by C. W. Gray
Leo sniffed and hugged Flufflepuff. “You fail, Coleen. Flufflepuff is my friend and you’ve insulted her.”
Coleen rubbed her face. “And they call me the drama queen.”
“She’ll stay in the garage with me.” Leo turned on his heel and marched to the breakroom. He set Flufflepuff down and put his lunch in the fridge. He loved that damn spaghetti and hoped his siblings didn’t steal it. Italian food was a favorite in the Rocchi household. His dad’s grandparents were Italian and had passed down their love of food to each family member along with the Rocchi name.
“What you have there?” Leo’s dad, Jesse, asked over his shoulder.
Leo jumped, then spun around. “Leave my lunch alone.”
“You’ve been bringing in quality food for a while now,” Jesse said, eying him suspiciously. “Where are you getting it from?”
Leo cleared his throat. “I’d like you to meet Flufflepuff. She’s a friend of mine and will be visiting today.”
Flufflepuff tilted her head and watched Jesse. “Meow.”
Jesse made a face. “Does it have fleas? I don’t want fleas in the garage, Leo. Do you think we’d attract the fleas when we’re shifted?”
Flufflepuff’s green eyes narrowed.
Leo picked her up and stroked her head. “You’ve failed, Father. Flufflepuff is my friend and you’ve been very rude. Does she look like she has fleas?”
“Father? Since when do you call me Father?” Jesse rolled his eyes and shouted over his shoulder. “Katrin, your son is being weird!”
“Damn it, I can’t help that Leo is weird. He’s family, so deal with it,” Katrin yelled back. “I’m working on the books, so leave me alone.”
Leo shook his head, giving his dad a disappointed look. “I expected better from you.” He left the breakroom and went to his station. It was the furthest from the office. “I’m sorry, Fluff. I knew Coleen and Mom might be difficult, but I really thought Dad would at least say hi to you.”
He set the cat on top of one of his work tables, and Flufflepuff yawned and settled down for a nap.
Burkhart came in shortly after.
“Burk, this is Flufflepuff. She’s my friend and visiting for the day.” Leo waved to Flufflepuff.
Burkhart blinked at the sleeping cat. “Uh, hi?”
Leo smiled wide. “You pass, Burk. I always knew you were my favorite sibling.”
Thorwald yawned as he walked past. “Who’s the cat?”
“Flufflepuff,” Leo said, scratching her head. “She’s my friend.”
“Whatever.” Thorwald shrugged and went to his station.
“You fail, Thor,” Leo said, curling his lip. “You’re dead to me.”
Rosemarie stopped at his station. “Wow. That’s harsh.”
“Rosemarie.” Leo nodded at his sister. “This is Flufflepuff, a dear friend of mine.”
She reached out and let Fluff sniff her fingers before petting Sonny’s familiar. “Sweet cat. Does your apartment building let you have pets?”
Leo leaned over and kissed her forehead. “You pass, Rose. You’re my favorite sibling.”
“Hey,” Burkhart said, looking up from arranging his tools. “I thought I was.”
Leo opened his garage door and the first car pulled in for an oil change. “You both are. I can have two favorites.”
Rosemarie laughed and went to her station.
Leo was halfway through the first job when Niels ran in, tugging on his coveralls. “Neils! This is my friend, Flufflepuff.”
Niels gave him a bewildered look. “What? Are you high?” He looked at Flufflepuff. “Wait, is that cat wearing a sweater? Am I high?”
“You failed.” Leo shook his head sadly. “You’re dead to me. Go away.”
Niels shrugged and ran to his station. “You’re so weird.”
Leo finished the oil change, then took a second to pet Flufflepuff. “I’m sorry my family has treated you so poorly. You’re a good cat and a good familiar. You deserve better.”
“She’s a familiar?” Burkhart asked behind him. “Who’s her witch?”
Leo jumped, startled. “What are you talking about? There’s a customer waiting on you, Burk. We don’t have time for this.”
Burkhart eyed him suspiciously. “You are acting weird.”
Thorwald walked by singing a Bette Midler song at the top of his lungs, earbuds in his ears. Leo gave Burkhart a flat look. “I’m the weird one?”
Several oil changes and three tire rotations later, Leo wiped his hands on a rag and picked up Flufflepuff. “Lunch time, Fluff. I packed some treats so you won’t feel out of place.”
Rocchi’s Garage always closed from one to two so that everyone could eat lunch together. Time for test number two.
He walked into the breakroom and froze when all of his siblings turned to glare at him. “What?”
“What the hell was in that spaghetti, Leo?” Coleen asked, hands propped on her ample hips.
Leo shrugged. “Stuff that goes in spaghetti.”
“Dad ate it, then started kissing Mom,” Niels said, slightly green. “I mean like real deep kisses. I heard things and now I’m traumatized.”
“Dad ate my spaghetti?” Leo frowned, shoulders slumping. He’d been looking forward to his lunch.
“They’re having sex in the office,” Thorwald said, appalled. “We all know it. They know that we know, but they don’t care. What the fuck was in that spaghetti?”
“What makes you think it had to be the spaghetti?” Leo said, texting an order to the pizza place around the corner. He was hungry, damn it.
“He ate your lunch, then a second later we could practically see the hearts in his eyes. He went right for Mom,” Rosemarie said, shuddering. “She giggled, Leo. Giggled.”
“It’s nothing to worry about,” Leo said, face flushing. “Just a little spell to set the mood.”
Burkhart watched Flufflepuff in consideration. “Hmm, so you bring a spelled lunch to work along with a witch’s familiar who also happens to be your friend.”
Thorwald leaned forward, arms folded on the table. “We’ve scented the new man on you, Leo. We’ve just tried to be polite and not bug you about it. Are you dating a witch?”
Coleen’s eyes widened. “That’s it, isn’t it? You’re dating a witch. That’s wicked cool, bro.”
“I thought you wanted to settle down,” Niels said, looking confused. “Dillion was a douchebag, but you’ll find a nice omega bear one day.”
Leo almost bit his tongue off, but he managed not to strangle Niels. I’ve already found my nice omega mate. I don’t need a bear. I have my witch.
“Hey, there’s no harm in having a little fun before you settle down,” Thorwald said, laughing. “I’ve always wanted to date a vampire. I hear that when they drink from you during sex—”
Rosemarie covered his mouth. “No sex talk from you.”
Niels bit his lip. “It just seems like Leo really wants the whole settling down thing now, so it’s not smart to date a witch while you wait for your fated mate to come along.”
Coleen looked thoughtful. “You have a point. Leo, you shouldn’t be playing the field. You’re not a manwhore like Thor. You’re sensitive and caring. Look, I know a couple of omegas that I think you’d like. I’ve been holding off on matchmaking because I thought you were still recovering from Dillion, but clearly you’re ready to get back out there.”
Leo settled Flufflepuff on his shoulder and grabbed her treats from his open lunch box. “You all fail, big time. I’m eating lunch with Flufflepuff in my truck.”
A few minutes later, his pizza was delivered and he had the truck nice and warm. He gave Flufflepuff some treats and took a bite of his first slice before he dialed a number on his phone.
“Hey, baby boy. How’s it going?” His grandma’s voice was a soothing balm on the nerves his siblings had irritated.
“Hey, Grandma.” Leo took another bite and swallowed. “I don’t think the family is ready to hear about Sonny.
They don’t even consider that my mate could be a witch.”
“They’re a pack of knuckleheads, that’s for sure,” Janine said. “I love each and every one of you, but ya’ll can be dense. Now, did you actually tell them Sonny is your mate?”
Leo shared a look with Flufflepuff. “Uh, no. You know how they are. They’ll get all rowdy and opinionated. I don’t want him running away.”
“I can’t wait to meet this witch that has you all aflutter.” He could hear the smile in her voice. “You’ve invited him to come to the farm, right?”
“Not yet.” Leo sighed. “I wanted to see how things went today before I did it. Do you think everyone will behave?”
“If they don’t, I’ll roast them in the oven for dinner,” she said. Leo was a little worried she meant that. “Are you sure the best way to introduce him to your parents is at Christmas? You know your aunt, uncles, and cousins will be here too.”
“That’s why I think it will be best,” Leo said. “This way, Mom will be distracted with Aunt Tula and Dad will be going bear outside with the uncles.”
“Hmm, I’m not convinced, but I’m too excited to meet him to bother trying to talk you out of it.” Janine was quiet for a moment. “His family really won’t mind?”
“Nope,” Leo said. “I told you about his parents and grandparents. Normally he’d go to the coast and spend winter solstice with Myrtle and her sister, Hester.”
“What about that rabbit of his?” Janine asked.
Leo smiled. “Aaron and Gemma split the holidays between their parents’ homes.”
“Okay. I just don’t want nobody spending Christmas alone.”
“I love you, Grandma.”
“Love you too, sweetie. Eat your lunch and go give your family hell. Tell my son he better get in shape before I see him. I’m not afraid to whomp him.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He hung up and smiled at Flufflepuff. “Grandma and Grandpa are on our side, Fluff. If I can just ease everyone together without Sonny thinking we’re a bunch of maniacs, I’ll be good.”
Leo watched Sonny closely. His witch sat on his lap on the couch, bundled in a cozy blanket and Leo’s favorite hoodie. “So, what do you say?”
Sonny’s eyes were wide with hope. “You want me to go with you to your grandparents for the winter solstice?”
“Yeah. We do Christmas, but Grandma knows there’s a few things you’ll want to add to it. She’s looking forward to getting to know you.” Leo could have kicked himself when Sonny’s eyes watered.
“She really wants to meet me?”
“She sure does.” Leo cupped Sonny’s face and kissed him. “That’s her bracelet I gave you, you know. She sent it to me to give to you when I told her about you.”
Sonny squealed and bounced in Leo’s lap. “Miles told me it was hers. I’m glad she wants to meet me.”
Leo grunted. “Watch the goods, sunshine.”
“Sorry,” Sonny squeezed his cheeks and kissed him. “You know I like your goods.”
“That you do.”
Sonny bit his lip. “I can tone it down while we’re there and just wear my guy stuff. I’ve been digging my jeans and your hoodies lately anyway.”
“No.” Leo shook his head, brow furrowing. “You dress however you want to dress. Grandma and Grandpa asked me all kinds of questions, because they don’t know anyone that’s genderfluid, but they want you to be comfortable. To be honest, Grandma has a few more pieces of jewelry for you. She’s been hoarding all kinds of things for years and loves passing it on to family.”
Sonny gave him a serious look. “Am I family?”
Leo kissed him slowly, savoring the warm taste of Sonny’s lips. “You’re my family, Sonny.”
Chapter 3
Sonny waved goodbye to Miles and his parents after dropping off their presents at their house. One thing Christmas and winter solstice had in common was giving gifts. It was a nice way to show your loved ones that you cared.
Miles would appreciate Sonny’s old grimoire. A witch needed to explore their personal magic and creating grimoires was part of that. Miles would like the spells Sonny had created when he was his age.
He had already given gifts to Aaron and Gemma, but he still needed to say goodbye to Myrtle. It was strange not spending the holiday with his friend and mentor, but finally meeting Leo’s family was too good to pass up.
He knocked on her door. “Open up, woman! It’s Santa Sonny.”
Myrtle opened the door and glared at him. She was still dressed in her nightgown and robe. “It’s too early for this shit, Sonny.”
“I’m leaving in fifteen minutes,” he said, pouting. “Don’t you want to say goodbye?”
“You’re going away for a week, not a year.” Myrtle huffed and pulled him into a hug. “I’ll miss you, boy-o, but I’m glad you’re moving forward with your cat-bear. I expected the two of you to be married with ten kids by now.”
“It’s been a month and a half, Myrtle,” Sonny said dryly. “Plus, I’m not having ten fucking kids, woman. Don’t put that out into the universe.”
Myrtle cackled. “Well, when you eventually move in together in ten years, I suggest you combine your apartments. His is right below you. We could add a stairway and do a little remodeling.”
Sonny hugged her again and kissed the side of her head. “You’re the best mother, you know that, right?”
Her thin arms tightened around him. “You’re a good son.” She pushed him back. “Now get out of here. Toddlebug and I have to pack for the beach. Hester says it’s cold, but it ain’t snowing there so she don’t know shit.”
Sonny rolled his eyes. Myrtle and her sister were too much alike and were constantly competing with one another.
“I love you. Take your present.” He shoved a wrapped box at her. “Goodbye.”
“Hold it, I got yours around here somewhere.” She turned and set the box on a side table.
Sonny shook his head as he looked around her cluttered apartment. “Do we need to have an intervention, Myrtle? Your clutter multiples every five seconds.”
“Don’t you get uppity, witch.” Myrtle shot him a hard look. “Half this shit is stuff for the store. We need to expand.” She held up a small bag. “This is your Christmas gift. It’s a potion of my own making. It’s a calming potion. You can bake it into anything you want.”
Sonny blinked. “Seriously? I thought you said those were too expensive to make and pot does the same thing.”
“That’s why it’s a gift, goober.” She shook the bag. “Now take it and get moving. It’s been more than fifteen minutes.”
“Shit.” Sonny grabbed the bag and hugged Myrtle one more time. “Tell Hester I said hi.” He ran up the stairs and hurried into his apartment.
Leo sat on the couch, Hufflepuff in his lap.
“I’m sorry. My bags are ready. I was just saying goodbye to everyone and then Aaron wanted me to try this new videogame. I lost track of time.”
Leo smiled. “It’s no big deal. I already loaded your bags. You know it’s just for the week, right? That’s six nights and seven days.”
“Yes, but you said to wear whatever I want and sometimes I want to wear a skirt or leggings, sometimes I want my jeans and hoodie, and sometimes I want to mix the two.” He waved his hands around his head. “Welcome to genderfluidity.”
Leo laughed. “Okay. Luckily, I pack light, so we balance out. I packed Flufflepuff’s bag too.”
Sonny looked around the kitchen, then gave Leo a look. “Did you get my insulated bag?”
Leo blinked, eyes widening in innocence. “What insulated bag?”
Sonny put his hands on his hips and started down his nose. “The one full of honey cakes.”
Leo shrugged. “I may have seen it, and I may have eaten all of the honey cakes. Maybe.”
“All of them?” Sonny snorted and quickly packed some ingredients. “I’ll have to make a fresh batch when we get there.”
“Was that supposed to be enough for everyone
?” Leo looked doubtful. “We may need to stop at the store for more stuff. There’s a lot of us, sunshine.”
An hour later, they were on the road in Leo’s truck with their bags in the back with a cover over the truck bed since it was snowing again.
Sonny watched the city slip by as they entered the suburbs. “Sometimes I wish I had a house so I could have a garden in the yard.”
“Is that something you want one day?” Leo asked, glancing at him, before his eyes went back to the road.
“I don’t know. I’m no garden witch,” Sonny said. “That apartment is my home and I love everything about it. It’s my space. A place where I’m safe and can just be myself with no one judging me.”
Leo reached over Flufflepuff’s carrier and took his hand. “I know how you feel. Your apartment is my safe place too. I’m learning how to be comfortable with myself.”
Oh, honey bear, let me be your mate. Sonny somehow kept the words in and reminded himself to keep it simple. He didn’t want to scare Leo away with his desperation. “It’s not my apartment anymore is it? It’s become our home.” Way to keep it simple, Sonny.
Leo grinned. “Yeah. It is. Does this mean I can move in?”
Sonny told his heart to stop beating so fast. He didn’t want a heart attack. “Yes. We’ll move everything as soon as we get back home.”
“Myrtle won’t like having to find another tenant.” Leo didn’t sound all that concerned. The bear almost seemed smug.
Sonny thought about her suggestion. “She might like us to renovate a little and join our apartments.”
Leo looked shocked. “Seriously?”
“Well, yeah. We could redo some space and have more room and a larger kitchen.” Sonny liked the thought of that. He liked the thought of Leo sharing his home. “I would tie you to a chair and make you stay with me forever if it wasn’t illegal.” Shit, did I say that aloud?
Leo snorted, then started laughing. “Bondage fantasies? I’ll try it with you, sunshine.”
Sonny flushed and buried his nose in the bright red scarf wrapped loosely around his neck. Today he was feeling a bit more androgynous than usual, so he wore fashionably torn jeans, low-heeled boots, and a cream-colored sweater. His cuff bracelet caught the light and he admired it again. Leo’s grandma had good taste.
