Matesummer Monday: Lucian and JD (The long wait for a mate is over)

 

Stretching out a leg, Lucien winced at the pins and needles that rushed up and down it. The ears on his bunny slippers bounced as he wiggled his toes, his Brooks grinning at him when he’d first come down the stairs wearing them.

You’re adorable.

Not immature, or ridiculous. All things his grandfather would have called him if he’d seen them, which was why he’d never owned a pair before. He’d purchased them two days after his grandfather left, along with a pair of tye-died stuffed bunnies for the twins Zane was carrying.

His grand-pups, if the bond between him, Brooks and JD were truly to be cemented. Already there were more lines and more colors on both his wrists, bright silver star patterns on the one that meshed with JD, while the pattern he had from Brooks shimmered like golden glitter. He’d expected moving in to feel awkward, after all, Brooks kept odd hours depending on when council business was being held, while JD had spent his days up until then, helping to set up the garage, along side the bulk of the MC.

Now, he was rearranging the office, making more space for them to focus on their task. Every now and again, he’d glance over at Lucien and smile, as he carried more books out. The shelves were being moved to what had been a formal sitting room, one out of place with who Brooks was, but had been necessary for council business.

I’ve got chambers for a reason. The house is for us now.  

They all knew it might be temporary. That any rearranging JD did would have to be undone and packed up if Brooks couldn’t sway the council to at the very least, extend Lucien’s ability to remain on pack lands. Lucien was quickly coming to learn that Brooks always had a contingency plan and was looking at land to purchase outside of pack boundaries, and log cabin blueprints so they could get a basic shelter over their heads before winter if the worse would occur.

A quick glance at the clock showed it was a quarter until two, damn. Half a day wasted and no fresh clues.

“Ready to take a break?” JD asked as he picked up the empty bookshelf and walked off with it, revealing another patch of wall. Brooks had already brought home a huge dry erase board in addition to several corkboard that, from the looks of things, would be up before the end of the day.

“I think I could use some, and maybe a fresh set of eyes if you wouldn’t mind sitting with me while our food settles,” Lucien offered.

“I’d like that,” JD replied. “Give me a few minutes to set this down and I’ll pull something together for us.”

Since the kitchen had never been a place Lucien was fond of, he was more than happy to let JD come up with something, the wolf calling him to the kitchen twenty minutes later, savory, tantalizing scents assailing Lucien’s nose the moment he headed up the hall.

“I was expecting a sandwich or something, damn, how the hell did you pull this together so fast?” Lucien asked as he sat at the place JD had set for him.

“It’s all about timing. Pan searing the steaks first, then quickly sautéing the yellow squash and zucchini in one pan while the scallops cook in the pan drippings from the steaks. I can do it all over a campfire in one pan but saw no reason not to take advantage of this amazing six burner stove.”

“It smells delicious.”

“Thanks.”

Sitting across from his mate, Lucien took the opportunity to study him in between each bite. It dawned on him then that he didn’t know how old JD was, or much about him beyond his family name and where he came from.

His skin was like frost, hair as shimmering as stars on snow. It was like looking at an ice sculpture, only JD was warm, as Lucien had found out each time he’d tugged the unsuspecting wolf against his chest. Each time, he looked confused, scanning the room like he was expecting there to be some danger Lucien was pulling him out of the way of. Clearly, his time among the MC had him primed for danger and little else. The wolf kept his face hairless, unlike Brooks who sported a close cut, neatly trimmed beard and mustache. It really was like looking at the sun and moon to see them together, though it did make Lucien wonder what that made him.

“Oh yummmm,” Lucien remarked as the surf and turf melted on his tongue, so soft and juicy. He might have questions, but he sure as hell was saving them until after he’d eaten because swallowing that first taste was like a light switch to his wolf who snarled and demanded to be fed.  

Across the table, JD chuckled, smugly casting him a look that Lucien took to mean he was quite proud of himself.

“I didn’t realize I was so hungry,” Lucien remarked, letting out a belch that made his cheeks heat up.

“Can I ask a question I maybe shoulda asked a couple days ago?” JD said, a hint of hesitance reflected in his tone.

“Of course.”

“Do you prefer Lucien or Lucille?”

Shit. He shoulda known one of them would ask eventually. Sitting there, mouth half hanging open, the only thing he could think to do was shove another bite of food between his lips while he worked out an answer.

“Depends. Do you prefer Jake or JD?”

“JD, but, it isn’t the same. They’re my initials. I don’t want to call you something you don’t want to be called.”

“What if there are times when I want you to use one over the other?” Lucien asked pointblank, never breaking eye contact.

“Then you tell me when those times are until I know how to spot them myself.”

Blinking. Lucien felt a rush of warmth flood him, something JD seemed to cause without effort.

“I want to know you,” JD said. “Everything there is to know. I want the ability to make you happy, and if that means that there are signs and clues I need to learn so that I can give you everything you need from me, then I’m willing to learn them.”

Read the first chapter of swamp wolf here!