#adamxthomas

[cryptid-killjoy]

The gift shop's fault. Making a big fuss over nothing. The establishment. See? This was why Flotsam loved Thomas's mind. There were ways they thoughts quite alike sometimes and when it happened everything felt more in sync than a boy band. Life was good.

Flotsam spent so much time gazing into Thomas's blue eyes he nearly forgot he had one of his own even with all his identical copycat children.

There was never a time Thomas helped with a clasp Flo's mind didn't go back to the first date no matter how many times he did it. This time was no different. Even as their mind went back it didn't stop them from feeling the heat off Thomas's body while he was so close even with all the watchers around this time. They weren't alone. It wasn't quite as intimate, but he still got a hint of that feeling, enough to have to catch a small moment of closing his eyes. Then he'd open another button and press the large jewel against his skin.

Immaculate.

Instasmile.

There his husband went with the adjectives again.

Flotsam had more fun admiring Thomas as he listened to Silvain run on about Pablo Escabar's poor hippos wondering if he sits around reading thesarouses just for compliments or if he's truly inspired and they just pop out of him every time.

"Me? Ideas? Never. I try to use my brain as little on vacation as possible."

Did Flotsam want a hippo? Not really. He was just referring to the Christmas song and thought it was funny.

"But if Figaro or the Rescue Rangers find out about the rampant hippos New Zealand or Feral may have some issues. I don't know." He put his hands up though and pretended to wash them and slung them dry. "If it happens my hands are clean of this. I'll know who to blame." He pointed at the pale one.

Adam sniggered.

Then Flotsam rose a brow. "Okay or maybe you." It was clear Adam liked to stir things up.

Once Trinity came and took the pair along back home Flotsam almost the missed the pair and wished she hadn't come either.

"I'll be sure to send him your love. He appreciates that, you know." Trinity called back as she was walking the pair around a corner that would have them casually disappear without drawing attention.

"Not sure I'll mind too much if Caim wants us to have them along again sometime. I think I like them. I should have known I would if he's a Bastien's sort. We were a little busy with the museum to get to know them too much. But, yeah... pretty okay, yeah?" He asked making his way into his usual side of the passenger's seat.

"He referred to his own tragedy. I think I'll ask him more about that next time."

Then he realized they still had the emergency pack Caim gave them with the antivenom and Adam's meds along with everything else they'd crammed into the stroller in the back of the car.

He texted Caim who had in his phone listed Adrian Marius his current most used earth alias. Flotsam was an earthly guy. His go to was still technology despite all the friends on the other side lifestyle he'd learned from his papa. Caim said the fastest way to find him was pray, but Flo was texting okay? It was just instinctual.

"Oh, and Caim says to just keep the pack. He's got more. It'll be nice to know there's one everywhere he visits."

That made Flo smile a little more. "Guess that means we're getting a good review over there and they're allowed to come back. I think we passed."

Stealing from gift shops had kind of become their thing. Had he ever paid for the rings that they used for their ceremony at the aquarium? He couldn’t even remember. It didn’t matter a goddamn thing though, they came through in a pinch. And if people didn’t make such a big deal over nothing, they wouldn’t be having to hurry out through the gift shop, taking a couple of things, and he could have spent time in showing off that well-used credit card. So it was the museum’s own fault, really.

The necklace would look amazing pressed against that clavicle, whether it was Flotsam’s or Valerie’s. They both deserved to wear beautiful things, that’s what Thomas thought. So it barely occurred to him to wait for Valerie. It was both of theirs. He just wanted to be the one to secure the clasp and see it sparkle, matching Flo’s one blue eye.

“Only if you want ta,” He said, focusing more on his thick fingers with the delicate little clasp. They made these things so tiny. “Probably best if you do, this thing is going to shine.”

He got it without too much trouble, making sure that it was good and secure around his husband’s neck. No matter how small the clasp, he’d always get it, no matter how much work that he put into it. Then eagerly, he moved around to Flotsam’s front so that he could see it, hanging down over the exposed skin. “Immaculate.”

“That does sound like a tragedy,” Thomas said. He hadn’t known this story and was caught onto every word of it. Private menageries - they had one of their own and now he had his own thoughts about who would take care of it if something were to happen to his family. Poor Balrog, swimming circles alone for the rest of eternity, already dead.

“Are you getting any ideas, love?” He teased Flotsam slightly, since they did have a skill for collecting strange pets, and a hippo wasn’t entirely out of the realm of possibility. Hard to manage, hard to get but - not surprising.

And them a magical blonde, of course. Their babysitting duties had come to an end, it seemed.

Thomas grinned as he heard the exchanges between his new friends and Trinity. Adam really did sound like a kid that was getting dragged away from a playground, he couldn’t help but find it endearing. They really were well liked, weren’t they? They were becoming like the fun friends.

“Hey, it was a great time, thanks for coming with,” Thomas said with a wide grin to Adam and Silvian. And it had been. Of course, he and Flo and the triplets would have managed to have a fantastic time with themselves but .. these two added a little something extra to the experience. Made it .. more unforgettable.

“Yeah, give him our love back,” He said, putting an arm around Flotsam’s waist casually, hand on the handle of the stroller, giving Trinity a smile. He agreed with Flotsam - there was something increasingly funny about this whole thing. About this whole day, actually. It was one that he’d remember fondly.

[theseanrps]

▼+ reverse Adam for your choice of muse

Adam smiled as he sat on Thomas’ lap. “Did you have fun at the party tonight?” He whispered, alcohol faint on his breath. “Are you planning to have more fun now?”

[cryptid-killjoy]

"Couldn't agree more." Adam said. Humans. Bah.

Silvain shirked. He had a bias against demons more, but he had his reasons. Adam understood. Caim was his exception to the rule. Even that was a shakey relationship.

"Oh good. I got worried." Flotsam grinned.

He got worried it ruined the shot. Of course this was Flotsam's big worry. He saw right away his children were safe. Thomas was soothin his son down. He cared notta for the person on the floor or the consequences thereof. Just did they get the shot? That's all that mattered. Thomas was love and a genius phone director. He did!

"I love you."

He let out a big sigh of appraisal and eyebrow quirk of mishcheivous love. Thomas seemed to think it was time to go.

"You sure? You don't want a go first? Just a quick snap?"

Oh Flotsam.

He'd wait for Thomas's answer and get a pic of him on the stair if he so thought they could spare the time.

"Make haste." Silvain said but as he did so quite deliberately stepped away making sure to mess with the electronics in the next room. He waved them on like a distraction trying to keep any watchers blind as they moved along.

Straight to the gift shop at that point not testing more waters. Adam headed straight for the exit as he had blood on his mouth. Silvain went for the list of shopping he had memorized in his head and as much as Flotsam would have enjoyed browsing he figured he better stick with Caim's kid. He wasn't about to let him get accidentally picked up by coppers in a country he didn't know anything about. Flo wasn't even in the mood to deal with that. But, he had one hand on the stroller bar and one hand in his pocket ready to pull zombie dust in case anything were to go down. But, somehow by the seat of their pants they'd skim this one just barely without being questioned while people were busy flocking to the person's side for medical care. Their little Titanic tourism party was skipping out. They saw all the good stuff by then anyhow.

Outside the amazing and bizarre geometric building Silvain would finally catch up to them with a bag of goodies for everyone. This would include those hearts of the ocean Valerie wanted, books for Thomas, all sorts of goodies.

"We did Titanic. One more tragedy collected. It really is one of my favorites."

Adam gave him a little nudge seeing how happy it made Silvain to have gotten to go. He knew this was a big deal that Caim let them come together and wouldn't have if these two didn't say yes. So, Adam added his own thanks, "Yeah, thankssss again for bringing usss. Letting usss come along."

Flotsam gave them the no problem nod as they kept walking trying to put as much distance between the building and them as possible just in case. The pictures on the staircase were no longer an issue. A chimera boy biting a guy with venom and down for the count however? The guy nearly ruining their photo moment and upsetting Stark. Flotsam did not leave any of Caim's antivenom behind. Maybe Thomas found mercy for the poor guy, but it didn't cross Flo's mind. He was just glad Adam did it before Stark changed.

That said he was very thankful for Adam and he was rather curious of the pair. Flo knew he was supposed to call for them to be picked up after the museum, but a little part of him wanted to thank them proper. Something. Maybe it was silly, but he saw a street vendor selling Blaa, whatever the Hell that was. So, he offered up to hang a little longer by the car and have some Blaa as a thank you for intervening help with the kids. Flotsam ordered his with bacon always and ever with a faint thought of Zeke in the back of his mind when he did it.

Flo noticed Silvain bending down and playing with the kids while he ate his instead of standing up to converse with the adults. Ever taking notes on people. It made him think back to the first time he saw the guy and Bastien was there. They acted like they knew one another. Valerie's life had been so busy having children and more. She hadn't had time to stop and think or put anything together. So, as their day winded down and there was no museum to distract he started a conversation as they ate their Blaa near the car.

"How do you know Bastien Bellerose?"

"Oh, we were in hospital together. Asylum."

"Oh, I see. Were you there at the same time as Robin Hood?"

"No. It wasn't the same one."

"Oh, okay. Noted." Noted Bastien's been through a lot. Apparently so has this guy. Damn. "Small world though. We all meet again."

"Yeah, I was happy to see him." Silvain kept focusing on the kids as he spoke down making faces at them.

"You're good with kids."

"I like kids."

"He like kids a lot." Adam rolled his eyes as if it was annoying.

Silvain noticed and rolled his right back and said, "They're the only ones that weren't afraid of me. Especially in my last transformation when I had no human-like form to phase to. They were all I had when it came to the human world. Humans feared me. But not children. They liked to play."

"I know. I know. Well, you have a humanoid form now." Adam groaned as if he needed to let it go. But, that was a grudge he couldn't let go of, not after what happened with the demons and the Silver Bridge.

Flotsam's brows furrowed in. He was connecting dots. Everything in him wanted to ask a thousand questions but also didn't want the guy to feel like he was under an interrogation. "I thought you were going to say the circus or something like that since Caim mentioned you have an act."

"Nope. We do have one though. Adam's the knife thrower. I'm the target. It's side show work when Caim lets us and Adam's up to it. He has his good days and bad days."

"Today'ssss a good day." Adam chimed in. "I play bassss in my dad'sss Fabulousssss Freak Show Band too. I know tthe name is corny. But, it fitsss the show. We only play for Dad'ssss magic bird show. You guysss should ssssee it sometime. Have you ssseen it?"

Thomas was cheesing it up, big smile. He couldn’t help it. Just seeing those chubby little baby arms coming out, pretending to be some sort of airplane. He couldn’t even attempt to be stoic and cool in that moment. Big grin, little tooth gap on display, crinkly dad eyes. He was loving this.

Even if Flotsam had been joking when he told their new friends to watch the children, protect them at all costs, Thomas was behind him, giving them a nod to show that he was serious about it. Protect those kids. Never know what could happen - an airplane could fall from the sky and crash land on them, active shooter that for some reason Thomas and Flotsam don’t notice first. Figaro could probably come up with a hundred and one horror-movie like scenarios. Those three come first.

Silvian got it.

With that done, he could focus on his husband now.

That goofy smile came right back, the seriousness melting off of him like sweat in a sauna. “Quite dapper, actually. The bowtie suits you.” Combined with the suspenders, it really was a whole look. DiCaprio who? Never heard of him. Flotsam Laveau was Jack Dawson now, with a better haircut, and way better at spitting too.

As if they were back in time, Thomas didn’t pay attention to the rest of their surroundings. Any of the security people. They didn’t exist in 1912. The only modern thing was the phone that was in his hand, recording everything. He stepped up a couple of steps, not going all the way up yet, camera tilted up towards Flotsam in that flattering angle, catching every swift motion in that turn, and then the grin. So focused, so blown away by the clock and the stairs and Flotsam’s entire being, it wasn’t until the moment was ruined - the thudding sound - that he realized anything had been amiss. And then it all hit him at once.

The smell of this security guard or whatever it was, lingering so close to his children. Silvian really had been the man for the task.

“Humans - the worst kind of people,” Thomas tutted, climbing off of the stairs and going to his children. He picked Stark up from the stroller and cradled him close to try to soothe his anger. But he did look towards Flotsam and the grin came back. “I got every second - and it’s sure to be good shots since they’re of you,” He winked. He stepped over the body on the ground, and then gave an appreciative nod towards Adam and Silvian. He already liked them but respect just went up ten points.

But there was the problem of the body. “Kinda doubt that we’ll get away with putting him in a chair and pretending he’s a mannequin. So - we should probably go.”

[cryptid-killjoy]

No one. Absolutely no one.

They were going to be atrocious parents annoying to the most beloved degree. Beautiful.

Flotsam shook his head. He didn't know why he didn't think Thomas would naturally want to be up there too. Grin spread like a Cheshire Cat on the side of the moon.

Christmas was going to come quick. It always did when the holiday season hit. It was like a marathon of events after July 4th to Flo with so many birthdays and holidays during the last half of the year. There was something to be said about the slow peace of spring and lavender scents simply to not be doing much at all. Easter felt like the lull. It was the only good thing about New Zealand and the seasons being backwards to Valerie's state of heart. When the lull would hit the fall colors would be outside again and match the feeling of the lull. The peace. It was the one time she put pastels in her home when the world outside was exactly what she actually loved. What a contradiction. Pastel pinks and blacks. Pink goth Easter was love. Oh Valerie. But, maybe they could take some of their pictures from today and turn them into cheesy ornaments for their Christmas tree. Best bet the Laveaus had a big ol' tree every year with loads of homemade ornaments.

Flotsam was spreading his arms out like an airplane hoping the kids would copy him. He even made airplane sounds like when they tried to feed them even though made no sense right now, but it sure worked. He'd boop them on the nose and them flap his arms getting them to giggle.

"SCORE!"

He'd call it out every time they got a decent one or a funny one. These pics were adorbs.

When this entertainment was done Mission First Class was deployed. They might have been in charge, but Flotsam decided chimera and the mothman was up for the task of watching the three kids while strapped into the stroller for this one.

Flotsam would say, "If anything happens, protect the children at all costs." As if this was a real dangerous situation. It just made it more fun to pretend it was. He knew the worst that would happen was someone would ask them to leave or get down, but still.

Adam hissed back, "Yes ssssir" even though he was chuckling taking the whole thing like a game.

Silvain's back straightened up and put his arm across Adam to cut off his laughter like it was an important moment. "Always do. You have the right man for the job."

Flotsam tilted his head noting how serious Silvain seemed with his answer even though Flo was just playing around. He couldn't imagine that was a bad thing, but figured there was a story behind that tone. Something in his tone made him think he was the right guy for the job for real if he had been serious. For now Flo gave him a salute off the top of his head, like alrighty then.

Up the stairs.

He looked at Thomas. He looked at the staircase. He looked down at himself and straightened his little bowtie. He straightened his jacket. "How do I look?"

He ran his hands through the sides of hair after and marched like he was on the beaches of Normandy and there were certainly no ropes about to block his pathway.

It only took a moment, seconds really to walk up there, but each step was a breath waiting for an alarm to sound, or nosey security person to cough at them, and remind them what ropes were for, or to read the signs.

He pushed the ropes aside. He made it to the top. He walked to the back by the doors so he could feel like he was making an entrance from that first class level of the ship. He heard footsteps entering the room down where Adam and the rest were. He stayed focused. Whatever they said he tuned it out. He wasn't going to let them ruin his moment.

Damn, the replica of that angelic clock. Fine craftsmanship never failed to catch his eye. He stood admiring it and ignoring what was behind him tuning out the intruder momentarily. He turned his head slightly. His hands were casually in his pockets much like Jack when he finally turned to look back Thomas. He was playing it up to some extent. He wanted that picture/video, however Thomas was rolling it.

Then he made that full turn.

Now while Thomas and Flotsam were playing Grand Stair Case there was another dynamic going on. Yes, Flotsam was doing the thing where he was ignoring a small threat to his happiness knowing he was being reprimanded for breaking a rule, but his body still changed. His heart still raced a little, things like on the inside. Stark and the girls were attuned to this. They were very close to their parents being the little wolves that they were. It was very proven Stark was the jumpiest day one with Thaddeus. Silvain being the bug he was could feel the slightest of vibrations and told the person that came in, "I wouldn't do that" as he approached.

The man even smiled at the child in the stroller and reached forward like he was going to pat it's little head before going to speak to his parents. It wasn't like they were stealing the stairs. They probably even had people try this off and on because exactly, who wouldn't want to walk on the stairs?

A few seconds after Flotsam's turn as he was smiling as debonair as he possibly could at Thomas unable to not smirk at the end he heard a thud that pulled his attention. He finally looked over at the others.

Silvain said, "I tried to warn him."

Then Adam said, "Stark was going to shift if I didn't bite him."

Flo's eyes widened as he scanned the scene noticing the guy who was there to tell them to get down was now face down on the floor.

Silvain would verify. "He's right. I could feel it."

Flo processed that real quick. Bug guy could feel Stark was going to shift because he perceived a threat. Snake guy bit the threat to get rid of threat so Stark wouldn't shift in public and give them all away. Human down for the count with snake guy's venom.

"People never listen. Story of my life. Thanks."

He looked back over at Thomas and his phone.

"Did you get a good shot?"

What's important here is important.

OBVIOUSLY they were the cutest couple in the planet. Who could ever compete with them?

He was prepared to take pictures of Flotsam beside whatever he wanted. Same with the triplets, who wouldn’t remember this trip, or understand anything that they were standing beside but one day - one day Thomas and Flotsam could say, oh the Titanic? Yeah, got a picture of me holding you near the dead musician’s instruments. And then Thomas could recite some ramble from the museum tour because these things tended to stick inside of his head, and then the kids could regret asking because they got their ‘da on a long-winded spiel again, whoopsy.

There it was indeed. Thomas didn’t know that this was in here but - of course it was. And it was damn stupid that it was closed off to the public, who wouldn’t want to have their own Jack and Rose moment on those famous stairs?

“What, you think I’m not going to come up there with you?” Thomas asked. He wanted to get all the best pictures of Flotsam, and that would include some closeups. Maybe Flotsam was a bit like Jack. He was certainly fun. Not at all uppity but he and Valerie could fit in with the best of them if they wanted to. Music was his art. They enjoyed the high life on occasion, like going to the theater, but give them a pub with some beer and unrestrained dancing - that was the shit. That was the real fun.

Oh yes - and the front of the ship too. That was equally as important.

They were going to have so many photoshoots today, their camera storage never knew what hit them.

He helped to take pictures of Adam and Silvain as well, just so that they would have back up pictures in case of technological troubles. His screen didn’t seem to be acting out though, so he was hopefully that these images were going to turn out. Maybe he’d have to get them printed nicely and frame them, just so that they’d have a physical copy rather than rely on technology. Christmas wasn’t far away.

And then Flotsam had one of the best ideas that he had ever heard.

“I’m in,” He said, and he swooped two of his little girls from the stroller. All chubby little arms and dark hair sweeping over their foreheads. He had to do this, to hold them both, one in each arm and glance stoically like they were out on the sea. He remembered his time out there, he remembered the feeling rather well. He climbed on up with his little girls. “Come on, show em how to spread their arms love, they’ll do it if you do,” He grinned.

And then of course, when that was done, and he put the girls inside of the stroller to be safely carted around once more, he held his hand out to Flotsam. "Shall we be kings of the world?" He offered. He wanted to do it with Flotsam too. Even if their phones failed, and no pictures were taken, he wanted to experience it with him.

[cryptid-killjoy]

Flotsam would hope so, loved them the same, at least as they needed anyhow. Loving them equally in the heart was a given to a parent. At least it seemed like it should be in Flotsam's mind.

But, what really got to Flotsam was some of Thomas's glances. There was something different about today. He wasn't sure what it was, but it was. He felt twelve for a moment like he was on a first date, but it made no sense. He was pushing a stroller hand in hand with his husband. Dear Loa Heavenly Host. Had they really become the cutest couple on the face of the planet? Flotsam noticed their reflection in the display cases. Glass was everywhere and he thought, yep, they sure fucking were.

There was something so secure in this feeling. When did he become the person anyone entrusted anything to? Lead a tour, babysit, whatever? He and Thomas were in charge. So wild. Since when was Flotsam Laveau responsible? These were the sorts of questions going through his head as he secretly watched their reflection more than objects inside the display... or maybe not so secretly if Thomas could hone in on what he was focusing on through their eyes. Thomas might be the only one to be able to notice though.

Then there went Thomas quoting Oscar Wilde of all authors in his mind. If he would have said it out loud how delighted Flotsam could have been. The sarcasm king of wit. That was Flo's poet.

However it was Dickens that went through his head when he saw all this. This was one author Flo knew well. Too well. Broodily well. He didn't say it out loud either, but for different reason. “Happiness is a gift and the trick is not to expect it, but to delight in it when it comes.” Charles Dickens wrote this and Flo remembered feeling gray that day like happiness was always just out of reach. He took that in his soul like a blanket of fool's hope of his own. All he had to do was stop believing life would be okay and maybe some good would just rain down from the sky out of nowhere.

It was like another wording of Eeyore's, Never to expect anything and one will never be disappointed. But, Flo didn't want to simply not have added sorrows. He wanted actual happiness. But, he tried to talk himself into letting it go. He was always scared just knowing the quote would jinx it. He thought to himself as he looked at this place these people never got to delight in happiness again. Every single one of them were probably expecting it on the other end of their voyage.

It was ironically not so long after his study into Dickens that Thomas asked Valerie to marry him. It was a secret reason she adored his fool's hope all the more, but she couldn't say so, or it would jinx her expectations she tried so hard to keep non existent. But, it lived inside Flotsam.

Then Flo laughed. He liked the morbid jokes. 'Life was too important to take too seriously' as Oscar Wilde might say. So, on through the museum the group went.

Flotsam stopped by the violin case. He did take a moment there. The deaths of all these people didn't really have a big emotional toll on Flo or anything as tragic as it was. But, thinking of the musicians who kept playing when the ship was going down, he liked that. He wanted Thomas to take his picture by that. Anybody who's facing death and just keeps rocking out to the very end had Flo's respect. Those were the sort of questions he liked to ponder. Would he sing in those last moments if he were alone?

As they kept going on he finally saw what he brought that bowtie for and his whole face lit up. "There it is!" His excitement got the better of him and his patent leather feet were tapping as he reached in his pocket to get ready.

Adam was all, "There is what?"

Silvain's pale face would grin realizing where they were too. Who said there wasn't going to be a little movie magic in here?

There was a full replica of the grand stair case and damn it was beautiful craftsmanship. No, not just grand stair case, but he wanted to stand on the First Class stair case like low class Jack in his bow tie.

Now it was very clear by the ropes no one was allowed up there, but Flo was determined this was his big want for the day.

"Okay, so when I get kicked out of here Valerie wants heart necklaces from the gift shop because this is going to happen. My low class feet are walking up those stairs. Can you get this pic for me, Love? I need it?" He was looking around and mostly staring up at the top envisioning himself in that world of bullshit elitism. He had a lot of baggage in his head coming from so little in the swamps. He didn't like lines. He was definitely going to cross them even if it was just for a pretend staircase.

Then Silvain pointed out one other spot he might not want to miss first.

"Well, don't let anyone kick you out before you get a pic there. Take some of me and Adam there like in the movie first."

It was the front of the ship.

Okay, Silvain was right. Flotsam did not want to miss out on that spot. He also realized right then and there he really liked this Silvain guy just because of his wording. Don't let anyone. Let anyone. The guy realized if they were to get kicked out it was because Flo let them kick them out instead of going full force on anyone. It was nice being with people who got they had the ability though. Finally, people who respected them again. He hadn't had that in awhile. Everyone was always against Flotsam Laveau except the camp. Yeah, he liked this guy a lot the more he watched him. He held the camera to get pics of Adam and Silvain taking turns being in front pretending like they were sailing in the head winds of the real Titanic. They were being goofy about it just hoping one or two out of the masses being taken would come out considering Silvain's electronic issues.

Flo however would ask Thomas to hold up the kiddos. "Oh please, please, please. You have to let me get pics of you holding Wren and Dove up there with their little chonky arms stretched out." He was laughing because nothing would be cuter than having pics of their Daddy doing that with them when they were older. That was the part that almost made her want to come as Valerie this day, but she could have cliche any day. This was more fun, special, the precious moments.

Not that either of them really needed the ego boost but they were definitely giving it to themselves anyway.

“Fucking right,” Thomas said with a grin. Flotsam could design it, Dale could probably work some metal into the shape of it, it’ll be a big, beautiful family thing. He was so up for something like that.

He would have to get some real nice paper. The parchment kind. Thick. Weighty. Get one of those really fancy pens too. He didn’t have much to say to anyone save for Flotsam and Valerie, and his kids, so he’d write them grand letters. Put some in a box for the triplets until they’re old enough to read them and find out more about their parents in Thomas’s own handwriting. He liked that idea a lot, actually.

Thomas really did love them equally. He took care of them the same. That’s just the kinda guy that he was. A natural caretaker guy. A fix it guy. They didn’t have their tickets in advance? He fixed it by buying them right there and then, swiping that credit card for the millionth time in the past couple of years. And there wasn’t the least bit of trepidation to showing his husband affection in public, arm around the waist as they pushed the stroller, watching over their two guests, enjoying the feeling of staying close.

He would take one of the tour things though. He was a fucking nerd, through and through. A chance for more information, yes please. He’d still be reading all the plaques to himself, crouching down low to tell some of the more interesting tidbits to the triplets, as if they could understand, as if they would remember. But hey, one of the best ways to learn is to teach, that was coming in handy. He was teaching these three everything.

Course he had no judgment about the S’s. Actually, he thought it was kind of cool. The whole lisp sounding thing. He used to try to listen to if Frank had one because of his tongue but the guy didn’t speak much to him, it was hard to tell.

But he looked at the tablet too. “Ahh, that’s a shame. You don’t get to know the joys and tribulations of mobile gaming,” He said, trying to make a bit of a joke. This was all good stuff to know though. Things go well, they’ll probably be spending more time with these two. They were the trusted babysitters now after all. Tablets, phones, lights, he was going to keep that in mind.

The room with all of the exhibits was gorgeous. History surrounding them, and yet … and yet -

There was Flotsam, looking fucking gorgeous. All this information around that they were paying to get, and his eyes kept flickering over to his husband like he was a boy with a crush. The way that the collar of his shirt was open, just teasing a little bit of chest flesh that Thomas wanted to run his tongue over. The dandy shoes. He didn’t even know about the bowtie yet but that was going to blow his mind. He did look a little bashful whenever he got caught and oh,would he ever get caught, especially because after two seconds of looking away, his eyes would be right back on him.

He did chuckle at Flotsam’s idea though. Things like that tended to happen at Hobbiton, where he knew everything off by heart. Knew things the official tour guides didn’t. Was a lot more passionate about the place too than the tour guides were because it wasn’t a job. So it wouldn’t have surprised him if people just started following around like he was a group leader. He had those kind of vibes, apparently. “Yeah, fuck that. Looks like Silvain enjoys the reading anyhow.”

One hand on the stroller, one hand in Flotsam’s, holding it playfully like they were on a first date or something. It was fun, still having those butterflies and those nervous ‘Will he like me if I do this’ sort of feelings. Kept him feeling young when the grays were starting to come in. Love never changes for some people, no matter what age.

The furniture was … not as inspiring as their tour of the old castle. There, at least, he thought about a bed with posts that he could handcuff his spouse to. Or be handcuffed to himself, he wasn’t particularly picky. Maybe the chaise lounge could be a good idea. With green velvet rather than this froufou shit. He could imagine Valerie laying on one with a microphone, singing in that Amy Winehouse like tone of hers. Now that’s a goddamn idea. Put that on his ever lengthening ‘to-do list’.

But damn. The movie had done a good job to show the difference in classes, but seeing it in person and not just on a screen was something else entirely. “Yeah, and if that’s the last bed that you sleep in before you die - phwoah,” He said, shaking his head. He thought of Oscar Wilde’s last words, actually. ‘The wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. One or the other of us has got to go.’ The wallpaper won that battle. These beds won the one against the third-class.

And then another startling realization into the lives of demons, of course they lived the high class lifestyle and just thought like that. Adam’s words had him chuckling, despite the morbidness. “Yeah, you’re right about that, love. I’d rather die in one of these rooms without having to worry about drowning because I got stuck under a heavy Chaise Lounge.”