Yeah, he was completely stupid over Apollo. Lachlan leaned down to pick it up anyway. Apollo poked him in the bicep and giggled before grabbing the other bag. Lachlan smiled bashfully and then noticed his sister watching.
"I almost feel embarrassed for you," she said as she took her own bag from the luggage trolley. "I'm going to put this in my suite, and then you and I are going for a walk about the nearby streets. I need to stretch my legs."
"Give me five," Lachlan said, carrying the heavy bag through the lounge to the bedroom.
Valentine was yet to emerge from his rooms for the morning, but it was still early. Killian went over to his door and banged on it.
"Get your ass up, Val. You dragged me to this city. You can at least tell me what magic you're planning in there," he said through the door.
Lachlan left them to it and got Apollo's gear into the room.
"Put it over there and be gentle. I don't know what they have packed in that one," Apollo said, pointing to the luggage rack beside the bathroom.
Lachlan lifted it and placed it gently in its spot. "Do you need me for anything else?"
"Loaded question. So many answers," Apollo replied, a cheeky little grin on his face.
It was good to see him so perky after yesterday. He had collapsed into Lachlan's arms the previous night and had slept until morning without moving. It had been worrying seeing him so quiet.
"You're in a good mood," Lachlan noted.
"I've got all my things and don't feel useless. Of course I'm in a good mood."
"You've never been useless. Fuck, I watched you pick up a live smoke bomb yesterday and toss it back out of a window. I've never been so horny and terrified at the same time," Lachlan admitted.
Apollo waggled his eyebrows at him. "Did something for your sexy bits, did it?"
"Everything about you does something for my sexy bits. It's ridiculous," Lachlan replied with a sigh.
Apollo grabbed him unexpectedly and pulled him into a hug. He ran his hands through his hair and down his back.
"Ahh..." Lachlan said uncertainly as Apollo rubbed himself up against him.
Apollo's eyes were glowing. "I don't want other male scents on you," he grumbled.
Lachlan's face broke into a grin, glad he wasn't the only jealous one. "They are both mated males."
"Like I care." Apollo's hands slid down to grab his ass. "Mine. All mine." Lachlan just shook his head and kissed him on the lips.
"Ewwww, kissing," Ciara said from the doorway. "My eyes!"
Lachlan flipped her off until the kiss was done before pulling away. "I'll be back soon. Don't blow anything up while I'm gone."
"I'm not making promises I can't keep," Apollo said, turning to Ciara. "And you will make sure he is safe at all times."
"Yes, sir." Ciara saluted him with a mocking smile. "Come on, bro. We need to walk."
"Don't you bitches talk about me either," Apollo said, crossing his arms.
"I'm not making promises I can't keep," Lachlan echoed cheekily and quickly joined Ciara.
Outside, the midday streets of Paris were enjoying a break in the rain. People turned their faces to the sun as they moved about their day, calm and peaceful. Sometimes, Lachlan wondered what it would be like to be anyone else—to be normal, to not have people look to you and your family to help deal with supernatural threats. The feeling would always pass eventually.
He was an Ironwood. The family history had its darkness and demons, but they had always stood between the helpless and the monsters that preyed on them. That meant something. His name, his blood, his calling, and one day, his death—it would all mean that he had tried his best to protect those who weren't able to defend themselves. Apollo hated that he had thrown himselfin front of him the day before, but Lachlan couldn't help but be that person. It was just who he was.
"You are looking moody all of a sudden. Missing Apollo already?" Ciara teased as she pulled her long black hair up into a ponytail.
"He's upset that I protected him yesterday because the alchemists won't care about killing me. I'm just a human and not a super special dragon or anything," Lachlan replied because if he could talk to anyone about this, it was his sister.
