Chapter Fourteen #2
Sobek’s thumb traced lazy circles on Rudy’s hip. “That’s the bond. You’re immortal now, so your body’s adjusting.”
Rudy blinked. Right. He was immortal. That was going to take some getting used to. “Do I look different?”
“No.” Sobek’s gaze swept over him, lingering on his mouth. “You’re still perfect.”
Rudy snorted. “You’re biased.”
“Absolutely.”
Before Rudy could respond, the bedroom door burst open with a bang. Three small bodies launched themselves at the bed, shrieking and giggling, and suddenly Rudy’s peaceful morning was back to how things normally went.
Rose landed on Sobek’s back with a triumphant yell. Jack scrambled up from the foot of the bed, his hair sticking up in every direction. And Timothy - fully human-looking now, with no scales - climbed carefully onto Rudy’s side, his dark eyes wide and solemn.
“You’re still here,” Rose announced, bouncing on Sobek’s spine like he was a trampoline.
Sobek grunted. “I am.”
Jack crawled closer, peering at Rudy’s face. “You look happy.”
“I am happy,” Rudy said, ruffling Jack’s hair. “Very happy.”
Timothy didn’t say anything. He just stared at Rudy, then at Sobek, his little hands clutching the edge of the blanket. Rudy could see the worry etched into his expression, the question he was too afraid to ask.
Rudy’s heart squeezed. He reached out, pulling Timothy into his lap. “Hey. What’s wrong?”
Timothy bit his lip. His gaze flicked to Sobek, then back to Rudy. “Does this mean Sobek is staying forever now?”
The room went quiet. Even Rose stopped bouncing.
Rudy glanced at Sobek, who was watching Timothy with an expression so soft it made Rudy’s throat tight. Then Sobek sat up, carefully dislodging Rose, and leaned forward so he was at eye-level with Timothy.
“Yes,” Sobek said, his voice firm and steady. “I’m staying forever. I’m canceling my extended rental, moving into the house with you because you’re my family, and we’re going to be together forever.”
Rudy’s chest ached. He pressed a kiss to the top of Timothy’s head and added, “Forever, see? He’s not going anywhere, and neither am I.”
For a moment, Timothy just stared at them, his bottom lip trembling. Then his face crumpled, and he launched himself at Sobek, wrapping his arms around his neck and burying his face in his shoulder.
Sobek froze, his hands hovering uncertainly before settling on Timothy’s back. “It’s all right,” he murmured. “I’ve got you.”
Rose shrieked with joy, throwing her arms in the air. “Sobek’s staying. He’s staying.”
Jack grinned, his relief palpable. “Does that mean we’re a real family now?”
Rudy’s eyes stung. “We’ve always been a real family. But yeah. Now it’s official.”
Rose flung herself at Rudy, nearly knocking him flat. Jack scrambled over to wrap his arms around Sobek’s waist, squeezing tight. And Timothy didn’t let go, clinging to Sobek like he was the only solid thing in the world.
Sobek looked a bit overwhelmed, his dark eyes suspiciously bright. Rudy reached out, threading his fingers through Sobek’s, and squeezed.
“Group hug,” Rudy declared.
Rose cheered, Jack wiggled closer, and somehow, despite the tangle of limbs and the fact that Sobek was still only half-covered by the blanket, they all managed to pile into one giant cuddle.
Rudy laughed, his heart so full it felt like it might burst. Timothy’s head was tucked under Sobek’s chin. Rose was sprawled across Rudy’s lap, her curls tickling his nose. Jack had wedged himself between them, one hand clutching Rudy’s shoulder and the other gripping Sobek’s arm.
“This is nice,” Jack said, his voice muffled.
“It’s the best,” Rose corrected.
Timothy nodded against Sobek’s chest, his breathing finally evening out.
Sobek’s thumb rubbed small circles on the back of Rudy’s hand. Through the bond, Rudy could feel what Sobek was feeling - wonder, gratitude, and a fierce protectiveness so strong it nearly stole his breath.
“Thank you,” Sobek said quietly, his gaze locked on Rudy.
Rudy shook his head. “For what?”
“For trusting me. For letting me be part of this.”
Rudy’s throat tightened. “You’re not part of this. You’re the foundation. You’re what’s been missing. We were clearly just waiting for you.”
Sobek’s jaw tightened, his eyes shining. He didn’t say anything, but he didn’t need to. Rudy could feel everything he couldn’t put into words, and it was…absolutely incredible.
Rose squirmed, breaking the moment. “Can we have pancakes?”
Rudy groaned. “Of course you want pancakes.”
“With chocolate chips,” Jack added hopefully.
Timothy lifted his head, his eyes wide. “And syrup?”
Sobek chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest. “I think we can manage that.”
Rudy grinned. “You’re cooking.”
Sobek raised an eyebrow. “I am?”
“Yep. You’re part of the family now. That means you’re on breakfast duty.”
Rose clapped her hands. “Yay. Sobek’s making pancakes.”
Jack cheered, and Timothy smiled, small and shy, but he was clearly happy.
Sobek looked at Rudy, his expression caught between exasperation and fondness. “You’re going to be trouble, aren’t you?”
Rudy winked. “You have no idea.”
Sobek leaned in, pressing a quick kiss to Rudy’s mouth before standing and scooping Rose up in one arm. “All right. Pancakes it is. But someone needs to set the table.”
“I’ll do it.” Jack scrambled off the bed, racing for the door.
Timothy slid down more carefully, his hand reaching for Sobek’s. “I’ll help.”
Rose beamed. “Me too.”
Sobek glanced back at Rudy, still sprawled in bed, and raised an eyebrow. “You coming?”
Rudy stretched, feeling the pleasant ache in his muscles, the hum of the bond between them, and the overwhelming rightness of it all. “Yeah. I’m coming. I’m not missing out on pancakes, especially ones I haven’t had to cook myself.”