(no subject)

[amistillenough]

Barnaby has been spending a lot of time with Greta and Daye. Often they're doing it in the penthouse, but sometimes they go down to their apartment. Sometimes they're just spending time together, but often Greta and Daye are helping him understand what he is now capable of. While they don't carry all of the same abilities, they have a few in common and want to help him understand these new parts of himself.

It's been strange for him if he's honest, but not bad. They've helped in learning how to both shapeshift into human and non-human shapes and that has been a true joy. He's gotten mostly comfortable with the cat shapes he takes on, but they've taught him how to explore other forms, and he enjoys those too. They've also let him explore taking on different human characteristics, mostly by letting him take on theirs as practice. More than once Todd or Mikael has walked in on two people shaped like Greta or Daye.

Today had them working at the apartment. It was a good time, and both of them were always so kind, but he found himself more worn out than usual and finally getting to go back to the penthouse was a relief. They hadn't pushed him any further than he wanted to go, the three of them had Barnaby build a mental connection with them as practice while they worked on the shapeshifting, so they saw when he was starting to get tired.

So, they both gave him kisses and sent him on his way. Greta told him to text them if anyone was interested in having dinner, and he gave both of them hugs and kisses in return before heading back upstairs.

He's listening to see if anyone is around, but he's already heading to Todd's room. He'll pivot if there's someone home though. If he's alone though, all he wants is to go under the bed for a little while and rest. And hey, if he does that, he can practice getting smaller to make that goal easier.

Comments

[deathisacard]

Barnaby can hear the sound of Mikael typing on his laptop in his office. The sound is soft, but there isn't much sound in the penthouse. While the elevator does give a soft chime when it arrives, Mikael doesn't call out. When he's working he trusts his partners will come to him if they want company. This is his little way of trying to keep some focus while working, but Barnaby knows he always enjoys the distraction of his people.

[amistillenough]

On hearing the typing, he pivots and goes toward Mikael's room instead. Peeking inside, he takes a quick look around before properly coming in. For a moment he debates going into the closet for a while, but instead, he sits down next to Mikael's chair and rests his head on his thigh. Closer is better, and he knows he doesn't need much more than that right now.

[undoneanddivine]

Mikael absently pets Barnaby's head before reaching a point where he can look away. When he does he smiles down at his partner. "Hey you."

[amistillenough]

"Hi," he says, his eyes closed and head somewhat bowed. "Can I get under the desk now? I wanted to wait until I wouldn't interrupt you." His tone is tired, and his body is slumped against his partner. The idea of being somewhere small and close to his people is the only thing he wants right now. There's the sense of that within the connection they share, as well as how worn out he feels.

As much as he loves Greta and Daye, and he does love them, he's very happy to be home again.

[undoneanddivine]

"You can," he says and turns so his partner can get under the desk. "Can I put my legs around you, and if I can would you prefer to feel fabric or my skin?"

[amistillenough]

"Skin, please?"

Removing his shirt, he makes his way under the desk, settling himself in a spot that will be comfortable for both of them. He already feels a little better and he can feel his body begin to relax.

[undoneanddivine]

Mikael gets up, takes off his pants, and retrieves a light and soft blanket that he puts over his legs and Barnaby when he sits back down. Then he gets his legs around his partner and settles in. "Comfortable?"

[amistillenough]

Scooting as close as he can, he nuzzles into Mikael's thigh, then leaves a light kiss there. Both being under the blanket and having his partner so close make him feel so much less heavy than before.

"This is good," he says, nuzzling him again. "I just got really tired before. I'm not sure why. I think I just really wanted to be home with you and Todd."

[undoneanddivine]

"Mm, I think you pushed yourself more than usual. Sometimes when we get far out of our comfort zones we need to go back to the familiar to recharge." He gently rubs his partner with a foot, since his hands are busy and there is a blanket in the way.

[amistillenough]

"Maybe," he says, closing his eyes for a moment and just enjoying the touch. "They didn't make me keep going or anything. I think Greta noticed I was tired even before I did." He laughs softly. "They didn't mind me ducking out or anything. It was actually kind of nice. I know they're both good, but I think I'm still getting used to them being as good as they are." He wriggles slightly, then gently rests his teeth on Mikael's thigh.

"I'm glad they're here though. They feel like they should be." After a moment, he adds, "Greta said to text her if we wanted dinner. I don't mind, as long as maybe they can come up here instead of us going downstairs."

[undoneanddivine]

"Would you like a dinner plan that has us all sitting around the livingroom tea tables?" Mikael always prefers the uncommon terms for things when he can find them. "Comfortable lounging with some food and warm drinks?"

[amistillenough]

"Yes please," he says and presses his face into his partner's leg. "That sounds like it'd be nice. Everyone being here sounds better than us being out right now."

He lifts his head and pokes out from under the blanket fto peer up at Mikael. "Can you tell everyone? I don't remember where my phone is, and I--" He pauses as he tries to sort out exactly how to put it. "I know I can tell people in other ways, but it feels like a lot to do right now."

[undoneanddivine]

"I'll coordinate with everyone, and we can find your phone when you feel ready for that." He smiles down at his sweet partner and strokes his hair.

[amistillenough]

His eyes close at the touch and he starts to purr. Everything feels a little bit better and the feeling of Mikael's hand in his hair soothes away things even more. He nuzzles into his hand, kissing his palm before he speaks.

"Am I keeping you from working? I wasn't trying to."

[undoneanddivine]

"Only and little, and it's fine." He runs his fingers through Barnaby's hair some more.

[amistillenough]

He goes still for a moment, then moves to push himself onto his knees. It lets him kiss hsi partner much more easily, and then touch his nose to his cheek. While he still feels bad about taking up his time, he reminds himself that Mikael is choosing to do this, something he would have had a much harder time doing when they first met.

"Thank you," he says with a smile. "You really do make me feel better. I can let you go back to work now, but I still might stay down here. I can keep you company until you're done."

[undoneanddivine]

"I would very much enjoy you staying down there. It's nice having you close when I work." Giving him another kiss he leans back a little so Barnaby will have an easier time getting back under the desk.

[amistillenough]

He makes a pleased sound and ducks back under. When Mikael is settled, he gets under the blanket again and starts to scatter a few kisses and touches of his tongue on his thighs. Not trying to distract him exactly, but simply wanting to give him something nice..

[undoneanddivine]

He hums with enjoyment before making himself focus on what he was doing again. It's easy to fall back into the rhythm of it, and feeling the presence of his partner makes it enjoyable.

He does take the time to send messages to Greta and Todd, telling them the plans for a dinner meal. Todd immediately starts organizing things to make something nice and enjoyable happen. Mikael quietly enjoys seeing Todd use his talents for people who love him.

[amistillenough]

Barnaby starts to purr again, his eyes closing as he does. Everything feels better, and after a long moment of consideration, he shifts his form so he can be feline and small enough to fit comfortably in Mikael's lap. Pressing against him, he continues his purring, occasionally mixing in nuzzles and little licks as well.

[undoneanddivine]

He is quite happy to cuddle his partner on his lap, petting his fur idly while doing what work needs doing. Then maybe a bit more than he strickly needed to do, because doesn't want to disturb his partner. It's not until one of his employees gently reminds him of the hour that he winds things down with a laugh.

"You," he says stroking Barnaby's head, "helped me stay more focused than anything. You can be proud of that."

[amistillenough]

At some point, he'd started to doze, completely at peace with the state of things. It actually takes him a moment to stir when Mikael speaks, and he looks up at him with an expression of sleepy confusion. A moment later though, he's sitting up, then balancing himself on his hind paws so he can stretch himself over his partner's front and over his shoulder. He touches their cheeks together and rubs his face against him, clearly pleased.

[undoneanddivine]

He rubs Barnaby's sides and nuzzles into his fur. "Should we go see what Todd has been up to?"

[amistillenough]

He wriggles against him at the suggestion, then gives him a lick against his cheek before getting down and taking on a human shape again. He doesn't bother with clothing for now, knowing it really doesn't matter. Instead, he focuses on offering both hands to his partner to help get him up.

[undoneanddivine]

He takes the offered hands and after standing up, draws his partner into an embrace. "I'm glad you're feeling better," he says and gives him a squeeze before letting go to start out into the livingroom.

Out there Todd has arranged pillows and blankets around the square tea table. One side has a larger space for the pillows, probably so people can lounge there away from the table.

Todd is moving quietly around the kitchen where he has set up plates, glasses, and mugs on the island.