Chapter 10
Chapter
Ten
Lachlan held Micah in his arms, humming a little nonsense song, dancing around the hall outside Kieran’s suite of rooms. They were working on a room for Kieran next door to his own massive bedroom so Kieran could move down, but it was still a work in progress. So they were staying in Kieran’s rooms.
He thought maybe Micah had a tummy ache. He was so fussy. So Lachlan was walking with Micah.
He danced and he bounced and he sang and he rubbed the baby’s back. He hoped that if it was just a bubble, it would come up.
Hopefully not with anything gross attached to it.
“I think we should get you a tricycle when you’re bigger…you and Kaden will each get a tricycle, and you can have races up and down the hallways. It’ll be so much fun, you and your best friend.”
He liked the idea of having a best friend; after all he’d been born with his.
Speaking of—he reached out. Hey, you awake?
Brother, are you well?
Micah’s got a bit of an upset stomach.
Oh, I hate that. Maybe try a warm bath?
He bobbed his head. Now that’s a good idea. If this doesn’t work, I’ll try it. Right now we’re dancing in the hallway.
Bryant’s chuckles filled his mind. Tell me you at least have a rag.
I do. He couldn’t stop his laughter, and it bounced the baby, and suddenly a bright violet ball of flame appeared, shooting down the hall, making him blink.
Goodness.
Did he burp?
Lachlan nodded and grinned. A big ball of purple flame.
That’s cool. At least it wasn’t lightning. I almost lost my eyebrows when Kaden did that the first time.
Wow. I wonder what that does, exactly… He loved when babies started coming into their affinity, but it could definitely be chaotic. You should see what Kieran can do.
He’d never seen a dragon who could create light. Literally, Kieran’s made anything shine in this amazing way. Kieran insisted that it wasn’t even external, but more that he was drawing the light from inside the subject, which was a fascinating and kind of honoring thing.
It made him feel beautiful. It had been a long time since he had felt anything close to that.
I’ll have to ask him to show me, if that’s not too intrusive. Bryant’s mental voice was respectful and Lachlan was grateful for that. He wanted his mate and his brother to like each other.
I think he’d probably be happy to, Bry. When are we going to go flying?
He could suddenly hear Micah’s little voice in his head, sound asleep but still very distinct. Flyyyyyy.
Then he saw an image of Micah winging his way across the sky.
Oh, he talked to me!
Who?
Micah? He shared his dream with me. I— I have to tell Kieran. He was dreaming of flying.
Is he feeling better now after his burp? If he is, put him back to bed and go to sleep with your mate. We can fly the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow I have a meeting.
Sounds perfect brother. We’ll go out early the day after tomorrow. Thank you. I love you.
I love you too. Get some rest. Bryant laughed for him.
I hope so.
Lachlan put the baby back down and patted his butt until he settled, and then covered him in the blanket. Then he went to his mate, yawning as he crawled into bed,
Are you awake, love? If you are, he talked to me.
Who did?
Our son. He did love saying that.
Kieran opened one eye. Really, what did he say?
Flying.
That was his first word? I love that. Kieran grabbed him and held on.
He had a tummy ache, so I got up with him. He burped some purple flame. I’m not sure what that means. He kind of hoped Kieran knew what that meant because they needed to be prepared for what would happen as Micah got stronger.
Kieran blinked up. Oh, that’s like my mother. She could do that. It’s not flame, really. It’s more like a ball of energy. It’s sort of sticky, and it gathers things as it goes.
Gathers things? He didn’t follow.
She used to be a guardian, and if someone tried to break in, she could just breathe at them and it would stick him to the wall until someone came to get them. So cool, but it didn’t hurt, it just…held.
Fascinating. That’s amazing and it will serve him well when he becomes a guardian because I have no doubt in my mind that he will.
He snuggled up with Kieran, kissing his mate’s neck.
He loved how Kieran tasted, how he felt, and how good they were together.
He had no intention of acting on it right now because it was super late, and they didn’t need to get all excited, but just knowing he could made him super happy.
Thank you for taking a turn with him. Kieran yawned, snuggled in. I do love sleeping with you.
Kieran dragged his arms around close and snuggled hard. His mate was a world champion snuggle bug.
Sleeping with you is a joy, and of course. I’m glad that he finally got whatever was bothering his tummy loose.
It’s hard to be almost eighteen months old and have a tummy ache. Kieran chuckled softly. It’s hard to have a gassy belly regardless.
Yes, but he talked to me. He really talked to me. He’s starting to really blossom. And Lachlan was over the moon at the trust and love that his son — his son — was showing him.
He’s catching up with Kaden. I think he wants to be able to do everything Kaden does.
Well, they’re almost the same age, so they’re going to be the best of friends. He didn’t want Kieran to think that he thought that there was anything wrong with Micah, because there wasn’t.
Micah had just had a stressful beginning.
I know you love him. I can feel it every day.
Warmth filled him at that. Just as I love you, mate.
Kieran’s pleasure stretched across their bond.
Kieran yawned, and Lachlan let one wing slide around, wrapping this lover close. I have you.
I have never had any doubt about that. Kieran leaned his head back and offered him a soft kiss. We should sleep. The baby will be up and be all cheery, and we’ll both be exhausted.
We’ll bring him to bed with us and let him play while we’re resting.
Sounds good. He’ll be much more settled that way. You’re a great dad.
Lachlan took another kiss, feeling warm and snuggly. Thank you, mate.
Mmhmm. Now. Sleeping. We’re sleeping.
Mmhmm. He closed his eyes. He was going to enjoy holding his Kieran. He wrapped around his lover, holding him just tightly enough to feel it, not to smother him.
They had all night. He loved that for them.