Page 16 of Dybbuk's Detritus

“It’s here, it’s finally here.” I toss it on the bed, finding a shirt and pulling it over my head as I enter the bathroom and brush my teeth. “Get dressed, Rurik! We have a delivery of our own to make!”

“What do you mean ‘it’s finally here’? You just got here a few days ago.”

“I chose Prime shipping. Come on, hurry up, you can’t go out there naked, I forbid it!” I say with the toothbrush still in my mouth. Spitting, I rinse my face and dry it off, rushing back into the bedroom to find socks and shoes. After a harsh glare and an angry muttering about Aleph’s and their notions of forbidding, Rurik throws his hands up and begins to dress.

With the box in hand, we walk down to the kitchen. I grab a banana and he a muffin, then I lead him outside.

“Where are we going?” He asks around a bite of muffin.

“To find Chloe.” I answer vaguely.

“And…why do we need to find Chloe?”

“The present is for her.”

“Aw, Theo, you bought Chloe a present? That’s so sweet. I’m so happy you two get along, I was worried.”

“Mmhmm.” I hum, my eyes darting side to side looking for the little witch. Because she’s short and a witch, I wasn’t being mean.

“There she is!” He points at an old white stone building, built more than a hundred years ago at least, with green shutters and a broad porch. Sure enough, Chloe is sitting in a rocking chair, holding Nadia, while she and Emilyn sip lemonade. “Hello, ladies.” Rurik says as we walk up the steps to join them.

“Well, hello there, Avot. You seem in a chipper mood. Sleep well?” Chloe wiggles her eyebrows suggestively. I shove the unopened box in her hands and step back. Emilyn steps up to take Nadia from Chloe.

“This is for you.” She stares between me and the box, before giving me a sweet smile.

“Thank you.” Chloe tears open the box, her head tilting to the side as she examines the contents. “Uh…you shouldn’t have?” She pulls out a pack of socks. Oh, shoot.

“Sorry, those are mine, I didn’t realize they shipped them together.” I grab those and hold them behind my back, rocking on my heels anxiously. “There’s more.” I nod to the box.

Chloe looks back in the box and begins to cackle. Like an evil witch. It’s terrifying and a little funny. Her face turns red, tears stream down her cheeks and she gasps for breath.

“What did you get her?” Rurik asks, his smile wide and excited.

Chloe throws the box to the ground, holding up the smaller box that was inside.

Emilyn gasps, her hand covering her mouth. Rurik snaps to me, scowling. “You bought her a vibrator!?!”

I nod, not sorry in the least. “I sure did.” Chloe is still laughing, so I explain, though I have a feeling she gets it. “You are my mate, no one touches you but me, and you touch no one but me. I bought Chloe a vibrator, which also has a suction setting to simulate oral, so she can use it to unclog her vision pipes without you.”

Chloe leaps to her feet and surprises me with a hug. “Thank you, Aleph. Thank you for being exactly what he needs, exactly what our Family needs. I look forward to serving beside both of you, and never in your bed.” I hug her back; grateful she isn’t mad and is respectful of my boundaries. I know Rurik and she were finished with their friends with benefits arrangement the second I arrived, but I thought I ought to be sure she had another outlet arranged for everyone’s sanity.

We break apart, Rurik attaching himself to my side like a barnacle, dragging my arm around his shoulders, his hand firmly on my chest. I see my little one has a jealous streak as well. I kiss his temple before whispering, “I bought a toy for you as well, it should arrive soon. I can’t wait to watch you squirm.”

“You should learn how to whisper better, Aleph. And on that note, y’all need to skedaddle because I’m going to break in my new best friend. Don’t mind the screams of pleasure, toodles!” Chloe waves over her shoulder, walking into the building and slamming the door.

Emilyn groans next to us, staring at the closed door. “Our room is right next to hers. We share a wall!” Nadia, unaware of her mother’s distress, claps her hands and presses a sloppy kiss to her mom’s cheek.

“Good luck with that!” Rurik says cheerfully, dragging me down the porch steps.

“What’s the rush, tav?” I say with all the seriousness I can muster. The smile I’m sporting gives me away.

“Home. I can think of a number of other things we can do to make me squirm while we wait for my gift!”

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