I'm sorry I haven't update this in a while! I've been crazy busy getting used to my new graveyard shift at work, participating in Pradesh week, creating a new account for my other writings, and trying, but failing, not to get sick! But I'm back, and i will warn you, grab the tissues!
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It was supposed to be a simple job.
Good pay, he got to lay some smack down on some idiot dark mages, cause pain, and release some of the tension building from his dragon trying to push him to claim Mira. It was a particularly rough day with the dragon asshole that drove him to find a job and leave the guild like his ass was on fire, Nathair curled comfortably around his neck, Lucy and Midnight trailing close behind. He had been fighting instincts for months now, working to get closer to the demon matchmaker, getting to know her better.
'You should be back at the guild, laying your claim on her! If you take too long one of the other slayers will instead!' His dragon snapped.
Snarling, Erik lashed out at the mage who had no idea what was causing the mage before him to turn nearly feral, and had a moment of fear as he backed up quickly, trying to get his bearings. Admittedly, Erik was having a bit of trouble focusing on the fight as his dragon roiled within him, feeding his frustrations further.
"What the fuck! You were a part of Oracion Seis! You wanted power too! Why the hell are you with those weak ass fairies?!" The mage yelped, barely managing to dodge yet another swipe of the claws he could see were dripping some form of poison. It didn't take much to connect that this one eyed mage who dripped a liquid that ate a hole through the floor at their feet was the poison dragon slayer, and he sure as hell didn't want to be on the guys bad side.
The snarl that escaped the slayer in front of him, echoed by the flash of pure raging insanity in one single indigo eye had the dark mage rethinking his strategy very quickly, and nearly whimpering for his mommy, no matter that she had been an alcoholic whore. Gulping, he acted without thinking and twisted, grabbing the hand railing that he had just run into and rolled over it, landing on his feet with a thud and staggering for a moment. Now all he had to do was get through the mass of fighting between him and the guild doors and he'd be safe, he was sure of it.
Then the small rodent of a snake flew at him and a shock wave of some kind slammed into his face when the flying rat opened its fang lined mouth. In desperation the man threw his hand out in defense, shouting a spell that blasted the small monstrosity clear across the room.
Slamming into the same railing his prey had just escaped over, Erik tensed to follow when Nathairs voice rang in his head.
'I've got him Daddy!'
Eyes widening at the fear that slammed through him, Erik watched as everything seemed to slow down. He felt the pride pulsing through the bond he had with Nathair at being able to help. He felt the elation at doing his first sound wave attack, not even caring how weak it actually still was. He saw Nathairs wings moving to keep him in the air, and the light catch his small fangs as he dropped his mouth open wide, like he had seen the other slayers do with their roars.
And he saw the fleeing mage raise a glowing hand even as he shouted something in a language he didn't know that hit Nathair hard. Erik saw Nathair go limp just as the spell hit, the blast engulfing him.
Numb.
He was numb.
Never before had he experienced such a detachment of his emotions. He had been working with Nathair ever since he had gotten him. He remembered the feeling of the call the little soul had sent out simply looking for a friend. He remembered the first time he felt that forked tongue dance across his skin, and the pride he felt when Nathair had started using his wings for the first time.
The memory that stood out most for him though was the first time he had heard Nathairs sweet little voice. The tears that had escaped him that day he hadn't cared could be seen by those at the guild because the overwhelming feeling of love that had come with that first word had been enough to make even his crotchety ass emotional.
They'd been at the guild, a party in full swing like usual, this time celebrating Tinks birthday, when he had heard a small voice. A voice so new that he hadn't even realized what it was at first, and when he had, he nearly fell off his stool.
'Daddy? I has water?'
It had taken him a moment to realize the voice hadn't been Asuka, and he had looked around trying to find the little boy he was certain he had heard. He had just glanced down at Nathair to make sure he was doing alright only to find Nathair looking at him directly, tongue flickering. That was when it had clicked, and he had gaped.
"Nathair? Did you just ask for water?" Erik croaked, lifting his arm to bring him eye level.
'Please Daddy? I thirsty n itchy, water feel good! Love you!' The gentle tightening of Nathairs coiled body around his arm was his way of giving a hug, and without warning he started crying even as he laughed joyfully.
And now, now he couldn't feel that bond he had with the snake he had claimed as kin. All he felt was an
emptiness where that bond once was...that was quickly being taken over by pure murderous rage, and the scream that ripped from his very soul had glass shattering, windows blasting outwards, ear drums bursting and everyone fighting below collapsing in agonizing pain.
Snarling, he used his sound magic to keep his scream going, echoing and building back on itself as he dove over the hand railing, landing with a sickening crunch on the twitching legs of the mage who had attacked Nathair. When the scream had hit, he had collapsed to the floor immediately, hands clamping over his ears in a desperate attempt to protect his hearing, but the pain just kept going, tearing through every part of him and from the faint taste of warm copper he felt leaking between his lips he knew something had burst.
That was before he felt something heavy land hard on his legs. At that point he was in shock that he was still even conscious with the excruciating pain that slammed through him, following the sound of his legs snapping. Then the feeling of snarling, heated breath, laced with poison danced across his face as the weight still on his legs shifted, crouching on him, digging the pain deeper, shoving broken bone into shredded muscle.
"You killed my snake, who I claimed as kin. He was as good as being my son, still a fucking baby, and you killed him...do you know what that makes you?" Erik purred, bending down further to run his tongue along the trail of blood leaking from under the tightly covered ear closest too him. The damn near erotic groan that escaped him as the taste of fear laced blood spread across his taste buds had the mage under him smelling strongly of ammonia as he lost control of his bladder.
His screams of pain were music to his ears, a temporary balm to the pain of knowing he'd never hear Nathairs voice again. Reaching out with his magic quickly, he found the two souls he was looking for specifically. He had lost track of Lucy and Midnight when he'd been chasing the mage he was currently grinding into the ground, but he found them now, together, and could tell that Macbeth was using his illusion magic to deflect Eriks sound magic away from them. In that moment he was glad that Macbeth was one of the few mages who knew how to defend against Erik.
Reaching down, he gripped the mages head, digging his claws in and using two of them to force open an eye that was clamped shut. Twisting the mans head around so he could see Erik clearly, even through the pain. The malicious grin, crazed eye and dripping claws had him sobbing and the last thing he saw was the snap of clawed fingers.
Erik let a purr escape him as he rose to his feet, reveling in the waves of fear that rolled over him, shaking his hand to free his claws of the bit of skin and blood that had stuck to them when his snapped fingers made the body below him headless. He didn't give much thought to darting his tongue out to swipe at the droplets of blood that had splattered over his lips and cheek. Running his wide eyed gaze over those still cowering on the floor around him, watching him in quaking fear, he lifted his blood soaked hand and proceeded to slip one finger at a time between his lips, moaning as his bloodlust was fed further.
The sound of liquid spreading and ammonia growing stronger drove him to start laughing maniacally, and with a crazed grin he drew on his sound magic before bringing his hands together in a single clap. The shock wave that spread out was massive and he watched in glee as around him, head after head exploded, drenching him in blood, grey matter and other viscera, painting the whole main floor of the guild in a much prettier shade of red if he did say so himself.
Then it hit him again.
Nathair was gone. He may have gotten revenge on the mage, the guild that had killed him, but Nathair was still gone.
Choking on the air that backed up in his lungs, Erik dropped to his knees, slumping forward as sobs tore through him. He gripped his hair in blood soaked hands and didn't care. He pressed his face to viscera covered knees and took no pleasure in it. Who was he kidding? He didn't deserve any sort of happiness, every time he got even a taste of it, someone tore it away from him. He ultimately killed anything he got close to. How could he have a mate, or a family of any kind, knowing he just put them in danger all of the time?
Feeling gentle hands touch his back he snarled and threw himself away from them, rolling across the body covered floor until he couldn't go any further, a body stopping his progress. Bracing a hand against the mass behind him he pulled himself into a sitting position to face two of his friends, those he had claimed as kin, and tried to brace himself for their judgment. He was prepared for disgust, horror, sympathy, disappointment...you name it and he knew it would be directed at him which he hated but knew he deserved. Squeezing his eye shut as soul deep pain continued to storm through him, he waited for their words, dropping his head in defeat. He would never have anywhere he'd ever completely belong, and knew he'd be left alone once more. He couldn't stop the sobs that continued to wrack his body, and didn't care that they saw him this way.
He didn't hear the soft footsteps coming closer, but cringed when he was enveloped in warm, soft arms, the smell of stardust and strawberries sneaking through the blood. He tried to push her away, whining at the feeling of her grip tightening, before collapsing into her hold when he felt gentle fingers start threading through his blood soaked hair. Against what little control he had left his arms lifted to clutch at her desperately, wanting, needing something to anchor him against the feeling of loss that was breaking his heart.
Hiccuping, he pressed his face into her shoulder, his words coming out whimpered and muffled as he held on tightly. "H-he's gone Tink! That son of a bitch killed Nathair!"
"Co-" Lucy started to say softly, only for Erik to interrupt her, his pain too much for him to pay attention to anything.
"He was just a baby! A fucking baby!"
"Cob-" Macbeth tried this time, eyeing his best friend, biting his lip as he fought his own warring emotions. He was standing over them, and he hated seeing his best friend like this. Erik didn't get attached easily, but when he did, gods have mercy on anyone who attacked them because Erik sure as hell wouldn't.
"My fucking dragon even claimed him as a son! Please Tink make this nightmare stop!" Erik begged, still sobbing. He couldn't even hear her trying to sooth him, his mind too tired up in the pain of losing Nathair.
Feeling a nudge against his side, Macbeth glanced down and quickly stepped to the side, shaking his head. He was still in a bit of shock with this particular development.
"Daddy?"
Erik froze.
Everything in him froze.
His heart stopped.
His breath was driven from his lungs, and his mind stalled, all with that one spoken word. He couldn't handle this shit!
"Cobra? Cobra? Erik! Breathe!" Tink squeaked as she found herself going from giving support to being crushed between a pair of insanely strong arms. She could hear though that he had stopped breathing, and felt him freeze in place.
"Daddy...Auntie Tink can't breathe..." Those words spoken had Erik inhaling sharply, and releasing Lucy suddenly, causing her to topple over with a yelp as he spun on his knees towards that voice.
And promptly felt his jaw hit the ground and his eye attempt to vacate his skull.
"N-Nathair?" He breathed, reaching out one trembling hand as he shakily moved forward on his knees.
"I ok Daddy, see? I big boy now!" Nathair said, voice full of glee as he stretched out and nuzzled the hand reaching for him.
"Y-yea, yea I see, you really are, you're my big boy now." Erik choked out, happy tears now welling in his eye. Letting out a laugh of relief he didn't pause to clutch Nathair close, nuzzling against him.
"So, um, how are we going to explain this to the guild?" Macbeth asked after helping Lucy to her feet and taking a step back to look over his best friend and his definitely different, adopted son. Feeling a small hand touch his shoulder, Macbeth turned back to Lucy to find her with a soft smile on her face, watching Erik and Nathair as well.
"It doesn't matter. We're nakama, we'll figure it out together. All that matters is that Erik didn't lose his son, and we didn't lose a friend."
Grinning, he nodded and turned back to continue watching over his best friend, not bothering to stop the single tear that escaped his own eye.
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They left the destroyed dark guild later that night, having waited for darkness to fall before setting out. With the new...development that had happened, they were able to make really good time, and when they realized just how soon they would be back at Fairy Tail, they were quick to call Markarov.
"Ah children, I do hope everything is going alright?" Markarov asked, eyeing his three brats who had left to take on a dark guild themselves, taking note of the damp hair and freshly washed look of Erik who peered at him from over Lucy's shoulder. Lucy on the other hand, had dark smears across her face, and sections of her normally bright hair were much darker then it would be even under the stars.
"Yea, everything is, well, for the most part alright. The dark guild was destroyed...thoroughly.." Lucy stated. Erik winced at that and ducked back down when he saw one of Markarovs brows lift. "Something happened though, and we're on our way back. We figured it would be safer to do under cover of night then to try and do this during the day. Can you and Mira wait at the hall for us please?"
"Hi Gramps! We'll be home soon!"
"Be quiet dammit, we're not home yet!" Erik hissed from behind Lucy even as she facepalmed. She didn't have to look to know that Macbeth was fighting the urge to start laughing hysterically.
"Macbeth, I swear, one peep out of you, and I won't talk to you for a whole month!" Lucy seethed, shooting a glare at the man who glanced back at her over his shoulder with mirth in his eyes. Wisely he kept his mouth shut and turned to be facing forward once more.
"Lucy child, who was that?" Markarov demanded. He knew that hadn't been Macbeth, and he knew Erik would rather be caught dead then call him gramps, and he was already talking to Lucy.
Huffing out a breath, she met his gaze with a sheepish grin and shrug. "That was what, or I should say who, we needed to talk to you about when we get home, and believe me, it'll be better to do it in person. Please, just trust us, we should be there in about half an hour or so with how quickly we're being able to travel right now. Just...meet us out on the training grounds, and bring Mira with you ok? Please?" She asked, letting her eyes express just how important this was to them.
"Alright child, half an hour, we'll see you then."
"Thank you master. Oh! And don't turn on the field lights!" With that she disconnected the call, taking a deep breath before glancing back at Erik.
"You'll be fine Erik, we're with you on this, we saw what happened, so you were fully justified in what you did." She could see he was still scowling over his actions, but was also dealing with the elation of knowing Nathair wasn't dead.
"I'm glad you see it that way. Not everyone will." Erik sighed, closing his eye as they continued to move, trusting that he'd be back home soon enough.
Biting her lip, Lucy shook her head before turning her attention back to the road ahead. She honestly could understand where he was coming from, but she'd be damned if she let anything happen to Erik.
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Half an hour later saw Lucy, Erik, Macbeth and Nathair creeping onto the sands of the training field, Macbeth using his illusions to encourage any outsiders to not see all of them clearly. Grinning brightly at Erik, she gave his hand, the same hand that he had latched onto as soon as they had entered Magnolia, a squeeze before nodding to Macbeth. They could see Mira and Markarov standing not even ten feet in front of them, waiting patiently, and with a deep breath, he eased up on the illusion slightly, revealing himself and Lucy to the guild master and Mira first.
"Lucy, Macbeth, I'm glad to see you made it back, but where's Erik and Nathair?" Mira asked sweetly, running her gaze over them both. She noticed that Lucy's left hand was tucked behind her back but didn't think much of it. She could feel that something was being hidden, but she trusted that Lucy and Macbeth would reveal what it was soon enough.
"Uhh actually...that's what we needed to talk to you about. The dark guild was taken out without too much trouble, but something did happen and...well..." Lucy trailed off, her writers brain abandoning her for once. This was quite a unique situation, and even she wasn't sure how to explain it.
"Why don't you start from the beginning child?" Markarov encouraged with a smile.
"It actually might be easier to show you first, then explain." Macbeth stated with a huff, exchanging a look with Lucy who merely shrugged.
"Alright then, go ahead." Markarov nodded, watching them closely. He saw them swallow nervously, and then with a wave of his hand the rest of Macbeths illusion fell away, revealing Erik and...Nathair.
"Oh dear." Mira breathed, her baby blue eyes widening in shock, and Markarov could only agree as his facepalmed with a groan.
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"Listen up brats!" Markarov bellowed from his spot on the hand railing of the second floor. He watched as immediately everyone stopped and turned their gazes on him expectantly. Dear gods he was getting too old for this. Taking a deep breath, he let his gaze run over everyone, and prayed that this new event would be understood and accepted immediately.
"Lucy, Erik, Nathair, and Macbeth have made it back from their job, where they successfully took down the dark guild they had gone out to face." The cheer that went up at that had him smiling and raising his hands for quiet which thankfully was quickly received. "Yes yes, that's one less dark guild to worry about, which is always good. Now for some...interesting news. While handling the guild, Nathair was hit by a spell when he attempted his first attack proudly as a Fairy Tail mage."
Cries of concern were voiced, snarls of anger heard as many hands clenched in fury. It was one particular slayers sweet voice that was heard above the others as she climbed onto a table, her eyes and voice full of worry for a friend.
"Where is he? Does he need healing?" Wendy asked, her magic already gathering in her hands, ready to race to the small snakes side.
Ever since Erik had joined the guild with Nathair in tow, many members had found the baby snake sweet and loved cuddling him whenever he slithered around to the various tables while Erik sat at the bar eating and watching over him.
"Thankfully no. Health wise, he's perfectly fine." Markarov assured everyone.
"Then what happened Master?" Erzs asked from her spot at the bar. Even her eyes were filled with worry for the little snake. Seeing that only made Markarov feel more confident that everything would be fine. He didn't know exactly how he had done it, but that little snake had managed to wrap itself around everyones heart, and made it easier for everyone to see that Erik was indeed human, and would benefit from having friends.
"The spell that hit Nathair changed him. Apparently when it was cast, it was done in a language that none of the others knew, not even the mage who cast it, and so they don't know of a way to reverse it. Also, apparently Nathair actually doesn't want it reversed. He feels he'll be better able to help and protect us if he stays the way he is now."
"How did he change?" Laxus grunted, crossing his arms as he leaned back at his teams table, watching his grandfather through narrowed eyes. He could tell the old man was skating around what had happened and so he decided to just cut to through the bullshit and get to the point.
"The spell made him...bigger." Markarov explained, clearing his throat carefully.
"Like full grown? Like an adult snake? How big are we talking?" Levy asked, propping her elbows on the table in front of her with brows furrowed.
"He's definitely...full grown...um...Levy, I'm actually going to be asking you to work with Freed and do some research on the spell once Erik meets with you in a bit. Also I'm going to ask for you to do a bit of research on Nathair himself, see if we can track down just what kind of snake he is." Markarov smiled sweetly, clearing his throat again when he merely received two raised eyebrows.
"Consider it done Master." Levy said, nearly bouncing in her seat and glowing at the prospect of learning something new. Freed nodded in agreement and with a smile of his own.
"Can we see him Master? Just to assure ourselves that he's fine?" Wendy asked.
"Yes, and he'll come in with the others in a moment, but I must warn you to exercise some caution. He may be bigger, but his mental state does not yet match him physically. He is still very much a toddler mentally. And remember, he is still a member of this guild, he is nakama, and while his appearance will be startling, he is still Nathair, the snake that won us all over. He may need protection from others for a while until they get used to him." Markarov stated firmly, waiting until he had received nods from everyone and he saw determination shining bright in all of his childrens eyes. Taking a deep breath, he glanced down to Mira who had been waiting patiently for him. Giving and getting a nod in return, she turned and hurried down the hall way below that led to the training fields to open the door to three mages and a snake. Stepping back quickly, she smiled and nodded at each of them, reaching to rub a soothing hand over Nathair as they passed by.
Entering the main hall, Lucy, Macbeth, and Erik paused on the threshold, watching everyone carefully before continuing to and mounting the stage. Macbeth and Lucy hadn't even given thought to flank Erik, showing their support. The only reason Nathair hadn't been seen yet was because Macbeth had cast one of his illusions over the snake in hopes to protect him until they were in a spot where protecting him would be a bit easier. Mira was quick to follow after them, taking Lucys place when she stepped back a bit.
"Guys? Where's Nathair? Master said he was ok!" Wendy asked as she squeezed through the crowd that had gathered at the edge of the stage. Erik watched carefully as Natsu, Gajeel, and Laxus joined Wendy, watching him just as carefully.
"He here's, he's ok. He's just..." Lucy paused, wetting her lips before continuing. "When you see him, please, keep an open mind, and remember that he isn't to blame for what happened to him. He's still the sweetheart that we've all grown to know and love." With that she stepped back and to the side a bit further before nodding to Macbeth, already knowing that Erik wasn't going to take his gaze off anyone until he knew that Nathair was safe.
Taking another deep breath, another after what already felt like hundreds after this insane night, Macbeth waved his hand, and the space behind Erik wavered for a moment, like there water had been suspended mid air before parting like a curtain, and the cries of shock, and gasps of disbelief had all of them tensing, ready to block any attacks that may come.
Thankfully none did.
Behind him, Nathair was curled up on himself, body tensing and relaxing as he shifted, watching his family nervously. He was a great deal bigger than he was before he'd been hit with that spell, and coiled up like a stack of rope he now reached Eriks shoulders easily, his head resting on the rest of his body. From the top of his head to the tip of his nose, his head could no longer fit in the palm of anyones hand, now the length of his head easily matched the length of Eriks arm, and the width of his body alone matched the size of both of Eriks thighs put together easily. His eyes were much more noticeable now, glowing a vivid neon green, and easily as big as one of Laxus fists. His scales were still a patterned black and gold, and when he carefully lifted his head, now towering over Erik, tilting it one way then another, the rest of the guild could easily see the now much larger Fairy Tail mark that graced his lower throat.
Stretching himself out carefully, Nathair eased his way back to the floor and slid towards the edge of the stage, watching the other slayers carefully. No one had moved yet, everyone watching his every move, and Nathair had been warned by each of them that he had to be careful at first, that many of the members may be scared of him due to his new size.
He didn't want that though. He wanted to be with his friends again, but he wanted to stay how he was now so he could protect his family better. He didn't know why, but instinct was pushing him to approach the young slayer first, keeping his head below hers. Fighting the urge to flick his tongue out and taste the air, he turned back to Erik who nodded at him silently, encouraging him to keep going.
Turning back to the slayers once more, he jerked back in surprise when he saw Wendy nose to nose with him, blinking at him with large eyes. Hearing the quick cough covered chuckle coming from the mage he claimed as his daddy, he was quick to bring the tip of his tail around and sweep Eriks feet out from under him, tongue flicking out quickly in a silent laugh when he landed hard with a thud and yelp. He remembered the way Erik had met him, and knew that was why he had laughed. The giggle that action drew from the young slayer in front of him had him willing to try something that he was still getting used to, and watched those beyond the slayers as he slowly opened his mouth. He wasn't surprised in the slightest almost everyone tensed, preparing for just about anything he would do.
Working a great deal of care, he knew he needed more practice, he focused on what he wanted to do, and hoped it would put everyone at ease.
"A-auntie W-wendy?"
The joy he saw light up her eyes made the effort it took worth it, the gasps from the rest of guild was icing on the cake, and when the young slayer tackled him to nuzzle and purr against him, he didn't even care that he had yelped at the impact.
"Nathair you can talk!" Wendy giggled, pressing kisses all over the top of his head and nose, running gentle fingers over the now hand size scales that decorated his body. And when she saw a hint of pale pink wash over him, she couldn't help but nuzzle him further.
"I was going to before, but I had to get bigger first, and then that spell hit me and now I can because I'm a big boy snake!" He exclaimed, the excitement in his voice infectious, causing many of the men to grin, and the womens hearts to melt. Nathair really was still just a baby, he just got bigger much sooner than anyone expected. "Oh! And I did my first ever attack when I tried to help Daddy with the bad people!"
"You did?" Natsu finally piped up, excitement flaring in his eyes.
"Uhhuh! I tried to do it like I had seen you do it Uncle Natsu!...But it wasn't strong enough..." Nathair trailed off, his head drooping sadly. He heard Wendy trill at him soothingly right before an over warm hand settled on his nose and when he looked up he saw Natsu crouching down next to Wendy, his signature grin on his face.
"It's alright buddy, attacks take practice! And now that you're bigger, I'm sure we'd all be more than happy to help you learn some things. Which attack did you try to do?"
"Your roar, but it didn't come out right. I wonder if it'd be different now that I'm bigger..."
"I'm sure it will be, and I can't wait to see it." Natsu assured him, running a gentle hand along the gold scales over Nathairs eyes.
"Oh! I can sho-"
"Not in here you don't!" Erik finally spoke up, lurching to his feet to stand next to his adopted son. "Any magical attacks that happens need to be done in the training field so you don't wreck the guild, at least until we know just how far your power goes. And Natsu, I don't want to hear you challenging him to a fight, he's still a baby and needs a lot of practice." Erik stated firmly, narrowing his gaze on the fire slayer who merely rolled his eyes.
"No shit, I'm not that much of idiot. I'm no going to fight a child. I'll wait until he gets stronger, and help him in the mean time." Natsu huffed, straightening up to his feet and tucking his hands behind his head before walking away towards Bix and Meredy who were watching him with indulgent smiles.
Sneering at his retreating back, he turned in time to see Nathair wrap around Mira carefully, rubbing his head against her side as she ran a loving hand over his scales, Wendy chattering excitedly next to them, and felt his heart skip a beat. Fuck, he still didn't know what he was going to do about her, but he definitely loved the sight of Nathair like that, and could easily imagine the demon bartender cradling one of their children close. He was so absorbed in that particular daydream that he answered absently when Nathair called out to him.
"Hey Daddy?"
"Yes Nathair?"
"When are you going to claim Momma Mira as your mate?"
The silence that fell over the guild, shortly followed by a thud had him facepalming as he was roughly pulled out of his pleasant daydreams.
"God fucking dammit Nathair, I hadn't told her yet!"
"Oh. Well you should get on it then."