“Definitely,” all three dragons said in unison. They were ganging up on him in the nicest possible way.
“Okay,” Sam managed. “I’ll think about it.”
/~/~/~/~/
Sam stood beside his car, keys jingling in his hand, while he tried to convince himself to actually leave. It was yet another Sunday, and he’d been at the estate most of the day. They’d eaten Rux’s mushroom risotto, and then they’d all curled up and watched movies, eating from huge bowls of popcorn and chips. Normal things that people did – date-type things. Things that were giving Sam a strong case of feelings.
“You’re stalling,” Urien observed. He’d walked Sam outside while Ruxcleaned the kitchen and Mabon answered emails, and now they stood in comfortable silence beneath the portico.
“You are,” Sam agreed. “I’m just slow getting in my car.”
“Liar.” Urien’s mouth curved. “You don’t want to go home yet.”
Sam didn’t deny it. The cottage would feel too quiet after this - after an evening of laughter and banter. Rux’s theatrical outrage when Sam suggested adding pineapple to pizza was totally worth the comment, just to see his reaction.
“I had a really good time,” Sam offered.
“So did we.” Urien stepped closer, lamplight catching in his gray-blond hair. “Sam?”
“Yeah?”
“May I kiss you?”
Sam’s heart stuttered. They’d been officially dating for three weeks now - coffee dates and gardening lessons and one memorable afternoon whenMabon had tried teaching Sam chess and had given up after Sam checkmated him using a strategy Mabon called “chaotic and illegal.” But they hadn’t done anything beyond handholding and the occasional hug, and Sam had been fine with that. Except he wasn’t fine anymore. He wanted more.
“Yes,” Sam whispered.
Urien closed the distance between them, one hand rising to cup Sam’s jaw while the other settled at his waist. The touch was gentle - handling-something-precious gentle - and Sam barely had time to take a breath before Urien kissed him softly.
Urien’s lips were warm despite the evening chill, the kiss unhurried and thorough like they had centuries to learn each other. Sam’s hands found Urien’s shoulders, fingers curling into fabric while his heart felt it would burst from how wonderful it was. When they pulled apart, Sam couldn’t stop smiling.
“Good?” Urien asked, his eyes bright with affection.
“Really good.” Sam was trying not to blush, but he didn’t think he was doing a good job.
“My turn?”
Sam turned to find Rux standing in the doorway, Mabon visible behind him.
Sam laughed. “Were you watching?”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Rux admitted without shame. He bounded down the steps like an overgrown puppy. “Well? May I?”
“Yes, you absolute menace. As if I’d leave any of you out.”
Rux’s kiss was nothing like Urien’s careful sweetness. It was enthusiastic, joyful, and slightly off-center because Rux was grinning too hard to aim properly. Sam found himself grinning back, hands fisting in Rux’s shirt while the dragon made a pleased rumbling sound against his mouth.
“Show-off,” Mabon observed from the doorway.
Rux pulled back just enough to stick his tongue out at his mate before stealing one more quick kiss. “Your turn, Mr. Restraint.”
Mabon descended the steps with measured dignity that didn’t quite hide the way his hands trembled slightly when he reached for Sam.
“May I?” His voice was so quiet it was hard for Sam to hear.
Still buzzing, Sam nodded. “Please.”
Mabon’s kiss was soft, like he was trying to pour a hundred years of longing into one precious moment. Sam melted into it, into him, while his heart did impossible acrobatics.
