Have you ever asked someone what love is? - Azriel x OC

Part 28

Breathe

Feyre coaxed and I nodded to her in thanks, filling my lungs with air before I examined Cas.

"he's okay" Az assured gently, closing his hand around my shaking fingers, rocking Cas gently. "he's okay" he repeated, and I nodded.

"Al?"

"yes love?" I leaned closer to the boy, pushing his hair back softly and he turned his head against my mates chest to look at me with drooping eyes.

"can we have warm milk?" he murmured quietly and I nodded.

"yeah okay"

I moved to the kitchen and began rooting around cupboards for pans.

Hands pressed to my shoulders, halting my movements and a sob tore through me, pressing my hand to my mouth to stifle it.

"it's okay" Azriel whispered into my hair, and I sank into him as I shook, clutching his leathers.

"they should be dead" I whimpered "t-they just left"

He just held me tighter, shushing me as he rubbed up and down my back. Love lit through me, burned into my every fibre and I swallowed thickly, nuzzling my face against him.

"you are so loved" he said softly "no matter what they did. I love you so much. Cas loves you. Our family loves you. And this-" his hand stroked over the fabric above my belly "this little one will love you too"

My hand covered his, brushing my fingers over his scarred skin lovingly.

"I love you. So much" I breathed, pulling his lips down to mine and he smoothed his thumb across my cheek.

"Go and sit down with Cas, I'll sort out the milk" our noses brushed, hazel eyes searching mine and I kissed him again.

"you are far too good for me Azriel"

He chuckled, nudging his nose against my jaw.

"it's the least I can do" he murmured lovingly, pressing soft kisses there "don't need you crying about your boobs again"

I giggled and his wings fluttered at the sound, shadows curling up my body happily.

They pulled me towards the door and I caught his eye before vanishing around the corner.

Cas was curled up with Amren who sat with him quietly, his eyes lifting as I walked in.

"Milk's on the way" I assured, settling down next to Mor who patted my knee comfortingly.

"you alright?" she asked quietly and I shrugged.

"I'll deal with it."

I would have to. I'd need a way to explain all this to Cas at some point.

He's okay. Just tired. Much alike you

Feyre assured and I noticed Rhy's absence.

"Checking the wards" she said aloud, and I nodded, leaning back into the sofa, Cassian coughing before patting the space next to him with a wink.

"you're more than welcome to use me as a pillow again"

"thanks but I'm not going to sleep" my drooping eyes betrayed me and Cas shuffled, Amren helping him onto the floor so he could climb up next to me.

He lay on my front, tucking his curls against my chest and I rested my cheek on his head, tracing patterns in his back.

"you okay?" I asked quietly whilst the others talked amongst themselves.

"I thought mum and dad were in the stars" his little voice questioned, and my chest shuddered.

"I thought they were too. Did they do anything to you?"

His head shook against me.

"they said we would be a family again"

"we have a family, don't you think?" my fingers trailed over his cheek, his eyes fluttering open to look across the room at the others.

"Brandon's mum said that family share blood"

"Brandon's mum is full of shit" I whispered the last word to him, smiling at his giggles. "Family are people that take care of you, do you think everyone here would take care of you?"

He nodded and the shadows that settled on the sofa next to us curled around him, his hands grabbing at them, cuddling them close to his face.

"one warm milk as requested" Azriel appeared and Cas went to wiggle off me but I clutched his side quickly.

"easy spider monkey" Az reached down with his free hand, holding Cas's jumper to lift him off me before setting him between Mor and I before handing him the cup which he held with both hands.

"everything seems to be fine" Rhys winnowed in with a sigh, sitting on the arm of the chair Feyre was in. His eyes turned to Cas, smiling lightly at his childish actions.

I wiped his milk moustache with my sleeve.

"thank you, for earlier. Keeping calm and everything. Did a better job then me" I joked lightly.

"like you said, we're family." Mor said, "like this little squirt"

"Aunty Mor" Cas squirmed as she tickled his side and I smiled, Az's fingers sliding through my hair soothingly.

Cassian yawned loudly, wings shaking out beside him and Amren scowled as she batted at one that almost hit her with a hiss.

"right I'm off" he stood, pressing a kiss to Cas's head, then mine, then he cupped Azriel's face and pressed their lips together with a dramatic smack whilst my mate reeled back, wings flapping to push him away. The long-haired Illyrian winked as we gaped at him.

"next time sunshine" Cassian winked at me and I laughed loudly.

Cas looked between his uncle and Azriel.

"I thought you and Azzie were married?" he whispered to me, and I smiled.

"Uncle Cas is just being silly." I assured "come on love, time for bed for you too"

"for all of us I think" Feyre agreed, bringing me into a hug.

Let us know if you need anything

"thank you" I pressed a kiss to her cheek gratefully, Rhys stealing me for a hug too.

"I know it's been a busy day but-"

"two days. I know" I held him at arm's length, giving him a look and he smiled sheepishly.

"just focusing on the positives"

"Rhys, I think the last thing on our mind is the ceremony" my mate protested.

I turned to him, tilting my head as I studied him.

"well, not the last thing" I opposed and Rhys chuckled at the look Azriel sent me.

"naughty" he kissed my cheek before Cas wrapped his body around his leg.

"can we go home now" he complained and I looked to Az who rested a hand on my shoulder.

"well, the little warrior has spoken"