Page 18 of Pointy Ears and Purple Glitter
“I never thought I’d have that sort of conversation before coffee in the morning.” Malik chuckled. “Just remember, Ian is human. He doesn’t know about my rhino, and I’d prefer he didn’t know about Tynan’s magic, either.”
“I do know how to conduct myself around the featherless.” Sparky tapped his beak on the counter. “Hmm. I’m not seeing any jam roll. I wonder where that might be.”
“Has anyone told you you’re a pushy bird?” Still smirking, Malik reached into his cupboard, taking out two coffee mugs and his cake tin. Winking at the bird, he poured his coffee first and then found a knife to cut the jam roll.
Sparky inclined his head gracefully when Malik put the roll slice on a paper towel in front of him. “Much appreciated. I’m going to need some extra energy if I’ve got to get used to this area. I haven’t noticed much in the way of greenery or park spaces the few flights I’ve already done.”
“You’d need to go back in the direction of the business district, they have trees there.” Malik took a sip from his mug. “I’m hoping Tynan will want to come with me when I go to my shifting space this weekend. You’re welcome to come along.”
“Ooh, do I get to ride a rhino? Not the way Tynan was riding you, you understand, but I’ve always wanted one of those photo shots of a majestic bird standing on a large beast.”
His cheeks flaming, Malik pointed at the bird. “I’d better not catch you peeking at what Tynan and I are doing in the bedroom, or you could find yourself inside a burger. Some things are private.”
“You weren’t in the bedroom originally. I can’t be helped if the kitchen counter gives me a bird’s eye view of the divan you two were naked on.”
The damn bird was right.“I’ll keep that in mind. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a workshop to open.”
“I’m surprised you can find the energy to open that big door.” Sparky went back to his jam roll. Clearly, he liked having the last word.
/~/~/~/~/
Malik’s first coffee was gone, and the workshop had been open twenty minutes when Ian sauntered in, whistling as he took off his jacket, hanging it on the hook by the office. “Morning, boss. How was your night? No more pixies or gremlins in the workshop?”
Moving out from under the hood of the truck he was working on, Malik smiled at his mechanic. “Morning. Mrs. Bloom’s caddy is having gearbox issues again. I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary, but you know how she is. If you can check that over for me this morning, that’d be great. She’ll be back in at lunchtime.”
“Ah, my lovely caddy.” Malik’s grin widened as Ian hurried over to the bright red car waiting to be seen. “One day I will have one such as you and people will all go out of their way to wave at me as I drive past – slowly, you understand, so that people can see who is actually driving.”
“If you drool on it, you clean it.” Wiping off his wrench with his rag, Malik put his head back under the truck’s bonnet. “By theway, I had a man stay over last night. He has a talking bird. He’ll be coming through here shortly, so I’ll get you to get us breakfast and some fruitcake when he’s awake, if you don’t mind.”
Malik waited, hearing Ian gasp and then, sure enough, within seconds Ian’s head popped under the same bonnet. “You have a man?” His eyes were wide.
“Is that a problem?” Malik understood Ian’s confusion. He’d never discussed his personal life. But if there were going to be any issues, Malik wanted them ironed out before his mate came out to the workshop.
“What? Because you’ve got a man? Why would that be a problem? Love is love. But wow, this is bigger news than the gremlins. You never go out. Is it serious? Have you finally found your person? Who is he? Where did you meet? Did you say talking bird? How cool is that! Why do we need fruitcake?”
Shaking his head, Malik chuckled. “Bigger than gremlins. Only you would say that. My man’s name is Tynan. He’s…” Malik chose his words carefully. “He’s not been in town long, so if he sounds a little strange, just ignore it.”
“But he’s sticking around, right? You’ve not gone and fallen for someone who will be driving off into the sunset, leaving broken hearts behind him?”
“I don’t think Tynan can drive.” Malik chuckled. “But no, he’ll be sticking around. He works as a PI in town. As for where I met him – he was being beaten up outside the workshop one night. He came back to thank me for saving him…”
“Ah.” Ian moved out from the bonnet, clasping his hands to his chest. “The romantic hero trope. That’s so cool.” He peered under the bonnet again. “So, where did the talking bird come into this, and why do we need fruitcake? That’s not your regular breakfast.”
“The bird, Sparky, likes fruitcake. And no, before you ask, I have no idea why the bird’s name is Sparky, but he’s very entertaining. I’m sure you two will get on very well.”
“I get on with all the birds.” Ian went over to his toolbox with a laugh. “Not in any way that would be worth talking to me mam about – they just think of me as a friend - but I’m considered a lot of fun at parties.”
“Yep, you and Sparky will get on fine.” Malik bent back to the engine he was working on. It was comforting to his rhino that their mate was curled up safely in his bed, but he really wished he was in there with him.
Chapter Twelve
Tynan woke the second time to an empty bed, his hand reaching across the indentation where Malik had slept. Sunlight streamed through the tiny windows along the top of the wall, sending shafts of light over the white walls. He stretched, wings unfurling before he remembered to tuck them away. The mating bond hummed pleasantly in the back of his skull, a constant reminder of his connection to Malik.
“Rise and shine, lover boy.” Sparky swooped into the bedroom, landing on the headboard. “Your mountain of a mate’s been up for hours working with the human. He told me to let you sleep.”
Tynan sat up, rubbing his eyes. “The human - Ian, right? Malik mentioned him.” A flutter of anxiety replaced his peaceful morning contentment. “I have to meet him today, don’t I?”
“Unless you plan to stay in this bedroom forever.” Sparky preened his feathers. “Which, given what happened in here last night, might be your preference.”
