Lacking Modesty

Raising Soldiers

"Uncle," Adrian called, looking up from his textbook. Lounging in the sun, reading some thick tome, was Milo. He looked up, raising an eyebrow at the boy. "I don't know what this word means."

"Which one, love?" he asked, standing and moving beside Adrian to identify the word. He tilted his head at the bestiary, not questioning it when Adrian chuckled nervously. Milo followed the youngest's finger, humming. "Alluring. It means you find something attractive or pretty and it makes you want to get closer to it."

"Is it only for people?" Adrian asked, lips thin in thought.

"Alluring can be used for anything. Rocks, trees, flowers, people. Anything." Milo checked the page again, smirking as he read the title. "Taken a fancy to lady sirens, have we, Sunlight?"

"No!" Adrian hissed, closing the heavy book with a loud thump. "I just... was looking for dhampirs."

"Well, if there are more than you and your brother, they aren't documented. That's why your father is so gentle with you. He doesn't know how much you can take. You're much more human presenting than Damian, for example, and that alone makes you different from even each other."

"Adrian?" They both turned toward the door, watching Damian closely. He seemed to notice Milo a little late and paled. The kitsune simply tilted his head at the reaction.

"Hello, Moonlight," Milo greeted slowly. He looked him up and down, scanning the young dhampir. He smelled different, shifting around anxiously and hiding his hands behind his back. "Is something wrong?" Damian shook his head slowly, looking at Adrian with a quick glance, before tilting his head.

"No. I didn't know he was in a lesson, sorry," he muttered, taking a step backwards. Milo narrowed his eyes, following him with a few quick steps. He ignored his harsh breath, humming.

"We've been had!" a harsh voice growled and Damian stiffened.

"Damian," Milo said slowly, "show me your hands."

"No!"

"D... Show me your hands." His lip wobbled, but Adrian moved to his side, curling into it and murmuring assurances.

"Uncle has never hurt us," he reminded him. "I doubt that, whatever it is, he'll punish you for it."

"You can show me, Moonlight," Milo promised. Damian took in a deep breath and pulled his hands to his front, slowly uncurling his fingers to show off smooth, pale palms. "Come out, I heard you." A face appeared in his left palm, making Adrian gasp and Damian jump. Milo only blinked before laughing.

"What's so funny?" the face hissed, wiggling Damian's fingers without his say so.

"A parasite," Milo snorted. "I thought it was something awful. I can remove it for you."

"No!" Damian hissed before composing himself, taking a deep breath. "He said... he said he could help with the light sickness."

"Did he now?" Milo hummed. "So, Mr. Parasite, how can you do something like that?"

"This is amusing to you, isn't it?" it huffed, seeming to roll its eyes. "Why don't you just kill me then?"

"Because this is funny. What were you telling him, is it true? If it is, I might just let you live a little longer."

"I can help metabolize the sunlight better. I think it should affect him every five years or so with my help," it explained, forcing Damian's hand up so he was speaking face-to-face with the fox spirit. "Something as old as you should know that parasites like me are very useful."

"If controlled," Milo corrected. "You could just eat him." Damian sucked in a harsh breath.

"Such a strong host? Why would I do that? Sounds like suicide. Especially with such strong guardians." It grimaced. "I didn't know until after, but I can assure you I mean no harm to the boy."