AN:
This is a side story involving the characters from my
Celeste
series. For some reason the site lists these side stories out of order. They are all set after
Celeste Pt. 06
. It's not required to read that series to understand what's going on here, but it would help with appearance, characterization and the thread bare plot.
Quick recap:
Celeste, Bartholomew and Lawrence are brothers and gods. Connor is a human who is bound by a curse to Lawrence. Celeste is a succubus, and he is in his 30 day hibernation cycle. Bartholomew and Connor took turns on Lawrence after Connor and Lawrence confessed to having feelings for one another.
"I always forget they have to sleep."
Lawrence, who was standing in front of his closet, looked over his shoulder and cocked a brow at his brother, "How...we created them..."
Bartholomew just shrugged, "I'm focused on other things," he flopped onto Lawrence's bed, still in uniform, cape, gloves, boots and all.
Lawrence sighed, "Take your boots off," he furrowed his brow then went back to his clothing. He pulled out a shorter robe than he normally wore. It was gauzy, emerald in color and something he wears when he wants to be even more comfortable than he typically was. He untied his floor length robe to prepare to change.
"What do you do when Connor sleeps?"
Lawrence turned and faced his brother, "Either extra duties in the mortal realm," he opened his robe and let it drop to the floor, "or read." He saw Bartholomew's eyes rake up and down his nude body and he allowed him to enjoy the view for a moment before he pulled his short emerald robe off the hanger.
Bartholomew gave him a hungry look, "You don't have to get dressed..."
Lawrence threw on the robe and smiled, "I want to."
Before anymore could be said there was a knock on Lawrence's door. He gave his brother a look and a shrug, he hadn't been expecting anyone. He walked over and opened his door. Where Bartholomew was on the bed the door shielded his presence in the room.
"Marcus?" Lawrence said surprised.
"Oh," the god of death breathed, "I've never seen you with your hair down..."
Bartholomew pursed his lips where he was hidden behind the door. He worked with Marcus often. The god was broad and muscular like him but not as tanned or intimidating. He had short black hair and kind green eyes, much darker than Lawrence's jade. He was handsome, with a deep voice that Celeste had called "buttery" and a calming presence. But Bartholomew understood that tone; Marcus had been taken aback by Lawrence's beauty. He was wearing that short robe now too. Bartholomew knew Lawrence could take care of himself, but still he listened closely to make sure Marcus didn't overstep.
Lawrence gave Marcus a soft smile, "I know you didn't come all this way to try to get a glimpse of it."
Marcus chuckled then boldly reached out and tucked a ribbon of long, straight, chestnut colored hair behind Lawrence's ear, "No, but it's a very pleasant surprise."
Lawrence blinked slowly, pointedly ignoring the flirtation and asked, "How may I help you?"
"I know about the wildfire," Marcus shifted his weight and noticed Lawrence glance at his thick thighs. It felt like a victory, but he didn't dare show it on his face. Instead, he said, "May I go with you, when you go down to do your duty?"
There was a gasp from Lawrence, "We lost life? I was hoping since it was in a large forest the humans were spared," he looked sorrowful.
"It was not just a forest, it was a national park," Marcus made a face that was part affectionate and sad, "they like to camp..."
Lawrence nodded, "Ah," he really didn't know what to say to that, "I hope it is not too many."
Marcus gave him a smile that showed off a pair of dimples, "No, not nearly as many as I have when I go down after Bartholomew."
Lawrence resisted the urge to look around the door. He chuckled, "Yes yes, of course," he saw Marcus' eyes soften as he watched him laugh and he suddenly felt self-conscious.
Lawrence isn't used to being hit on. He is a recluse, rarely interacting with the other gods and not visiting the mortals unless absolutely necessary. When he did feel the need for pleasure, he sought out a god to relieve himself. Now that he has Connor, he hadn't really thought of another. Though he will admit the new dynamic between him and his brothers also satisfy his desires now. Still though, he was stunned by Marcus' reactions to him, though flattered.
He took a deep breath and pushed his thoughts to the back of his mind. He went back to the conversation at hand, "Currently the fire is still ongoing. But once it has been extinguished, I can call on you."
"I'd like that very much," Marcus smiled again and lowered his eyes briefly to take in Lawrence's legs. He looked back up and was met with a knowing look and a cocked brow. He cleared his throat, "Well then...I'll wait to hear from you," he touched Lawrence's arm and rubbed it, feeling the strength there, "I'll see you later," he turned and left with a smile on his face.
Lawrence closed the door and when he looked at his brother he was sitting in the middle of his bed with a frown on his face. Lawrence chuckled, "What is that expression!"
"He was hitting on you."
"I'm aware," Lawrence smiled and walked over and sat on the edge of his bed, "don't tell me you're jealous?"
Bartholomew reached out and placed his hand on Lawrence's face, "No, I just don't know anything about him. Besides what would Connor say?"
Lawrence was touched, he knew Bartholomew was protective of Celeste, but he rarely saw him be that way to him. He turned his head and gave the palm a kiss, "I don't think he was that serious. I think he was just flirting. Harmless."
Bartholomew let out a deep 'hmmm' in suspicion, but it just made Lawrence laugh.
The time came when Lawrence had to go to the mortal realm to start the rebirthing process of flora and insect species that had been rendered extinct by the fire but were important to the ecosystem.
"Why don't you bring other extinct animals back?" Marcus was asking as he walked beside him. Marcus was wearing cargo pants and a tee shirt, both of which were straining to contain his musculature. He truly did rival Bartholomew in bulk.
"Because the humans never notice the butterflies, but they'll know a bird is back that they destroyed. The bigger the animal the trickier rebirth becomes."