Healing Milton

eight

Cal and Aldric lay in their bed, both staring up at the dark ceiling, the soft light from the moon casting shadows across their covers, the curtains barely moving from the breeze of the open window. They were breathing quietly, both keenly listening for any sound from the neighbouring guest room, ready to jump up at a moment's notice. Callum twists under the blankets, unintentionally letting out a sigh through his nose.

Aldric shifts as well, turning on his side to face his mate, a hand reaching out to rest on his chest. He could see the faintest of pouts on Callum's lips, fluffy curls pressed into the pillow, no doubt turning into a tangled mess from all the wriggling.

"My love, you need to sleep."

Callum huffs. "You're not sleeping either."

A smile pinches at his cheeks at the petulant tone. "I'm awake because you're awake. The boy is fast asleep, and by the sound of those tiny snores, he's going to be staying asleep for the rest of the night."

Callum only huffs again. "What if he wakes up from a nightmare? What if he gets cold, or needs a drink?"

Aldric begins to rub soothing circles on his mate's chest, hand sneaking beneath his shirt to touch bare skin. "We'll hear him. He's right next door."

Cal didn't want to admit that his husband was right. It was annoying, but the wolf was right. If Milton made a single sound of discomfort, they would be right there to heed his every beck and call. There was really no need for Callum to be so restless, but he couldn't seem to calm his mind. His wolf wanted to go to the boy and bring him back to their bed, hole him up in their nest to 'keep him safe'. Keep him safe from what... Callum didn't really know.

Aldric sighs, pulling his little mate closer and tucking his face into Callum's neck. He chuffs at him, breath tickling Cal's hair as he quietly hums in response, finally turning his face to look at his dear husband in the moonlight. He was ruggedly handsome, with his crooked nose and thick eyebrows. When they first met, Aldric barely smiled. The pack were wary of the tall man who kept a straight face, but not Callum. He could see Aldric's smile in his eyes. The way they twinkled in mirth when a packmate cracked a joke, or the way they lit up when someone told a fantastical story.

Callum leans closer, nosing his mate with a little chuff before pressing a soft kiss to his lips. Aldric's arms wind tighter around him as he returns the affection with his own gentle kiss, humming deep in his throat.

"I love you." Cal whispers, twisting onto his side so he can reach a hand to cup his love's face.

Aldric smiles in the dark. "I love you too."

Callum kisses him again, snuggling closer. "Distract me."

Aldric blinks, startled by the request for only a second. He couldn't remember the last time his love had been so forward. It would have to have been before... well, before things became a little complicated.

"Are you sure?" Al purrs, both hands having now made their way beneath his soft pyjama top, caressing bare skin.

His love smiles. "Yes."

***

The two wolves wake to the sound of snuffling, Aldric first to rise from the bed, pressing his mate back into the covers with a promise to come back for him if something is wrong. He stretches his muscles, plodding over to their closet to grab a t-shirt before making his way next door into Milton's room.

The boy is still lying down, tucked beneath the covers with only his head poking out the top. There were no tears in his eyes, and he didn't look to be in any pain, only staring up at the white ceiling with big round eyes.