第 8 页

“Just now,” said Celegorm weakly, and straightened up. “I should…get to bed though, Makalaurë, I’m wiped…”

But Maglor blocked the door. “What happened? Why are you two fighting?”

“Nothing,” said Curufin smoothly, wiping all emotion from his face effortlessly. “We had an argument about something stupid, but we resolved it. Don’t hover, Káno.”

Maglor looked unconvinced, but too tired to press further. “You know mom’s going to be here in like an hour to drop the twins off.”

“I forgot.” Celegorm stretched wearily, exhaustion painting every line of his body.

If you hadn’t been gone for five days out of the past week, you might have remembered, Curufin thought, but bit the words back.

“Okay,” said Maglor, watching Celegorm thoughtfully. “I’ll wake you in an hour, yeah?”

“Sure.” Celegorm sloped out of the room, casting one last glance back at Curufin. Curufin looked away.

Maglor turned his attention to Curufin. “I know you won’t tell me anything about what that was,” he said, as Curufin opened his mouth to tell him to leave. “But just…is he okay?”

“He will be,” said Curufin, and crossed the room to shut the door in his brother’s face.

He just needs to learn how to stop loving that man.

* * *

Curufin came downstairs an hour later to find Maedhros and Maglor standing close together, talking in low voices.

“I said I’d wake him, but honestly, Maitimo, he looked like hell.”

“Should we let him sleep?”

“Mom’s going to want to see him, you know she jokes that this is her only chance to lay eyes on all of us.”

“Do you think – ”

They broke off as Curufin crossed into the kitchen. “Has anyone thought to make coffee?”

Maedhros pointed. “There.”

Curufin poured himself a cup and leaned against the counter, drinking it black as he listened to his brothers’ murmured conversation.

“Do you have any clue where he’s been?”

“No. But that’s not unusual. Remember when he vanished for a week in March and it turned out he was hiking the Presidentials with just a fannypack because some teammate of his made a bet?”

“Mablung.” Maedhros scowled. “Not ‘some teammate’, that same damned kid who – anyway. But yes, that’s exactly why I worry. He could have died of exposure out there.”

“As if. He came back having gained weight. He’s a force of nature, Maitimo.”

There was a crunching of tires on gravel outside, and Maedhros and Maglor looked up.

“They’re here,” said Curufin, and sipped his coffee.

“Káno, go wake – ”

“No need.” Celegorm was standing in the doorway in fresh clothes, his hair pulled back. He still looked tired, but he smiled as he propped himself against the kitchen table. “Look, I even beat Carnistir down here.”

Caranthir slouched into the kitchen as he spoke, scowling and in sweatpants. “It is the asscrack of dawn,” he said bitterly. “Why do they need the full welcome wagon?”

“It’s for mom,” said Maedhros, and pulled open the door.

Nerdanel laughed as she came into the house and saw her five sons waiting for her. “My brood! Awake and dressed, even!” She pulled Maedhros down until she could kiss him on the cheek. “Hello, lovely. I see you’ve been keeping them all in one piece.”

“More or less.”

“Come here, you bandits. Give me a kiss.” They drew around her, folding her into hugs and letting her scrutinize each of them in turn.

“Makalaurë, thank you for sending me that recording, it’s just what I needed in the studio. Tell Daeron his use of theremin is…unique. Moryo, you cut your hair! I like it. Very, ah, angular. Atarinkë, dear heart, congratulations on the summer fellowship. Your father and I are so proud. Tyelko,” she paused, taking his face between her hands, “you look strong. Still running with Irissë? But, love, you look so tired. Have you been getting enough sleep?”

“I’m fine, Ma,” said Celegorm, bending down to kiss her. “Where are the demons?”

“They’re – ”

The door banged open and the twins streamed into the house, arguing vociferously. “It wasn’t a garter snake, are you nuts? The pattern was all wrong.”

“Well, if you hadn’t jumped and screamed like a banshee we could have caught it, douche canoe, and then we’d know, wouldn’t we?”

“Oh, sure, and if it turned out to be venomous, that would be grand, huh?”

“Demons!” said Celegorm loudly, and held out his arms. “My god, you look terrible.”

They leapt on him then, pulling his hair as he laughed and rocked back under their assault.

“Quick, Pityo, find the snake, put it down his shirt.”

“Couldn’t do that to a poor little snake, Telvo, what if it bit him? It’d probably die…”

Celegorm pulled Amrod off with one hand while Amras hung onto his other arm. “Help, Moryo, take this one.”

“Nope,” said Caranthir, and yawned. “Make Curvo do it.”

“I have coffee,” said Curufin hurriedly, holding his mug before him like a shield.

“Wouldn’t be a fair fight, anyway,” said Caranthir speculatively. “Damn, Ambarussa, you’re as tall as Curvo now.”

Curufin glowered, but the twins grinned, pleased. “Dad says he bets we’ll pass Tyelko next.”

“Good luck, you little shits,” said Celegorm, and caught his mother’s eye. “ ’scuse my language. You could get as tall as Nelyo, I’m still going to be able to juggle with you brats.”

“Hah!” Amras leapt up and attempted to put him in a chokehold, but Celegorm just straightened up and tossed him over one shoulder.

“Valiant attempt, sweet child, but no dice.”

“You wait,” said Amrod, from across the room, where he’d perched on the counter next to Curufin and was stealing sips of his coffee. “Did mom tell you? We’re trying out for the club rugby team.”

“I’ve tried to use you as a cautionary tale,” said Nerdanel, who was leaning against Maedhros and watching the proceedings with fond exasperation. “To no avail.”

Curufin shot a look at Celegorm. His brother’s expressive face had closed off, and he lowered Amras carefully to the floor.

“That so?”

“Yeah!” Amrod kicked his feet against the cabinets and leaned one elbow on Curufin’s shoulder. “We’ll be able to take you on soon enough, Tyelko.”

“It’s a good thing you’ve never had that many brain cells to start with,” said Curufin, and snagged his coffee cup back from his younger brother. “Say hello to near weekly concussions.”

“Explains a lot about Tyelko,” said Caranthir, grinning.

“But yeah,” said Amras, socking Celegorm lightly on the bicep. “We wanted to ask you – what was the name of your coach? He used to play professionally, right? Think he could give us any tips?”

“Do you want to stay for breakfast?” Maglor broke in, turning to Nerdanel, and Curufin saw Celegorm exhale slowly. “We’ve got pancake batter in the fridge, and Moryo can actually make decent scrambled eggs these days.”

“I make great scrambled eggs,” corrected Caranthir. “You like Sriracha, right Ma?”

“I’m afraid I can’t stay,” said Nerdanel, sighing and squeezing Maglor’s hand. “The gallery needs me in – ” she held up her wrist to eye her watch, “merde, thirty minutes.”

“When’s the exhibit?” asked Maedhros, holding the door for her as she picked up her bag and keys and the rest of her sons trooped outside behind her.

“Next week, barring any catastrophes,” said Nerdanel. “And considering that there’s a rumor going around that Aulë himself will be there for opening night, I’m sure karma has something wicked in store for me. A broken statue, at the very least…”

“It’ll be great,” said Maedhros. “We’ll all be there, and – ”

“ – and we’ll keep Ambarussa on leashes to make sure nothing gets broken,” said Caranthir.

“Be good, all of you,” said Nerdanel, smiling, and dispensing final kisses. “Ambarto – where are you? You and your brother behave yourselves, okay?”

“What are you talking about, mom? We’re the most mature of the lot.”

“No buying beer for them,” Nerdanel hissed, and narrowed her eyes at Celegorm and Caranthir, who both attempted looks of hurt shock.

“Mother – ”

“We’d never – ”

“Don’t give me that look, I know you both too well. They’re fifteen, you’re not allowed to buy them booze until they’re at least eighteen. Maitimo, Makalaurë, don’t be afraid to – ”

“Use corporal punishment?” said Maedhros alertly. “I’m on it.”

“Exactly what I was going to say,” said Nerdanel, and smiled. She stretched up for one last hug and whispered, “Give my love to Findekáno.” As he looked down at her gratefully, she turned to the others. “I love you all. Take care of yourselves. Atarinkë, my beauty – let yourself have some fun, all right?”

She waved as she pulled out of the driveway, and they waved back.

“I had seven of you for a reason!” she called. “Look out for each other.”

“We’ll try,” said Maedhros, and pulled the twins close, one against each side.

Curufin shot a sidelong glance at Celegorm, who was leaning against the side of the house, exhaustion settling once more onto his face.

I’m trying.

Chapter End Notes

0. I know that making Vana a journalist doesn’t actually transpose from her role amongst the Valar. But frankly I get bored of the female Valar being consigned to growing things/sewing things/crying. There’s only so much you can translate that to in a modern context (they can’t ALL be professors of biology/grief counselors). So I’m going to say that Vana writes on environmental impacts pertaining to climate change in the Fertile Crescent. And fear not, she shall not be demonized as the evil wife who Comes Between Our Boys. I like her way too much for that nonsense.

These mornings don't last long

Chapter Summary

In which everything is totally plot-driven and not at all gratuitous (ahem) and we meet some of Celegorm's former teammates.

Chapter Notes

0. I endeavor to write plot. I do. But every time Fingon and Maedhros stray into my story I’m just like, “But wait. Consider this: Sex.”

1. I’m finally expanding my band of characters beyond Finwions. Gasp.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

The sun streamed in through the open window, and outside the birds were singing. It was truly an idyllic Sunday morning, Fingon thought sleepily, rolling over to spoon up behind Maedhros. Perfect for sleeping in and –

The door banged open and two speeding blurs leapt onto the bed.

“Jesus Christ!” Fingon ducked defensively as two lanky, redheaded figures landed on his feet. “What the hell.”

Maedhros simply turned over without opening his eyes, and reached out a long arm. He seized one of the invaders by the scruff of the neck and shook him lightly. “Ambarussa. Get. Out.”

“Aw, c’mon, Nelyo, you never see us.”

“You’ve missed us, you know it.”

“Aren’t teenagers supposed to sleep in on weekends?” Maedhros cracked an eye and glowered.

“I think you’ve been misinformed.”

“You must be thinking of losers, Nelyo.”

“Hey, Finno. Nice hair.”

Fingon pulled the blankets over his head. “How long have I been asleep? Did I somehow wake up twenty years in the future? Are these our children, Maitimo? What is happening?”

Maedhros sat up and tossed Amras easily off the bed. Amrod dodged the grab Maedhros made for him and pinched his feet through the blankets in retaliation.

“OUT!”

Amrod made a face. “Rude.”

Amras lay on the floor and crossed his arms. “See if we ever make you breakfast in bed, ass-face.”

“You never make anyone breakfast in bed,” said Maedhros, pinching the bridge of his nose. “And no, don’t even think about starting, I don’t trust you with a stove.”

“That was one time, dude, get over it.”

“Dad said the fumes weren’t even toxic.”

Maedhros buried his face in his hands. “Just leave, please. We’ll be up in an hour, okay?”

“Ooooh.”

“An hour? An hour of sweet lovemaking?”

“Tyelko says if it takes that long you’re doing something wrong.”

“Hah,” said Fingon, from under the covers.

“Leave.”

“Going! We’re going already. Geez.”

The twins trooped out and slammed the door behind them.

Fingon lay still, shell-shocked. Maedhros gazed down at him apologetically. “Sorry about that.”

“You couldn’t have warned me the demons were in town?”

“I tried to tell you last night, but you didn’t seem much interested in talking.”

“Yes, well, I had only two things on my mind.” Fingon grinned. “And one of them was sleep.”

Maedhros brushed his knuckles lightly against Fingon’s cheek. “I can’t believe you were working until midnight again. On a Saturday.”

Fingon rolled over to tuck his face against Maedhros’ shoulder. “Whose fault is that?”

“Your father’s?”

“Yours.” Fingon groaned. “I never would have been promoted if you hadn’t resigned.”

“You know I had to, Finno, it wouldn’t have been – ”

“I know, I know.” Fingon sighed. “Anyway.”

Maedhros kissed him to distract from the old argument being dredged up, and Fingon gave a happy murmur and wrapped his arms around his waist, rolling him over onto his back. “An hour, you told them?”

“55 minutes, now.”

“Pedant.” Fingon kissed Maedhros’ neck, making him shudder under him. “I’ll use 45 and allow ten minutes for cuddling.”

“I don’t know if I’ll even last 45,” murmured Maedhros, as Fingon nudged his thighs apart. “Finno…”

“Mmm?”

“Did you ask if Ambarussa were our children?”

“It was a joke, Maitimo,” said Fingon, wrapping his fingers into Maedhros’ hair and tugging his head back. His lips brushed Maedhros’ throat again.

“Do you actually think that in twenty years we might have two fifteen year olds?”

“Jesus,” said Fingon, and bit at Maedhros’ ear. “I must not be doing a very good job here if that’s what you’re asking me about.”

“I’m intrigued about other things, too,” said Maedhros, catching his breath as Fingon tugged one of his legs up around his waist. “Like - ah - what your other hand is doing. But – ”

“Of course we could have two kids in twenty years,” said Fingon, as Maedhros’ fingers dug into his back. “If we get married in the next five, we’ll have plenty of time to find a surrogate or adopt before you even qualify as an Old Dad.”

“I’m only three years older than you.”

“And your biological clock is ticking,” said Fingon briskly, doing something with his hand that made Maedhros gasp and buck against him. “Focus, Maitimo. I’m trying to accomplish something here.”

“I just didn’t know if you actually thought about us that way,” whispered Maedhros, and Fingon paused, gazing down at him with affection.

“Oh, Maitimo. My giant, beautiful idiot.” He leaned down and kissed him softly. “I’ve fantasized about my spending my life with you since I was seventeen years old. How could you not know this about me, after all these years?”

“I thought, maybe, after – ”

Fingon touched his cheek. “It was just one semester. We got back together.”

Maedhros closed his eyes. “I thought maybe you still didn’t trust me.”

“I trust you,” murmured Fingon, and started to move again, making Maedhros bite his lip to hold back a sound. “I trust you, I love you, I’m yours. Now shut up and let me make love to you.” He glanced at the bedside clock, and kissed Maedhros again, grinning. “We’ve only got thirty minutes left.”