Chapter 20 #2
They hadn't had a lot of time to sink into their Daddy-and-Little connection. When they were alone, they used the titles, but in front of others they were careful. Not because the family didn't know, but because it wasn't anyone else's business what they did.
Romilly didn't much care. He figured his boy would take more time to understand that everyone here loved him and wouldn’t judge their dynamic.
No one judged Eden or Hadrian for how they behaved.
And though Soren kept a cool demeanor, there was no doubting they would be a dominant partner.
He didn't like to think of what his parents shared, but it was common knowledge that dragons were usually kinky in some way. Romilly fought back a shiver at the thought of his parent’s sex life.
"I have a surprise for you, little one. Part of the reason Eden was playing with you was to keep you busy. He volunteered to help, so do not think he was only spending time with you because I asked him to."
Archer nodded, and Romilly could see the relief in his demeanor.
He could feel it too through their mate bond’s continual growth.
All that was left was the bite, and it would be fully locked in.
They'd be able to communicate telepathically and feel each other's emotions all the time, on top of all the magic that would be woven into Archer's life.
Romilly didn't explain the surprise any further.
He opened the door to his rooms and then strode to where his office used to be.
He could tell Archer was confused, because the boy scowled.
He didn't speak, and for that Romilly gave him space. He wanted to know his boy’s thoughts, but he wouldn't push his mate.
"I had this crafted for you and filled it with things I thought you would like. I know you have Eden's space, but this one is purely yours to control."
Romilly opened the door and stepped inside. Archer's eyes widened. It would have been funny, if not for the way he immediately started to cry.
"Oh, no!" Romilly pulled his mate to his chest, bouncing him and cooing, letting his dragon come forward some as if to soothe him. The beast warmed against Archer's skin, sending waves of calm to their mate.
Archer cried for a while. When he was done, he pulled back, and Romilly swiped away the trails of wetness. He waited patiently, knowing his mate would find the words. His little one could explain himself better than if Romilly questioned him.
"I'm overwhelmed because this is amazing," Archer said, his voice breaking as he fought the sniffles. "It's so perfect and pretty, Daddy."
Romilly smiled at that. If the tears were from joy, he could accept them. That was fine. Fear, or pain, or sadness—those wouldn't do.
He ran his fingers through Archer's hair. "I am glad you like it, little one. I also had some magic woven into it."
"Some magic?" Archer asked, peering around the space before looking back at him.
"Yes, magic. I want you to close your eyes and picture what your perfect playroom would look like. What is on the walls? What kind of sounds are there?"
Archer bit his lip, then did as instructed. His lashes fluttered closed, and his mouth evened out until he was the picture of serenity. Romilly watched him for a moment, but as the room shimmered around them, he couldn't help but take a peek at what his boy wanted.
The walls changed until they were a familiar shade of blue.
The shapes of Romilly's dragon scales started to cover one wall of the space.
Clouds covered another. His dragon form, as a whole, was placed on the ceiling.
What appeared to be a hand-drawn version of stick figures of Romilly's family appeared on another wall very large, life-size, giving the illusion that they were there.
It was easy to tell who was who, based on their facial expressions and hairstyles.
Romilly looked back to Archer just in time to see his boy open his eyes. He would forever remember the complete awe in Archer's gaze. The soft sound of a crackling fire echoed in the space, but Romilly could hardly believe it.
His boy's desire for a playroom was to be surrounded by Romilly. His dragon form, his dragon's scales, the colors, Romilly's family, which was now Archer's family—everything in here would remind Archer of Romilly, whether the other man was in the space or not.
"Little one," Romilly said, voice breaking as he felt everything within him come to life.
Archer beamed at him. "Yes, Daddy. It's you!" He wiggled, wanting to get down.
It amused Romilly enough that he let his boy go. Archer ran around the space, arms wide, spinning and giggling. He touched the various blankets, then moved his hand along the walls. "It feels like you, Daddy," he called, looking over his shoulder.
Romilly just smiled, because there was nothing more he could do. There was nothing he could say.
Archer looked through the toys and took his time rubbing every single blanket. When he was done, he came back over to Romilly and grabbed his mate's hand, tugging him toward the bed. He pushed Romilly down until he was seated against the bed frame.
"You stay here, Daddy," he said.
Archer then proceeded to grab the various blankets and toys he found most appealing and set them up on the bed. He arranged them multiple times, stepping back each time to look at them. He would either nod and leave something in place, or shake his head and shift it around.
Romilly knew what was happening: his mate was nesting. He was creating a safe space that was just for him. Or maybe for him and Romilly, since he'd demanded his Daddy come closer.
It took a while, but once he was finished, Archer smiled brighter than Romilly had ever seen. His mate's happiness pulsed inside of him, and he knew what that meant. It was time.
He needed to claim his boy.
His mate.