The Circles of each flight were carved into different places in their ancestral homes. Some flights had theirs in a connected cave; some had theirs underground. Doc’s flight had their Circle in the middle of the mansion, in a high-ceilinged atrium encircled by three levels of rooms.
The Circle itself was carved into dark rock, worn smooth over the centuries. It wasn’t just one circle, either. The Circle was actually a series of nine concentric circles, with Roman numerals marking the outermost circle like a clock. Drawings and Latin words filled the spaces between the other circles, each of them as familiar to Doc as the back of his hand.
He set Ottis on his feet just outside the Circle, both of them barefoot. “Remember, keep one foot on your circle at all times. We’ll be holding hands, and we’ll do three laps around the Circle for the bonding to take.”
Ottis nodded. “I feel like I’m signing my life away.”
Then he groaned and added, “Why do I always say the worst things?!”
Doc laughed. “You haven’t tried to end our contract yet.”
“I guess I haven’t.” Ottis chewed his lip thoughtfully. “I like the idea of it going on forever.”
“Me too.”
By now, their friends and family had gathered around to watch the ceremony.
“Would you like a pickup line background song?” Hijinks offered, flipping through his little pink book. He found a page and perked up. Before Doc could stop him, Hijinks broke into song.
“Marry me, carry me
On your big alpha dick
It’s so veiny, it’s amazing
Your thick love stick
From this day onward
I will be your cum receptacle
You will fondle me with your jizz tentacle
Our love juices will make us one.”
The chords of the song echoed through the atrium, ringing in the stunned silence. Hijinks bowed.
Ottis buried his face in his hands. “We can’t tell this to the grandkids.”
“We’ll leave out this part,” Doc said with a huff. “Thanks, Jinks. Here, let’s get started.”
Ottis made a face and rubbed his belly, stepping gamely up to the Circle with Doc. Doc took the outermost circle, and Ottis moved into position on the next-largest circle.
Doc held his breath, looking at Ottis. “Ready?”
“Yeah.” Ottis gulped and nodded.
Doc raised his voice and announced, “Once for luck.”
His voice was sonorous in the atrium; the flames danced in their wall sconces.
They began walking. Doc held Ottis’ small hand, his heart thundering with every step they took.
After receiving the scars from the kraken, after all the people who had rejected him as a mate, Doc hadn’t foreseen this in his future. He had given up hope, resigned to living by himself in his lair.
And yet here Ottis was, limping along next to him, a little smile playing on his lips. Ottis, who brightened his days with the most unexpected lines, who had shared his pup with Doc and was carrying Doc’s baby. Ottis had a limp but he held his head high; he had left behind the terrors of his past to entrust Doc with his future.
“I really love you, you know,” Doc murmured, quiet enough that he was barely audible.
