Ofic - Work Songs - sequel to Lord of These Future Lands

(which is btw complete)

"Here we are! Castle Bauer," Mikhail said, gesturing up to the red brick facade. The apartment building was stuck like a redheaded stepchild between two burlier, more menacing siblings, all narrow and vaguely sad-looking. That impression could probably be blamed on the pollution grime and the rusted grilles on the lowest windows, mind. "Home sweet home, kind of."

Head craned up to take in the building, Timur let out a little puff of breath that was almost a laugh -- a chagrined, unsure one.

"It's a dump for now, but that's fine. Come on."

He walked up the three front steps, paused when Timur didn't follow. Suitcase still at his feet, the other golem would have been choking his own hat if he'd still had any, long-fingered hands clenching spasmodically over his stomach. So tall he was about eye level with Mikhail on the steps, even with his stooped shoulders, the long-sleeved shirt swallowing his frame... He'd grown again during the ten years they hadn't seen each other, Mikhail was pretty sure, and was even surer that the only reason Timur didn't wear gloves to cover the bamboo segments at his knuckles was him being unable to find any that would be long enough.

Mikhail had started rolling his sleeves back up in the last week. It was better for the jobs he was working.

6k, safe for work.
Work Songs on AO3 (locked)