darker_london | Intuitive (Thomas, James, Peter, open to the house and Stephie?)

It anyone could heal a heart, little James Littleton could. Mary certainly didn't hurt either! After the harrowing experiences of Old Wildborough, being at home was more than a breath of fresh air, it was a gust of it.

Thomas was sitting on the floor with James, and together they were colouring a picture of the teddy bears' picnic. So far, James had coloured in a green bear and two blue bears he decided were twins. James was quite specific about the story behind each bear, and Thomas found it endlessly charming. "Okay, what about this one?" Thomas pointed to a bear holding a bunch of daisies. "Is it a girl bear because it has flowers?"

"You gave Daddy Spectre flowers," James pointed out, intelligently.

"Ah, you're right, I did." Thomas grinned and he kissed James' head.

"And you grow flowers. I think this is you. Daddy bear. I'll make him purple." James reached for the purple crayon.

"Why purple?" Thomas asked, though his expression was free from judgment. He simply wanted to know why.

"Because purple means kings!" James started to colour in the bear and Thomas closed his eyes so he could concentrate on his breathing. Otherwise he was going to cry. "Daddy, what's wrong?" James put down the crayon and he stood up, a worried expression on his tiny face.

Thomas opened his eyes and he shook his head. "Nothing's wrong, angel." He reached his hand out to smooth his fingers through James' hair. "Something's right." Quickly he wrapped his arms around his son and he kissed his cheek. "I love you."

James giggled and he kissed Thomas back all over his cheek. "I love you too, Daddy!"

Peter, who had let himself in, leaned against the doorway to watch the blatant scene of fatherly affection. He was grinning when Thomas turned to look at him, able to feel the presence of his best friend without supernatural abilities or Peter ever having to make a sound. Thomas just could. "Peter."

"Hello. I was just...I missed you."

Thomas beckoned Peter into the room. "Hi, Uncle Peter!" James grinned at the tall man and he pointed at his picture. "Daddy and I are colouring!"

"Hello, James! That is a beautiful picture." Peter sat down near them, looking the picture over.

"James, can you find a Peter bear?" Thomas put James down again and James studied the uncoloured bears for a moment, his face twisted into an expression of studiousness.

"Yes!" James pointed at a bear who was holding the hands of two smaller bears, helping them climb onto a playground made of flowers. "Peter bear!"

Peter grinned, charmed. "That's me."

"I will make you pink!" James reached for the crayon and Thomas shorted so loudly it hurt his nose. When he stopped laughing, Peter was giving him a dubious look.

"Sorry, Mate, he's got you pegged."

"I'll...peg you." Peter laughed then because even he knew his comeback was lame. "Fine. I'm a pretty pink bear. I can handle that."

"Eh, even pretty pink bears can have the heart of a lion." Thomas winked at Peter and deep down he felt an incredible sense of relief. Things between them were exactly the same as they always had been. He had been right when he told Peter their unfortunate kiss would mess up nothing. It was an absolute relief. He patted Peter's leg and he turned back to his son. "What colour would Spectredaddybear be?"

"All the colours!" James replied, studiously colouring in.

"Hah! Rainbowbear. That's my big gay husband." Thomas grinned. "Or...small gay husband."

"I was going to say." Peter laughed. "Oh goodness, look. It's Deirdrebear..." He pointed to a bear who had climbed a tree and was celebrating it's achievement.

"Or young and silly Thomasbear. Like the time I tried to fly." Thomas glanced sideways at James. "Daddy can't fly..."

James just shrugged and turned back to his pictures.

"I think you can," Peter informed Thomas. "I always thought you could."

"Softy," Thomas replied quietly. "Come on, stop stalling and colour in your tiny pink head."

Peter snorted. "Yes, Thomas."