“He likely wouldn’t have, but he was busy with Skya and—” Severo let out a heavy sigh. “—he is a bit unsteady after what happened with Skya and Killian. His paranoia is flaring up again…and…” The man hesitated.
Ender wrinkled his nose. “You don’t have to explain further. That man of yours has had a mighty rough time of it, and it hasn’t really been that long since he’s been free of his initial nightmare.”
Though…calling Seri free of what happened was pushing it. Something like that stuck with you. Ender knew that plenty.
“Yeah, anyway, I called after that. So, really, it’s more that he keeps trying to call back. But enough about that mess…congratulations, I think? Would have been nice if you were the one who told me the news, not gonna lie,” the man grumbled, before asking, “How are you feeling? How are you feeling about, um…‘it’?”
“Good,” he said, before correcting himself. “Or more…happy. I want these babies. So, I’m happy.”
And he was. Ender felt beyond happy. He also felt stupidly calmer and more stable now that his two sperm donors were there. Blasted hormones… Gorgon instinctual fucking needs—ugh…
“That’s…good…?”
Ender stayed quiet for a moment, before once again asking, “So, they are really here to?—”
“Yes, Ender!”Severo snapped testily.“They are really there to take care of you and the babies, so give them a chance. Give Cyrus a chance.”
“Why are you mentioning him specifically?”
“Because I know you have a particular dislike for Fates, even though you have one living there already.”
He scoffed. “Hatred would be the right word, and that other particular Fate is complicated.”
Quill was very complicated, and as for his feelings regarding him…well, they had also been complicated at first. But now he liked the kid in the way any good uncle would.
“Cyrus is complicated.”
Complicated?! What was complicated about a man who seemed to have a rule book permanently shoved up his ass? “Bullshit, the man?—”
“Look, Ender, Cyrus is not a rule breaker, never has been. But love definitely makes people hypocrites. He’s had a rough time since all that shit went down with Killian getting taken, and well, you know.”
“Yeah, I know.”
He probably knew better than Severo did.
“I’m just asking you to give him—both of them—a chance.”
“I’ll think about it.” In his mind, it was less about giving them a chance, and more about what exactly Severo was wanting him to give them a chance for. As he told Killian, he wasn’t looking for a relationship.
“I suppose, you thinking about it is the best I’m going to get.”
“Yep!” He chuckled, before once again not being able to stop himself from asking, “So they really are here to?—”
“YES! For fuck’s sake, Ender, stop being paranoid, you quack!”
“Afraid it’s not in my nature. Oh, by the way, tell those parents of yours to leave me alone.”
“Aha, no. No, you are on your own. They are already up my ass about all of this, mainly as the other Grimms are pestering Cyrus’ parents about him quitting. Not sure how they figured out you’re involved, but they did.”
Ender knew exactly how. Emiliano and Annabella Voli had more ears to the ground than he did, and a much further reach. As cautious as he was, and as selective as he was with letting in new members, he knew the fuckers had eyes in his organization. Eyes that he was fully aware of, and kept a watch on. Better to keep them and know who they were, than kick them out and risk not knowing.
Either way, they had known months ago about his pregnancy… Them knowing had come with a mysterious box full of baby stuff. They just hadn’t known who else had been involved in the making of said babies, and only because he’d kept the knowledge to his inner circle. And they only found out after some serious prodding. Ender supposed he should expect more boxes.
“Well, they should calm down slightly, as Cyrus should be on a call with his parents now, if he hasn’t already finished. I can only hope they stop trying to call me.”
Severo chuckled, and cheekily said, “Good luck with that.”
Ender smirked. “Good luck being the only one within distance of them and Cyrus’ family! Bye!” He hung up.
