didn’t drop it. “I’m going to use it for my peach roses in the window and then I will use it as the base of a bouquet for lovers -- pass the happiness on, yes lover?”

Stephan put the vase back and slid his hand along Leo’s cheek, fingertips picking up the slightest hint of stubble.

“Yes, my Stephan-love.” Leo’s eyes were warm. “By then I will have made you another. How was your day?”

“Delightful. I do love spring.” He gave Leo another soft kiss, licking the lovely lips before heading over to run his fingers over Topaz’ latest masterpiece.

“A blue-eyed boy came in today. Asked if I could tell him anything about his secret admirer. The one who’d been sending flowers.” He smiled at Topaz. “I told him he knew who it was -- he just needed to give it some thought.”

Those honey eyes lit up and Topaz’s thin cheeks bloomed with color. “Yeah? I dreamed about him last night, asked him to come to me.”

“He will, Sunshine. If he’s the right one, he will.” He turned his attention to the loom. “Oh, Sunshine! This is absolutely gorgeous!”

Topaz beamed at him, fingers flying over the blue-green shimmering cloth. It was almost alive, so rich, so beautiful. “You like? It called to me.”

“It’s like a piece of the sky, Sunshine. Just perfect.”

He got a grin, wild and free and wholly Topaz, the joy pouring from those eyes.

“Um... hello?”

Stephan turned, eyes widening along with his smile as Quincy St-William walked into The Loft.

He beamed at Topaz. “There’s your Gemini,” he whispered, stepping back so he wasn’t blocking Quincy’s view

“Oh.” Topaz smiled up at Quincy, cheekbones flushed crimson. “Gemini. Hello! You found your way! I’m so glad.”

Quincy’s expression went from hesitant to smiling and he came forward a few steps. “It was you then! The uh... flowers I mean.”

“It. I...” Oh, how lovely! Topaz was lit up, glowing with pleasure. “Yes. Yes. You liked them?”

“I did.” Quincy came a little closer. “The first day I was pleased and a little intrigued, but by today... I knew I had to find you.”

“I didn’t do the arrangements, Stephan did.” So honest, their Sunshine. “But I meant them, Gemini.”
Leo’s hand slid down his arm, pulling him gently into that wide, warm body as they watched.

Stephan leaned back against his lover, trusting that Leo wouldn’t let him fall. He still had his basket, the sweet smell of the hyacinths gentle beneath the yarn and the clay and ash and heat of the store.

“Thank you... Topaz, right?”

“You are more welcome than flowers in May. How are you doing, Quincy? Having a good day?” Topaz’s joy was infectious and he heard Leo’s low chuckle, felt it tickle his spine.

“Yeah, I am actually.” Quincy’s smile grew. “In fact it’s getting better and better all the time.”

Oh, the boy was entranced with their Sunshine, and who could blame him?

“He’s got a good smile, lover. And Topaz was right, those eyes are something else.” Leo’s whisper was soft, meant only for him, wide hands wreathing his waist.He raised his head to whisper back. “Should we invite him for dinner? Take the pressure off, or will we cramp Sunshine’s style?”

“Let’s do dinner. We can retire early and let our Topaz have him.” Leo nibbled his ear, teeth sharp and sweet. “I hope this is the one, lover. Topaz has been aching for him.”

“I know. I worry for him, that he’s casting his net into any waters rather than the right ones.” He rubbed back against his lover and then stepped forward, both Topaz and Quincy turning toward him. “Well, lovelies, if you two can stand the company of an old married couple, we’d love to have you join our hyacinths at the table.”

Topaz gave him a soft, besotted grin. “Quincy, you know Stephan. This is his partner, Leonaka Mahaulu. Ku, this is the one I’ve been telling you about.”

Leo nodded and smiled. “How do you feel about mahi-mahi?”

“Is that a kind of flower?” asked Quincy.

Stephan laughed. “Oh, no. It is a most delicious fish meal that my Leo makes. One of Sunshine’s favorites.”Quincy blushed. “Oh. I’m sorry. Maybe I should come and try it, so next time I’ll know.”

Topaz slid fine, thin fingers over Quincy’s cheeks. “You should. We can pick up bread and some pasta salad on the way home.”

“Wonderful! That’s all settled then. Leo and I will take the short route and get the flowers arranged while you take the long way.”

Stephan took Leo’s hand.

“Can you get something sweet for after and some cranberry muffins for tomorrow morning, little bit?” Leo pulled him close, lips on his jaw. “I’ll get the grill warming.”

Topaz nodded, putting the loom to bed for the night. “Bread, pasta, cranberry muffins and dessert. Got it.””And butter.” Leo nibbled a bit.

“Butter.” Topaz was giggling. “Cat food, toilet paper, toothpaste?”

“Oh, we need all those,” Stephan murmured, fingers sliding through Leo’s hair. If Topaz and Quincy shopped there would be time for a quick one on the table.

“You all live together?” Quincy was frowning, as if trying to work something out.

“We cohabitate. I have the garage and the apartment above. Ku and Daisy have the upstairs of the house. We share the kitchen and the living areas.” Topaz chuckled, making a quick list on the palm of his hand. “The yards belong to Stephan and the cats.”

“Oh, okay.” Quincy’s face cleared up, all smiles now.Stephan smiled back, trying not to worry. Would they lose their Sunshine to this man? He wanted Topaz to be happy, but he didn’t want to lose their lover either.

Topaz nodded and then came to give parting kisses, the touches familiar and warm, first his and then Leo’s. “We won’t hurry. See you at home, lovelies.”

“Later, Sunshine.”

The frown had resurfaced on Quincy’s face, but Stephan let it go from his mind as he and Leo left the shop. Topaz would set Quincy straight and if there was a problem, better that it surface immediately rather than choke out the flower later. Although he had a hunch that it was already too later for Topaz.

Chapter Four

Quince watched as Topaz finished clearing up his space, the little man poking his head into one of the back rooms to let ‘Liandra’ know that the storefront was emptied out of people who could act as salesclerks.

Today Topaz was in royal blue, the material soft and flowing, clinging to the golden skin as he moved. “Are you walking or driving, Gemini? I have a bicycle with a basket, but there’s a spare, if you want to ride and have I told you your eyes look happy today?”

He blinked at the quick shifts in conversation, but was still smiling by the time Topaz paused for a breath. “I’m walking and I don’t think I’d fit in your bicycle basket and you just did,” he replied, chuckling as he answered the questions in order.

He was gifted with a happy giggle and a soft, gentle kiss. “We’ll walk together then. Oh, Gemini, I’m so glad you came.”

Quince licked his lips, tasting the hint of something wild and sweet. “Are you?” he asked quietly. “I mean... you looked pretty well hooked up already is all.”

“Hooked up?” Topaz tilted his head, blinking. “I don’t... Oh! You mean Daisy and Ku! We’re lovers, the three of us, but Stephan and Leo... they’re partners, soul mates. I love them, they love me, but... there’s something about your eyes I can’t let loose, Gemini. There’s something magical.”