darker_london | Rememory (Thomas, Peter) (Reply)

"It's my birthday tomorrow." Peter informed Thomas vis a vis of nothing. Thomas looked up from Peter's Latin text that theorised on the origins of angels and he raised his eyebrows.

"I...know?" Thomas could read Peter just as well, if not better, than he could read the book resting across his lap, so he closed it gently because he could tell this was A Big Deal for some reason he didn't yet understand. "Are you just freaking about turning older now that you're not immortal anymore? Because technically you're not turning 38 if you think about it, you're turning 36..."

Peter laughed and he shook his head. "That just makes me 6 years older than Aly instead of 8. Which probably sounds better... Honestly, I'm fine about that. Having you here beside me is well worth a wrinkle here and there." Both Peter and Thomas knew it was more than gaining wrinkles Peter had sacrificed, but they also knew that levity and understating things was Peter's way of dealing. "It's actually...it was a year ago when I had the seizure that led to the diagnosis of my brain tumour..."

"Ah..." Thomas, who had been lounging on Peter's living room floor because that was the best way to study, lifted himself up on strong arms and he stood to walk over to Peter's side on the sofa. "This is about Bonsai." Bonsai had been Peter's name for the tumour after a remark from both Svetlana and Rosa that he was growing things in his head and Rosa had asked if it was a tree. Levity was indeed the way.

"A little. I was just remembering. I was having a party on a boat and so many people I love surrounded me and this terrible thing happened. Tragedy struck in a place I felt safe. And I know it's quite insane, but it makes me not want to celebrate this year at all. As if that event will mar any other birthday celebrations for years to come. Because not only will I remember it, but so will Aly and David and Svetlana. And sweet Deirdre who had to carry me, and Renee and Pierre who had to comfort poor Tasha. And Abby who had to tell me what was going on..."

"Peter." Thomas said soothingly. "You're overthinking."

"That's what I do, apparently, when my head is Bonsai-free."

Thomas made a face that suggested that Peter's head better stay Bonsai-free or he was going to have much to say about it and probably loudly. "I won't disagree with you there, Petunia. If you don't want a party, spend the day with your family. Make it a quiet day. No one would deny you that."

Peter nodded and he glanced out the window to the lawn where Anna and Caleb were playing happily, grins spread across their young faces. "I know."

"And I'll cancel the caterers." Thomas winked.

"You mean Deirdre?" Peter asked with a raised brow. "She's family."

"Of course." Thomas wrapped his arm around Peter and the other man leaned against him gratefully.

"Thomas. You're family too."

Thomas grinned and he kissed Peter's head. "I'll be here will bells on! You know...I bet Spectre will make me wear actual bells now."

Peter laughed then, and it felt quite good. No big party...no big deal...just a small gathering of the people he loved most. That sounded perfect. And he did hope that a day spent with them would do much to erase the heartache of the previous year. If anyone could accomplish such a thing, it was certainly his family.