Chapter Text
Trouble comes packaged on a warm Saturday afternoon.
Nico had coerced his brother, and by extension, Nai, into a pool hangout. An inflatable pool hangout, with a shallow line of water, barely big enough for even one of them, but it's a welcome break.
Nai nurses a cold beer, under 'cool-dad' supervision of course, his feet idly dangling in lukewarm water. It definitely beats sweating it out at home, and it comes with the bonus of the sight that is Nic’s father.
Mr. Wolfwood is rarely ever home when they visit, often occupied with work or socializing somewhere else. Nai rarely gets a moment to truly appreciate the finer details of him, only catching the man fully dressed if ever at all. Someone smiled upon Nai today because when he spots the trio setting up in the garden, Mr. Wolfwood joins in, offering them drinks and firing up his dad-grill for a ‘proper’ Saturday BBQ to kick off the evening.
As coals heat, Mr. Wolfwood sheds a layer or two, and Nai's jaw practically hits the floor.
"Has anyone ever told you your father is stupidly hot?" Nai breaks right through whatever conversation his twin and friend were having, tone casual, his gaze fixed on the impressive back in front of them—masculine, strong, and significantly larger than him.
Nico emits a desperate, disgusted sound, sinking into his chair, while Vash practically inhales his next sip and starts wheezing. "I swear to God, Saverem, I'm not averse to beating you off of him with a bat too."
"What? I'm just saying I haven't fully praised the source of your superior genes before," Nai defends.
Raising his cup, Nai takes a sip, his gaze sweeping appreciatively over his friend's father with intensified hunger. Mr. Wolfwood's physique is, to say the least, impressive—his broad shoulders command attention, leading down to a wide chest with round, robust pecs sitting heavily. All of that gracefully tapers into a well-defined waist, with an Adonis belt anyone would love to sink their teeth into. Even better yet; every inch of this man is covered with a layer of dark, coarse hair that compliments his tan skin.
Nai needs to stop this line of thought before he gets started on those thick, wiry thighs. Yeah, Mr. Wolfwood has it going for sure.
"Stop," Nico pleads miserably. "God, stop checking him out. What is wrong with you two?"
Ignoring Nico's protest, Nai looks past him at his twin, whose cheeks flush dark as he averts his gaze. "If it's any consolation, you'll grow into a fine man," Nai teases, nudging Nico with his foot. Nico splutters, briefly furious as he glares at Nai.
"What's wrong with me now?" he demands.
"Nothing," Vash interjects. "You're handsome too!"
"As I was saying," Nai continues, "he's a good-looking man. Bet he'd treat me right."
"That's as far as this'll go," Nico declares. "This was a good day. We were having a good time. Talk about anything else."
"Why? Don't like it when we talk about your daddy?" Nai teases.
"Why is this happening? What have I done to deserve this? I go to church, proffer myself on my knees to pray. Why has God abandoned me?" Nico bemoans, his head falling into his hands.
"Stop teasing him," Vash chides, having grown a conscience in the time it took him to stifle his own snickering. And ogling.
“What, I don’t whine about you two sneaking off whenever the fuck,” Nai sneers, both now pointedly looking away, failing to feign ignorance. “Oh right, because you’ve been subtle,” he adds, voice dripping sarcasm.
"At least I went for the age-appropriate family member," Nico mutters, sinking further into his seat. Nai hears his brother snort as he turns his gaze back upon Mr. Wolfwood. What a sight for sore eyes this is. "It can’t be that bad," Nai muses, smiling playfully. "He’s, what, thirty-something? Still in his prime."
Nico shoots him a withering look, his cheeks tinted with embarrassment. “You were on his birthday,” Nico groans. “You think he had me in his teens?”
“I was chaperoning,” Nai corrects, his tone laced with amusement. “Both of you were sneaking his Finish Whatever Scotch, and I’m fairly sure he would’ve killed you for it.”
“Not every dad beats his kids, you know,” Nico says, grimacing, before Vash cuts in. “Yeah, just ours.”
“Not even a spanking?” Nai asks with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“What do you want,” Nico starts, a mixture of exasperation and concern coloring his tone. “Is it money? I’ll give you anything at this point; just tell me. What’s your price?”
“Aw Nico, never felt the firm touch of a father's love?” Nai nearly sing-songs, his teasing tone escalating.
“Nai,” Vash chides, still smiling, however. “Ease up a little, geez.” Nai merely smirks into his cup, casting a sidelong glance at the steaming pile of misery next to him. “Sorry, he’s just too easy.”
Nai leans back, his gaze still fixated on the object of their conversation, Mr. Wolfwood. With a glint of mischief, far from finished ribbing Nico, Nai decides to push the envelope a little further.
“Hey, Mr. Wolfwood,” Nai calls out, seeing Nico pale in the corner of his eye. “If Nico here pays me enough, can I get an exclusive seat at the next fatherly lecture? Maybe even a front-row ticket to the ‘Firm Touch’ seminar? I want to compare notes; my homeschooling has been a tad unorthodox.”
Mr. Wolfwood turns towards the trio, an eyebrow raised, cigarette between his teeth as he grins. “I’m afraid I’m not hostin’ any seminars, kid. But I’ll gladly give you a discount on the ‘Lessons in Parental Patience’ package.”
Nai grins, his expression smug, ignoring Nico's groan of dismay. “Speakin’ of,” Mr. Wolfwood adds, turning his attention back to the sizzling meat, “how’s your old man healing up? Collarbone fractures are a nasty thing.”
The twins both grimace in response. Home has at least been a little quieter since then.
"Yeah," Vash mutters, staring at his half-empty beer. "He’s still sore, but he’s not making much noise about it."
Nai nods, his grin fading as he remembers the night they ran to the Wolfwood household, their father hot on their tail. The confrontation had been something else, Mr. Wolfwood standing his ground, refusing to let their father take them back.
He’d been a little more than vindicated when his father was the one receiving the blows, for once.
“Thanks, though,” Nai says, “You didn’t have to do what you did, but…”
Mr. Wolfwood waves a hand dismissively, but his expression is warm. “Don’t mention it.”
Vash snorts, attempting to lighten the mood. “Yeah, well, next time try not to break anything. It’s a pain explaining to people why our dad’s in a sling.”
That elicits a hearty laugh from Mr. Wolfwood as he tends to the skewers on the grill. “I’ll do my best, but I won’t make any promises.”
“I’ll promise somethin’,” Nico muses. “I can kick his ass too; we can tag-team him.”
Nai huffs, playfully nudging Nico with his foot, causing a small splash of water. "Quite the bold statement for someone half his father's size," Nai quips, a smirk playing on his lips.
Nico grabs his armrests, half-sliding out of his chair as he kicks through the pool, sending a cascade of water over Nai.
“Nico—!” Nai splutters, dropping his cup in surprise. “Damn it, I didn’t want to get this wet!” he complains, pulling his soaked top taut. Wet cotton clinging to his skin is something he absolutely despises. Nai hastily removes the top, plotting his vengeance as he throws it out in the sun to dry.
“Oh, now you’re just showin’ off,” Nico says with a smirk, lazily leaning back into his chair. Nai shoots him a sharp glare, to which Nico responds by sticking his tongue out like a child, laughing.
“Yeah, keep pretending you don’t enjoy the sight, Wolfwood,” Nai retorts.
“Enjoy what? Those mosquito bites? My tits are bigger than yours,” Nico fires back, grinning.
“Girls, girls,” Vash cuts in, laughing. “Both of you are pretty. Can we call it a truce now? I’m worried you’re going to fight. If you do, do it in the pool, by the way.”
Both Nai and Nico turn to Vash to drag him right in the middle of their bickering when Mr. Wolfwood’s voice cuts through the air.
“Food’s ready, you dickheads. Get your plates and settle down,” he called from the grill, grinning at the three of them.
Vash and Nico move quickly, darting from their chairs to grab their plates before settling in the shade at the patio table. Nai lingers for a moment, exchanging a playful glare with Nico, before grabbing his own plate and sidling up next to Mr. Wolfwood.
Heat radiates from the grill, but Nai likes to think it comes searing off of Mr. Wolfwood too. The warmth bathes Nai’s bare skin, leaving a slight tingle that makes him shudder. This close, he can really take it in, his heart quickening as he quietly appreciates the rare proximity. Mr. Wolfwood smells so good; masculine, a hint of saltiness. Standing in the sun grilling, so close to hot coals, he’s shining with sweat.
Nai flushes at the thought of licking it off of him. It’s fun when it’s all talk, but it’s a little—well, not scary, but different when it’s in reach.
Focus, Saverem.
He looks up to see Mr. Wolfwood looking back, an affable grin on his face, head slightly tilted. Somehow Nai feels caught. This close, he can look right through the shades, Mr. Wolfwood’s gaze flicking down, lingering for a moment before returning to meet Nai’s eye. The corners of his lips quirk up.
“Careful with those 'round the grill, doll,” Mr. Wolfwood teases.
Nai quickly averts his gaze to his plate, feeling the heat creeping from his skin to his cheeks. Before he can steady himself, he feels Mr. Wolfwood’s large hand on his waist, gently guiding him aside. The touch is firm, he barely needed a push to get Nai moving.
“Just easin’ you out of the wind,” Mr. Wolfwood murmurs.
Nai finds himself momentarily breathless, Mr. Wolfwood’s hand lingering on his skin. The slight shift brings Nai closer to the warmth of the grill, but it’s Mr. Wolfwood’s presence that truly envelops him. Nai nods, unable to find his voice, and steals another glance at Mr. Wolfwood, whose smile seems just a bit sharper now.
Vash cracks a joke that sends Nico into a fit of laughter, the sound startling Nai out of his thoughts. Nai tries to focus on the conversation, but his mind keeps drifting back to the man standing beside him.
Mr. Wolfwood returns to grilling, his hand sliding away from Nai’s waist, leaving a trail of tingling in its wake. Nai misses the contact instantly, feeling a strange mix of relief and longing. He takes a deep breath, willing himself to stay grounded even as his thighs squeeze together, determined to enjoy his food without getting lost in his perverted head.
As the evening progresses, Nai’s plate is stacked with burgers, chicken skewers, and roasted bell peppers. He steals glances at Mr. Wolfwood, each time feeling a flutter in his chest. Nai can’t help but wonder if Mr. Wolfwood feels it too, or if it’s just his imagination running wild.
Lost in his thoughts, Nai almost doesn't notice when Nico leans in close, his fork angled to swipe the last of the bell peppers off Nai's plate.
“Hey!” Nai protests, snapping back to reality. Nico grins, popping the bell pepper into his mouth.
“You were zoned out,” Nico teases, chewing. “Thought I’d save it from gettin’ cold.”
Nai rolls his eyes, though a small smile tugs at his lips. “I’ll keep it in mind next time you neglect to guard your plate.”
As the sun sets, casting a warm golden glow over the patio, a question burns on Nai’s tongue.
"Remind me, why did your parents divorce again?" Nai inquires, his gaze fixed elsewhere, not bothering to direct it toward Nico as he asks.
"Ma got caught cheatin’," Nico says nonchalantly, nursing his third beer for the night. "Didn't know the guy, she swore up and down she'd make things right, but Pa wanted to split."
"Infidelity? Really?" Nai's disbelief is palpable. He turns his head and meets Nico's shrug. "She's a deadbeat too. I haven't quite figured out the Nobel Prize-winning strategy behind her decisions yet, but I'll keep ya posted. Just in case you fancy a shot at gettin’ in her pants too."
"Who's getting into whose pants?" Mr. Wolfwood's voice startles both Nai and Nico as he approaches them from behind. They hastily turn to face him, panic flickering in their eyes as they fumble to come up with an excuse.
After exchanging a quick, guilty glance, Nico foolishly opens his mouth first. "Nai already took my shirt, I was askin’ if he was angling for my pants too."
Playing along, Nai adds coolly, "It’s a bit of a clash, Nic’s shirt on these leggings. That’s all."
"Well, if that's the case," Mr. Wolfwood drawls, clearly unconvinced. "I'd like to see you try squeezin’ him into those snug little things of yours." Heat rushes to Nai's cheeks so fast it leaves him reeling. Mr. Wolfwood's gaze slides over his legs with a hum before returning to meet his eyes. "They're quite cute, though."
Then, Mr. Wolfwood redirects his focus to his son, eye on the beer in Nico's hand. He raises an eyebrow and remarks, "Thought I told you two was the max, you little shit. Hand it over," scolding lightly as he extends his hand. Nico pouts but complies, reluctantly handing the bottle over to his father, visibly mourning its loss.
Mr. Wolfwood takes the bottle, brings it to his lips, and takes a hearty swig as he strolls away, leaving Nai in a state of utter disarray as he watches him go.
"Could've at least let me finish it," Nico mumbles with a pout. When Nai doesn't respond, Nico turns to him, immediately letting out a withering sigh. "Can you stop? Oh my god."
"What?" Nai sputters, sitting up a little straighter. His heart pounds in his throat, threatening to leap right over his tongue. He is going crazy; surely, he's reading way too much into whatever that was. Right?
"We get it, you think he’s hot, stare at his ass when I’m not there to see it," Nico sneers as he crosses his arms over his chest.
Did Nico not catch that? Was it not—Nai feels his cheeks continue to cook. God, he hates how easily he blushes, how red his skin gets.
Nico rolls his eyes. "Seriously, Nai, you’re like a wet, open book. If you keep gawkin’ at him like that, he’s bound to notice."
Nai fidgets with his plate, desperately trying to compose himself. "I wasn’t gawking—"
Nico smirks. "Sure, whatever helps you sleep at night."