Page 77 of The War is Coming

“First off, call me Puff. Secondly, I’ll help you anyway I can. I’ve never sorted an estate,” he looked at his uncle. “Can you help me?”

Paris nodded. “I can indeed. Do you want us to pop to yours now?”

“I need to wait for Mateo to finish training first, but as soon as he’s finished, we can go. Unless you three and Uncle Paris go now, and we can join you later,” Puff suggested.

“We can do that,” Paris said. “Is that okay with the three of you?”

Cyril looked at his brothers. “Yeah, that’s fine.”

“Then let us away,” Paris said, and using dragon magic, the four of them disappeared.

Puff sighed, feeling a wealth of emotions, the main one sadness. He thought being kicked out of his family and living on the streets was emotional, but watching the triplets, indeed all the other children, deal with the loss of their families broke his heart.

Suddenly Atticus was by his side, kneeling next to him and wrapping his arms around him. “I’ve got you,” he said softly, kissing the side of Puff’s head.

Puff leant into his side. “Sorry, I was just having a moment.”

“You’re allowed to have moments. Do you want to tell me why, or would you rather not?”

Puff explained about the triplets, and then the other children.

“I agree it is heartbreaking, all we can do now is to be there to help them however we can.”

Puff turned his head and looked at Atticus. “Thank you for coming. Now kiss me,” he said boldly.

A smile bloomed over Atticus’ face. “Yes, my king,” he said, pulling Puff closer and kissing him.

Puff wrapped an arm around Atticus and happily kissed him back.

“Now this is the best sight to come upon,” they heard Mateo say.

Slowly they pulled back, turned and smiled at him.

Mateo dropped to his knees in front of them, a hand on each. “I got here as quickly as I could. Watching you two together, just wow.”

“I always think that when I see the two of you together,“ Puff said.

“The same when I’m watching you two,” Atticus agreed.

“I can tell Atticus has cheered you up already,” Mateo said softly. His hand went to Puff’s cheek.

“Well,” Puff said boldly again, “He started to cheer me up, pretty sure you can fix this final bit.”

Mateo grinned. “I can certainly do that.” With that, he pulled Puff into his arms and kissed him.

Puff wrapped an arm around Mateo and held his other hand out to Atticus, who took it and kissed the back.

Slowly they pulled back. “Yep, totally better now,” Puff said.

“Glad we could help,” Mateo said.

“You two always help. Thank you for being my mates,” he said, looking at them both.

“Just as we are lucky to have you,” Atticus said.

“Puff, why were you upset earlier?” Mateo asked.

Puff told him about the triplets.