(no subject)

[littleorphanalien]

It turns out that moving into an actual house is a lot more work than he'd expected, not to mention the money worries. He's been making the drones and they've got enough for the down payment, but it's still really tight. Each completed drone seems to sit there and laugh in his face, another piece of proof of something he hasn't sold and isn't earning them money.

The boxes need to be packed, though. Their things have to move.

Alex has been on the phone for the last while and Michael's going through their drawer to shove things into boxes, glad that most of his alien shit is going to stay with Caleb in the city on the webcam, but even then, he's just got too much stuff. He ducks out into the main room when Alex is still on the phone, raising his brow to ask if that's a good sign or not. Then, when Alex still seems busy negotiating something, he heads back to the bedroom to start packing up the not-every day items, things they could take out to the beach house without causing disruption with their lives.

Ten minutes later, he's bored of packing and Alex is still on the phone. He wanders back into the main room, gives Bopp one of her toys, and then drapes his arms around Alex's neck from behind, kissing down his neck as he curls in, rubbing his long curls against the back of Alex's head, like he's trying to snuggle in with him from this angle.

It's his mature way of stating that he's bored of packing and he's hoping Alex will get bored of that phone call soon.

Comments

[unendurable]

Alex has spent weeks canvassing the city. It's funny how in less than a year, he has adapted to this place as home. He knows the back roads, and the businesses, and where to avoid and who doesn't like those that came to this place rather than being from here.

He has places that sell his album, and people he knows from gigs, and it's a home now. They've bought their home, but it's more than that. This whole place is a home to them. Darrow is home.

So when his phone rings with an unknown number, he answers with more hope than he should have. He's been worrying about their home, about how they're going to manage this, and trying to think of an answer so that Michael won't go back to the mechanic shop. This call is suddenly becoming his answer.

So he's pacing by the table, making notes from time to time, and typing things into the computer even as he talks. When Michael comes up behind him, he can't help but smile, loving how it feels, especially since he's so excited he can't even stop bouncing slightly. Pressing back against him even as he finishes talking.

"We can come by next week with a finished model that I'll have added the specific software to. We'll need to install the needed software on your mainframe, and then you can access it from any computer on the system as needed. We'll have it ready for you to run tests to see how the cloaking works, and if you approve of the finished model, we can leave it with you then. That will be perfect. Yes. Alex Manes and Michael Guerin," he says, spelling their names. "We'll have identification for security. Good. We'll see you then."

[littleorphanalien]

Michael's set aside dusty boxes for Alex, drifting in and kissing the side of his neck, loving the way that Alex seems to bristle with excitement, even though Michael has no idea what it is, until he starts talking about software and mainframes and cloaking. Then, his eyes brighten and he waits until Alex is off the phone.

"Is that what I think it was?" he asks, hopeful and almost bouncing, wrapping his arms around his waist to turn him. "We can't let them keep it, not until they decide to buy," he rambles, suddenly interested in the call and not the little touches he was starting to make. "I don't want them reverse-engineering anything they get their hands on. Do you think they're serious?"

"Alex!" he says, grabbing his hips to haul him in for a victorious kiss. "Alex! You genius."

[unendurable]

It's hard to focus because Michael is delicious and his touch is amazing but this is amazing and so cool and Alex can't help but grin as he's turned to face Michael.

"It is! And we won't. Not until they give us a check," he says with bright eyes. "But I think they're going to. They run a security firm here in town, that covers some of the major shopping area, and so they want to start utilizing our tech for night security. If they like this model, there may be a three drone purchase, Michael. Besides, no one can do this. They don't have the ship."

He grins, kissing him back. "Me? You made it. You're the amazing one."

[littleorphanalien]

Michael is bubbling up, as if his happiness weighs more than his body and keeps trying to lift him off the ground. "Yeah, but they could just keep the property and steal it, no need to pay. Maybe I should install a safeguard that means it won't work until we finally activate it as their property," he rambles, trying to make sure that this will work.

Every little idea he has, he presses his fingertips against Alex's hip a little harder, kissing him and spinning him a little, just so he can get him sitting on the table.

"You're the one who sold it," he says, in awe. "Three," he says, laughing with delight. "Fuck, Alex, I hadn't even though about pricing or bulk pricing. What do we charge? Is it gonna be enough to help with the house?"

[unendurable]

"I promise you it won't happen. We'll find a way. For one, let's be honest, it's my software program. There's nothing they can put into it that I can't get into, and you're right. We should put in that. We could also put in a safeguard to keep them from duplicating it. Oh, I know. A key that has to be entered for the software to work with each model. I can hide it so they don't find it, and it would mean every unit would need that key to work with the software. Means they can't buy one and copy it either," he says, thinking of ways to protect them and their project.

Laughing as he sits on the table, moving to wrap his legs around Michael's hips to pull him closer.

"Well think about pricing because they want to see it without a definite price on it so we need to work that out. And this will help, a lot," he says, nodding. "We had saved enough for the down payment, and this will mean others finding out about it as well. Word of mouth will be our best seller."

[littleorphanalien]

Michael is still dazed at the idea that they're working together like this, and that it'll be Alex's software on Michael's devices and his heart skips a beat when he thinks about it like that. God, he loves it so much. He grabs at Alex's hips, rubbing his palms over them back and forth and hoping to keep him close.

"You're brilliant," he praises, drifting in to kiss Alex's nose, then his neck. "You're my genius, so smart," he whispers, laughing brightly, his eyes full of joy and life.

His heart is racing as he thinks about it. "Fuck," he laughs. "What do you think we could get away charging? Couple tens of thousands?"

[unendurable]

"Me? I'm the brilliant one? You created a drone from parts of a spaceship and it has cloaking capabilities and I'm the brilliant one?"

Because in his mind, Michael is positively amazing that he's done this. Alex just created a program. Well... "I mean, I'm brilliant, yes. But you, you're the genius."

Because he knows he is amazing at what it is he does, but nothing compared to Michael.

"We present it like a bundle. The drone, the programs, the systems to work with them. So they think they're paying for so much more. Then we can offer them a discount based on a fleet order," he says with a grin. "But yeah. I think we're looking at the possibility of making a deal that could keep us going for months, Michael."

[littleorphanalien]

Michael doesn't want to play at faux-modesty, so he's grinning by the time Alex lays it all out like that, loving the way it sounds. "I did do that, huh?" he teases, and he breathes out with relief, tugging Alex to the edge of the table to kiss him as hard as he can, playful and giddy.

His heart is racing in his chest, and there's a slight furrow in his brow, mainly because he didn't think this would happen.

"You're so fucking smart," he whispers, and he knows Luke could come home or Caleb could visit, but when he kisses Alex next, it's a filthy open-mouthed thing and he nearly pins him back on the table.

[unendurable]

"Yeah, yeah you did you marvelous, amazing, wonderful genius. You are amazing," he says, sliding closer so he can wrap his arms tightly around Michael, holding him close.

This is it. They've made a life for themselves. Not just living here, but a life. With a dog, and a kid, and a house, and now a business. A business where they're making serious money.

"I am," he says with a grin, because that he'll accept. Groaning as he just leans back, keeping his arms around Michael and drawing him in with him. Kissing him back like this is it, their first kiss and their last and everything in between.

[littleorphanalien]

Michael's laugh is bright as anything and honestly, he thinks it's the happiest he's ever been. Not that it's got much competition. His life is usually a pile of angst and hardship, so to have this be a good moment is something that takes him by surprise.

He leans in and grabs at Alex's face to cup his cheeks, grab him in with another kiss, a little longer than before, a little more, dipping his toe into dangerous waters. He's bent over the table, but not to fuck Alex, just to kiss him.

"Wait," he groans, even if he doesn't move. "Kidlet," he warns.

[unendurable]

This is what they needed to confirm that all of this was going to work. That they can work for themselves and take care of their family.

And that is part of it as well. Their family.

They have everything they could want now. Each other. Bopp. A thriving business. And Luke.

Sighing as Michael reminds him of that, arching up for another kiss. Hard. Needy. Moaning into the kiss before he quits, laying back with a thunk of his head on the table.

"Right. Kidlet," he says with a nod. "Celebrating is for later."

[littleorphanalien]

Michael chases Alex one more time for one more kiss, then he slides his fingers against Alex's back to press him up and against him, leaning him up into his arms as he nuzzles at his neck, smiling warmly. "Kidlet," he teases, and he's loving this so much.

"Alex," he says, still breathless and a little amazed. "Pinch me, would you? Cuz I can't believe it's real."

He's still amazed that something he did is going to be a business and not just a one off. Genuinely, he can't believe it.

[unendurable]

Making a small sound of being frustrated but looping his arms around Michael's neck and snuggling in close to him. "You missed the one part. Our borrowed kidlet. Ours," he says with a grin. God, he really does still love that.

Laughing as he leans in, kissing Michael and then biting his lower lip. "Close enough to a pinch? It's real Michael. W're making this happen. It's going to happen."

[littleorphanalien]

"Yeah, yeah, borrowed," he retorts with a smug little grin, loving the way they're curled in together, even as he gets Alex back to a more vertical position, seeing as it's not really appropriate for him to be lying back like that.

He grins, though, sliding his fingers over Alex's face, after yelping mildly for the kiss. "We have a genuine company." Wait, does that mean they're behind? "Does Area-97 have to get incorporated now? Do we need a business account at the bank for this? Or a lawyer?" he asks, trying to ignore old feelings about Noah.

[unendurable]

He can say borrowed but in truth, it's only for Luke's sake, because he is still hoping and wishing for his family. The truth is, Alex is still hoping and wishing for his family as well but the truth is, Luke is their kidlet.

"We should... Talk to a local attorney. Are we paying taxes? Do they charge that here? We've never looked into that. We'll need to talk to someone and see what they say. I don't know how different laws in Darrow are."

[littleorphanalien]

Michael can see that look in Alex's eyes, and he leans in, his mouth firmly pressed to his jaw where he can grin, and he can't help himself. "Don't tell me that you want to get an actual kidlet," he whispers, because it wouldn't be his alien DNA that they'd be using, but he eases back to raise a brow.

He's not ruling it out, not now that he knows he's not the worst father in the world.

"This is a lot," he admits. "Taxes and lawyers and contracts and sales, and then down payments." He can feel a knot starting to form in his chest, against his will. He exhales, but it's ragged. "Going a little off the rails here, pull me back?" he requests, which is big for him.

[unendurable]

Alex goes still at that, looking at Michael for a long time. "That's not a simple yes or no, Michael. There's a lot that we'd have to consider because Darrow." Like what would happen if they left this place. That he'd need to have some clue about. "I love Luke though, and I'm so glad he's part of our family."

And that part is important. Just as this is.

"Michael, we'll work it out. We're not going to end up homeless, and we're not going to lose anything. We'll talk to a local attorney, and get their help. We're helping their economy. Hell, we're becoming part of the place in a lot of ways. We'll work it out."

[littleorphanalien]

Michael's biting his lip, staring at Alex as he eases back, like he's not entirely sure that he should have said that, but he did. "It's just, it's something I'm putting out there, okay? It'd be your kid, with a surrogate, but it's...there."

Now that he knows that he's not a bad father, that his fears were unfounded, he wants to be able to provide that option out to Alex, at least to give him the hope.

"Yeah. Yeah, you're right. You're right, I just want to make sure we make enough, you know? And not get sued or anything like that."

[unendurable]

Leaning in, Alex kisses Michael, stroking his knuckles along his cheek. "I... Maybe one day? But it would have to be that we both want to do that. Would want a child that way. Or we can do what we have, and foster other kids who end up here. Kids who need someone to take care of them."

Just like someone should have taken care of Michael.

"Michael, it's going to work. We're going to make this work. I swear, we'll make it work."

[littleorphanalien]

Michael tips his head to the side and stares at Alex with a fond grin, loving that his boyfriend is talking about fostering, even though Michael just offered to be there for him if he wanted to surrogate a kid, and god, he loves him.

"Okay," he agrees, and helps Alex to his feet. "Tell me how many I need to prepare," he says, heading to his stash of finished models, glancing over his shoulder. "Stop looking at my ass," he teases, as though Alex isn't paying attention.

[unendurable]

Smiling back at Michael, truly feeling that the right path for them is fostering. That house is awful, the kids are tormented, and they can't take in everyone, but the more of them that show up, they can look into doing what they can.

"I think we should have at least two," he says, laughing and shaking his head. "Nope. I'm not going to stop," he says, even if he hadn't been. Though he is now.

[littleorphanalien]

Michael grins as he pries two of the drones out from the locked storage, bringing them to the table to delicately set them down. There are three more still there that they could sell later, but he hands one to Alex to start programming, digging out his screwdriver kit.

"Okay, so, what do you want to do to protect these," he asks, leaning in to kiss Alex chastely on the lips, basking in these casual little touches that they can do. "And we should have better packaging, shouldn't we? Do we have a briefcase or a nice box? We should have bought boxes."

[unendurable]

They are such beautiful pieces, and Alex takes it reverently from him, just admiring it for a long moment, glancing over it. "These things are really amazing, Michael. They really are."

He's still just mesmerized by them.

Kissing him back with a grin, considering the systems they have already coded for them. "We've got time to get boxes, and I can print out labels," he says. "As for the coding, I'm thinking we can set coding with a backdoor that means we have constant access to them. Never to be used unless, you know, they either steal them or copy them. And I can code in an individual code so the terminal software only works with each one with the code. So the software won't work without a unique code."

[littleorphanalien]

Michael stares at them with pride. They really are something. To the normal eye, they look like a gorgeous paperweight, smaller than a basketball, and glimmering in perfect spheres. He'd managed to use his powers and enough welding tools to get the camera piece within it, then working with the console of the ship to give them drone capabilities to fly, looking little more than an orb in the sky.

If you ever saw them, given he's seen in his tests how they seem to cloak, which he wonders if his ship had done as well.

Michael feels his lips tingling for the kiss, but it's nothing compared to the butterflies in his stomach. "I never would've been able to do this without you," he says, and he means it. "Alex, without your software, these are fancy camera, but you..." He shakes his head. "You really do make me a better version of myself," he says, and a year ago, that would've been something he fought. "Thank you."

[unendurable]

They're beautiful and elegant, and Alex can't imagine anyone else ever making something that amazing. They're capable of so much and between them they've made something to support them and make a future of their lives.

"I feel the same, Michael," he whispers, stepping in to cup Michael's cheeks, staring into his eyes. "We wholly and truly need one another, Michael. I believe that. We're better together."

Leaning in and kissing him, slow and deep. "You're welcome, but thank you as well."