twenty-one
All three lay in bed together, Aldric's arms wrapped partially around his mate, who in turn is leaning against him with Milton in his lap.
Empty mugs sit on the dark wooden bedside table, sunshine filtered by the sheer curtains falling across the three as they lay with bed covers tossed lazily across their legs.
"Now this one," Cal speaks softly, lifting both his hands so one is flat while the other gently 'chops' against it. "This one means 'stop'."
Milton watches closely, mimicking the action before looking up at Cal, silently asking if he did it correctly.
The man smiles brightly, praising him with a kiss to the head.
So far, Milton's been shown the words for eat, drink, yes, no, toilet, sleep, and now stop. It's a lot to remember, but Callum said they just need to practice.
"It'll take some time, but I think this will help us all communicate a little better. Does that sound good?"
Milton's cheeks flush pink as he nods, the tenderness in Cal's voice making his heart swell.
Of course it's frustrating not being able to talk, and the boy is sure it's just as frustrating for the two men looking after him, yet instead of complaining or voicing their annoyance, they found another way for him to talk.
It was hard not to burst into tears. Happy tears.
Al squeezes his love closer, a hum starting in his throat as he presses a kiss against his neck.
"What was the one for eat?"
Cal grins over his shoulder, turning to Milton. "Do you remember the sign for that?"
Milton nods, hastily raising his hand, touching his fingers to his thumb and bringing it to his lips.
Cal gives the boy a squeeze, his wolf releasing a higher pitched squeal that escapes in his excitement. "Yes! You're amazing, Milly."
Milton's blush rises to the tips of his ears, but he snuggles back into the man at the praise.
Al chuckles at the two, unwrapping his arms from his husband and rising from the bed. "Well I think it's about time we have some lunch."
"What're you cooking?" Cal hums, shifting in the bed to lift the covers up and over the boy in his arms.
His love stands at the end of the bed, watching them with a contented smile.
"I was thinking we could heat up some shepherd's pie? Get some veggies into the two of you."
"Have you had that before, Milton?" Callum asks him with a tilt of his head.
Milton goes to shake his head, only to stop and lift his hand instead, signing 'no' to the two men.
Callum hold back another sound of joy, dipping his face into Milton's messy hair instead. His husband grins.
"Well, it's delicious. I'll go heat it up."
The large man leaves, and Milton and Cal are left to lay in bed and listen to Al move around in the kitchen.
Callum takes this moment to look over the boy, eyes assessing every little aspect.
His cheeks are no longer so hollow, his skin taking on a healthy pink glow, and his hands no longer look as puffy and bruised as they once did.
He's still very small, and on the bony side, but there's progress. Progress is good.
"How are you feeling about the council coming to visit?' Callum murmurs softly, wiggling the both of them back down into the bed.
Milton croaks out some sort of noise, not knowing what to say.
"Scared?"
The boy nods but also lifts a shoulder in half a shrug. He didn't know what to expect.
Cal hums in understanding, scooping Milton up until he's wrapped in his arms more comfortably, head resting against Callum's chest.
"They want to ask you some questions about your past."
Milton frowns. He didn't know anything from his past. It was all a blank space in his mind, filled with static and blurred darkness.
"It's dumb, I know. They've been informed about the gap in your memory, yet they insisted they needed to talk to you in person. It's a bit insulting really. They trusted us enough to look after you, but not enough to listen to us when we say you need time to heal."
Milton makes another noise in the back of his throat, trying to communicate his agreeance with the man's thoughts, but it comes out as more of a weak squeak.
Callum presses a kiss to his head. "I promise there's nothing to fear. Aldric and I will stay with you the whole time, and if you've had enough, you can tell us. I'll get Al to kick them out."
Milton smiles at that, looking up at the beautiful man caring for him.
The soft smile and the little crinkle by his eyes.
He feels... spoilt. What kind of luck did he have that whisked him away to these two men who have only every shown him love and support.
They've never hurt him, and they've done everything in their power to keep him happy.
Did he really deserve to be pampered? To be cuddled in piles of blankets and clothed in soft pyjamas?
To have three full meals a day (plus snacks) and an unlimited amount of warm milk in his belly?
To have someone hold him when he needed comfort, to wash him and brush his hair. It all feels a little surreal.
"Something wrong?" Callum's voice pulls him from his thoughts, and Milton blinks up at him, wishing he knew the words or the signs to express everything.
Instead, he does what he thinks is best, and presses his now burning face into Callum's shirt, breathing in the man's sweet scent and scootching himself a little closer.
Callum smiles, giving the little human a squeeze.
The doorbell rings through the apartment, startling Milton and bringing a frown to Cal's face. The ring is followed by rapid knocking and Cal lets a low growl slip past his lips.
They're not expecting visitors.
The two listen as Aldric goes to the door, his own grumbles meeting Callum's ears as the wolf instinctively slows his breathing, senses tuned to the sound of the lock disengaging and the door opening.
"The councilmen are here." It's Henry's voice.
Cal squeezes Milton tighter in his arms.
"And?" Aldric growls at his Alpha, body blocking the doorway as he keeps one hand on the white painted door, a clear sign the man is not welcome inside.
There's a pause.
Callum unwraps himself from the blankets, tucking Milton in with a calming smile. "I'll be right back, sweetie."
Milton lets himself be man handled back into bed, content to be cocooned in the older man's warmth.
He doesn't know its Henry at the door. Nor did he hear the news the large man brought.
Instead, he blinks back sleep as he breaths in the calming medley of Callum and Aldric's scent, watching the curtains gently tussle with the soft breeze.
Cal wraps his arms around himself as he leaves the room, closing the bedroom door so only a small gap remains. He walks down the hallway, shoulders bunched up as he comes to stand beside his husband, keeping a respectable distance from the door.
"W-what are you doing here?" Cal bravely asks, frown still etched on his face.
Henry glances ay him before turning his attention the man still blocking the entrance into the apartment.
"The council arrived. They decided to take a cab and are being situated in the pack house now. They've asked me to notify you of their arrival as they would like to visit – "
"No." Aldric snarls at the man.
Henry growls deeply in his chest at the disrespect, jaw ticking as he glares at his pack member.
"It wasn't a request."
Callum steps up to his love, placing a hand on his back as he lifts his chin in defiance also. Aldric rises taller muscles taut.
"Our answer isn't changing. This is a delicate situation, and the council are proving once again that they don't value the seriousness of Milton's condition." Aldric spits.
Cal winces. "Alpha, d-do you really think throwing two new people in the boy's f-face is wise? He's already going through a lot. S-surprising him with random strangers... nothing good will come of it."
Alpha pinches the bridge of his nose, tensed muscles only relaxing slightly at the smaller man's softly spoken words. Of course, they're right. He knows it. They know it. But to tell the council no? It's asking for trouble. Particularly with the two wolves currently taking a tour of the property.
"There's not much I can do."
Aldric's lip lifts in thinly veiled annoyance, fingers tightening on the door.
"I don't care. If they come to this door, it won't be opened."
Henry sighs. There's no good solution. No matter what he says, or what he does, one party will be upset.
"I'll try to reschedule. No promises, the council are the ones with all the power."
Cal digs his fingers into Aldric's shirt, nodding to his Alpha. "Thank you."
Al grunts, closing the door and flicking the lock into place.
Immediately he turns and pulls his love into his arms, breathing in his sweet scent and slowly deflating. Having the council around puts him on edge. Knowing they're walking around the packhouse, judging them, monitoring them.
"We're okay." Callum mumbles against his chest.
"I know. I just – "
"Don't get along with authority?"
Aldric playfully scowls at his little mate, who grins up at him with a twinkle in his eye.
"Should we get that shepherd's pie ready?"
Cal hums in agreeance, releasing his love with a brief kiss to his lips.