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“Can I show you mine?” Shiloh’s wiggles that time were from his own excitement and not trying to inspire mine. “I’ll make you pictures.”

“I think that is a wonderful plan.” But I was not the only one who needed input into our schedule. “Why don’t you ask your Master what he thinks?”

Ha.

I could be a good Daddy even if it shocked Raxius.

Shiloh didn’t notice our behavior and instead threw himself at Raxius. “Master, can we go get my stuff?”

Did that imply more than just coloring implements?

As I tried to understand the meaning behind his words, Raxius wrapped Shiloh safely on his lap. “Yes, then we’ll color while your Daddy makes dinner. He did a good job last night, didn’t he?”

Nodding enthusiastically, Shiloh wiggled off Raxius’ lap and stood up to take both of our hands. “Hurry. I got to show you my stuff.”

Considering how carefully he had guarded his possessions, this seemed to be a turning point in our relationship. “What stuff? You use that word in a variety of different ways?”

Making sure to look suspicious, I frowned and narrowed my eyes like the book had described. “Are you bringing naughty things over here?”

His Daddy was very smart and very funny because Shiloh giggled and fell against Raxius as the still-grumpy-looking man stood up. “He…Daddy thinks I’ve got naughty stuff.”

“Stuff…” I shrugged as I repeated the word, getting more giggles from Shiloh and a happy feeling from Raxius.

“You probably do have naughty stuff, but we’re just going to bring crayons and toys this time.” Wrapping his arms around Shiloh, Raxius stroked his back. “We don’t want to shock your Daddy.”

For a moment I worried that the teasing would remind Shiloh of his fears but our boy played along, shaking his head. “No shocking Daddy.”

Giggling, he whispered loudly to Raxius. “He’s sweet, so we got to be careful.”

Making a thinking sound, Raxius pretended to whisper back. “Aren’t I sweet too? Should you be careful of me?”

There was no question about the naughty tone to Shiloh’s happy sounds that would probably be called a snicker. “No, you’re naughty too. Daddy’s sweet and you’re spicy.”

Like foods?

Raxius rolled his eyes, getting more happy sounds and feelings from Shiloh. “I don’t know what you mean. I’m very boring and grumpy. Everyone says so.”

I wasn’t sure Raxius was as funny as Shiloh thought he was but it was not my place to tell the happy little he was wrong. “Well, the grumpy, boring male needs to help us get your stuff.”

On the other hand, I was as funny as Shiloh thought I was.

When he finally stopped laughing, he straightened and frowned. “I’m going to be serious so we can walk to my place.”

Frowning at both of us just like Raxius usually did, he huffed. “I’m suspicious too. My place is just down the hall.”

He’d finally noticed that?

“Earthlings were placed in a variety of locations.” And moving my Earthling to make sure he was closer to me was just good caretaking. “You do not need to look serious if you don’t want to.”

Shaking his head, Shiloh squared his shoulders to look like Raxius. “I do. We’re serious in public. That’s what Klynn does. I saw it.”

Saw what?

“There are not social norms for this kind of role here.” Raxius ran one hand over Shiloh’s head. “We will set the standard for how society deals with this. How should we proceed?”

Shiloh scrunched up his face and shrugged. “Dunno.”

It took a moment for that word to become clear but I understood his visual cues faster. “Then this time we’ll be serious in the hall and then next time we might change our mind. Wren made it very clear he can be boring when he wants to be. I heard him give that lecture in a very loud voice.”