Chapter Text
Linus Baker only allowed himself one week after his return to Marsyas to relax before beginning to work seriously on his special project. The only preliminary work he did was organizing the files he had stolen, but he only got so far before the children would appear to push him out of the cottage to join them in an any activity of their choosing. Talia training him on proper gardening techniques, taking walks with Phee in the woods, folding clothes with Chauncey, collecting seashells with Theodore, helping Lucy with dinner, or reading one of Sal’s stories before he would share it in class the next day.
The first Saturday after he returned, the children led him to a fort they had built while he was gone. It was made mostly of sturdy branches they had found, but they built the fort against the side of boulder in the woods, digging a large square hole and planting the branches along the perimeter to build up the walls and reinforcing them with rocks and mud. They laid lighter branches and leaves on top for a roof and Phee helped by growing moss and vines overtop to help it blend in with the woods.
Lucy intoned to Linus and the others in the fort, “No cannibals can find us here! And so, we plan for battle and all secrets stated in here may never leave. Lest you wish to die by shovel!”
Linus had to swear by these terms before he was allowed to leave the fort. After that he sat outside with Arthur on a large picnic blanket while the children began planning for their adventure next weekend. Zoe had made them a picnic basket in morning for them to take since she was not joining them that day.
She had “errands” to do in town. The way she said it the time and Arthur chuckling quietly at what she said made Linus suspicious, but he did not see a reason to pry any further.
As Arthur and Linus laid out the food for lunch, Arthur also explained the second reason that they decided to build a fort.
“Zoe thinks it might be good for Phee to start sleeping outside during the warmer months. She needs to get used to sleeping with natural sounds and creating a space of her own.” Arthur smiled but Linus could see a worried strain in it. “It might help her have less anxiety when she’s older and develop her independence.”
“She’s quite independent already.” Linus remarked.
“Yes, but she’ll need a place that is hers and hers alone. Her room is hers, but it can be difficult if sharing space in the house triggers territorial instincts for her. She’ll need her own place to retreat to.” Arthur was wringing a tea towel as he spoke, staring at the fort with shouting children. “Maybe it’s too soon…”
Linus smiled and took Arthur’s hand. “It will be alright. She’ll still be nearby even if she leaves the nest every now and then.”
Arthur huffed and said, “That’s hardly reassuring, but thank you my dear Linus.” He kissed him quickly before the children appeared for lunch.
*****
During the last few days before the DICOMY project really started, Zoe stopped by to bring him lunch as Linus had gotten caught up in organizing his workspace. Zoe looked over his boxes full of files and asked, “So will we be considered accomplices to your theft Mr. Baker? Were certainly aiding and abetting you now.” She said sarcastically.
“Feel free to turn me over to the authorities if they come for me.” Linus said. “I’ll just hide out in the fort until the coast is clear.”
Zoe snorted and said, “I’ll be sure to have the children bring you some meals now and then if it comes to that.”
“I appreciate that.”
“By the way I’m picking up groceries in town in the next hour. Is there anything you need?”
Linus thought and said, “Well I’ve been meaning to ask about this, it’s not groceries, but would it be possible to have a telephone installed in the cottage?”
Zoe tilted her head up, thinking. “It is possible, but we would need someone from the village to install it and Helen is still working on getting the community to warm up to us after you and Arthur confronted them at the pier.” Her eyes squinted a bit before saying, “Do you need it right away? What about using the phone in the house?”
“It can wait a few weeks, but I will need one here or somewhere private. For this project I need to make calls that will be…very sensitive in nature and any background noise in the house wouldn’t be appropriate.”
“I see.” Zoe looked at him with a concerned expression, but she did not say what she was thinking. “I’ll ask Helen if she has any leads with someone that can help us while I’m in town.”
“Thank you, Zoe.”
“Of course.” She said and turned to leave but stopped in the doorway. “And let me know if there is anything else I can do to support you with this. What you’re doing Linus…it’s very important but it will be draining. Please let us know if you need help.”
Linus nodded at her and said “’I know and I will.”
*****
Linus had continued organizing and sorting through files well into the afternoon when there was a knock on his door. He expected to find the children asking him to join them during their free time, but he was surprised to see Arthur alone on the porch. Arthur was in his usual too short trousers with lavender socks showing today.
“Arthur.” Linus welcomed him into the cottage, trying to show only a modest amount of glee at seeing him alone for once. They did see each other every day for breakfast, a few lessons, dinner, and putting the children to bed, but since he returned, they had only had a few spare moments alone before one or more of the children came looking for them.
“How were the lessons today?” Linus set aside what he was working on and turned his attention fully to Arthur. He sat on the edge of his desk and watched as Arthur glanced over the boxes and stacks of DICOMY files, pausing at one partially empty box that a certain feline decided was her new cat bed. Caliope had commandeered the space after Linus removed several file folders to check that the contents were in alphabetical order.
“Quite good.” Arthur said as he approached Caliope’s box. “We went over probability and Lucy suggested we should have an exercise in gambling for practical experience.”
“Oh dear.” Linus said putting a hand to his face. “Well, you could use biscuits instead of poker chips for money. I know a few cards games that could work for something like that…” Linus trailed off as he watched Arthur run a finger along the edge of Caliope’s box. He could hear Caliope’s familiar low grumble from where he stood.
“I’d be care-.” Linus tried to warn him but Caliope already swiped at Arthur’s hand, hissing as she did so.
“Caliope!” Linus scolded. “I’m sorry Arthur she’s prickly with most people at first but I’m sure you’ll be her favorite person when she realizes you’re a space heater.” Linus glanced quickly at the door, realizing he had said a little more than he should have. Arthur was still waiting for the right time to tell the children that he was a phoenix and Linus did not want to spoil that moment for him.
Arthur smiled and stepped away to approach Linus. “Reminds me of someone I know.”
Before Linus had a chance to splutter at that Arthur placed a hand on Linus’ face while the other rested on his waist. Arthur rested his forehead then against Linus’ as he stroked his face softly. Linus smiled, putting a hand over Arthur’s as he felt him kiss his cheek. He could feel Arthur’s temperature rising and it felt like a bonfire in autumn.
Linus glanced nervously at the door again. He was surprised the children were not already here and he worried they would burst in any minute now. Arthur’s kiss moved down Linus’s cheek to his neck and Linus pushed him back then.
“Arthur…” He could not bring himself to scold him since he was too happy with the attention. “The children could run in here at any minute.”
Arthur smirked. “They won’t.” He said with a suspicious amount of confidence. Arthur moved forward to kiss him again, but Linus pushed him back and gave him a stern look.
“What did you offer them?” Linus asked point blank.
Arthur chuckled and rubbed the back of his head. “Only a day off from their lessons tomorrow.” He admitted with a guilty grin. “Were having a day at the beach instead.”
Linus shook his head, trying to look disappointed with Arthur but failing. “They’ll raise the price on that if they’ve learned anything from Merle.”
“I think it’s worth it. “ Arthur said making Linus turn red from his face down to his neck. Their hands were interlaced now, and Arthur pulled him towards the front door. “Come on a walk with me? I’d like to show you something and talk about some things.”
Linus smiled, letting Arthur lead him out the door. “I think have time for that.”
*****
They were walking along in bare feet on the beach, hand in hand, toward the cliffside at the back of island. Linus glanced at Arthur’s face as he stared serenely out at the horizon. Arthur’s eyes darted to Linus’ catching him staring. Linus blushed immediately and looked away.
Arthur chuckled and said “How was your day? It seems your space is ready for your project.”
“I am ready to start.” Linus said. “All the files I borrowed are finally organized, although Caliope is keeping one box for her own use. Hopefully she’ll let me get to them tomorrow.” He wished he had a more interesting anecdote to share about his day.
Arthur nodded and squeezed Linus’ hand. “How long do you think it will take to write the report?”
“A couple months at least.” Linus answered. “I’m starting with the outline before beginning the interviews. My goal is to have a draft written by January, but I’m hoping I can finish it before Christmas and use January as time to edit.”
“I’m sure you can but take the time you need to get it done.” Arthur said. “The children and I will make sure you don’t overwork during the holidays.”
Linus smiled and decided to change the subject to something he was curious about. “How do you celebrate around Christmas? I mean…I’m assuming the religious aspects are not celebrated.” Linus thought Lucy would feel insecure in comparison to a savior born on Christmas.
“That’s true…it’s more a combination of all the holidays and we say Yule instead of Christmas.” Arthur paused before saying “When I was sent to one of DICOMY’s schools my first roommate, Daniel, was a golem and he invited me to celebrate Hanukah with him. Like me, he didn’t have any family and we made each other small gifts out of what was available to us. We made the menorah out of mismatched play doh and used old birthday candles. I’m not religious but that’s a tradition I keep.”
Linus smiled and mentally thanked Daniel for giving Arthur that memory. “Are you two still in touch?”
“No.” Arthur said. “We were transferred to other schools after two years and lost track of each other very quickly.”
Linus frowned, he wished they had talked about this during his visit for DICOMY. He might have been able to steal a file about Daniel and find out where he is now.
“And you?” Arthur asked switching the attention back to Linus.
Linus shrugged and said “I grew up in a Christian house, but as soon as I was old enough to stop going to church every Sunday I did. The only exceptions were Easter and Christmas, my mother would have cried if I didn’t go with her.”
“Is she…?” Arthur began to say, pausing for Linus to answer the unsaid question.
“She passed away several years ago.” Linus said. “To be honest I stopped celebrating the holidays after she passed.” He wondered what his Mom would have thought about Arthur if she was still alive. Linus could almost hear her saying ‘You picked an odd duck Linus' but Arthur would have won her over.
Arthur squeezed his hand and said “How would you two celebrate?”
“I don’t think we ever had a Christmas tree, just an advent wreath on the kitchen table.” A fake, balding one. “We had a nice breakfast in the morning and exchanged gifts, but we only gave each other practical things we needed.”
His mother always gave him warm socks and gloves she had knitted herself. They were usually plain gray or black, but they were well-made, and Linus knew she put a lot of care into crafting them. Linus learned how to knit and sew from her. His gifts to her were usually handmade scarfs or hats. He would sometime fix holes in her work shirts too as a gift.
It made her smile which made him happy, although he wondered if they should have allowed themselves to do more.
Linus looked away feeling self-conscious and Arthur began to change the subject.
“Well,” Arthur said “Be prepared to be overwhelmed by our celebrations. You and Sal will get to experience it for the first time together.”
“I look forward to it.” Linus said. He looked ahead toward the cliffside at the back of the island. Gulls and hawks swooped and dived into the water before flying back to their nests in the nooks and crannies of the rockface. Linus recalled from his work visit that this led to a dead end.
“Did you hide something from me during my first visit Mr. Parsanus?” Linus asked. “Where are we going?”
Arthur shrugged. “A secret place that even the children don’t know about.”
They had to watch their steps as sand turned into a rocky landscape. Waves broke and splashed over the gray and black rocks. Arthur guided them to the edge and stepped onto the water as salt formed a path beneath his feet.
“I’ll never get used to that.” Linus stepped down nervously following Arthur as a path formed along the cliffside, disappearing behind them as they approached a hidden grotto. When they reached the entrance Arthur let the phoenix out to light the way into the dark cave. Linus grasped Arthur’s arm as he looked around him. The caves walls had carvings that reached every wall and built new patterns as the expanded out. Above them there were garlands made of shells and sea glass that chimed with the sea breeze. Linus stared at it all, amazed at what Arthur must have made.
“What is this place?” Linus finally asked as they reached the smooth floor of the cave.
“My hideaway. Zoe gave it to me as place where I could let the phoenix out that wasn’t the basement.”
Linus’ heart sank hearing the gloom in Arthur’s voice and so he gripped Arthur’s hand with both of his. “Thank you for sharing this space with me. I think it’s beautiful.”
“I’m glad you like it.” Arthur laughed nervously. “It’s like a second nest for me…in a way. I want you to feel comfortable here and in our-” Arthur coughed suddenly “- in the house.”
Linus reddened hearing Arthur correct himself before saying ‘our home.’
“It’s still hard for me to believe you’re really back sometimes. I worry you’ll slip away from me again.” Arthur said stroking the side of Linus’ face.
Linus scowled. “Don’t say that. I’m not leaving again, and if you keep saying things like that I’ll…I won’t kiss you for two days.”
Arthur stared at me before he burst out laughing. “How dare you threaten to torture me like that Linus!”
Linus blushed and looked away thinking his threat was rather lame, and he probably did not have the willpower to follow through on it anyway.
“Come sit with me.” Arthur sat down against a wide rock and patted the space by him. “I want to talk about us and…well, about dating a phoenix.”
Linus joined him quickly, pressing their shoulders together, as the breeze in the cave was chilling and Arthur was the only source of warmth.
“I’m listening.” Linus said to start the conversation.
“Well…I have to admit I’m jealous the children have conditions for your return, and I don’t have any promises yet.”
“I promised I wouldn’t leave.”
“Yes, but I think I deserve at least three more.”
“Three? The children got one each you know.”
“But as the master of the house I am entitled to more.” Arthur said quickly to counter Linus’ point.
“Alright.” Linus said, shaking his head seeing the mischief in Arthur’s smile. “And what are your terms then?”
“First, teach a class once or twice a week. It can be on anything you want.”
Linus thought for a moment and said, “I can help with their writing and some math.” Then their earlier discussion about the holidays flashed in his head. “I do know how to sew and knit; would they like to learn that?”
“You do?” Arthur sounded surprised. “I’m sure they would enjoy learning that from you.” They were holding hands now and Arthur brushed his thumb over Linus’.
“Secondly, after we put the kids to bed, I want to sit together in the evening before you go back to the cottage for the night.” Linus heard Arthur’s voice going down at the end of that sentence before he continued. “Have tea, read, or just talk or sit together for a while.”
“That would be lovely.” Linus said and quickly added a caveat of his own. “And you’ll walk me back to the cottage every night?” He could not look Arthur in the eye when he said it, but he was trying to be bolder in this new phase of his life.
Arthur smiled and kissed Linus on the cheek. “That would make me very happy.”
Linus nodded and looked back at Arthur. “And what’s your third condition?”
Arthur hummed a little and leaned against Linus, resting his head against Linus’ temple. “Tell me when you want things, even if it’s something that seems trivial. One of my love languages is gift giving and it would make me very happy to give you things.”
Linus tried not to blanch hearing that. It went against his natural inclinations, but he would…he would do his best for Arthur.
“Alright…” He said trying to hide his hesitation. “But please don’t go overboard. A seashell or a book will always make me happy. Seeing what you’ve made here-.” Linus gestured to the garlands and wind chimes dangling from the roof of the cave. “I would love something like that but smaller of course.”
“Then I’ll make a windchime for you to hang out on the cottage’s porch.” Linus noticed that Arthur’s voice went low again when he said cottage. “Theodore can help me find the shells.”
Linus smiled imagining Arthur and Theodore on the beach, Arthur walking languidly while Theodore would shoot ahead and scamper back with any shell he found.
“And now…for the part about dating a phoenix.”
Linus nodded and waited for Arthur to continue. He could see that Arthur was feeling self-conscious now, he leaned away from Linus and clasped his hands together in his lap before speaking again.
“I’m…I have very strong control over my powers and my other form, but as you know from the pier, when I have very intense feelings it can slip, and then all pour out very suddenly. I would never intentionally hurt you, but I don’t know…hmm.” Arthur stopped and put a hand to his forehead, covering his eyes too. “I know only so much about phoenixes and some of my understanding is based on the behavior of other birds of prey. I can’t confirm this as a fact, but I believe phoenixes burn more strongly when they are…courting.”
Linus gasped, trying to hold in a laugh as he realized what Arthur was trying to explain.
“Being with you…I’ve noticed it’s easier to burn than in past situations. I don’t think I can hurt you, but if I ever…if its ever too much please back away before anything happens.” Arthur chuckled a little. “I could still burn the house down by mistake and I’m not sure how we would explain that to the kids.”
“Oh dear!” Linus laughed with Arthur. “Yes, that would be…interesting.”
Arthur pulled away to look at Linus, his hand holding his chin on his fist as Arthur stared at Linus. There was fire in his eyes and the heat seemed to rise suddenly in the cave.
“Yes, very interesting…” Arthur leaned forward as he spoke, he cradled Linus’ face in his hands and kissed him slowly. Linus felt the heat in Arthur’s hands and on his lips. It was not as hot as an open flame, but Linus wondered if Arthur was tapping it down intentionally for his sake.
Before they could go any further Arthur pulled away, frowning suddenly as it appeared he was listening to something far away.
“Dinner will be ready in another twenty minutes…we should head back.” Arthur sighed, standing up and helping Linus to his feet.
Linus stared at him, dumbfounded. “How can you tell?” Linus asked. “I understand when Zoe knows what’s happening on her island, but how do you know?”
“It’s another phoenix thing, for people I care very deeply about I can sense what their feeling. They have to be in close range for me to get a good sense of it, but I always know where Zoe and the children are, and I have vague sense of what they’re doing…Lucy is giddier now than earlier in the day so I know he’s cooking and probably singing. I can sometime tell what time it is based on who’s happy and who is not. Talia is usually my alarm clock when she wakes up at the crack of dawn to work in the garden.”
Linus laughed and imagined when the other’s moods would peak during the day. Then he wondered how much Arthur could sense from him. “Can you…do you know what I’m feeling?”
“Hmmm?” Arthur leaned closer to tease Linus. “Yes and no. It takes time to sense what others are feeling. They need to live and share the same space as me for a time…I was just starting to sense you before you left.” Arthur sighed with frustration. “And now I have to start all over.”
“A few weeks to a month then?” Linus said. “And it can fade if separated?”
Arthur paused and then said. “Yes, and yes the link can dissolve when separated.”
Linus remembered their conversation at the fort that past Saturday. If Phee started to separate from the household, then it might be harder for Arthur to sense her, or at least her feelings. The children growing up and leaving will be so hard for Arthur Linus realized.
Linus took Arthur’s hand and tried to lead him confidently back to the water and then salt path. “Well, it might be quicker for us you know. This time round anyway.” Although Linus was glad he could still hide a few feelings for a while.
Arthur laughed seeing that Linus was trying to reassure him. “Perhaps, but right now you’re on mute.”
Linus was fascinated and wanted to ask more, but he held back. There were hardly any records on phoenixes and the accuracy of existing ones was highly questionable. Arthur could share so much with the world if he was willing to write about his own experiences, but that was something they could discuss at another time.
For now, Linus had to focus on writing the most important report of his life.