Hadrian and Eden left the table with Silas, the three of them talking amongst themselves. Mira stayed, her eyes trained on Romilly like she was looking for something. A few minutes later, Shea stepped into the room, and everyone took notice.
"Oh look, it's time for you to work. My apologies, son. I'll see you later." Mira blew both men a kiss as she went over to Shea and spoke with her in a low voice.
Archer knew that with Romilly going to work, it meant he would be brought back to the bedroom to sit and wait. He should have been happy about it. A big soft luxurious bed with a television and everything he could want available to him.
EverythingexceptRomilly's closeness.
Simply being beside the man made him stupidly happy. It was like the best antidepressant he'd ever encountered.
"What's bothering you, little one?" Romilly said, pulling Archer from his thoughts.
"I was just wondering," he said slowly, "if maybe I could spend the day with you instead of being in the room."
"You want to spend the day with me," Romilly repeated.
"Yeah. It's just… being up there is nice and all, but I've got a bit of cabin fever."
Romilly's eyes widened and he lifted his hand, pressing it against Archer's forehead. "You have a fever? Why did you not say something sooner? We could have given you some medicine or called the healer."
His voice took on a panicked edge. It was somewhat amusing. Or it would have been if not for the fact that Romilly was genuinely getting worked up. Archer didn't want to upset the other man who had already been so generous with his time and home.
Archer reached up and grabbed his hand, shaking his head. "No, no. Cabin fever means that being stuck in the room is making me anxious. I feel like getting up and doing something so I don't feel so useless."
Romilly laced their fingers together and stared at Archer as if he didn't quite believe the words.
"I promise," Archer said. "It's nothing like what you're thinking."
"In that case, you can come with me. I don't mind, and you're not a burden of any sort, so don't think that."
Archer bit his lip, because he had been thinking it, even if only for a moment. "You sure I won't be in your way?"
"Yes, it will be fine."
Romilly stood and lifted Archer into his arms. Archer wrapped around him again, the same as they had been doing over and over. They went to the office with Shea close on their heels. Inside, Archer found himself placed in the big chair behind the desk. Romilly opened a drawer and pulled out paper and a pack of crayons.
"Here, little one. Why don't you draw while I talk to Shea about the day's plans? I'll see how much I can get done from here since I don't want to move you around."
Archer opened the crayons and began to draw on the page, no idea what he was planning, just scribbling along. He relaxed, allowing Romilly to take care of things.
He was safe.
He had a full belly.
He was happy.
With all his needs met, there was nothing more he could ask for.
CHAPTER 8
Romilly
Romilly felt Shea's glare at the side of his head, though he paid her no mind. How could he possibly discuss business with the adorable boy sitting behind his desk, coloring to his heart's content?
Romilly knew fated mates were real. He understood that when he found his person, everything would align just the way Fate intended. What he didn't understand was how damn right Fate had it.
Archer was everything he wanted and more. This little human of his had fallen straight into being Little without having to be told what it was or discussing the dynamic even.
A part of Romilly felt guilty, knowing he needed to explain who he was and what he was. But there wasn't time for that. Not genuinely. Archer needed to settle.
