Page 18 of Alder Woodacre and the Acorns of Affection (Amaranthine Interludes #3)
When he finally dragged upstairs for bed, Joe had honestly forgotten about Jarrah, but the sight of the little boy curled under his blankets put a smile on his face. “Biddie?” he quietly called. “Will you help me take care of Jarrah?”
She was there a moment later, snuggling close. But the sleeping squirrel-crosser had her fluttering to his side. Petting gray hair, she asked, “The same as what you need for Kip?”
“Yes, please. If you don’t mind?”
“Of course! It’s quieter if I do it.” And she was away again.
He carefully folded back blankets and brought out brushes. Out of habit, he checked the boy’s pads and claws. He had the same kind of back paws as Kip.
Biddie returned with a blue bucket and a stack of washcloths and towels.
The water steamed faintly in the chilly room, carrying the clean scent of oils that had been part of this routine almost since the beginning.
The fancy oils had been a gift from Jacques, who’d boasted considerable experience as a bedfellow.
Since Jarrah was from the same household, Joe hoped the scents would be familiar enough to reassure the boy that he was safe.
Everything was ready, but Joe hesitated to begin. “Is Kyrie in his room?”
“Yes!”
“Will you ask him if he has a fresh shirt for Jarrah?”
Biddie winked away, and a few moments later, someone tapped lightly on the door.
“Kyrie?” Joe asked.
“I am here.” The boy slipped into the room, a lavender hoodie hugged to his chest. “Do you need my help?”
“I’d be glad of your company.” He held up his hands. “Do you want to take over? He’s your brother.”
“I think you should continue,” Kyrie said seriously. “Jarrah took a liking, and you can encourage him toward greater attachment.”
“He seems like a real cuddler.”
“Usually, he dodges and hides from new people.”
Joe set to work, patiently divesting and wiping down, drying and dressing.
Eventually, Kyrie remarked, “You are good at this.”
“I have a squirrel-crosser of my own. Sort of. Kip needs the same things.”
Biddie reappeared with a mug of hot milk for Kyrie. He chatted with her for quite a while, explaining that one of his grandfathers was a tree … and asking them to please keep the secret. It was nice to learn that they had something more in common.
Joe tidied away the clothes and towels, and Biddie carried them off along with the bucket. Then came Joe’s favorite part. Brushing.
Kyrie helped him rearrange, and they sat together, leaning against the headboard, Jarrah draped against Joe’s chest. Then came a light rap, and Kip was there. “Heyyyy! Snuggle party!” he loud-whispered. “Room for one more?”
But then Anan shouldered through the door and glared.
Kip cleared his throat. “I know you probably couldn’t hear it through my wards, but there’s been a storm brewing.”
“Bedtime, little terror,” said Anan.
“Yes.” Kyrie yielded his place without a fuss and allowed his storm to hustle him away.
Kip came to sit on the floor beside the bed. “Do I look like that when I go deep?”
Joe simply nodded.
“So … hey.” Propping an elbow on the mattress, Kip gazed up at Joe. “About us. I’m really embarrassed right now. Like … how did I miss something so huge? I’m also sorta sick over the whole thing, because I hate the idea of hurting you.”
“You hardly ate anything at Swifty’s.”
“Symptom of a soul in turmoil.”
Joe offered another small nod, but … he wasn’t really after an apology.
“So … hey,” Kip repeated, still searching Joe’s face. “You’ve gotta know I love you.”
Sure, he knew that. Kip was a loving guy. He loved lots of people. But this? This wasn’t the same thing at all. Joe said, “It’s different.”
“It’s … yeah. I get that it’s different, but this began as a friendly sort of thing. Right?”
He couldn’t argue that.
Kip hunched his shoulders and cautiously asked, “Before. When you asked about squirrel traditions …? You were more than just curious. Do you really want to court me?”
“Would you let me?”
Very slowly, Kip answered, “I think I’d like that. Y’know … for a change. It might be nice, being the one someone wants. I’ve never been wanted before.”
Courting Kip. It wasn’t a small thing. And it probably wouldn’t be simple. But Kip was willing to try. So Joe rose to the challenge, nodded a third time, and said, “Okay.”