The winds are howling as the snow and ice are whipped around threatening to rip the thin cloth covering the mouth of a cave to shreds. From within Alfred is watching concerned as he holds tightly to the bundle in his arms. "Will it hold?"

"We'll make it hold but stay back just in case." Gilbert answers, hearing his son start to cry. "Sit by the fire."

The mother knows his son is hungry not cold but before he can argue the cloth breaks free sending snow and icy wind swirl around the tiny cave. Alfred turns his back to the harsh wind trying to guard the baby now screaming in his arms. "Fuck." He says gritting his teeth as a warm body presses against him careful of the child in the middle. "Abel?"

The Neko wraps his arms around the Omega as the other two hurry to tie the cloth down again. "Is the kid okay?" He asks once the cloth is secured and the fire is roaring again. "He's screaming his fucking lungs out." As he says it Alfred hands him the child. "W-Wait a second."

"Relax." Alfred answers, pulling off his shirt, it's cold but if he works quickly it'll be worth it for all three of them. "He's hungry and it's easier like this." He picks up his jacket all the while watching the blonde Neko from the corner of his eyes seeing panic all over Abel's face. "He won't bite you, not yet anyway."

It's the first time he's held the newest member of their family in fact he's actually surprised that the other two haven't stepped in already and taken Leon away. "Alfred."

"Support his head." Alfred says not taking the child back but moving the Alpha's arms slightly. "See? Easy." It comes with a happy smile as Leon's screaming turns to light sniffles as he stares up at the new man confused.

Looking down into the baby's bright blue eyes is enough to break the Neko's heart. "Feed him already." As much as he wants to thrust the infant into Alfred's arms and make a quick retreat, the Omega has other plans. Instead of taking Leon, Alfred sits them by the fire before taking the child in one arm as he reaches out for Abel's hand with the other. "What are you doing?"

"Hmm?" Alfred answers warmly as he kisses Abel's hand surprised by how warm Abel's skin is.

Unamused Abel lets out a sigh. "Feed our kid."

"I am." Alfred motions towards the four month old nursing quietly. "Besides you really haven't gotten a good chance to meet him. So this is Leon."

It brings a smile to the Alpha as he lets out a chuckle. "I know I was there." Gingerly he reaches out letting the blonde haired boy take his finger into his hand. Again his heart breaks a little knowing that while he'll always love and protect him, Leon's not his son nor will he ever be. It's the reason he's kept his distance from the child but he can't stop himself from caring or letting out a purr as Leon falls asleep.

He shouldn't but he bites his lip turning to the Albino watching from the cave entrance. "Can I hold him?"

As Gilbert nods Alfred answers. "Yeah in fact…you don't mind holding him while I sneak a nap do you?"

"A nap?" He looks down at Leon for a moment. "Yeah go grab a nap he's in safe hands."

Alfred kisses his temple. "I know he is." He says grabbing his shirt and walking towards his bed. "If he gets upset just wake me up and I'll feed or change him."

"Okay." As the fire cracks he stares down at the blond wolf sleeping soundly in his arms. His smile grows as he holds Leon closer to his chest. Soon Allistor is sitting to his right while Gilbert is to his left. "So are you going to take him now?"

Lighting a cigarette the Fox shakes his head as Gilbert pulls out his knife and a block of wood from his pocket. "He asked you to watch him so you're watching him."

"He's yours."

"So?" Gil answers, working to turn the block into a wooden warrior. "Not like Alfred's not your mate too so I'll share my boy."

They sit in silence listening to the light snoring coming from the back of the cave for what feels like a hour before Abel speaks again. "Why does it come so easy to you?"

"Fatherhood?" Gilbert asks not looking up from his wood work.

"Bonding…him loving you." The snoring grows louder as the wind whips up outside. He wants answers even if they might not be what he wants to hear. "He was attached to your hip before he even went into heat." When Allistor shrugs it only upsets the Neko further. "Really?"

"Abel what do yah want me to say? If he didn't want you he would have only mated with me and Gil."

"Unless he was being nice or…greedy."

"Then let him be greedy cause from where I'm standing he's trying. Love ain't something that can happen overnight and it isn't the same for everyone." Abel shakes his head so Allistor continues. "Yah don't seen him swooning over Gil or me do yah?"

"No but…" He stops as Leon starts to stir.

Gil lays his knife down to rub his son's arm. "Whoever your last mate was he's not them. He never will be and really Abel I'm surprised you still have that image in your head."

"That image? She was gorgeous, smart and I was her world. I gave up everything for her." A sudden silence grows as Abel remembers his grey eyed beauty. "She had a small little smile that she'd only give to me and that was only after I did something stupid. Oh but how I'd work so damn hard to see it or when in the moonlight her eyes would become so wild and lust filled that I could barely keep up."

"So how do you see Alfred then?"

Her memory fades away being replaced with the young man. "He's a smartass, he's loud and native but the kid has a big heart." Leon beings to coo, reaching for his father's hand. "He blushes so easily it's incredible and to see him turn away with that weak smile is what gets my heart racing. Then to be the one that could ease his back pain…being needed."

"You think he doesn't still need you?" Allistor slowly takes the baby from him as strong arms wrap around the Neko's chest.

Alfred buries his head into Abel's shoulder. After hearing every word he doesn't know what to say. "I…"

"I'm sorry." Abel starts. "I probably woke you up."

"Actually," Alfred says resting his head on his mate's broad shoulders. "My back is killing me could you…well um help me with that?"

"How bad is it?"

"Nothing you couldn't handle." Abel can't say no to the Omega's puppy dog eyes so he lets the Omega lead him back to his bedroom. "Um." Alfred looks back at the other two.

"Go on Leon's in good hands." Allistor says with a wave of his hand. Once the two disappear behind a cloth he kisses the tiny wolf's head. "I wonder who his mate was."

"Think he's even telling the truth about that?"

"You can't bullshit that kind of answer. Someone broke his heart and it's written all over his face and when he's ready he'll tell us or at least Alfred."

"True, now." Gilbert rests the half-finished toy on the ground beside him. "Let me see my awesome little boy."