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wildroseofarran · 7 years

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Roses || Bretan & Pete

Brett: Brett knocks on Botan's bedroom door. He's well-dressed, his hair is combed, he smells of cologne, and there's one hand behind his back.

Bo: "Housekeeping?" teased a tired voice on the other side of the door.

Brett: "Room service. Sort of."

Bo: The door was opened. Bo was still in his pajama bottoms, there were three books open and face down on his bed.

"Wow. What are you dressed properly for?"

Brett: Brett smiled, offering Botan the rose he had hidden behind his back. "I have a very special night planned for us."

Bo: A hand clung to his gray long sleeve shirt, the other took the rose. "What have you done, sheriff?"

Brett: "Something very special."

Bo: "Yes, you said those words already." The rose was breathed in. "How long do I have to dress?"

Brett: Brett checked his watch. "Twenty minutes."

Bo: "May I have a kiss?"

Brett: "You can have as many as you like," Brett said softly, offering his lips.

Bo: The lips were taken with feathery affection, rose caressed over Brett Parker's cheek. "Going to watch me dress or wait outside?" It was his first time offering.

Brett: He gave a content little him. "Appealing as that sounds, I'll wait outside." There were preparations that still needed tending to.

Bo: That was fine. "Alright." The last thing Brett would see was Bo's smile as he held the rose blossom to his nose again. His options were limited in fashion. His best dress pants and a pale yellow button down were chosen, keeping it simple and clean. He hadn't expected anything today, so he had no idea what he was preparing for.

Brett: As soon as the door was closed, Brett (quietly) dashed back into the kitchen. The table he'd set up in the living room was already set, the wine was breathing on the counter, a fire had been lit in the fireplace, and the food was almost done.

All that was left to do was light the candles and bring the whole thing together.

Twenty minutes later he was at Bo's door again. "Close your eyes."

Bo: Bo was reluctant to leave the rose. It was tucked in bed, resting against his pillow. "Alright." One hand to Brett's shoulder, eyes closed. "You didn't have to do whatever it is you've done." But he was secretly in love.

Brett: "I wanted to do it," said Brett, guiding Botan into the living room.

When he opened his eyes, the first thing he would see were the roses. Dozens and dozens of them spread out all over the room, in small arrangements and large ones, in every single color it was possible for them to come in.

Dispersed among them were candles and in the center of it all was a table just big enough for two, decorated with more roses and candles.

Bo: Bo could hardly find the words to express himself and the overwhelming joy he felt by Brett's romantic gesture. He wished he could remember if anyone had ever done anything like this before, but he also believed remembering would have killed how greatly he appreciated.

"This must... have - when did you - how did I not hear you do any of this?"

Brett: Brett laughed softly. "It took a lot of planning ahead. Plus I was creeping around like a bank robber in a silent movie, tip-toeing and poised for any indication of your door opening. Helped that you immerse yourself so much in your books. Do you like it?"

Bo: "I don't notice when I do that." He was surprised that Brett had taken such notice of the details. Then again, this was the same man who came to visit him every day for an hour at the Harrak mansion. "I love it, Brett. Thank you." The hand on the sheriff's shoulder moved to the back of his neck, pulling him into a hug.

Brett: He could feel his chest swelling with joy as he wrapped his arms around Botan and hugged him tight. This was exactly the reaction he'd been hoping for. It made everything worth it.

"You are absolutely welcome," Brett murmured, kissing Botan's shoulder. "Let's sit down before the food gets cold."

Bo: "What did you make us?" By now at least Brett understand what he did and didn't like. It only made Bo appreciate him more having his decisions respected. A kiss was stolen before taking at seat at the table.

Brett: "I made us a lovely salad with raspberry vinaigrette and pasta with vegan chicken, mushrooms, and sun-dried tomatoes. And to go with it, a nice smooth Chardonnay."

Bo: "Vegan chicken?" How romantic could one man be in a single setting? "What can I do to help?"

Brett: Brett poured their wine. "You can sit back and enjoy. Food's all ready to go."

Bo: It was almost unfathomable for Bo to comprehend that he was Brett's first. All of this romance, how long had the good sheriff been deprived?

"Brett..."

Brett: "Yes?"

Bo: "Du betyr så mye for meg."

Brett: A soft, doting smile curved Brett's as he bent to kiss Botan. He still didn't know what those words meant, but the look in Botan's eyes when he said them told him everything he needed to know.

"I love you."

Bo: "I love you." He sighed, content but curious. "I have a question and it borders on inappropriate."

Brett: "Go ahead and ask." Brett brought out their food and took a seat. "It's just you and me."

Bo: A sip of wine was taken first. "Have you ever done this for anyone else?"

Brett: Brett shook his head. "Never."

Bo: "No girl you tried to ... be with? No man ever?"

Brett: "I've only ever dated one woman and back then I was...well, even more shy than I am now if you can believe it. I tried my best to do nice things for her but this? The roses and the dinner? Only you."

Bo: "Is this how it's always going to be? Where did you get all of these roses?"

Brett: Brett smiled. "It can be, if you wish it. And I got them from the nursery." He would've gotten them from Callum, but with the holiday coming up he was low on roses.

Bo: "I don't know if I'd want it all of the time, but today, absolutely." The pasta was twirled over his fork. Was the pasta vegan? He wouldn't push it. This was already picturesque. "This is delicious. What do you think of the 'chicken'?"

Brett: Everything on the table was vegan and made with Bo in mind. "I really like it. I tested out every brand they stock at the market and this is by far the best one."

Bo: "When did you do that?" He laughed. "I'm missing so much."

Brett: "You know how I've been going out on patrol more than usual this past week? I've spent the extra time experimenting in Peabody's kitchen."

Bo: "Peabody knows what you've done?"

Brett: He nodded. "He does. I tried to get him to taste test but he refused. No surprise really. Most of his diet consists of burgers."

Bo: "We should use trickery. He'd like it if unaware."

Brett: "Maybe we should," Brett chuckled. "Peabody could stand to eat less red meat."

Bo: "Has he always been prone to illness?"

Brett: "Yep. Gets a violent flu every single year, lots of things in between."

Bo: "He needs to be healthier. That, or he needs an equally unhealthy woman."

Brett: "He's got one. Which is ironic because she's a nurse."

Bo: "That's...contradictory."

Brett: "You'd think so right? I don't think I've ever seen her drink water."

Bo: Bo made a face. "This is delicious, Brett. Thank you." He'd already said that, but he didn't remember.

Brett: Brett smiled. "You're very welcome. Wait until you see what I got for dessert."

Bo: "What did you make? You actually made something or did you buy it?"

Brett: "I have zero baking skill outside of baking a cake out of cake mix, so I went to the bakery and ordered something special from Laura."

Bo: "Oh. What did you get?" Eyes returned to his dish, twirling a forkful and sighing. "This is delicious, Brett. Thank you."

Brett: "Fruit tart, and I brought some rice dream ice cream to go with it."

Brett's brow furrowed ever so slightly. That was the third time Bo had thanked him. "You're welcome..."

Bo: "You don't have to eat this way just because I prefer it. I still appreciate it though." He wondered if that was normal. Of course he wouldn't know.

Brett: "I know I don't but I actually like it. And it's good for me. Win/win."

Bo: "I haven't been looking into getting new papers. I haven't been doing anything to go home."

Brett: "You've had a lot on your plate," Brett said softly.

Bo: "I know, but...it's no excuse. I work for you here in America. I'm not from here. How long can this last?"

Brett: "Maybe we should talk to Luke Graham. He's a lawyer. He can probably help get you new papers, and soon."

Bo: Another sigh. "Alright." At this point, being caught by whomever it was that had taken them in the first place was on the backburner of his mind.

Brett: "Hey." Brett reached across the table, holding his hand out for Bo's. "I love you."

Bo: There were no tears in his eyes, but there was a sniffle. The sheriff's hand was clung to.

Brett: That hand was kissed. "I love you very, very much. We're going to get through this."

Bo: "You don't know me. What I am with you now can't possibly be what I was with my memories."

Brett: "I'm starting to. I'll love every version of you there is."

Bo: "What if what I was before wouldn't have looked twice at you?"

Brett: "I would've won you over with my pasta cookery and many many roses."

Bo: Bo bit his lip and smiled. "Maybe." Another sniffle, but this time it was a relief. "I want to speak with Torsten again."

Brett: Now that was a surprise. "Do you feel ready?"

Bo: "If you're there with me. Keep me...in check. You've heard what I can do to him."

Brett: Brett gave Bo a gentle smile. "Of course I'll be there with you. I always will be, for whatever you need."

Bo: "Can we do it today or tomorrow? Please? I'd rather do it while I'm still in good spirits."

Brett: He nodded. "Absolutely. We can go see him tomorrow before work if you want. I heard he's staying at the Wayside."

Bo: "You've been keeping an eye on him?"

Brett: "A while back he was standing across the street staring at me. Thought it would be best if I at least knew where he was living."

Bo: "I could have told you. I was there with him."

Brett: "You were? Ohhh, that's right." He'd forgotten than Botan hadn't always lived with him.

Bo: "The day in the rain, the day with you at the station, I was keeping him at a distance. Despite what happened...he was just there."

Brett: Brett nodded. "I remember seeing him. He's been pretty determined to check up on you."

Bo: "It's not fair."

Brett: "What do you mean?"

Bo: Another squeeze to Brett's hand. "Nothing. It's just... it's not fair and it's fair. That's all. I'm here with you and I'm happy. That's all that should matter."

Brett: Well now Brett had to come around the table and kiss Botan.

Bo: The kiss took him by surprise, hands unsure of themselves as they wrapped around Brett's neck, fingers curled into fists.

Brett: "You make me happier than you can possibly imagine," Brett whispered, nuzzling him.

Bo: "That sounds accurate, as I can't imagine it."

Brett: "One day you will." Have another kiss.

Bo: "Are you finished with dinner?"

Bo: Little kisses were given to his nose.

Brett: Brett smiled at every single one of them. "Just about. Ready for dessert and your Valentine's day present?"

Bo: "This is the present."

Brett: "I might have added one more little thing."

Bo: "If it's a wedding ring I might hit you."

Brett: "Don't worry, it isn't. I wouldn't spring something that big on you without us talking about it first."

Bo: "I thought the point of proposals were the surprise?"

Brett: "They still can be, even if you talk about it beforehand." One last kiss. "I'll be right back."

Bo: Bo waited patiently, looking at all the various colored roses and absorbing the moment. He wanted a photograph of his flowers before they wilted.

Brett: "Surpriiiiise..." Brett sang out a few moments later, presenting Bo with a bear. And even more roses.

Bo: His boyfriend laughed. "Why are you giving me a bear?" He couldn't tell him no. It was adorable, and it had his hair color. "I like him."

Brett: "Because it's Valentine's day, and one's beau deserves an adorable teddy bear on Valentine's day."

Bo: "That's just an American rule?"

Brett: "It should be."

Bo: "Then I need to get you one."

Brett: "Only if you want to. What are you gonna name him?"

Bo: "They get names?" He stared into his teddy. "Igor."

Brett: Brett nodded. "I like it. Very dignified."

Bo: "I want to get your bear today, after dessert. I know just how I want him to look."

Brett: "Oh yeah?" Brett grinned. "You gonna tell me or do I have to wait?"

Bo: "Of course you have to wait!"

Brett: He chuckled and kissed Bo again. "Then wait I shall. Ready for fruit tart and ice cream?"

Bo: "Yes." Ready for ice cream and ready to take this walk with Brett Parker. Ready to be out in public with the sheriff; ready to stir trouble.

Brett: Being seen with Bo wasn't even a concern for Brett. On the contrary; he was excited to take a romantic post-Valentine's day walk with him.

"Here we are," he said a few moments later, bringing out their dessert.

Bo: Bo ate his dessert quietly, often staring into one of the bouquets of roses while he chewed. Everything he had wanted to say he had, so there was nothing left but pleasant company.

Brett: While Botan stared at the roses, Brett stared at Botan, wondering how he could be so blessed as to have this man in his life and in his home.

Bo: "I know every time you do that."

Brett: He smiled. "I can't help it."

Bo: "You can, you just won't," he smirked.

Brett: "Fair point."

Bo: "I don't mind."

Brett: "You sure?"

Bo: "Mhm. You're mine."

Brett: Ah, it wouldn't be Valentine's day if Brett Parker didn't blush.

Bo: And Bo's daily goal was achieved, smiling in triumph.

Brett: "You enjoy that far too much."

Bo: "You're making it more and more difficult."

Brett: "Am I?"

Bo: "Mhm. I can kiss you without your face turning red."

Brett: "I turn red on the inside every time."

Bo: "I need to tally when you say things like that."

Brett: Brett laughed. "I've got a whole bank of things like that in my head."

Bo: "That's funny. I don't think I'd like it from most people."

Brett: "I try not to overwhelm you with it. Sometimes it just explodes out of me in the form of flowers."

Bo: "I like those gestures," he said, looking back to the flowers. "Words are different."

Brett: "Yeah. Sometimes they don't say exactly what you want or feel."

Bo: "Actions speak louder than words."

Bo: "Unless you're Torsten Glockner," he mumbled.

Brett: Botan's hand was taken and squeezed again.

Bo: "You've yet to scold me over that incident."

Brett: "What incident?"

Bo: "The bar..."

Brett: "Right. That incident."

Bo: "I really don't want to have...one of those moments where you need to...steady me, but I do feel you've neglected your official duties as far as that matter is concerned."

Brett: "Pete never pressed charges. Once I considered asking you to apologize to him but with everything he's been through recently I'm reluctant to bring it up."

Bo: "Is he aware of...our world?"

Brett: "He is--was--involved in relationship with a vampire so yes, he is."

Bo: "Hmm..."

Brett: "I doubt that's what's on his mind right now though."

Bo: "Hmm?"

Brett: "He had very unpleasant moment in his bar recently and now several people--including my mother--are calling him Mary Magdalene."

Bo: "Why not something more up-to-date? This town is very strange. I have nothing to compare it to and I know that."

Brett: "Oh it is. This is a very strange place. There's no understanding some of the people who live here."

Bo: "Just call him a slut and be done with it."

Brett: "That would probably be more straight-forward but it is also meaner."

Bo: "I think the former is."

Brett: Brett thought back to his most recent sighting of Pete. He looked tired and a little unkempt and very thin. Too thin.

"Fair point on that as well."

Bo: "I'm going to see him today."

Brett: "Be nice to him, okay? He needs it."

Bo: "You're not leaving me alone with him."

Brett: "I don't intend to, but still. He needs someone to be nice to him."

Bo: "Are you ready to go?"

Brett: Brett nodded. "Yep. Mind helping me blow out all the candles?"

Bo: "Of course." While doing so, he would gather roses, one of each color, wrapping them with a rubberband.

Brett: "Putting together another bouquet?"

Bo: "For him, yes."

Bo: Bo blinked. "How do you know he was associated with a vampire?"

Brett: Brett melted. Bo was putting together a bouquet for Pete using his own roses.

"I used to be his ghoul."

Bo: "Mm." That had yet to sink in. Three. Two. One. "I beg your pardon?"

Brett: "I'm not clear on exactly who, but a while back someone made the decision that I should be MJ Calloway's ghoul. No idea why. It lasted for a couple months and then he left and my...ghoulness? to him broke."

Bo: "You...and the bartender's vampire? Are you the "other man"?"

Brett: "I never had a relationship with him, Botan. Being a ghoul was forced on me."

Bo: "How forced?"

Brett: "I was screaming and crying and praying and begging them for mercy because I thought they were going to kill me and I'm pretty sure a spell was put on me to get me to stop so they could feed me their blood."

Bo: "... Min Gud."

Brett: A small, humorless smile tugged at Brett's lips. "Definitely not one of the highlights of my life."

Bo: "All vampires need to burn."

Bo: The roses were brought to chest and inhaled. "All of them."

Brett: It was hard to argue that point when he'd spent so much time envisioning Gertrude Draegan bursting into flames under a midday sun.

And while Guildias had been very good to him--and Bo, with his negotiation for his freedom--bringing him up was the wrong move right now.

"Ready to go?"

Bo: Guildias had done much for Bo without ever really caring. He had saved his life with his vitae; he had put effort into his release for the sake of his ghoul's happiness. Despite his good deeds, if given the chance there was no doubt that Bo would push him out in daylight.

"Ready if you are, yes."

Brett: "Want some gloves and a scarf? Temperature's been dropping all day."

Bo: "You're coddling me again, Brett."

Brett: "Sorry, I promise I don't mean to. I just don't want you to be cold."

Bo: Still, the gloves and scarf were applied, and the same treatment given to the sheriff. "Should we get him a bottle of wine, too?"

Brett: Brett smiled, letting himself be bundled. "Couldn't hurt."

Bo: "Do you know what he likes? You two play that sports ball together."

Brett: Only Botan could call soccer 'sports ball' and be so amusing. "He's a red wine kinda guy. The drier the better."

Bo: "Dry liquid," he mused. "What exactly makes a wine dry?"

Brett: "When alcohol isn't sweet, it's considered dry. Never made any sense to me either."

Bo: "But a merlot is sweet?"

Brett: "I think it's meant to be dry, but it probably depends on the region and the age."

Bo: "Well, this is why I like white."

Brett: "Same here."

Bo: Once at the liquor store, Bo made a beeline for the wine section. Trying to make sense of the red wines - all white wine tasted the same to him, so it never really mattered - he held a Merlot and a Malbec and stared at the dates.

Brett: Brett peered over Botan's shoulder. "The Merlot's older than the Malbec, but the Malbec says it's sweet and the Merlot doesn't. The bottle's nicer too. Should we get the Merlot?"

Bo: "Alright. Merlot. Is it in poor taste to give a bartender alcohol?" Did he really care? No.

Brett: "I don't think so. If anything he probably has a more informed appreciation for it."

Bo: "So we'll drop these things off, distract him, and then you get your bear. What else are we doing?"

Brett: "That depends. How would you like to spend the rest of our Valentine's day?"

Bo: "... I want to learn how to dry flowers."

Brett: "Looking to preserve your surprise?" Brett asked with a smile.

Bo: "Is there a wall we can use? Make it blank. Use twine to hang them in rows. Let it be the art. I want that."

Brett: "There's that wall between the living room and the kitchen. Nothing but a calendar on there."

Bo: "You would help me with this?"

Brett: Brett smiled. "Of course I will."

Bo: At Peter Graham's door, Bo leaned his weight against Brett Parker's chest, using him as a kind of mental and physical cushion as he waited.

Brett/Pete: In an effort to spare himself any unpleasant moments, Pete had decided to take Valentine's day off. People could say what they wanted; he'd much rather have them talk if it meant he didn't have to watch any happy couples.

"I think our takeout is here, buddy," he said to Midas, tucking the kitten into the crook of his arm as he went to answer the door.

Except the Thai delivery guy wasn't who was waiting on his porch.

"...Oh. Hello, sheriff. And Mr. Nowicki."

Bo: "I'm supposed to apologize for my behavior, but right now all I want to do is kiss you because I feel like that would make this even somehow. It would certainly distract you and from the look on your face and how pathetic it is that you own a cat perhaps I should. I might. Just not right now." Norwegian was coming in handy right now, because none of this was in English.

Brett/Pete: If possible, that little speech had Pete looking even more confused. He glanced at Brett, who in turn gave Botan's arm a little squeeze.

"In English," he said gently. "And remember what we talked about."

Bo: "What had we talked about?" he whispered.

Brett: "Being nice," he whispered back.

Bo: The flowers were offered, along with a lopsided smile. "Jeg beklager," he uttered.

Brett/Pete: He'd been so focused on the strangeness of this visit that he hadn't even noticed the flowers. They were taken cautiously, another look given to Brett.

"He's apologizing for what happened with Torsten Glockner at the bar. He didn't mean to hurt you."

Pete blinked, expression more surprised than ever. "Oh. Well...thank you. For the apology and the flowers." A tiny smile emerged as he inhaled their perfume. "They're beautiful."

Bo: "Brett chose the type. Rosaceae befitting of Valentine's day, aren't they?"

Brett/Pete: Pete nodded and inhaled the roses again. Callum was the only person (other than Fletcher) who ever gave him flowers. Getting them from someone else was making him oddly emotional.

"Yeah. They are. Thank you to you too, Parker."

Brett gave Pete a gentle smile. "You're welcome. We brought you something else, too."

Bo: Bo moved out of the way so that Brett could offer the bottle of wine. "Is Merlot acceptable?"

Brett/Pete: Well hell, today was just full of surprises.

"It's very acceptable," he said, transferring the flowers to the Midas-holding arm so he could take the bottle from Brett. "Thank you again, but you guys really didn't have to do this."

"It was Botan's idea."

Bo: "Distraction," Bo explained to the bartender. "Everyone needs them."

Pete: "No truer words," he sighed. "Thanks."

Bo: Bo looked to the sheriff, waiting on what the next move.

Brett: "Well, we'll get out of your hair. Enjoy the rest of your evening."

He squeezed Botan's arm again, as if asking if there was anything he wanted to add.

Bo: Bo tried to think of something. He imagined his speech would have been in English had Brett not been in their presence. All he could think to do was smile and wave, clutching to the sheriff's hand.

Brett/Pete: Brett nodded at Bo, offering Pete another smile. "You take care of yourself, all right?"

Pete nodded. "I will. Thanks again."

"You're welcome. Come on, Botan." One more quick nod to Pete and Brett was leading his boyfriend off the porch.

Bo: Botan took a breath and squeezed their fingers together. "I did terribly."

Brett: "You did very well. Pete appreciated the gesture."

Bo: "I'm still the man that sicced an animal on him."

Brett: "And today you started to make it up to him. Do you think he was expecting anyone to bring him flowers today? Or give him a kind word?"

Brett squeezed Botan's hand. "You were kind to him when he needed it most. That goes a long way."

Bo: "I suppose... This is meant to be like rehabilitation, isn't it? For my misdeeds?"

Brett: "You could look at it that way," Brett said with a nod.

Bo: "I don't know if I want to."

Brett: "Then this could just be you making amends to one person."

Bo: "It's Valentine's, one is enough. Now! For your bear!"

Brett: "Ah yes! To the gift shop."

Bo: Bo was on the hunt for something specific, a bear in a cop uniform. A bear with darker fur to match Brett's hair. He was beginning to pout when he couldn't find it.

Brett: "Wanna try the toy store?" Brett asked, trying to nuzzle the pout away.

Bo: The nuzzles forced a smile on his face. "Alright. If you give me a kiss."

Brett: "Well then c'mere." Brett pulled Botan close, kissing him sweetly.

Bo: Someone didn't approve of their public display of affection, but Bo wasn't paying them any mind, smiling into the pull and then into the kiss.

Brett: Whoever it was could disapprove all they wanted; Brett wouldn't deny his Botan affection. Old Brett might have, but not the Brett that was trying to be a better man. A freer man.

"Don't worry, sweetheart," he murmured, holding Botan tight. "You'll find what you're looking for."

Bo: "It's not life or death, but my bear will be lonely without his own Brett."

Brett: "Then we better get him his own Brett. Come on." Another kiss. "The toy store is just down the block."

Bo: Again he looked around, clutching a dark brown bear in a navy blue officer uniform. It wasn't the right color, but it was close enough. "Found him."

Brett: Brett smiled. "You wanted a bear dressed like a cop."

Bo: "How did you not figure that out?"

Brett: "I just figured you wanted one that was a specific color."

Bo: "That, too." He held the bear up to Brett's head. "He matches."

Brett: Catching a glimpse of his reflection in a mirror mounted on the wall, Brett nodded. "He does. So he's the one?"

Bo: "I named Igor, you name this one."

Brett: "Hmmm..." He considered the bear. "Let's name him....Danny."

Bo: "Danny and Igor." Bo sighed. "This is childish..."

Brett: "So what if it is? It's a cute thing that we're doing for each other."

Bo: "I keep getting that feeling that I'm not being what I used to be."

Brett: "Does that bother you?" Brett asked softly.

Bo: "A part of me, yes. It won't let me enjoy the moment entirely."

Brett: He kissed Botan's cheek.

Bo: "Can we go home now?"

Brett: Brett nodded. "Sure. Let's just pay for Danny."

Bo: Bo could feel his chest tightening, that warning a warmth burning a hole in his stomach. There were things he wanted to say, things he knew would worry Brett. It was the same as his first week in his new home, held tightly the sheriff's arms reminding him to breathe.

Brett: He noticed the change in Botan's demeanor the moment he turned away from the register. "Botan?" His voice was gentle, concerned. "Is everything okay?"

Bo: "I don't...know. I don't know. I don't know, Brett." His face was warm, his eyes hurt. He could feel that rage returning. He was trying his best to temper it because he had promised Brett he would try.

Brett: "Okay, that's okay. Let's go get some fresh air." Brett guided Botan outside, steering him away from any people and toward home.

"Nice, deep breaths. We'll be home soon."

Bo: "I made Torsten... I used him for my entertainment and you're here with me, buying me teddy bears."

Brett: "I'm here with you because I love you. What you made Torsten do was wrong, we both know that. But we also know why you did it. It doesn't condemn you."

Bo: "Something has to. You just let me do whatever I want."

Brett: "If I did, I wouldn't have told you to be nice to Pete today. I wouldn't be going with you to see Torsten to make sure your temper doesn't get the best of you."

Bo: Right, they were going to see Torsten. He wasn't sure he wanted to with this temper. He had promised Brett that he wouldn't maim and kill. "Was letting me go condemning me?"

Brett: "I don't know," Brett said quietly. "I think you're the only one who can decide that."

Bo: "You don't know about something /you/ did?"

Brett: "I begged, Botan. I begged and I prayed and one day, she found something she wanted more. I don't think it was ever about you for her. I think she's always been after something specific."

Bo: Staring down at his gift, sniffled. Why did he have to act like this?

Brett: Brett offered Botan his hand.

Bo: He shook his head; he couldn't do that right now. Touching him would only set him off more, he just knew it.

Brett: He nodded. "Okay. Do you want to go home or just...walk for a while?"

Bo: "I just..." want to be left alone. That wasn't an option. He took a breath. "Home, please."

Brett: Another nod before he began to walk.

Bo: Bo made a beeline home. The moment in the door, Bo began to gather the roses on the kitchen table. He was still sniffling, refusing to look Brett in the eyes.

Brett: While Bo saw to his roses, Brett saw to the rest of the clean up. He put the leftovers away, did the dishes, and did whatever else needed to be done while at the same time trying to project an aura of 'I'm here, you're not alone, everything's okay'.

Bo: The only interruption given was in asking where the scissors and twine were. Things he should have known, an excuse given just to hear Brett's voice. Eventually he tried again. "Should I do...a row of one color, or multi scatter?"

Brett: "Drawer under the coffee maker." Brett knew that Bo probably knew, but he answered anyway. Comforting the man he loved cost him nothing.

He glanced at the mostly empty wall when Bo spoke again, smiling softly. "Scatter. It'll be like your very own garden on the wall."

Bo: "I need your help." No, he didn't. He could get on the step ladder and hammer in a few nails, pull the twine in place all without the sheriff's help. The rage was subsiding, pulled back from his panic. He had to do it on his own, on his own time, and he had succeeded.

Brett: The smile got a little bigger. "I'll go get the step ladder and a hammer."

Bo: Bo was fiddling with loose rose petals when Brett returned. Without word he wrapped his arms around the sheriff's waist and squeezed.

Brett: Brett wasted no time in setting aside his cargo so he could hug Botan back.

Bo: "I'm sorry."

Brett: A kiss was given to Bo's temple. "It's okay, sweetheart. We're okay."

Bo: "I don't know if this is because of my condition or because of the other condition. Either way, I really am sorry. I know I'm rude and that's fine when it's not because of...this."

Brett: Brett held him just a little tighter. "I know you are, Botan." Another kiss. "Whichever one it is, you're forgiven."

Bo: "I don't want you to just forgive me, Brett."

Brett: "I'm not a man that holds grudges. If I forgive, it's because it means something to me."

Bo: "Sometimes I miss being there..."

Brett: "...In the Harrak house?"

Bo: "Yes."

Brett: "Why?" Brett asked softly.

Bo: "I could...accept it."

Brett: "She took away your hope." Once you lost that, Brett imagined it became easy to accept all manner of horrors.

Bo: "So," he sighed. "These roses..."

Brett: He let the subject change stand. "How would you like to arrange them?"

Bo: "As you said. Color coded. Blue, white, yellows and orange, pink, then red at the bottom."

Brett: "Then that's how it'll be." Brett kissed Botan's cheek. "Want to start stringing them while I put some nails in place?"

Bo: "Alright..." At least it would keep his hands occupied, and therefore his mind.

Brett: "Hey, Botan?"

Bo: "Hmm?"

Brett: "I love you."

Bo: Botan smiled at his roses. "Thank you." He blinked. "I mean, I love you, too."

Brett: Brett just smiled and kissed Bo's cheek again.

Bo: "Stop that."

Brett: "Smiling or kissing you?"

Bo: "Those kisses are distracting."

Brett: "Then I better let you focus on your roses."

Bo: It would have taken nearly an hour to complete. As much as he said he didn't want affection, whenever Brett wasn't looking it was offered. Tiny stealth kisses to the sheriff's neck, shoulders, back.

Brett: Brett didn't comment on the kisses but they were appreciated nonetheless, and each one prompted a smile and a warm feeling in his chest. Botan could sneak in as many of them as he liked.

"What do you think? Does it look the way you wanted it?"

Bo: "It does." Bo crossed the room to admire from a distance. "We've made art, and I can't even draw a tree. I've tried."

Brett: "Then our drawing skills are pretty much even. I can draw a stick man and that's about it."

Bo: "Do you have a sketch artist?"

Brett: "Peabody."

Bo: "Really?"

Brett: Brett nodded. "Yep. Could've gone to art school if he'd wanted to."

Bo: "Has he always been a goody two shoes?"

Brett: "Not even close. The goody two shoes is me."

Bo: "What was he, then?"

Brett: "The guy who streaked across the football field at halftime during his senior year."

Bo: "How was that man allowed to be a deputy?"

Brett: He chuckled. "Because the sheriff let him off with a warning."

Bo: "That was...generous of him. Was that typical of the sheriff?"

Brett: Brett nodded. "It was. He knew how to crack down when it was necessary but he had a sense of humor, too. Didn't think high school foolishness was worth condemning."

Bo: "Seems like something people would condemn as the worst crime. Nudity is so shunned in this country."

Brett: "Some of the more conservative people around here condemned him enough for everyone. Including my parents."

Bo: "Your father doesn't like anything. How could he love a woman enough to marry her?"

Brett: "I don't think he ever has. At worst I think he tolerates her. At best I think he's....fond of her."

Bo: "Just existing, going through the stages of life without thinking about it. It sounds like Hell."

Brett: "Maybe that's why they both seem so miserable."

Bo: "That won't be you."

Brett: "I hope not."

Bo: "You won't let it, Brett. I won't let you let it."

Brett: He smiled. "Thanks for that."

Bo: Bo looked around the kitchen, grabbed a bag and began to collect the trimmings. "How is that?"

Brett: "How's what?" he asked, helping.

Bo: "Your father?"

Brett: "He's still making snide comments at me whenever I see him."

Bo: "I'm sure they're colorful."

Brett: "Not really. Just passive aggressive and vaguely religious in tone."

Bo: "Mm, religion. Because that's been helpful so far."

Brett: "In his world it's the answer to all. He just ignores the fact that you can twist the bible a million different ways to back all manner of bullshit causes."

Bo: "It hasn't gotten to you." Just an obvservation.

Brett: "Always gets easier to tune him out."

Bo: "Before or after you told your mother who the flowers were for?"

Brett: "Before."

Bo: "And now?"

Brett: "Now it's becoming second nature to tune him out, especially when he starts going on about the bible."

Brett: // -scooches it up-

Bo: // hehe

Bo: "I want to hate religion, but a part of me...a part of me is urgent to believe it. Things like vampires exist, religion, faith...it's a way to kill them."

Brett: "I hate what people twist it into. Religion itself, when one chooses it, is very...comforting."

Bo: "It's a weapon." Difference of opinion it would seem.

Brett: "An actual weapon?"

Bo: "Against evil creatures, against each other. Yes."

Brett: Brett nodded thoughtfully. "Good point."

Bo: "You don't disagree?"

Brett: "No, it makes sense. Although I think there has to be faith too. Otherwise holy water and things like that wouldn't work."

Bo: "I know it exists, isn't that enough for it to work?" He wanted to test this.

Brett: "I don't think it does. It's one thing to know something exists but it's another to believe it, you know? To feel it."

Bo: "I'm not sure where knowing and - I believe it works, therefore it should?"

Brett: "That might fall under faith. Hard to tell where that line is."

Bo: "We've gone very deep for Valentine's day."

Brett: Brett chuckled. "We've had a little of everything today. Makes it that much more special."

Bo: "I don't know about that."

Brett: "Nice dinner, roses, an apology, an outing, art, philosophical discussion. No one is having a Valentine's day like ours." Brett offered his hand.

Bo: Of course he would list the positives, not the little episode from an hour before. Not the lapse of memory Bo was oblivious of. He took the proffered hand and squeezed.

Brett: Brett smiled and squeezed back. "And then there's Danny and Igor. Are we all sleeping together tonight or should we give them some privacy?"

Bo: Brett was stared at for a moment before his boyfriend laughed, shaking his head. "You want to sleep with me again?"

Brett: There it is, he thought. "I do. My bed feels too big without you in my arms."

Bo: "Why give me a guest room if you're going to steal me away?"

Brett: "Because I wanted you to have your own space and I didn't want you to feel rushed or pressured."

Bo: "Do you want me to keep it?"

Brett: "If it makes you feel more comfortable, yes."

Bo: "...I'll keep it, for now."

Brett: "Okay." He nodded and kissed Botan's cheek. "Would you like to stay with me tonight?"

Bo: "I would, if that's alright." So formal, but it felt appropriate with Brett.

Brett: "Absolutely." Another kiss was given. "I'm just going to finish loading the dishwasher and lock up."

Bo: "You're so..."

Bo: Brett was pulled closer. "Why haven't you asked for sex?"

Brett: The question made him blink. "Because...I haven't really thought about it."

Bo: "Why haven't you thought about it?"

Brett: "I've only been with one person. Sex isn't really a high priority for me."

Bo: "You don't feel...anything?"

Brett: "For you or...in general? Well, that doesn't really make a difference." There was that blush again. "Answer to both is yes."

Bo: "What do you want?"

Brett: "I just want you in my arms, Botan." He took a deep breath. "Do I feel things? Yes, I do. But I'm not going to act on those feelings until this is something we both want and feel ready for."

Bo: "But why haven't you mentioned it at all?"

Brett: "We've had some pretty heavy things on our plates. I didn't want to pressure you or make you think that's all I'm after. And this...area of conversation doesn't exactly come easily to me. Until recently I was extremely shy, remember?"

Bo: "I...I've been assuming that this reluctance to speak about it was because I'm a man."

Brett: "Oh, Botan, no. No no, it's not that."

Bo: "I don't...I don't think I want to, but I...I'm not going to assume you to be - to be some sort of eunuch."

Brett: Brett gave a small chuckle. "I appreciate that."

He took another deep breath and kissed Botan's hand. "I'll never push you into this. If we go there, it'll be a mutual decision and if we don't, that's okay."

Bo: "What are you going to do with your disgusting animal urges until then?" Bo smirked.

Brett: "How about we keep some mystery between us?" Brett said as his blush darkened.

Bo: "You - Have you been...touching yourself in the next room, sheriff?"

Brett: "I most certainly have not. Now that dishwasher really needs seeing to."

Bo: "Sooo many dirty dishes. Dirty as your mind!"

Brett: "Go put on your pajamas, Botan!"

#Roses thread #brettmparker #bonowicki #petegraham

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