Tai Chi, Cats shadow, snippets
Part 1.
Bucky was running a Tai Chi session for everyone in the orchard. He had wanted it to be an early morning session, but the Cats were having none of that, so here he was in the dappled mid-morning light, teaching them the flow, and hoping that it would become a regular addition to their week.
BuckyCat had stationed himself next to Daniil, and ZemoCat had contrived to be next to Sebastián. Zemo was in the middle at the back, watching his Cats giving their attention to Dani and Seb. Zemo smiled to himself. They really were the most selfless, adorable people. He couldn’t imagine his life without them now.
The warming sun slanted through the trees as Bucky flowed from one position into the next. He made it look like a dance, softly calling out the names of each new position as he transitioned between them. There was the flash of a bird’s wing every now and then, and once a squirrel stopped to chatter at them angrily from high in the trees. Jamie almost lost concentration at that point, but brought his focus back with a huge effort of willpower, and was consequently very pleased with himself. Sporadically, tiny white or pale pink petals floated to the ground around them as they all copied Bucky’s motion and held the poses.
Bucky was feeling good: strong inside and out. He looked out at his companions and assessed their skills. They were all pretty good. Nice and toned. Obviously Hel, JJ and Muzz were fit. He liked to think it was his training sessions that helped with that, and Seb had serum of course, but he could also see the definition building in Dani, which pleased him immensely.
“OK, visualise the glowing ball of energy. Bring it to your centre. Hold it. Hold. Hold.”
*
“Ok. All done. Go get changed.” Bucky clapped his hands together and closed the session. Everyone started to move away and back towards the house. Zemo lingered at the back, watching the Cats.
“I’m making crêpes for lunch for everyone,” announced Muzzy to the group as he followed Seb.
“Yippee. Can I have blueberries and syrup with mine?” asked Jamie over his shoulder, sticking close to Dani.
“Of course, darrrrrling,” said Muzz, rolling his r’s exaggeratedly, just because.
*
BuckyCat followed Daniil into the house. He took hold of his hand.
“Hello,” said Dani, squeezing his hand.
“Hello,” said Jamie, squeezing back.
“Aren’t you going to help Muzzy in the kitchen?”
“No Sirree. I can’t cook for toffee.”
“I’m sure that’s not true.”
“T’is so! Mo is always trying to teach me stuff, but it just goes in one ear and out the other.”
“But you have such adorable ears.”
“I know.” Jamie smiled over at Dani. Dani blushed slightly.
“I did make cookies once for Muzz,“ Jamie continued lightly, “and they came out really well. Everybody loved them, but, alas, I never did become the pastry chef I always wanted to be.”
Dani let Jamie chatter away as they wandered into the house together, hands swinging.
*
ZemoCat wandered into the house after Sebastián. He caught up and linked his arm in his.
“Hi, Muzz. S’up?”
Muzzy looked at him owlishly, then rested his head on Seb’s shoulder as they walked.
“Mmmmm,” he whispered into Seb’s t-shirt, rubbing his cheek against the fabric. “You smell nice.”
“Thanks. So do you.”
*
Bucky waited for Zemo, watching the Cats commandeer the clones.
“What’s going on?” he asked, tilting his head in the direction of the others.
Zemo walked up and threaded his arm through Bucky’s, leaning in to kiss him on the cheek. “My love,” he said, smiling softly, “we have been blessed with the most wonderful of companions.”
Bucky raised an eyebrow.
Zemo moved round to face him, his back to the house. The sun was in his face, bringing out the honeyed hues in his eyes, made all the more evident because of his reduced pupils. His face was jubilant.
“They have each been to see me, on separate occasions, voicing their concerns about our new clones.”
“Concerns?”
“Apologies. I misspoke. Not concerns like that.” Zemo said, brushing his hands up the outside of Bucky’s arms, coming to rest on his shoulders.
“Jamie told me that he was going to be spending the day with Daniil, and probably tomorrow too. He said that Daniil smelled sad because of the memories of the loss of his family, but he was valiantly trying to hide it from everyone else and put on a happy face. So, obviously, he needed Jamie to be near him all day at least.” Zemo beamed at Bucky, his hands moving up to cup Bucky’s cheeks, rubbing his thumbs along his jawline. “Then Muzzy told me he needed to be with Sebastián all day, because he just knew that Sebastián was feeling guilty about coping well with his returning memories, when Daniil was so obviously not. Isn’t that wonderful?”
Bucky grunted.
Zemo searched his face, scritching his cheeks gently, smiling wickedly. “Of course, the one drawback to this is that I will have to spend the day with you.”
“How awful for you,” murmured Bucky, a slow smile forming on his face.
“Terrible,” whispered Zemo huskily, leaning closer. “What with you smelling so strongly of sweat.”
“But you like my sweaty smell,” said Bucky, pulling Zemo close and wrapping his arms tightly around him.
Zemo mock struggled. “I do not.” Squirm. “The very idea.” Wiggle. “I insist that you take a long hot bath immediately.”
“Only if you join me and wash my back.” Wicked grin. Tongue peeking out between white white teeth.
“Well, of course. How else can I ensure that you are clean enough?” Indignant tilted face.
“Clean enough for what?” Mock innocence.
“I’m afraid I cannot speak… your colossal strength is crushing my ribcage… please unhand me at once.”
“Kiss me, and I’ll let you go.”
“Let me go first, and then I’ll kiss you.”
“Where?”
“Everywhere.”
“Deal.”
*
Dani went upstairs to his room, Jamie keeping up beside him. Dani got to his door, and paused. Jamie was still holding his hand, with no indication of letting go.
“Do you want to come in?” he asked.
“Yip,” said Jamie, and opened the door himself, pulling Dani inside along with him.
“I’m just going to get changed,” said Dani. “So, I’ll need my hand back if that’s okay.”
“Okay,” said Jamie, letting go of his hand.
Dani looked at Jamie quizzically, but Jamie smiled and started to take off his t-shirt. “I’ll get changed, too,” he said. “Can I borrow your jeans, and this purple hoodie?”
“Ach, help yourself, darling.” Dani opened up his wardrobe and stepped aside to let Jamie rummage through. He moved over to the chest of drawers. “T-shirts, socks, underwear - all in here,” he said, opening drawers, then taking off his own t-shirt.
Jamie stuck his nose into everything. He was bare chested, but still had his shorts on. Hairy legs above his socks. Ears flicking and tail swishing as he investigated. He moved on to Dani’s dresser, opening bottles and sniffing the contents.
“I like this smell. Can I try some?”
“Consider it yours, my love,” said Dani, magnanimously, sitting on the edge of the bed to take off his trainers.
“Really?” asked Jamie, turning to look at Dani. If this was a cartoon, his pupils would be heart-shaped.
He put the bottle down and did a standing leap right onto Dani’s lap.
“Ooof,” said Dani, falling back to rest on his elbows. “Let me get my other shoe off.”
“Nah,” said Jamie. “I can do that for you.” But he grinned wickedly and moved in close to steal a kiss.
Dani put his arms up around Jamie’s ribs and then round to his back to pull him deeper, his tongue invading.
Jamie moaned, eyes fluttering closed, kissing back, moving one hand to the back of Dani’s head, wrapping his long fingers around Dani’s cranium.
He pulled away, kept his face close. His eyes were wide and blue. The pupils huge and black and bottomless. “You smell nicer,” he whispered, throatily. “I like you sweaty.”
Dani caught his breath. Searched Jamie’s face, eyes flicking between his mouth and eyes.
Jamie half opened his mouth to reveal his wicked sharp canines. Felt Dani twitch beneath him.
“Let’s fuck,” said Jamie.
*
Muzzy followed Seb upto his room. Seb didn’t question it when he also followed him inside.
“I’m just getting changed, Muzz. Didn’t you say you were making crêpes?”
“Uh-huh,” answered Muzzy, taking off his t-shirt. “I’ll just get changed, too. Then will you help me?”
“I’d love to,” answered Seb, then he shrugged. “But I don’t really know how. I’ve never made them before.” He pulled his t over his head, shaking out his hair. “Will you teach me?”
“Of course. I would really like that.” Muzzy wandered up to Seb, smiling, his eyes shining. “It’s not hard. Just like making pancakes.” He stroked Seb’s arm, feeling his bicep. He looked up at Seb owlishly again. Then sighed. Squeezed his bicep again. “I really wish we had time for sex, but I promised to make crêpes.”
“You did,” whispered Seb huskily. “But there’s still time for a kiss.” He pulled Muzz to him, moving his hand up to the back of his neck to ground him for a sweet, deep kiss.
Muzzy moaned softly into his mouth, then pulled away. His eyes were huge, his ears lifted, his tail twitching. “We can’t. I promised.”
“We’ll be quick.”
They were very quick.
Afterwards, Seb pulled open his wardrobe and offered some clothing to a naked Muzzy lying breathless on his bed.
“Do you want to wear these sweatpants? They’re freshly washed.”
“Yes, please,” said Muzz, collecting himself, sitting up, then getting up and wiping himself down with a towel. He moved closer to Seb, and reached into the wardrobe. “May I also borrow some boxers and this soft green t-shirt with the stripe?”
“Of course,” rummaging in a dresser drawer. “Here, have these fluffy socks. I don’t really wear them.”
“Thank you. I like them. You should wear them more often, to keep your feet warm.”
“I don’t really get that cold, Muzz. You can keep them if you like.”
“Can I? Oh, thank you.” Muzzy dropped the clothing on the bed, then sprang at Seb and hugged him fiercely, wrapping his arms around his torso and rubbing his face against his neck.
“You ok, Spots?” murmured Seb, hugging Muzzy back. “S’only clothes.”
“I know, darling,” whispered Muzz, huskily, squeezing tightly, then pulling away slightly to look at Seb. Muzzy’s eyes were very big. The pupils large: round and limpid. The irises: a concentrated hazelnut brown. Seb was lost in their depths. Muzzy started purring. He nuzzled against Seb for a long moment.
Then he gave one final hug and released Seb. “Right, dear heart, let’s get to those crêpes. I’m sure everyone is starrrrrving.” He smiled winningly and started to get dressed
Seb chuckled, shaking his head. He didn’t know quite what had gotten into Muzz, but he found he didn’t really need to question it. He just went with the flow.
Once they were both dressed and presentable he offered Muzz a piggy back ride downstairs, and when Muzz delightedly sprang on his back, he hoisted him into position and sauntered down to the kitchen, whistling contentedly.
*
“Can I be with you today?” Jamie asked.
“Of course, darling,” Dani answered. “What would you like us to do?”
“Nothing special. Just be together. What do you want to do?”
“I was thinking of trying to finish my book today.”
“I was thinking that too.”
They sauntered through to the library, Jamie holding onto Dani’s hand with both of his, and only letting go when Dani collected his book and sat on one of the low comfortable couches near the fireplace. Jamie collected his own book and scooched up next to Dani, as close as he could, thighs and shoulders touching. Dani put one arm around Jamie, holding his book open with his other hand resting on the arm of the couch. Jamie placed his head on Dani’s shoulder, holding his book at an angle so he could read it properly.
They read in companionable silence, the only sounds being the ticking of the carriage clock on the mantle piece, the crackling of the low fire in the grate, and the turning of pages.
*
Muzzy and Sebastián were in the kitchen. Sebastián was a fast learner, and they soon had the table piled high with a scrumptious lunch. The crêpes were being kept warm, there was syrup, honey, and fruit compôte; fresh strawberries, cherries and blueberries; hard boiled eggs, thick slices of honey roast ham; a large jug of orange juice, and pots of tea or coffee.
Muzzy surveyed the table, smoothed out an invisible crease in the pristine white tablecloth, moved a gold-chased plate half a millimetre to the left, then nodded to himself.
Seb grinned and winked over at Muzz. “Everything to your satisfaction, Spots?” he asked, while putting the last of the dirty dishes in the dishwasher.
“Yes,” Muzz replied. “I think we can call them now.”
He moved over to the doorway and yowled out into the corridor “Come and get iiiiiiit!”
*
After lunch, BuckyCat spent the afternoon curled up with Daniil in the library. He squirmed around so that he had his head on Dani’s lap and his feet up on the couch. He was quite happy.
He could sense Mo and Bucky upstairs in Mo’s room. They were having a pampering session after their long morning bath. He could smell the face pack that Mo was trying to put on Bucky, and could hear Bucky grumbling about it. He could smell cucumber slices. He deliberately zoned out when Bucky got flirty and he could smell their rising pheromones instead. He loved it when they were having sexy time, but they deserved their privacy.
He could hear Muzzy and Sebastián clearing up in the kitchen, and then baking something that smelled deliciously cakey. Mmmm. He hoped they were all having some later. How long did it take to bake a whole cake? Who knew?
Every now and then he parsed Dani’s aura: Dani’s heart rate was slow and steady, his focus on his book, and there were no intrusive thoughts. Jamie turned his attention back to his own book.
At some point, Muzzy brought round afternoon snacks: a huge tray containing thick slabs of golden Madeira cake, vanilla ice cream, a mug of hot chocolate for Jamie and a steaming pot of tea for Dani.
“Anyone for tea?” he asked, jauntily, poking his head through the door.
“Yummy,” said Jamie, getting up and padding to the door to relieve Muzzy of his tray.
‘Everything ok?’ asked Muzz, looking intently at Jamie, and reaching for him with his tail.
‘Yip. Really well. What about you?’ asked Jamie, grasping Muzzy’s tail with his own, and looking around him for Seb.
‘Also well.’ Muzz rotated his ears.
Jamie could hear Seb delivering his tray of goodies to Zemo and Bucky upstairs, and being told to ‘just leave it outside the room, please’.
He grinned at Muzz, who grinned back. Tails were released, and Muzz turned to go, just as Seb was jogging back down the stairs.
Jamie saw Muzz pad up to Seb as he turned back into the library, closing the door behind him with his foot.
“That smells good,” said Dani, closing his book and standing to help Jamie put the tray on the little side table closest to their couch.
“Hey, we didn’t spill a drop,” grinned Jamie, grabbing a bowl of ice cream and placing his first slice of cake on top.
“Ach,” said Dani, looking at the cake/ice cream combo in Jamie’s bowl, “I like that idea.” He grinned, and did the same.
Jamie preened, picked up his mug of hot chocolate and sat back down on the couch. He put his mug on the floor and tucked into the contents of his bowl with gusto.
Dani sat next to him, and was only halfway through, when Jamie got up and collected another slice of cake. He’d polished off another bowl of ice cream and a third slice of cake by the time Dani had finished his.
“Mmmm. That was delicious,” said Jamie, putting Dani’s empty bowl in his and stretching over him to place them back on the tray on the little side table next to the Tiffany lamp. He drained his hot chocolate, wiped his mouth on the sleeve of his (Dani’s) top, and plonked the cup on top of the dishes. He sat back and rubbed his tummy. He yawned, stretched, arching backwards over the top cushions of the couch, arms above his head, feet pushing on the floor. Then, he slid his book over to the next cushion. He stretched himself out over Dani’s lap, his chin on one of Dani’s knees, one arm lolling between Dani’s shins. He curled his legs up behind him, and promptly fell asleep.
Dani lifted his hand to gently stroke Jamie’s back as he opened up his book again and started to read his next chapter.
Jamie started snoring: little snuffly purry noises. He rubbed his nose against the top of Dani’s thigh in his sleep once or twice. Dani drifted into contentment. A warm body on his lap, a full stomach, a good book. His eyes closed. He caught himself just before he dropped his book on Jamie’s head, closed it and twisted to put it on the side table without disturbing Jamie. He rested his head on the back cushion ‘just for a moment’ and within seconds was softly snoring himself.
And this is how Zemo found them, much much later, when he poked his head round the door to call them for supper.
*
Part 2.
“Hel, come over here and look out of the window. It’s a gorgeous evening. The moon is up and high. Everything looks tinted blue.”
“Indeed. It is terribly romantic.”
“How far is it to the beach?”
“About half an hour. Why?”
“Let’s go. I want to dance with you in the surf under the moonlight.”
“You old softie.”
*
Part 3.
“So, Hel, whatever happened with that ‘playground moon’ you bought?”
“I’m having parts of it landscaped and building an estate there for us. I’m thinking of adding an observatory to one of the wings of the main house. The constellations there are out of this world - excuse the pun - and the sunsets are breathtaking; the colours: unimaginable.”
“Okay, then. You really are rich, huh?”
“I have a few investments coming into fruition, yes.”
“How long before we can visit?”
“Everything should be ready within the year. Is there anything you would like to be built there - for your convenience or pleasure?”
“Dunno. I’ll have a think.”
“Please do. I’ll ask the others if they have any requests.”
“You got a spaceship, then?”
“Just a little planet-hopper. Nothing too fancy. I’ll take you out for a spin in it when it comes back from the customisers next month, if you like.”
“I do like. Yes.”
*
Part 4.
A sun-bronzed bare-chested man, who looked just like Bucky, parked his van up on the beach in the golden afternoon light.
He caught sight of his reflection in the car parked next to his, as he got out to collect his surfboard from the back. He was looking good. He liked the blond hair, but he wasn’t sure about the little goatee. Hmmmm. He might shave it off tonight. His hair was growing out nicely. He liked it longer. It was almost past his shoulder blades.
He put it up in a bun, collected his board and jogged down to the beach. The afternoon sun was turning everything into hot orange and violet. The waves were exceptional.
***