First Day of the Rest of Your Life (Boys and Moreaus)

[Matthew Moreau]

"Well, this is the living room," Matthew said as he topped the stairs. It may not be an impressive room, but it had plenty of seating, as well as room for Rhys' damned electronics. "There's the kitchen and our bedroom," he gestured to the left of the staircase, "and over there is the bathroom and the second bedroom." The second bedroom wasn't as large as the main one, but it was better than a couple of uncomfortable cots at the shelter. 

Matthew rubbed his hands together, much more excited than he should have been. "You can borrow some clothes for sleeping tonight, if you'd like; I know that jeans aren't the most comfortable for sleeping, and we'll make a fantastic dinner for you." Were the kids as excited? He flashed a grin at Rhys, stole a brief kiss, then disappeared into the kitchen. 

[Rhys Moreau]

Rhys was excited on his own, but Matthew's enthusiasm added even more energy. "Anything you need, I'm sure we can get for you," he said. The kids probably didn't even have toothbrushes. He could hardly believe this was happening. Everything felt surreal, like he was floating through the strangely sharp fog of a dream.

[Andy Moreau]

Andy had watched that kiss with a little more interest than he possibly should have, but didn't dwell on it. He was being offered clothes and food—fantastic food, even—and by guys who'd already bought him a wand and gotten him and his brother out of the shelter.

"Don't go to too much trouble," he said. "Uh, can I use the bathroom?"

Does your dog live here? Can I see his wand? Tam was already climbing onto one of the oversized chairs as he looked around.

[Rhys Moreau]

"Go ahead," Rhys said to Andy. There wasn't much of worry in the bathroom, unless one counted Matthew's charmed straight razor. He glanced over his shoulder toward the kitchen, but he was at least moderately certain of his husband's cooking ability. So he focused his attention on Tam. "He does live here, his kennel is back there in that corner." He gestured to a kennel that was mostly enclosed with just the front open. "I never know where his wand is, though, he always hides it somewhere different."

[Andy Moreau]

Tam scrambled off the chair and headed for the kennel. It looks like a cave, he said, fully intending to crawl in.

In the bathroom, Andy actually did use the toilet, and he made quick work of it. Then he started poking around. He looked in the shower to see what kind of soaps they used, looked in the cabinets, and made note of everything. There wasn't anything truly interesting, however. There had to be something wrong with these guys! No one was that perfect!

[Rhys Moreau]

"Well, it's supposed to be a sort of cave," Rhys said to Tam. "Dogs were bred from wolves, and they're used to caves and dens, so dogs like having a place. That's his home, more or less, it's where he feels most comfortable." He didn't think there was anything wrong with Tam exploring Mag's corner, as long as the boy and dog respected one another.

[Andy Moreau]

What does bred mean? 'Cause I never seen dogs with bread before. Tam crawled into the kennel, and when Mag peered in at him, he peered right back out. He didn't, however, follow his question with another.

Andy didn't find anything weird at all in the bathroom. They used guy-scented bath soaps and kept spare toilet paper within reach, but no weapons of mass destruction or illegal drugs. He walked back into the living room with his bag still slung over his shoulder. "Where's Tam?"

[Rhys Moreau]

Rhys had chuckled at Tam's question, but was unable to come up with a good response before Andy reappeared. "He's exploring Mag's kennel," he said, letting himself fall into an armchair. He toed his shoes off and called out a commanding Mag! that caused the dog to back away so the young boy could leave the kennel. His eyes turned toward Andy. "You can leave your bag somewhere, no one will bother it, I promise."

[Andy Moreau]

Andy seemed to think about that, to really think about it before he headed toward the door. He propped up his bag right beside it, made sure the top handle wasn't trapped against the wall, then stepped back.

Andy, I'm a wolf in a cave! Tam called. He made a high-pitched howling sound, and Andy headed toward him.

"Get out of there. That's the dog's bed and he can't lay on it if you're in there." Rhys didn't seem to mind, but Andy thought it was better to be safe. He didn't know if Rhys had a temper hidden somewhere.

[Rhys Moreau]

"I think Mag's too excited right now to sleep," Rhys said, amused at the younger brother's enthusiasm. "I do think he'd prefer to not have boy-smell all over his bedroom, though." He jumped a little at a sudden clatter from the kitchen, then grinned at the I'm okay! that followed shortly after. Mag seemed torn, but trotted toward the kitchen to check just how okay the man was.

[Andy Moreau]

I don't smell, Tam argued, then made a face. Maybe a little, he admitted.

Andy looked his question, the turned his gaze back to his brother as he helped him out of the kennel. His brother could definitely use a shower. He wasn't quite ripe, but all that hair was limp and a little stringy. Tam wasn't as quick in the water as Andy, so he hadn't gotten to use it as often.

[Rhys Moreau]

Rhys chuckled, "I just meant that dogs have very sensitive noses, and it'll take a bit for Mag to get used to you two." He stood and stretched as he headed toward a small closet set into the wall. "If you want to clean up, though, you can. We've got spare towels and things." He draped two towels and two washcloths over one arm.

"You can use the soaps that are already in there, and ah...Matthew knows some spells that can clean up your clothes, and I could get you a couple of our shirts if you want something different." Even his own clothes would swallow Andy, but personally he kind of liked being wrapped up in Matthew's shirt from time to time, so maybe they wouldn't mind too badly. Besides, Matthew could always shrink something a little.

[Andy Moreau]

I don't wannaaaa, Tam complained, but Andy already had his brother's hand tucked into his own, and he didn't hesitate at the offer. Two towels and two washcloths. That meant actual showers, not wh~ baths, and not a quick rinse.

"Thank you," Andy said. Tam pouted, but went along to the bathroom, where there was some quick conversation behind a closed door. The water started, and even before it could get hot the shower was on. Andy stepped out with a small pile of his brother's clothes. "You said he could, like, wear something else?" he asked.

[Rhys Moreau]

"He could wear one of my shirts, I'm sure I could find something, and Matthew can shrink it if you need to," Rhys said, only then remembering the chest of old things he'd taken so long ago from his parents. He thought he remembered some clothes in it, though it was obvious that most of his old things had been donated, sold, or handed down to other relatives. The chest was mostly pictures, papers, and various odds and ends from his childhood.

"Actually, I may have some things that would fit him better. Go ask Matthew if he'll get those washing, though, just in case." He gestured back toward the kitchen, then slipped away into his bedroom to dig.

[Matthew Moreau]

The boys had just recently eaten ice cream, so Matthew was focusing on something he could finish up and set to cooking that they could eat whenever the ice cream high dissipated. Rhys had helped him get better at cooking, and he actually kind of liked it now, though he fully expected his husband to flit in near the end of the process to add a side or tweak something.

Music came from a wireless on the fridge, its speaker pointed into the room to keep the sound from flooding the rest of the flat. His bare feet moved lightly with the music and he sang along lightly under his breath. Mag had found his stuffed wand toy and was happily attacking it in the corner behind the table.