Fingers tangling with Fionn's, Harry was still a bit in awe. Two mates. Two people who had chosen him, and whom he had chosen in return. As they walked through the marketplace, he couldn't help sneaking glances at the new stud in Fionn's ear, and the two studs in Laric's wing.

His own second stud barely hurt at all. He missed being able to feel them both in the back of his mind, since once they were no longer Courting, the bond that helped them decide if they were staying together or going their seperate ways had ended. But having Laric as a permanent mate? Knowing the quiet Warrior was all theirs? Harry still couldn't believe his luck, and was sure any moment he would wake up and find he had dreamed everything. That he was back in his cupboard.

A faint feeling of laughter and mischief skated across the back of his mind, and he froze in confusion. What?

"Harry, you have to try this." Fionn smiled warmly, and held a piece of multicolored fruit up.

Deciding he must have imagined it, he took a bite, Harry was surprised when it almost melted in his mouth. Sweet. Just like both of his mates.

Laric smiled at them, one hand brushing white-blonde hair from Fionn's face, while the other sneaked around Harry's waist. The Fire Demon snuggled into Laric's side. The long black braids of his Warrior mate occasionally brushing against him as they walked.

So lost were the three in their own happiness, they didn't notice the eyes that were watching them. At least, not at first.

Grey eyes watched the trio as they wandered the market. Gideon didn't know why watching their happiness was making the feeling of missing something stronger. He scanned the area, looking for a trap. Something out of place that may mean danger to his friends. But all he saw was a sunny day, with people bustling about. Laughing and chatting with one another, just like Laric and his mates.

The three laughed over something he couldn't hear. Every casual touch broadcasting how much they loved each other. The Shadow Demon couldn't tear his gaze away from them. Suddenly he thought about the conversation he and Laric had all those months ago. Who was it that the Storm Demon had wanted to Court, but had never asked due to that person not seeing him as a potential mate?

And that maddeningly cryptic conversation with Herne the other day came rushing to the forefront of his mind. The emptiness he had been feeling suddenly rushed over him hard enough he almost staggered. Grey eyes widened, though they saw nothing, all his focus turned inward now.

Could it have been him? Did he want it to have been him? And if it was him... Regret hit him. The thought that he could have had this if he had not been so blind, as well as over-worked, was both thrilling and devastating. It was true that he had taken on more duties than what went with the Shadow Heirship, even adding in the duties of being a Warrior. It was also true that it was his uncle's fault. And yet, if he had actually had a chance at a Courtship, he knew his uncle would have taken some of the duties back. At least until he was mated or the Courtship ended.

He and Laric had always been close, able to read each other without words. Closer in some ways than he was with Herne, and different. Different in ways he hadn't noticed. Just like a great many things he was starting to realize he had tuned out.

Coming back to awareness, he realized the three were heading towards him, though he didn't think they had noticed him yet. He wanted to speak with them, with Laric. But at the same time, if Laric had moved on, could he really go to him and tell him what he maybe felt? Worse yet, what if it wasn't him that Laric had wanted to Court.

No, he would just keep running in circles this way. He had to know, one way or the other. Just then, ice blue eyes caught his, and the tall Warrior leaned down to murmur something to his mates. Golden and green eyes looked around and met his grey, wide smiles breaking across all their faces as they approached him.

Gideon tried to compose himself, hide the anxiety and hope racing through him. He could do this, just be casual and treat them like normal.

"Hey Gid! Did you escape your duties, or are you en route somewhere?" Laric's smile made his ice blue eyes warmer.

"We were about to go try some of the pastries at the stall across the way. If you aren't busy, you could join us?" Harry still had Laric's arm around his waist, and he looked happier than Gideon could remember.

Fionn smiled in his quiet way, and ducked his head a little before glancing back up from under his hair.

"People keep saying they're the best in the market." The Fae's voice was soft.

"I'd love to join you," Gideon mustered a smile of his own.

As they walked towards the pastry stall, Gideon found himself falling into step with Laric, their strides aligning effortlessly. Their arms brushed against each other, everything felt natural, normal. Letting himself relax, he listened to them chatter softly about what kind of pastries to get.

Laric glanced at him, his ice blue eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and something else Gideon couldn't quite decipher. He wanted to ask him, but he also didn't want to ruin the moment. Shaking his head slightly that he was fine, he looked towards the pastry offerings.

After they had collected an assortment, the four turned to look for a table or empty patch of grass to enjoy the treats. Just as they found one, a teen came running by, almost knocking into Laric as she fled playfully from her friends. Gideon's hand shot out to steady him at the same time Laric twisted to avoid the girl. Causing Gideon to grab Laric's wing instead of the shoulder he had been aiming for.

If they hadn't been standing so close, he would have missed the sharp almost gasping inhale the Storm Demon gave, and the very faint, blush that spread across his cheeks from the contact as Laric turned his face away. Gideon's heart raced as he quickly released his hold on Laric's wing, the feel of it lingering on his fingers long after it had stopped in reality.

Well, that certainly answered one of his questions. Even if he wasn't the one Laric had wanted to Court all those years ago, he certainly had a good chance of being able to now, going by that reaction. If of course, Harry and Fionn agreed.

Settling at the table they had been heading towards, Laric and Gideon across from Harry and Fionn. The Fire Demon leaned into the Fae, hands intertwining on the tabletop as they shared the pastries and the occasional kiss.

He realized suddenly that he wanted this, wanted them. But he couldn't help but wonder if he was being selfish, if he was intruding on a bond that was already so strong. But he also couldn't ignore the way his heart raced when Laric's gaze met his own. His gaze was drawn to Laric's lips as they curled into a smile over something Harry had said.

He missed Fionn's knowing gaze. The abuse the Fae had suffered meant he was constantly cataloguing reactions, watching the smallest flicker of anything that would give him warning. Even here, with his mates, where he was safe and loved, his golden gaze had a touch of wariness to it if you knew what to look for.

Gideon decided that today was not the day to press his luck. They had just finished their Courtship, and it would be selfish to spring his feelings on them right now. He also had to figure out how to make his uncle take back at least some of the duties that he had pushed onto Gideon. If he let himself hope, and get as far as a Courtship with these three, he didn't want it to go up in flames because he never had time for them.