Something in my chest ached at the sight of my pup safe and peaceful.
Wen and I sneaked out quietly, closing the door with barely a sound.
Back in our own room, we both collapsed onto the bed. Council meetings, training, chasing a four-year-old around the bathroom. I was ready to sleep for a week.
Wen rolled toward me, her hand finding my chest. “You’re good with him.”
I pulled her closer, kissing her. “We are good with him.”
“Yeah we are.”
We started kissing properly, hands wandering, the familiar heat building between us. Then Wen started laughing against my mouth.
“What?” I asked.
“You landing on your ass today. That was amazing.”
“You cheated,” I protested, but a grin was spreading across my face.
“I improvised!”
“It was effective, I will give you that.”
“I know!” She could barely get the words out. “Gods, your face!”
“I was surprised.”
“You were SO surprised!” She could barely breathe now, tears forming at the corners of her eyes.
I tried to continue kissing her. “Can we focus?”
“I’m trying!” But she was still laughing, and now I was laughing too, and we couldn’t stop.
“This is impossible,” I said finally, giving up.
“We’re too tired anyway,” Wen admitted, wiping her eyes.
“Agreed. Sleep?”
“Sleep.”
We settled into our usual position, me curled around her from behind, my arm wrapped around her waist. This was good too. Sometimes exhausted cuddles were exactly what we needed.
I was drifting off when she murmured, “Love you.”
“Love you too.”
We fell asleep tangled together, perfectly content…Until I woke to a small voice in the darkness.
“Papa?”
I was alert instantly, years of warrior training kicking in. Killian stood in the doorway, clutching his blanket, his silhouette small in the dim light from the hallway. I knew what had happened instantly.
“Come here, pup,” I said, opening my arms.
He ran across the room and climbed into bed between us. “I had a bad dream.”
Wen stirred, automatically shifting to make room without even opening her eyes fully. “You’re okay, baby.”
