"Yes, little one, these are for you." He nodded at the items, then slowly peeled his fingers away so he could push them closer. "You can have one or two, or all three."
Archer's eyes widened, and his stomach gave a noise, making it obvious he would likely take all three. His boy didn't move. It was as if the decision paralyzed him.
Romilly and his Daddy instincts decided he would take care of it.
"Let us have our fruit first, little one? Something nutritious, and then we can have our salty snack and finish it off with dessert."
Archer bit his lip, nodding at the order.
Romilly peeled the banana. It was perfectly ripened, and he broke off a piece, easing it to Archer's lips. His boy opened easily, like a baby bird — or more accurately, a baby dragon. They were much the same in their early years.
"Good boy," Romilly praised as Archer chewed his snack.
His boy's gaze dipped over to the paper and the colors. Romilly chuckled, already knowing what he wished for.
"You may color while I feed you, if you like. You just need to remember to eat instead of getting distracted, little one."
Archer nodded hastily. He picked up his crayon again and went back to working. Every few seconds, he peered over to Romilly and opened his mouth, waiting for whatever was placed inside.
Romilly kept his perched position, using his muscles in a way he rarely did to maintain his hold. He'd be damned if he moved or shifted in any way that would change the dynamic between him and his boy.
When they reached the cookies portion of the snack, his boy squealed at the first taste, his eyes going wide. He put his crayons down and turned fully to face Romilly.
Archer's legs spread, whether intentionally or not. His move beckoned Romilly forward. He shifted slightly, testing the waters, and when Archer bounced as if wanting him closer, he finished pressing forward. The front of his waist aligned with the height of the chair, making him perfectly positioned for his boy.
The small cookies were sweet, from Romilly's memory. He didn't indulge in them often, much preferring natural fruits to anything with artificial ingredients. His dragon was particular in that sense.
"Do you like your cookies?" Romilly asked Archer.
More wiggling and bouncing occurred. The movement made Romilly overjoyed. It also aroused him greatly. He could feel his boy's hardening length pressing against him. The friction, or maybe the sweet treat, was causing the reaction.
Romilly would have to test the theory of which it was later. For now, he had to focus. It wasn't time to do anything more than feed his boy. And then maybe possibly get more work done later, though it was doubtful.
Why focus on the boring, tedious details of the kingdom when he had his fated mate within reach?
When they reached the bottom of the bag and there were only crumbs left, Romilly sensed a battle coming forward. His boy would either take the news that the cookies were gone in stride, or he'd pout and throw a fit.
In the end, it was neither. Archer merely accepted the fact that they were gone and pointed to the bag, then to his lips, tipping his head back even further. Romilly immediately knew what he wanted. He smiled as he poured the final crumbs between his boy's lips.
Archer raised his fists and pumped them in the air as he wiggled side to side. Romilly had never seen anything cuter. His dragon purred in agreement, pleased that they had made their mate happy. That was all he ever wanted to do — please his mate.
"You can color some more for now if you would like, little one. And then maybe we can go explore the grounds more. I would love to show you all the places around my home."
CHAPTER 9
Archer
Archer couldn't understand how someone as important as Romilly would make so much time for him.
This man appeared to be vital to his people and family. They asked for his help with everything, and there was never truly a long span of time in which no one came to see him or called his phone.
Yet still Romilly stuck with Archer through it all. He didn't once get sidetracked to the point of leaving, nor did he neglect anything Archer wanted. Even the things he couldn't vocalize because he was too afraid of being seen as needy, Romilly somehow understood and provided.
It warmed Archer's heart in a way he was scared to allow. What would it mean when his time here came to an end? Where was the next place for him to call home?
The negative thoughts were familiar. They'd been with him a long time, especially after his adolescence. The family he was born into made him feel as if everything he did was burdensome. Being a part of a family who was the complete opposite was jolting.
Still, he did his best to go with the flow. He didn't want to seem ungrateful, and really there was nothing to complain about. Even the soreness he had been experiencing was pretty much gone. Whatever the healer had done worked.
