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Percy came home after another long day at work. The fall out of Viktor’s retirement still hadn’t died down nearly 4 months later and his poor husband was all but hiding away in their home.
Percy wasn’t going to complain, it was wonderful not only having Viktor home but also not having to ferry Dara around family member to family member to help him with her care when he had a work emergency or had to stay at work for longer hours than he had planned.
He had hated the way he often had to cancel plans when Viktor was out of the country and it was a relief to know he no longer had to. That no matter what time he was called in, or how long he had to stay to stop an international situation, his darling daughter was able to actually settle down to sleep in her own bed, with her tati there to sing to her.
Percy loved every moment of his life with Viktor, but he wasn’t ashamed to say that these last 4 months had been the best they had ever had. They had reconnected in all ways and Dara was flourishing having a stay at-home parent with her.
A job that Viktor had taken to like a seeker to a snitch. He would be worried about the absolutely fattening but hearty meals Viktor was creating if it wasn’t for how active he and Dara were. Percy, however, thanks to Viktor’s renewed love of cheese, full fat milk, and everything he had denied himself for decades, was having to actually use the gym in their home that had barely been touched for years.
He was just grateful that Viktor often rewarded him for his efforts, otherwise there was no way he would be able to force his very non sporty body onto that treadmill, the bane of his existence that it was.
Thinking of his husband had him wondering about their home looking for him and Dara. Percy had missed them both so much he had taken a half day off to surprise them.
He heard Dara’s sweet voice as she let out a shriek of excitement. Percy would not lie. He was glad she was right next to Viktor’s ear and not his own.
With a smile, he walked into the back garden, stopping in the doorway to watch them both.
Viktor’s larger hand wrapped around Dara’s tiny one as he helped her dig holes in the soil and plant some seeds.
“What seeds are they, tati?” she asked excitedly.
“We are planting violets in this flower bed, бебче (baby), for daddy.”
“For daddy?”
“Yes, for daddy. Do you remember how you and daddy looked up the meanings of the flowers?” Viktor asked his daughter quietly.
“Yes, cause of Bilbo. I wanted to be a hobbit but daddy said I had to be a little girl. He said we could look at the flowers and give them to you instead because that’s what hobbits do for the people they love, and we love you,” Dara rambled on, a huge smile on her face.
Percy watched as Viktor beamed back at their daughter, his love for her clear in every part of his body, of his soul.
“Exactly that. Even now, daddy gives me flowers with a card explaining their meanings. Your father loves me, and I love him. And unlike I, your father isn’t fond of flowers as a gift. Instead, he likes to sit out here after work, watching you play, or us as we train together, so I thought he would like his own flowers that he can see every day if he wishes to,” Viktor trailed off looking forward, a soft smile on his face.
Percy hoped it was a smile for him. For the love he held for this precious man before him.
“Why violets, tati?” Dara asked as she pushed herself away from Viktor, who let her go easily.
“Because I too looked at the meanings of the flowers. Violets mean modesty, faithfulness and everlasting love. Three things that your daddy holds in abundance. Traits that we are lucky to have bestowed upon us, do you not think?” he asked as he turned back to cover the seed up, helping Dara with hers.
“We are lucky, aren’t we tati?” Dara suddenly asked, looking up at her tati with wide, honest eyes.
“To have your daddy? Yes, we are. We were obviously blessed to be worthy of him,” Viktor agreed quickly, no shame to be found in how much he adored his husband.
“Uncle George says daddy is a fusspot,” Dara said, feeling sad that uncle George would be mean about her daddy.
“Uncle George loves Daddy. They are best friends. But Uncle George is correct. Daddy is a fusspot. He is also precise and practical. He also hates when I don’t tidy the house before he gets home,” Viktor said with a laugh as he stood and picked Dara up and placed her on his hip.
“Daddy is also brave and passionate. He loves with every fibre of his being, and he loves me and you more than he will ever be able to express. He deserves to know he is loved that much in return, yes?” Viktor said as he kissed his daughter’s head.
“So that’s why he gets for always flowers?” she asked sweetly.
“Yes, that is why your daddy gets for always flowers,” Viktor said as he looked up from Dara to walk back in the house, stopping when he saw Percy watching them, his eyes swimming with tears as he beheld his loving family.
“I love you,” Percy croaked out.
“And I you, смел красивият човек на огъня (my man of fire),” Viktor said as he pulled Percy in close.
Percy wasn’t sure how long the three of them stood their embracing, but he knew he was exactly where he wanted to be, where he always wanted to be.