They separated only long enough to make their way downstairs and out to the back of the cottage. Eduard led them to another path, this one turning to sand after a few hundred yards. Cecil had worked magic in the hour they’d given him. A large white tent was set up facing the water. He’d lowered the privacy screens on three sides and set up a small pile of wood a couple of dozen steps away surrounded by rocks.
Cecil was finishing up inside the tent, having spread out blankets and set up a few hanging lanterns that lit the tent with a soft glow. A large cooler sat to one side with a basket of plates, glasses, and utensils on top of it. Cecil smiled as they approached. “I closed the sides for your privacy but you have a lovely view of the water from here. If there’s anything else you need, feel free to call the house.”
“Thank you, Cecil,” Draco said. He couldn’t believe how quickly he’d managed to make it happen, but it was as special as Draco hoped it would be.
Sawyer whooped beside him and ran for the tent. He held up a bag of marshmallows triumphantly. “S’mores!”
Draco laughed. “If you eat your dinner like a good boy.”
Sawyer pretended to scowl. “I’ll show you a good boy.”
He dropped the marshmallows and ran for Draco, jumping at the last second. Draco caught him and spun him around as Sawyer laughed and held on tight. Draco couldn’t think of a sound he loved more than Sawyer’s laughter. He pulled him tight before pinching his ass because he could.
Sawyer yelped then pushed away with another laugh. “Jerk!”
“What? I want s’mores now and you’re delaying the process. Sheesh.”
“I’m not waiting on you two,” Andvari said. He went into the tent and began rummaging through their supplies. Eduard joined him and within a minute the smell of Viv’s delicious meal wafted out to them. Sawyer and Henry scurried inside then plopped down on the blankets. It only took a few minutes for them to divvy up all the food and get comfortable.
Draco let the soft sounds of their voices wash over him as they ate and talked over all sorts of random topics, none of them serious. Henry and Sawyer tried to decide whether they liked the couscous— Sawyer did, but Henry didn’t like the texture— which led to a debate over the best fast food french fries. Draco couldn’t stop smiling, and when Sawyer caught a glimpse of him, he stopped talking and smiled back. It really was that simple.
They cleared up their dishes and loaded everything back into the cooler except the s’mores supplies. Draco stripped as the others went outside to their makeshift fire pit. He let the change come through him and stalked over to them in his dragon form. He nudged Henry and received a hug in return. Andvari’s hand petted down his neck and over his back. Eduard curled his hand over Draco’s neck and leaned his forehead against Draco’s side. And Sawyer. His Sawyer smiled at him before asking to fly.
Draco nodded. Everyone moved away and Draco took a breath and sent a stream of fire toward the wood Cecil had prepared for them. Once it began to smoke, he turned to Sawyer and waited. Andvari gave him a leg up then gave Draco a significant look. He’d be careful. Extremely careful after what happened last time, but damn it, they deserved to fly and be free.
Once Sawyer was safely on his back, Draco spread his wings and they took to the sky. He kept his attention focused on their surroundings as Sawyer laughed and flung his hands out to the side. If Draco could roll his eyes, he would, but he loved giving this to Sawyer. They flew out over the water then Draco circled them back toward the beach. Their mates waited for them by the fire, with Henry standing between Andvari and Eduard. They were all smiling, happy, and as Draco landed in front of them, their smiles widened.
Sawyer slid off his back then hugged him once more. Draco shifted back, his arms going around Sawyer the moment they were able.
“You’re so beautiful,” Sawyer whispered. “In all of your forms. But your dragon, Drake. So big and powerful. Your scales shimmer in the sunlight. Did you know that? The black comes alive with color.”
“I’d do anything for you, you know that, right?”
Sawyer nodded then leaned his head against Draco’s chest. They stayed close for a long moment, simply enjoying each other’s closeness.
“And now you need dessert,” Draco said.
“How’d you guess?”
Draco leaned back and smiled down at Sawyer. “Because I know you better than anyone on this earth.”
Sawyer’s breath caught and he squeezed Draco tight for a moment. “Love you,” he said quietly.
“And I you.”
Draco didn’t bother getting dressed again as they had the beach to themselves. He went to the tent and grabbed one of the blankets along with the supplies they needed for dessert. His mates were standing around the fire, arms around each other and gazes locked on the setting sun. Draco joined them, his arms stretching around the four of them as they stood huddled together in front of him.
Draco
Sawyer often complained to Draco that he was too serious and his online image had grown mostly due to his ability to scowl. Part of it had been because he’d kept his inner dragon so tightly chained while he’d been waiting for the chosen one’s arrival. Part of it was the dread of having to walk away from Sawyer. Part of him still couldn’t believe that his entire world had been next door to him for so long and he’d been completely unaware, but he could guarantee that both man and dragon were happier than he’d ever been in his entire life.
Sure, he wished they weren’t in danger and that Sawyer hadn’t started to develop little scowl lines on his forehead from worry. Draco knew what the worry felt like first hand, and he’d do everything in his power to make sure he not only protected Sawyer from whatever danger was heading their way, but he’d also make sure he loved Sawyer and his other mates with every ounce of passion he possessed.
He pulled Sawyer more tightly into the vee of his thighs and Sawyer rested his head back against Draco’s shoulder. They’d stayed outside on the beach for hours, laughing their way through the messiest set of s’mores in existence before snuggling together on the blanket and simply listening to the waves.
Sawyer tugged one of Draco’s arms around him and wiggled his way even deeper into Draco’s arms.
“You okay?” Draco asked.
