Page 42 of Immortal Bonds

Thalric shook his head and sat on the edge of the bed. "No — you come here, and I will get you dressed."

Creighton swallowed and hesitated for a moment. Thalric waited him out. This was all new. It was different, and if he wanted his boy to continue to trust him, he needed to have patience. As he waited, he thought of all the things he wanted to do with his mate. All the ways he believed they could grow and spend time together that would comfort them both. The playdates they could have, the space he could make in his room for Creighton to be Little. He thought of the opportunities that would come with time, the way his mate would be able to make friends within their community, within their family.

As he got lost in his thoughts, an adorable Creighton slipped through the door.

EPILOGUE

CREIGHTON

The look on his Daddy’s face made Creighton incredibly happy. Even in his Little mind, he understood how important all of this was to their bond. Trusting Thalric in everything meant a great deal.

“Come, boy,” Daddy called out. “Let me get you dressed. Then I’ll feed you.”

Creighton crossed the room carefully, each step measured. He felt like he was walking to the end of things. Like this was the final step towards his happily ever after. That wasn't the case. He had his mate. They were already bonded, between his bite to Daddy's wrist and then Daddy's bite to his neck.

It was done. Time would strengthen their bond. There was no reversing it, though. He was thankful for it, really. He wanted to always belong to Daddy.

When he reached Thalric, his mate, his Daddy slid his legs further apart and motioned Creighton to go between them. He was naked, utterly and completely bare, but he did as instructed.

For all the vulnerability it brought, there was also comfort. He didn't have to think, or rather, overthink. And he didn't have to ask if what he was doing was good enough. The smile on his Daddy's face, the joy he felt through the bond, and the heat pouring off the dragon, were enough.

When his Daddy didn't immediately put the clothing stacked beside him on Creighton, he felt a sliver of confusion. His Daddy must have felt the emotion because he shook his head and reached for the shirt. Creighton watched as he shook it out and eased it over Creighton's head.

The fabric was buttery-soft. It slid over him, and when he raised his arms up to push them through, he was rewarded with even more of that embrace.

Once that was on him, his Daddy picked up underwear, the exact kind that Creighton liked, and motioned for him to step inside them. A pair of matching pants went with the shirt, and Creighton couldn't help but gasp when he was fully ensconced in the material.

"Daddy," he whispered. He ran his hands over it, and for the first time since coming out of the bathroom, he realized his Daddy had brought the exact type of outfit he'd told him he liked. Loose, baggy clothing in deep autumn colors. The softness was a given, since Creighton preferred that.

His love of stuffies mirrored his own desires.

"Do you like it?" Daddy asked, his gaze trailing over Creighton even though his hands remained on his thighs.

"Yes, Daddy," he said cheerfully. "I love it. It's perfect."

Taking a chance, Creighton reached down and grabbed his Daddy's wrist, then brought it up. He used the hand to pet his chest and down his abs. He didn't go further. This wasn't about sex. It was about connection and understanding. "See how soft?"

His mate's eyes glowed, and his smile grew even wider. "I do see, my boy. It's perfect for you. I knew the moment I suspected you were here that I had to get things for you. If fate was so lucky as to bring you to me, I wanted you close and comfortable."

Creighton nearly melted at the words. His Daddy was so perfect. He thought ahead and planned for things since he knew Creighton inside and out because of their connection through the app. Daddy didn't care that Creighton wasn’t a dragon and didn't hold any political weight in San Noctis. Nor did he care that Creighton's past was sad and often left him feeling down.

Daddy was prepared to take on all of him.

There were a few more moments of petting, and then his Daddy shook his hand to have Creighton release it. He tugged at Creighton's waist until he was sitting across one of Daddy's thighs. He wiggled a little to get more comfortable, then laid his head on Daddy's shoulder.

"I'm going to call down to Belinda to order you some food. You need to eat after all of that, and I don't think you want to try to face my family right now."

Creighton nodded, rubbing his face against his Daddy's shoulder. He was a bit exhausted from the night before, and that morning had been a lot. He wanted to have time alone with this man who was now immortally bonded to him. The other half of his soul. He needed to know they worked.

The voice in his head scoffed. Of course they worked. It was a given. The only thing he truly needed was time. People didn't understand that new mates needed as much time as possible to be with one another. It solidified the bond and soothed their inner beings. No matter what type of supernatural creature they were, there was a part of them that craved that unity.

Daddy kissed his head and then pulled out his phone. Creighton could hear him speaking with someone on the line. He heard mention of several different foods, all of which were his favorites. Again, yet another way his Daddy knew him. At some point he zoned out because he didn't need to know everything that was happening around him. His Daddy would keep him safe.

They sat there quietly together, neither one moving nor saying anything. Just soaking in the bond that hummed through them. The contentment that poured out of them both in waves.

A knock on the door sometime later drew Creighton from his peaceful daze. "Climb onto the bed, sweet boy. I'm going to get the food."

Daddy lifted him and eased him onto the mattress, where Creighton crawled towards the middle and sat with his legs crossed. He adjusted his glasses, which were a bit askew from how he'd been lying on his Daddy's shoulder. He turned to look at his mate, who was halfway across the room, when the door opened of its own accord. A hand came through waving, and his Daddy chuckled.