Smoke & Mirrors (9 page)

Domesticity wasn’t for everyone, and there were those who sneered at it, but for them it was precious. While Dex loved being part of a family, having always been surrounded by people he loved who loved him in return, Sloane had never had that. He’d tragically lost his parents at a young age and had yearned for a family since. It hadn’t taken Sloane nearly as long to settle in to their home life together as Dex thought it would. Instead of fighting it, Sloane embraced it. When people looked at Sloane, especially on the job, few believed he was the type of guy to look forward to coming home to dinner with his boyfriend and a cozy night in. Or that he enjoyed going to the grocery store, wasn’t put off by chores around the house, or changing the oil in Dex’s car because Dex was feeling too lazy to do it. Ash teased Sloane, but Sloane just smiled and shrugged it off. He was enjoying himself too much to care what anyone thought. It was what he’d always wanted. Dex could see it in his face. With a smile, Sloane wrapped an arm around Dex’s waist.

“We need a new trash can.”

“I noticed,” Dex replied, amused. He waved at the tiny old lady scowling at them as she walked by with her tiny dog. “Hi, Mrs. Bauman.”

Mrs. Bauman huffed, grumbling under her breath, and she and her dog shuffled down the sidewalk. Dex watched her go.

“You know, I think she may secretly be a ninja.”

Sloane chuckled. “What makes you think that?”

“The way she appears out of nowhere. I don’t even know where she lives.”

“How do you know her name?”

“I was taking out the trash one day when I saw her thrashing the newspaper boy with her fuzzy slipper. The kid was a Therian. Like twice her size, so her slipper was like a fly buzzing at him. He was very patient, and I could see he was trying his hardest not to laugh. The kid said her name while he was apologizing.”

“Do you know what he did?”

“The paper would hit her door every time he threw it and scare her dog.”

Sloane hummed. “It makes sense. I imagine that’s what tiny dogs must have looked like during the Jurassic period.”

Dex turned his head up and blinked at Sloane. His deadpan expression did it, and Dex burst into laughter. Sloane cracked a smile before turning and heading back into the house with Dex on his heels. A year ago, Sloane would have never joked like that. Hell, the guy had barely smiled. Everyone said it was Dex’s influence, and maybe some of it was, but Sloane was far more playful and lighthearted than people realized. It had just been buried under all that pain and anguish. On the job it was different, so people saw the no-nonsense Team Leader. Dex realized then how lucky he was. Very few got to see the dorky side of his partner. The guy who played
Mystery Science Theater 3000
with Dex, muting cheesy movies so they could narrate and do their own voices.

Lou had laughed at Dex’s antics, but he never understood a lot of Dex’s humor or his endless cheerfulness. He didn’t get how Dex could come home after a day filled with blood and death, pop on one of his favorite comedies, and laugh his ass off. Crying with laughter was better than the alternative. With Sloane, Dex never had to explain why he was the way he was. Sloane not only understood, he was the same. He’d just never had anyone to tell him it was okay to smile. They were both too familiar with how short life could be, and there was no sense in not enjoying the journey while they could.

Sparks gave Sloane two days off. It was the least she could do for the whole Wolf debacle. Despite her assurances that Wolf was no longer in the country, that didn’t mean someone else wouldn’t be sent in his place. Dex and Sloane went about their day but made sure not to let their guards down. After coffee, Dex spoke to his little brother, insisting he was fine. Talk of Dex and Sloane having sexy times had quickly turned Cael’s fretful ramblings to gagging noises and sounds of disgust before he told Dex he was a jerkface. In true Cael fashion, it was quickly followed by an apology and insistence that Dex was not, in fact, a jerkface. Dex promised to call Cael if he needed anything and asked him to annoy Ash on his behalf, or at least make an attempt.

Less than an hour after their phone conversation, Cael was on Dex’s doorstep. Dex had opened the door, barely getting a word out before Cael launched himself at him.

“Woah, hey.” Dex let out a soft laugh as he wrapped his arms around Cael. “It’s okay, Chirpy.”

“Don’t call me that,” Cael replied, his words muffled against Dex’s shirt. He squeezed Dex gently, and held on to him.

Dex couldn’t remember the last time Cael had clung to him like this. He closed his eyes and let his head rest against Cael’s. He didn’t pull away or comment. It was clear Cael had been shaken up by what happened. Once he pulled back, he wiped at his eyes with his sleeve, and gave a sniff, a deep frown on his face. He refused to look Dex in the eye. Who knew what was going on in that overactive brain of his.

Dex put his hands on Cael’s shoulders, demanding softly, “Hey, look at me.”

With some reluctance, Cael did. His big gray eyes were glassy.

“I’m sorry I scared you.”

Cael nodded.

“How about a drink?” Dex motioned behind him, and Cael followed. They headed into the kitchen where Sloane was washing the dishes. He smiled at Cael.

“Hey.”

Cael gave him a wobbly smile before taking a seat on one of the chairs behind the counter.

“So what’ll it be?” Dex asked, subtly squeezing Sloane’s side. Cael was quiet. Like Dex, Cael was never quiet. Not unless he was engrossed in a video game or movie. “Tea? Hot chocolate?”

Cael sat up straight, seeming to shake himself out of it. “Hot chocolate. With marshmallows. Lots of marshmallows. Like, half the cup should be marshmallows.”

Dex chuckled, relieved Cael was acting like himself again. He got to work fixing up Cael’s hot chocolate while Sloane made a latte for himself and Dex. Sloane knew him so well. Dex didn’t even have to ask.

When Dex placed Cael’s hot chocolate in front of him, the tiny marshmallows forming a peak, and close to causing a tiny marshmallow avalanche, Cael frowned at it.

“I can’t stick any more on there, buddy. Gravity’s got to do its thing.” Dex studied his brother. “Cael?”

“I don’t know what to do with it.”

Dex cocked his head to one side, smiling. “You eat the top part and drink the rest, silly.”

“No, you jackass!”

Cael’s outburst surprised the hell out of Dex and Sloane. The two of them stood speechless. Dex could see Cael was barely keeping it together. Usually he was easy to read, but right now he had no idea what was going on. Cael’s face was flushed, his eyes glassy, and he looked about ready to blow his top.

“Cael, talk to me. Don’t know what to do with what?” Very gingerly, Dex made his way around the counter, stopping next to Cael.

“With you almost dying,” Cael replied through his teeth. “With you being tortured.” His hands balled into fists on the countertop, his hard gaze on the peak of marshmallows. “I know you’ve been in tough spots before, but even then, I knew you’d be okay, because you always found a way to be okay, to get yourself out of trouble. This time….” He shook his head, his lips pressed into a thin line. When he turned to look at Dex, the fear in his eyes broke Dex’s heart. “I really thought this was it. I thought I’d lost my big brother for good.” Tears pooled in his eyes and Dex didn’t hesitate. He threw his arms around Cael and hugged him close, offering what comfort he could as Cael shed quiet tears.

Sloane gave him a small smile before heading upstairs, leaving them alone to share this moment. Dex closed his eyes, trying hard not to let his emotions sweep him away. It was hard. Cael’s words reminded him of how close he had come to losing his life. What if he hadn’t freed himself? Okay, enough of that. With a sniff, Dex pulled back. He met his brother’s gaze.

“You didn’t lose me, okay? I’m here. Whatever’s going on, we’ll get to the bottom of it, and I swear that I will do everything in my power to be here with you, with Dad, and Sloane, for as long as I can. I love you, Chirpy.”

“I love you too, Dex.” Cael wiped his eyes before he narrowed them. “Tell me you kicked his ass.”

Dex grinned wickedly. “I knocked him out with a metal chair.”

“Good,” Cael said with a soft laugh. “Asshole. Hope someone sticks needles under
his
fingernails.”

Dex instinctively dropped his gaze to his fingers. “Dad?”

Cael let out a heavy sigh. “I don’t know how we’re supposed to keep him out of this, Dex. Sparks should know better. She’s been his partner at the THIRDS since he joined. Once he gets something in his head, he’s as stubborn as you. You should have seen how pissed off he was.”

Dex’s head shot up. “He went over to yours?”

“To Ash’s. I’ve been crashing there. Dad came over this morning, and just… he was so mad. He looked rough. He obviously hadn’t slept much, if at all.” Cael worried his bottom lip with his teeth. “He’s not going to stay on the sidelines for long, Dex.”

“I know.” Dex eyed his brother. “Did you tell him anything?”

Cael glowered at him. “No. I told him it had to come from you. It’s not like he expected me to. I think he just needed me to know that he was there, in his own way, and that he was looking out for us.” Cael plucked one of the marshmallows from the heap and popped it into his mouth. Dex couldn’t help but smile. He was so very lucky. He’d never forget that.

The two of them made small talk while Cael ate his weight in marshmallows, and when he was done, after Dex had assured him for the hundredth time that he was okay, they hugged, and Cael left. Upstairs, Dex found Sloane on the bed propped up against a number of pillows as he read from his tablet. He looked up at Dex, his eyes filled with concern.

“Everything okay?”

Dex nodded. “Just hit him a little harder than expected.” Feeling the need for his partner’s warm strength, Dex climbed up on the bed and lay down beside Sloane, snuggling close. Sloane didn’t pry any deeper. He simply stroked Dex’s hair as he read, which was exactly what Dex needed at the moment. He closed his eyes, a weary sigh escaping him. He hadn’t realized how tired he was until now. Within seconds, he’d dozed off.

“I CAN’T
believe Sparks is making me stay home for a week. I’m fine.”

Sloane patted Dex’s butt as he walked by on the way to the kitchen to finish washing up the breakfast dishes. “I know, sweetheart.”

Sloane was humoring him. He’d been fussing over Dex since the morning after the incident, but Dex didn’t mind. If Sloane wanted to take care of him, Dex was going to soak it in and roll around in it like a cat with catnip. But tomorrow Sloane would have to return to work, and Dex would be left at home. Alone. With his thoughts.

As expected, two days went by in the blink of an eye, even with Dex resting despite his protests that he was fine. Sloane was having none of it. He’d cook for Dex, they’d shower, fool around, watch TV, eat, fool around some more, shower, watch movies, eat, and go to bed, where they had some sexy times. Next thing Dex knew it was time to get up and for Sloane to get ready for work. He rolled onto his side to face his sleepy, grumpy boyfriend.

“I don’t want to go,” Sloane said with a pout.

Dex smiled and rubbed circles over Sloane’s chest. “I know you don’t, but the city needs you. Your team needs you.”

“They have Ash.”

“How is that an argument
against
what I said?”

Sloane chuckled. He rolled onto his side and propped himself on his elbow, using his free hand to caress Dex. It was like neither of them could go more than a few seconds without touching.

“He’s been doing a great job.”

It wasn’t the first time Ash had stepped in for Sloane. No one had ever complained about his leadership ability.

“Has Ash ever wanted to lead a team?”

Sloane shook his head. “He could if he wanted to. Sparks has been trying to give him his own team for years.”

Dex was surprised by that. “Sparks wants him to be a Team Leader?” Not that Ash wasn’t experienced or skilled enough. If anything, he was overqualified for his position in Destructive Delta, but only because he preferred it that way. For all of Ash’s abrasiveness, he was smart, and more open to adapting to new situations than he was before. There was a time Dex believed Ash was too hotheaded to be a Team Leader, but Ash had changed since Dex had first met him. He’d mellowed out some, took more time assessing the reasons behind people’s actions rather than just reacting.

“Believe it or not, the higher-ups agree. Every time a position comes up, Ash is the first one to get an offer, but he always turns them down. Occasionally he’ll fill in until the position is assigned permanently to someone, but he won’t leave Destructive Delta.” Sloane shrugged. “You know Ash. He’s never been big on change, at least none that he doesn’t initiate.”

With a groan, Sloane got out of bed, providing Dex with a tantalizing show as he extended his beefy arms high over his head, the muscles in his back flexing and shifting under all that smooth skin as he stretched. The soft cotton of his loose pajama bottoms accentuated his firm, round ass. Dex had the urge to pounce, but knowing Sloane had to get ready for work, he behaved himself.

Sloane used the bathroom and got dressed while Dex pulled on a T-shirt and made the bed. He went downstairs to brew more than the individual tankard of pre–morning coffee his fancy coffee machine had prepared for him earlier that morning. By the time he got back upstairs, Sloane was done with the bathroom. He kissed Dex sweetly on the lips on his way to the kitchen to make breakfast. It hadn’t taken them long to fall into a morning routine that worked perfectly for them.

Thanks to Dex’s Waking Dead state in the mornings, he now set his smart alarm to wake him an hour before their regular alarm was set to go off. Dex would stumble downstairs half-asleep, his body on autopilot as he took his coffee mug—which he always left by the machine the night before, along with a spoon and small plastic Tupperware with the exact measurement of sugar he liked—and poured himself some nectar of the gods. He added all the sugar in the tiny container, mixed, and sipped enough to reach some level of brain functionality. Then he went back upstairs and climbed into bed next to Sloane. They snuggled, their alarm went off about half an hour later, and Dex was awake enough to enjoy Sloane’s sleepy morning smile.