Rodney is the most gorgeous swan I’ve ever seen. His eyes are still silver, the same as his human form. His feathers are pristine white, almost shimmering in the light. He’s bigger than Calloway and I but that just means he’ll be the perfect body to snuggle against. We’ll both be able to fit tucked under his wing.
The three of us waddle our way back into the living room. We hop up into the nest, getting comfortable against each other. Once we’re all tucked together, Rodney reaches his webbed foot out, hitting play on the remote.
Rodney’s wing surrounds Calloway and I. Everyone’s scents are so vivid in my nose, so overwhelmingly familiar.
That wave I was worried about crashes over me but it’s not as scary as I thought it would be. I love Rodney. I amin lovewith him. There’s no more trying to deny it or come to terms with it because it’s here and it’s real. I love him and I want to be with him for as long as he’ll have me.
I’m not sure how much of the movie I actually watch because between one blink and the next, I’m asleep, resting easily between the one my heart wants to call my mate, and my son. I’m so blissed out that I’m not even mad to be the old man who falls asleep during movies because I’m just too happy to care.
“You have your toothbrush?”
“Yes,” Calloway says, looking through his bag.
“Your charger?”
“Yep!”
“Your shampoo and soap?”
“Got it!”
Rodney chuckles. “Do you have extra clean underwear just in case?”
Calloway wrinkles his nose. “I got enough to last me all week!”
“What if you shit yourself? Bring extra. Trust me!”
“What would I--” Calloway cuts himself off with a sigh, digging through his drawer and packing a couple extra pairs. “Okay, got it!”
“I think that’s everything,” I say softly. “Ready to go?”
“Heck yeah! I’m so excited! Did I tell you? Ringo said he’s going to be there.”
I grab my own bag filled with everything I’ll need for staying over at Rodney’s house. After dropping Calloway off at camp, I’m going to be going back to Rodney’s place to help do any last minute planning for the charity event. I want to help however I can to make this whole event happen as stress-free as possible.
It feels so exciting to be trusted with this. Kei and Rin have accepted me into their little unit without much of a fuss. Rodney still smells like Kei, but it’s never felt threatening or like he’strying to encroach on our relationship. If anything, the smell of Kei is starting to smell familiar in the same way that Rodney’s scent smells.
“Wait,” I say quickly, coming back to the present. “Isn’t Ringo that alpha you have a crush on? You didn’t tell me he was gonna be there.”
Calloway’s face turns bright red. “I don’t have a crush on him! Oh my gods, don’t be embarrassing, Dad!”
“I’m not being embarrassing! I’m just asking a question!”
“It’s not a big deal.”
“I never said it was,” I say, rubbing at my eyes. “It’s fine if you have a crush. No, you didn’t tell me. You must be very excited.”
“I hate you,” he says with a pout, walking out the door and leaving me behind.
I blink at the closed door until Rodney pats my shoulder. I look at him, trying to figure out what the fuck just happened.
“Ah, to be a teenager again,” he says with a chuckle. My son is so mature and lovely and the most wonderful person ever, but man, sometimes he’s such a brat. I guess that’s just part of being a teenager.
“I’m so confused,” I say with a huff, following Calloway through the door and to my vehicle. We all climb in with our stuff in the trunk.
“Is Bruce coming with?” Rodney asks, sitting in the middle backseat and leaning forward so he can talk to us.
“Nah,” Calloway says, looking back at Rodney. “He’s gotta work. He’s a lawyer.”
