Draco
They’d only separated them long enough to carry both men upstairs, where they’d settled them both in the center of a massive bed in the large master bedroom of the house.
He’d raised a brow at the bed, wondering what had prompted its purchase, but he was thankful when he’d been able to slip in behind Sawyer and hold him close.
Andvari had done the same for Henry while Eduard kept first watch.
He moved to pull Sawyer closer, to take advantage of this moment just a bit, before the scent in his nose caused him to bolt upright in surprise.
It wasn’t Sawyer curled up against him. It was Henry.
Andvari still held his position on the other side of the bed, and Pearl was lying across his and Henry’s legs.
She huffed at him at the sudden movement, but he ran a quick hand over her head in reassurance.
Eduard wasn’t at the window anymore which meant that the smell of bacon which had woken him was…
“Hey,” Sawyer said. “Did we wake you up? I’m sorry. I was hungry and—”
“It’s fine,” Draco said. He stepped closer, wanting to put himself between Sawyer and Eduard once again.
“You okay?” Sawyer asked. He glanced toward Eduard, then back to Draco.
“I’m—”
“Come here, big guy.” Sawyer reached out and grabbed Draco’s wrist, tugging him forward until he was in front of Sawyer, standing in between his spread legs.
Draco’s breath caught and he started to put some distance between them, but Sawyer wrapped his arms around Draco’s neck and held him close. “We have so much to talk about.”
Draco nodded, unable to meet Sawyer’s gaze. He’d kept so much from him over the years, so many secrets and half-truths. How could Sawyer ever forgive him for that breach of trust?
“But until we do, I could really use a hug.”
Draco lifted his face and searched Sawyer’s eyes. He didn’t see the anger or hurt he’d been expecting. He leaned in and pressed his forehead to Sawyer’s, breathing in his clean, crisp scent. It comforted him more than it should, but then, Sawyer had always been more to him than he should be.
“I’m sorry,” Draco whispered. “I thought you would hate me.”
Sawyer’s arms tightened around him, pulling him even closer. “I could never hate you. But, and I say this in all seriousness, so you better listen up because there is exactly one way for you to earn back my trust. Actually, make that two ways.”
Draco took another deep breath and leaned back so he could stare into Sawyer’s eyes.
“Anything,” he promised.
Sawyer grinned and wiggled his eyebrows and Draco knew he was in for it.
“First, you can’t lie to me anymore. That’s a deal breaker.
I get that you had to keep things a secret before, but now that we know what we know, I’m in.
If there’s something you can’t tell me because you’re a guardian or whatever, then just tell me that.
I talked to Eduard earlier and I respect your ancient role and duty.
I won’t get in the way of it, but I’m not willing to just go away either.
You’re part of my life and I’m not giving you up without a fight.
So no lies and you tell me if you have some important dragon business that you can’t talk about and I’ll be okay with that. ”
“I swear it.”
“And second, and this is critically important—”
Draco sighed. “Yes, I will shift into my dragon and light marshmallows on fire so you can make s’mores.”
Sawyer cracked up and pulled Draco into another hug. “And that is why you are now, and always will be, my best friend.”
Draco couldn’t help the way his arms tightened, instinctively trying to keep Sawyer as close as possible. “Promise?”
“I swear it,” Sawyer replied.