Blue solace complete ser.., p.72
Blue Solace: Complete Series Boxset, page 72
“Are you ready to do this, Dr. Bloop?” Beck held the puppy up. Bloop wore a Charybdis Station lab coat today. Safety goggles perched on top of his head.
“Hey, Beck.” Sebastian waved from the sidewalk. Fire stood beside him, shoveling cinnamon candy in his mouth.
“Hey, guys.” Beck bounced down the walk. “I’m meeting Beol for lunch. We’re having a date!”
Sebastian smiled gently. “That’s wonderful.”
Fire elbowed Sebastian. “Tell him, Sebby.”
Sebastian rolled his eyes, then smiled hesitatingly at Beck. “So, when I’m meditating, my mind wanders over the station. I don’t usually pry, but a few days ago, something at your house caught my attention.”
Beck paled and squeezed Bloop. “Oh, no. Sebastian, you can’t tell anyone. This is bad, really bad.”
He started to turn back to the house, but Sebastian grabbed his arm. “Beck, don’t worry. We won’t tell anyone. Fire already snuck inside yesterday to visit. I thought I’d go by today.”
Beck let Sebastian pull him into a hug.
“I understand why you haven’t said anything, but you should trust your family and friends. No one will judge you.”
“What about Beol? What will he think about me?”
“He’s your mate,” Sebastian said, smiling. “One day very soon, that scarred man is going to fall in love with you.”
“I… I have a date.”
“Yes, you do. I’ll let myself in and go say hello.”
“You’ll love them, Sebby. Nice outfit, Dr. Bloop.” Fire danced around Beck and pressed Beck’s new password into the security panel. The door opened easily. Fire blew him a kiss. “Have fun, Beck.”
Sebastian winced. “Sorry about him. If it’s any consolation, he can get into every house in the neighborhood.”
Beck stroked the scales on Bloop’s belly as he hugged him close. “I should go with you.”
“No.” Sebastian turned him toward the shuttle tram and gave him a shove. “You have a date, Mr. Brilliant Engineer. I promise I’ll be nice, so get moving.”
“Promise, Sebastian?” Beck was so unsure. He loved his family and friends, but this was so important.
Sebastian patted his shoulder. “I swear, Beck. What you’ve done is beyond amazing. I wish you could see them in the spirit world like I do.”
Beck took a big breath. “Okay. I’m going to Juniper’s. If you need me, I’ve got my comm.”
“Tell Beol I said hi.” Sebastian jogged to the front door and disappeared inside.
“Oh, Bloop. This really isn’t good.”
“Woof.”
“You’re right. I should just trust everyone. You’re a wise dog, Bloop.”
A short time later, Beck reached Juniper’s Diner. Juniper’s chicken, Miss Speckles, perched in her normal flowerpot, people watching. Bloop didn’t like it and growled.
“Bloopy, she can people watch if she wants to. You just leave Miss Speckles alone.” Beck carried Bloop around to the back of the diner.
Several of their friends had pets, so Juniper had made sure to include a sizable backyard play area for them when he’d designed the diner.
Juniper’s pot-bellied pig, Pork Chop, ran around the yard with a few other dogs and one cat.
“Dr. Bloop, there’s Pork Chop. Be good for him.” Beck set the puppy down and watched him run to the pig, yipping and wagging his tail.
“Beck.” Beol’s voice came from behind him.
“Hi,” Beck said, turning around and blushing. He handed Beol the plant. “I brought you this. It’s an aloe plant from Grellweir. Ma says you have to have one in your kitchen if you’re gonna have a kitchen.”
“Thank you,” Beol said solemnly, then handed him a box. “This may be my first date, but I did remember to bring a gift.”
“First date?” What kind of idiots had Beol dealt with all his life? Beck thought the man was made for wooing.
“There was never any time.” Beol shrugged. “Come on, Sparky. Let’s get some lunch.”
“Wait.” Beck shot him a look and clutched the box to his chest. “I need to open my gift.”
Beol chuckled.
Beck opened the box and smiled. Inside was a simple, black leather bracelet. Silver and blue threads formed a half-moon on the top.
“I love it.” He held out his arm and wiggled his wrist. “Put it on, please.”
“You really like it?” Beol picked it up and fastened it around Beck’s wrist.
“Yep. Don’t get much jewelry, and this is perfect. I can wear it while I work.”
“I thought you’d like it. Ready for lunch?”
Beck tried not to bounce as he followed Beol into the diner.
“Well, hello,” Juniper said. Beck’s friend smiled widely and led them to a table in the corner. It was right next to a window overlooking the pet playground. “You’re lucky Hack is in meetings all day or he’d be here to stalk you two.”
Beck frowned. “I don’t know what’s wrong with him lately. He hasn’t been so grumpy since before meeting Leti.”
Juniper gave Beol a pointed look. “Gee, I don’t know. Maybe it’s because his sweet gentle giant of a best friend found out his mate leads a group of assassins.”
Beck made a face. “That’s stupid.”
“I agree, sweetness.” Juniper patted his shoulder. “You and Beol fit together.”
Beol arched a brow. “You can see all that, can you?”
“Darling, you would be amazed at what I can see.” He winked at Beck, then headed for the kitchen.
Beck nibbled his lip. What did that wink mean? Was Juniper just teasing or did he know something?
“The Lord Admiral assures me everything here is good. What would you suggest?” Beol’s dark eyes distracted Beck from his worry.
“Juniper’s a good cook. He makes these tasty Union Station sausages.” Beck’s smile disappeared. “I forgot for a minute. Union Station’s gone.”
“It’s not gone,” Beol said firmly. “There were survivors, and they’ll rebuild, just like it has hundreds of times in the past.”
“Did you live there long?” Beck knew Beol’s guild was based there for years before moving to Charybdis a few months ago. He didn’t know how long Beol had been in the guild.
“All my life. Wolfe and I were born and raised there. I’ve been all over the galaxy, but Union Station was where home was.”
“I’m so sorry, Beol.” He reached out and took Beol’s small hand in his own.
Beol squeezed his hand. “Home is here now, Beck. I wish Union Station was still standing, but there’s a reason Wolfe wanted to leave it behind and move here.”
“I’m glad he did. I’m glad you and your guild folks are here.”
“Are you two ready to order?” Juniper smiled brightly, before frowning at them. “Why the sad faces? You two need a drink?”
Beol snorted. “We’re fine, thanks.”
They ordered, and Juniper reluctantly left them alone.
“No more sad talk,” Beol said briskly. “Tell me what you love most about being an engineer?”
Beck leaned back and grinned. “That will take all year. I always wanted to be an engineer like Pops.”
“He’s impressive.”
“Yeah,” Beck said, smiling proudly. “He loves this station.”
“Why did you choose Blue Solace? Why be a ship’s engineer?”
“Well, I’m not anymore. I mean, Hack leads a fleet now, so he doesn’t travel so much and has bigger responsibilities. I guess I chose Blue Solace because of Hack. I love him and wanted to make sure he stayed safe. I like taking care of the ships. It’s soothing and gives me time to think up things.”
Beol smirked. “I’ve seen some of those things in action. You’re creative.”
Beck blushed. “That’s what Pops says. He says my head needs to stay in the clouds because good things come from it.” He leaned forward, wiggling with excitement. “Leti was reading the kids a story a while back and it made me think. It was this Old-Earth story about a guy named Daedalus. He was an inventor.”
Beol smiled softly. “I can see you hiding in your workshop, coming up with all kinds of amazing things.
“I think that’s what I like best about being an engineer. There’s the practical stuff like Pops handles – building onto the station, maintaining the ships and the bots we use. Then there’s the fun stuff. I love playing with the weapons and shields, coming up with new gadgets. I get to protect folks. All that’s my job, you know? I love it.”
Beck swallowed. He wished he could tell Beol about Becca and Gregor and their secret.
“I’m glad you love your job.” Beol looked wistful. “I love my guild, but I’ll never be passionate about killing people. Not really. We take out a lot of garbage, but it’s a very practical career.”
“Well, at least there’s money in it. We were mercs for a long time, and there’s nothing wrong with getting paid for doing your job. Renee admires you guys a bunch. She said since you’ve taken over, Half-Moon’s become a respectable guild.”
Beol started laughing. “Only Renee Juren would call an assassin’s guild respectable.”
Beck laughed too. “Hey now, we were mercenaries a year or so ago.”
“Charybdis Station has never been like other mercenary groups.”
“Ain’t that the truth?” Juniper put their plates in front of them. “Charybdis started as a small group that were more family than business partners. We may have a large population now, but there’s still that feeling of family at our core. Then we developed that inconvenient thing called morality. Makes sense that we’d transition.”
“Yep. We built good relations and that’s paid off.” Beck nodded. “Well, some of us made good impressions. Hack never really got that part of things.”
Juniper snickered. “Remember when he set that ambassador on fire and wouldn’t put him out until his secretary transferred credits into our account?”
Beol looked at them both in surprise. “Seriously? You all seem to set things on fire a lot.”
Beck chuckled. “The man was an ass and owed us money for escorting him across two systems. Hack just made sure we got paid. Plus, you know, he’s Burnished. They make fire happen a lot.”
“Dear cucumber salad,” Juniper said. “What is your dog doing?”
They looked out the window.
Bloop and Porkchop chased the cat around the yard. The poor feline moved fast and climbed one of the small fruit trees.
“Poor Potato,” Juniper said. “Porkchop gets along with every cat except Remy’s. Potato is a sweet kitty, but Porkchop feels like he needs to taunt the poor thing.”
“Porkchop is teaching Dr. Bloop bad habits,” Beck said, mock frowning.
“Uh oh,” Juniper said. “Fluffle just showed up. Shae drops him off sometimes when he gets it into his head the cat needs company during the day.”
Selene’s extremely fuzzy calico cat stalked toward Bloop and Porkchop.
“Look out, Bloop.” Beck covered his mouth and laughed. He loved Fluffle.
Bloop and Porkchop circled Potato’s tree, but Fluffle jumped and landed on Porkchop’s back. The pig stopped moving, frozen in what Beck could only assume was fear. Bloop wasn’t a stupid dog. He took one look at Fluffle and ran the other way.
“Fluffle is such a badass,” Beck said, laughing. “Just like Selene.”
Beck’s laughter died off when he noticed Beol’s eyes on him. Beck’s mate sat across from him with a soft look on his face.
Beck blushed.
They ate lunch and talked for another couple of hours. Beck couldn’t believe he was with his mate. With every story they shared, he learned more and more about Beol.
“You’re lying,” Beck said, laughing. “Wolfe wouldn’t do that to you.”
Beck snorted. “He hates getting dirty. He shoved me into that pit to save his clothes, I swear.”
“Your target was down there,” Beck pointed out with a smile.
“Yet, somehow, Wolfe managed to stay clean on solid ground.”
Beol’s comm chimed and he groaned. “Damn it. I bet that’s Bendix. We have paperwork to fill out for the Lord Admiral and a meeting soon.”
“Is it hard, making a home here on Charybdis?”
“It’s not easy exactly, but it’s for the best. My people need a home, and Charybdis needs more protection. You all have managed to piss off some powerful people.”
“We.” Beck waved between them. “We pissed them off. You’re a Charybdis Station citizen now, remember?”
Beol grabbed his hand. “It’s worth it. For my people and for me.” His comm chimed again, and he sighed. “I guess I should go.”
“Look, Bendix.” Hack’s loud voice cut into Beck and Beol’s happy bubble. “I told you he was right here.”
The two men stood over the table.
Bendix cleared his throat. “Hey, boss man. We have that meeting with Councilman Warren in a half hour.”
“I’ll walk you home, Beck.” Hack pulled him from his chair and tugged him toward the door.
Beck looked back over his shoulder sadly. “Bye, Beol. I hope your meeting goes well.”
Beol watched him go, eyes narrowed.
Once they were out the door, Beck shoved Hack. “I didn’t get my goodbye kiss, Hack. That was mean of you.”
Hack smiled, unconcerned. “It’s not my fault he has places to be.”
“I need to get Bloop. Hold on.” Beck walked around the diner, then grinned.
Beol stood at the gate, holding Bloop.
Beck gave him a shy look. “We didn’t get to kiss goodbye.”
“I noticed. I’ve been looking forward to kissing you, Beck. I’ve never kissed anyone before.”
Beck’s eyes widened in surprise. “Huh? Really?”
“My father would use any weakness against me, Beck. There were only quick fucks with strangers.” Beol reached up and cupped Beck’s cheek. “I’m glad you’ll be my first kiss.”
Beck leaned into his touch, liking the way Beol’s bare skin felt against his fur. “Not just the first kiss, Beol. All of them.”
Beol smiled and nodded in agreement. “All of them.”
“I’m a virgin.” Beck felt his cheeks flush. He couldn’t believe he’d said that.
“What?” Beol blinked. “Really? I thought the Lord Admiral was just a delusional parent.”
“Why did he tell you?” Beck made a face. “Never mind. He and Ma are close. I wanted to wait for my mate. I’ve kissed and stuff, but I’ve been waiting for you.”
Beol slowly smiled, eyes brightening. “I’m okay with that Beck. Very, very okay.”
Beck blushed again and looked around. “You really deserve something more special than a kiss behind a diner, Beol.”
Beol stood on his tiptoes and pressed his lips to Beck’s, giving him a soft, gentle kiss.
Goosebumps covered Beck’s arms, even though the kiss wasn’t long or deep. They parted and Beol watched him, bemused.
“I think I’m broken. Kissing you broke me.”
Beck leaned his forehead against Beol’s. “Good. We’ll do a lot of kissing. It’ll fix you right up.”
“Uh, boss man. We really do need to go.” Bendix stood a few feet away and gave them an apologetic look.
Hack scowled at them from the street. “Time to go, Beol. Bye now.”
“I’m sorry that my best friend’s a shithead.” Beck kissed Beol again, then walked with him to the street.
“It’s alright. Bendix is an asshole too. He’s just being nice right now. Wait until you get to know him.”
Bendix gasped. “Boss man, did you just imply I’m your best friend? Leti will be mad.”
Beol arched a brow. “See what I mean?”
He handed Bloop to Beck.
Beck laughed. “Call me tonight?”
“I will.”
Beck watched them go until they turned a corner. He sighed.
“Come on, lover boy. I’ll walk you home.” Hack wrapped an arm around him. “I’m going to have to get used to him being around, aren’t I?”
“Yep.”
When he got home, he said goodbye to Hack and ignored his suspicious look. Normally, Beck would have invited Hack in, but that was impossible right now.
Beck went straight to his workshop in the basement. Sebastian and Fire were both still there, and it looked like Becca and Gregor had already arrived. They sat talking with Icarus and the girls.
Beck’s son looked up, smiling happily. “Dad, you’re back.”
Chapter 4
“Well, what did Beck say?” Hay sat at the kitchen table, eating dinner with Wolfe, Bendix, and Ninetta.
Beol concentrated on his plate and cut his chicken into small, even pieces. Tinker sat on the table beside his plate, watching the movements of his knife.
Wolfe tapped the table and signed. “Beol? What did he say?”
“I forgot to ask.” Beol just barely managed not to blush.
“Aww, boss man really enjoyed his date,” Ninetta said. She took a bite of her dinner, eyes dancing with laughter.
“I did,” he admitted. “I don’t want to believe Beck isn’t what he seems.”
He remembered the press of Beck’s lips to his. The warm laughter of the afternoon. Beck wasn’t a liar. He wasn’t some trickster. He was Beck – sweet, shy, adorable Beck.
“That man doesn’t keep secrets well,” Hay said. “I asked around, and most of his friends know two folks sneak into his house almost every night. Nettle said the woman’s name is Becca. She’s a friend of his from college.”
Beol sat up straight. “Did she tell him what was going on?”
“Not a thing. Nettle said she distracted him by asking about Lilah and Sophie.”
“Juniper knows something,” Wolfe signed. “He won’t tell me though, and I like him too much to torture it out of him.”
“It’s evening now,” Bendix said, leaning forward.
“I need to know.” Beol closed his eyes, feeling sick. “I need to know he’s not like Mom.”
“Wolfe and I will go with you,” Hay said.
Bendix started to protest, but Ninetta cut him off. “I can’t go, Bendix. Stay and keep me company. We’ll make them tell us when they get back.”
