eight
Cal and Aldric lay in their bed, both staring up at the dark ceiling, the soft light from the moon casting shadows across their covers, the curtains barely moving from the breeze of the open window.
They were breathing quietly, both keenly listening for any sound from the neighbouring guest room, ready to jump up at a moment's notice.
Callum twists under the blankets, unintentionally letting out a sigh through his nose.
Aldric shifts as well, turning on his side to face his mate, a hand reaching out to rest on his chest. He could see the faintest of pouts on Callum's lips, fluffy curls pressed into the pillow, no doubt turning into a tangled mess from all the wriggling.
"My love, you need to sleep."
Callum huffs. "You're not sleeping either."
A smile pinches at his cheeks at the petulant tone. "I'm awake because you're awake. The boy is fast asleep, and by the sound of those tiny snores, he's going to be staying asleep for the rest of the night."
Callum only huffs again. "What if he wakes up from a nightmare? What if he gets cold, or needs a drink?"
Aldric begins to rub soothing circles on his mate's chest, hand sneaking beneath his shirt to touch bare skin. "We'll hear him. He's right next door."
Cal didn't want to admit that his husband was right.
It was annoying, but the wolf was right.
If Milton made a single sound of discomfort, they would be right there to heed his every beck and call.
There was really no need for Callum to be so restless, but he couldn't seem to calm his mind.
His wolf wanted to go to the boy and bring him back to their bed, hole him up in their nest to 'keep him safe'.
Keep him safe from what... Callum didn't really know.
Aldric sighs, pulling his little mate closer and tucking his face into Callum's neck.
He chuffs at him, breath tickling Cal's hair as he quietly hums in response, finally turning his face to look at his dear husband in the moonlight.
He was ruggedly handsome, with his crooked nose and thick eyebrows.
When they first met, Aldric barely smiled.
The pack were wary of the tall man who kept a straight face, but not Callum.
He could see Aldric's smile in his eyes.
The way they twinkled in mirth when a packmate cracked a joke, or the way they lit up when someone told a fantastical story.
Callum leans closer, nosing his mate with a little chuff before pressing a soft kiss to his lips. Aldric's arms wind tighter around him as he returns the affection with his own gentle kiss, humming deep in his throat.
"I love you." Cal whispers, twisting onto his side so he can reach a hand to cup his love's face.
Aldric smiles in the dark. "I love you too."
Callum kisses him again, snuggling closer. "Distract me."
Aldric blinks, startled by the request for only a second. He couldn't remember the last time his love had been so forward. It would have to have been before... well, before things became a little complicated.
"Are you sure?" Al purrs, both hands having now made their way beneath his soft pyjama top, caressing bare skin.
His love smiles. "Yes."
The two wolves wake to the sound of snuffling, Aldric first to rise from the bed, pressing his mate back into the covers with a promise to come back for him if something is wrong.
He stretches his muscles, plodding over to their closet to grab a t-shirt before making his way next door into Milton's room.
The boy is still lying down, tucked beneath the covers with only his head poking out the top. There were no tears in his eyes, and he didn't look to be in any pain, only staring up at the white ceiling with big round eyes.
Aldric knocks gently on the open door. "Morning, Milton. You doing okay?"
The sun had only just risen, basking the room in a soft yellow glow as the rays on sun sneak in behind the closed curtains.
Milton nods in his bed, eyes tracking the large man as he comes over and bends a knee to kneel beside the bed.
"I bet your hot water bottle has gone cold. Let me heat up another."
Aldric lifts the covers, taking out the bottle dressed like a teddy bear - the sloshing water inside definitely cold.
Milton makes a noise in his throat, perhaps his way of saying thanks and Aldric smiles, gently reaching to smooth a hand over his head before leaving the boy to fill up the hot water bottle.
Making his way out, teddy bear cradled in one arm, he ducks his head back into his own room where Callum is sprawled across the bed, one eye open as he waits for his mate to give him an update.
"He's just an early riser. I'll go heat this up and make us some coffee, hm?"
Callum nods into his pillow, shoulders visibly relaxing.
The first two nights, Milton had been dead to the world, asleep until nearly noon.
His body too tired to try and wake at any kind of 'normal' morning time.
Not that either of the wolves minded. Now that Milton was awake earlier.
.. perhaps that meant he was finally getting some of his energy back.
Smiling in pride, Callum snuggles back into the bed covers content to wait here for his love rather than check on Milton. He'd call that progress. His instincts still called for him to smother the boy in love, but it was much more tolerable.
Stretching out amongst the sheets one last time, Callum rises from the bed, throwing on a pair of loose pyjama pants and a long cardigan. He yawns, listening as his love movesa round the kitchen, coffee machine chugging to life as the kettle begins its steady climb to boil.
Stepping into Milton's room, Callum smiles sleepily at the boy who blinks up at the ceiling, waiting for his warm water bottle to be brought back.
"You warm enough?" Cal asks, wrapping his arms around himself.
The heater had been on overnight, but the timer would have shut it off some time around midnight. It wasn't exactly cold in the apartment, but for the little human, perhaps it was getting a little chilly.
Milton tilts his head to look at the man, lifting his one good shoulder in his version of a shrug. He didn't feel super cold, but he wasn't toasty warm either.
Callum walks up to the bed, taking one of the other blankets resting at the end of the bed and pulling it all the way up to Milton's chin.
"Al will be back in a minute. He might bring you something warm to drink too."
Not even a moment later, Al walks in with the hot water bottle still dressed as a bear under one arm, a bottle under the other and two coffee cups in each hand.
Cal is quick to stand up and take the warm bottle and bear from his mate's arms, pressing a kiss to his cheek in thanks before retuning to Milton's side and tucking the bear under the covers so only it's furry little head pokes out the top.
"We're going to get you some more heat bags." Al chuckles, placing Callum's coffee on the bedside table before taking a seat in his usual spot at the end of the bed. "Ones without the teddy-bear cover."
Callum laughs quietly as well as he helps Milton sit up amongst the pillows, carefully making sure his strapped arm is comfortable. "I like the bear! It's cute."
Al rolls his eyes, taking a sip at his coffee.
Milton didn't mind the bear. He couldn't remember the last time he had been able to have something as simple and childish as a teddy in his arms. It was nice to have something warm and soft in his arms while he slept. Comforting.
Opening his mouth gingerly, he let's Callum gently guide the baby bottle to his mouth, the warm milk with a touch of brown sugar making him hum in delight.
He was getting used to it; despite detesting the use of a baby bottle, the soft teat did make it easier for him to drink than when he tried to sip from a glass or suck from a straw.
He still felt like it was hard to actually swallow, but even after only a few days in the care of the two men, he was starting to feel better. Stronger. If only a little.
"I was thinking," Callum begins, "Would you like to get out of bed for a bit today? We could take you outside, spend some time in the fresh air?"
Milton nods, eyes fluttering as he continues to drink, both Callum and Al sipping at their own coffees as Cal uses one hand to support Milton's bottle.
"We could have a little picnic." Aldric smiles.
Cal grins, eyes twinkling. "Yes! The weather's nice outside and maybe Milton will get to see some of the wildlife."
The wildlife. It was a big step. Both wolves eager to share that aspect of their life, but they needed to be careful. The didn't want to scare the boy with the large beasts that wandered the premises.
Milton, on the other hand, felt a spark of excitement. He would get to go outside! He would get to feel the sun on his face. It had been a long, long time since he had been outside. At least... not since he was very small.
Drinking the last of the warm milk, Milton sags into the bed, belly full and content.
"It's a little cold outside so we'll have to dress you up in a few layers. Some extra shirts and maybe a few pairs of socks."
Al nods along. "I think we have a coat that will fit him too."
Milton watches the two as they discuss the plan, happy enough to simply listen to the rambling as he lays snug in his new bed with his warm hot water bottle.
With his good arm, he reaches out from under the blankets and gently touches the soft fur of the water bottle bear with his bruised fingers.
A little smile appears on his face, both Callum and Aldric watching with their own smiles.
Callum brushes Milton's hair away from his face. "Well then, we better get some snacks ready for our picnic. You can go back to sleep for a bit, Al and I will wake you up when it's time to get dressed."
Milton sighs softly through his nose as the two wolves rise and tuck him back in. His cheeks turn pink as each man takes an extra moment to press a kiss to his head, wishing him a good sleep before leaving him alone, shutting the door halfway.
He wiggles in his bed, cheeks still flushed pink in shock at the sweet gestures. They... kissed him goodnight. Milton lifts a hand, feather-like touches against his own skin as he traces the spot.
Smiling to himself, Milton closes his eyes and hugs the bear to his chest. These people really did care for him. They had to, right? No one would kiss him endearingly on the head unless they genuinely about him. They even want to take him outside for a picnic!
Milton didn't really know what that was, but the promise of sunshine and snacks could only mean good things.