Page 8 of To Cuddle A Gremlin

Isadore hissed as he chased a line of code that’d been the root of all problems. He ignored his brother as long as he could before lifting his head. “What’d you say?”

“An office at home? Where your shit is,” Tony snarked. “Don’t you think it’d be easier to do computer stuff there?”

“Not really? I had an idea, and Adam is across the street if I need him. So more efficient for me,” Isadore explained. Telling his brother he was more productive in the dining room was worth a snide remark or three.

“This is not your workspace. The tables are for paying customers. I can’t have you hogging one the whole day. We built you a dedicated work area in our house.” Tony crossed hisarms and glared. Isadore scowled back. “Honestly, Isadore. Go somewhere else.”

“I buy snacks and coffee the whole time I’m here. I’m a paying customer who needs a spot. When one of my clients is across the street, this is a better location for me.” Isadore rolled his shoulders, the tight muscles tugging and pulling. He needed to get out of the human skin soon so he could breathe. “I get shit done here. The ambiance is helpful.”

“What about the library?” Tony asked. Isadore snapped into an upright position, wary of where his brother was heading. “Unless, you know, you’re afraid.”

“I am not afraid of the library. It has many fantastic features. It overlooks the river, and there’s enough space to get my projects done without being interrupted. However, people would be able to see what I’m working on, and it’d be an invasion of privacy.” Isadore imagined setting his computer up at the library and not being able to concentrate. He’d probably find a spot near where Sebastian worked and stare at him all day. With his soft smile and awkward movements, yeah, Isadore wouldn’t have any control over himself.

“Oh, Isa. Stop lying to yourself. Admit you’re scared of the library and the smart creatures roaming around in there.”

“Fuck off, Tony. You’re deliberately being a douche.”

Tony’s comments were typical and brotherly, so the words weren’t as harsh as they could have been. However, retribution was required. Isadore chucked a wadded-up napkin at his brother. It struck Tony on the nose, and he crowed victoriously. His ass of a brother deserved the hit.

“Then act like a fucking grown-up.” Tony swiped the napkin and tossed it away. “Time to go. Restaurant’s closed now. I need you out.”

“Yeah, yeah. Thanks for letting me use your space.” Isadore packed up his gear and winced as Tony’s back cracked. “Youshould ask Harry to fix your spine. I know he’d be happy to lend a hand,” Isadore teased.

“How about I ask your shy boy tomorrow when he comes here for your date?” Tony snapped.

“You wouldn’t dare do anything to Sebastian!” Isadore loved his brother, but sometimes Tony’s teasing went too far, and feelings were hurt. Isadore straightened up. “I’ll end you so fast!”

“If you keep harping about Harry, I will.” Tony leaned forward, intent on making his point. His ears were pressed back against his head, showing off his agitation. Isadore imagined his own pointy ears were doing the same.

Isadore had crossed the first hurdle in his courtship, coaxing his skittish librarian into a date. No way in hell was Tony going to undo all his hard work with a few words. Brotherly affection had limits. “You can’t ruin this for me. Sebastian is something special, and I have to see where this goes.”

“Come on, Isadore. You’ve barely spoken with this guy! How do you figure he’s the one? Everyone else you’ve dated had more personality than him. He’s so bland. This morning was the first time he showed any signs of life.”

Isadore's hackles rose at Tony’s words. Isadore breathed through his nose, reminding himself that Tony was his brother and didn’t need to have his nose smacked for such mean insults. They didn’t hit in their family. Not in public, anyway.

“How would you know? You’re always so rude to him. You don’t think people tell me? So lay off.” Isadore roughly zipped his laptop case and stormed out of the quiet café. The cold was a shock. Crap, he'd left his coat inside. His dramatic exit was ruined by frosty temperatures. He stood by their shared car and waited for Tony to lock up.

“You’re an idiot, and I forgive you your outburst,” Tony said as he tossed Isadore’s coat to him. “If Sebastian is who you want,I will do my best to support you. But Gods, Isa, you can do way better.”

“I’m not discussing this with you.” Isadore buttoned his coat and sighed as he began to warm up. The walk to their little enclave was fast.

“Whatever. Come on. Let’s get out of this cold. My toes are going numb.”

That evening in the large bolt-hole the gremlins and brownies called home, Isadore snuggled in the pack with his multitude of niblings vying for his attention. They were all curious to discover more about humans. He tried his best to explain, but Isadore’s ability to describe the human world lacked interesting topics that children found exciting. Cafés and computers were boring.

“Isadore darling, I heard you have a date tomorrow.” Isadore’s older sister, Katya, threw herself in the chair kitty-corner to the couch where Isadore was relaxing. Katya styled herself both a brownie and gremlin. She loved the domesticity of homes, but electronics drew her attention as much as it did for Isadore. Her auburn waves were pulled away from her face with tiny gems and beads.

“I got up my nerve and asked Sebastian this afternoon,” Isadore confessed. Katya was the matriarch of their enclave, and every decision went through her first.

“Oh, I like him. He’s very sweet. The kiddos enjoy the books he chooses for them. He’s not like your other beaux.” Katya tipped her head to the side. Her gaze bored into Isadore, making him squirm.

“I realize that.” Isadore pulled on his hair and glared at his sister. Remembering what his previous relationships did to him was like picking a scab. He hated picturing them. Each one had told him that he was too much. He took the lead toofrequently, and he was too intense in his affection. They were homebodies, preferred the bolt-hole most gremlins lived in, while Isadore wanted to explore and discover their new world. “I like Sebastian. He’s… he’s special. And I hope this date will open his eyes to me. I know I can be a bit overwhelming, but dammit, Katya. He makes my heart sing when I catch a glimpse of him. And I can literally see him light up when he finds me. I am trying not to be a stalker, but… there’s something, right?”

Katya softened. Her own courtship with her mate started off just as rocky as this one with Sebastian. She understood patience and mistakes. Bumps along the path to love always happened. The journey lit the path to discovery and passion. “Too true, my dear. Too true. I’m assuming your crisis in faith has something to do with your brother?”

“He told me Sebastian is plain and not good enough or not worthy of my time.” Isadore kissed the top of one nibling’s head as they got comfortable snuggling in close. He loved this time of day when he could be with his family. Everyone was tactile and yet still respectful of space. He could have this heart-to-heart conversation with the kids around.

“Tony is a brownie through and through. They are a stubborn lot and have set ideas about how this mating thing is to go. You aren’t fitting his mould. So ignore him and follow your heart, you gremlin.”

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