The first golden rays of dawn slanted through tall windows, dust motes dancing in the soft light. Every surface in the mansion felt warmed by the rising sun—but none so warm as the bodies tangled beneath the covers.
Kai stirred as Lucien's hand slid over his hip, thumb brushing the faint outline of new hickeys against his pale skin. He opened one eye and blinked at the spots—light blotches of pink near his collarbone and just under his jaw.
"You marked me," he teased softly, voice husky still. Lucien grinned in the semi-darkness, one arm wrapped tightly around Kai's waist. "They're like permanent art. You look… amazing." Kai yawned and shifted until his back was flush against Lucien's chest. The silk sheets rustled softly. "I'm lucky you're so… talented," Kai whispered, head resting against Lucien's shoulder. "Only when I don't get distracted," Lucien replied in a low voice, thumb brushing over Kai's skin again.
Kai laughed—a warm, happy sound. "Distracted… by me?" Lucien kissed the side of his neck. "Always." For a long moment, they lay like that, soft light wrapping around them. Kai felt his heart pulse in time with Lucien's breath, steady and full.
**************
The kitchen filled with the rich smell of brewed coffee. Light chatter drifted up from downstairs as Lucien and Kai crept in hand-in-hand, damp hair in loose waves, casual at ease. They passed Rhydian and Caelan at the counter. Caelan looked over and winked. "Looks like someone had fun last night." Lucien pressed a hand over Kai's exposed collarbone. "Lucky guess."
Rhydian raised an eyebrow, sipping his strong brew. "Well, I hope those marks come with breakfast." Caelan snorted. "He always has breakfast." Kai grinned, the hickeys warm even to the eye. "Never too early for pancakes." They made breakfast in a steady rhythm: Lucien whisked eggs, Kai buttered toast, Caelan added syrup and honeyfruit filling, and Rhydian—ever dependable—served steaming mugs of coffee and tea.
Caelan reached over and placed a warm mug in front of Kai. "For the lovely artwork model." Kai flashed him a grin. "Thanks." As he sipped, Lucien leaned over and kissed the top of his head. Their quiet affection crackled like gentle electricity in the morning air.
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After breakfast, Lucien led Kai upstairs under the pretense of finding a book. Instead, he changed course toward the master chamber where pillows awaited. The moment Lucien pulled Kai into a light embrace, Caelan and Rhydian passed by the doorway.
Caelan leaned in, whispering with mock solemnity, "Tickle him until he shows all the marks." Lucien shot him a warning look. Kai dropped his head in laughter. "Caelan!" Rhydian smiled, though his eyes were serious. "Gentle." Lucien caught up to Kai on the bed and pressed a slow kiss against Kai's throat, lingering near the hickeys to warm them further.
Kai gasped softly. "Careful, big brother." Lucien smirked. "I'm not even trying yet." Suddenly Lucien's lips trailed lower—near Kai's collarbone—and his tongue flicked over the fresh marks, eliciting a soft moan. From just outside the door, Caelan laughed quietly. Rhydian cleared his throat. Lucien looked over his shoulder, cheeks pink. "Mind your business."
Caelan winked. "Absolutely." Rhydian stepped back, amusingly strict. "I will—but your boundary was two inches ago. Just saying'."
As the day moved on, the mansion returned to calm. Kai and Lucien dressed and retreated to the library with lightly flushed cheeks and hearts beating slower. But something strange lingered—a brief shiver in the attic, the soft glow beneath Kai's palm as he shifted a book. The same flicker from yesterday returned in more subtle form.
He froze. Lucien caught the pause, eyes narrowing. "Again?" Kai nodded, looking across the table. Lucien slid closer, hands circling his elbow. Kai hesitated. "I don't know… it's like something was responding to me again." Lucien's voice softened. "Whatever it is… we'll face it. Together."
He reached for a leather-bound volume of ancestral magic. Kai placed a trembling hand atop his.
Together, they began reading.
🌿 Afternoon
Later, they gathered in the sunlit conservatory overlooking the garden. Caelan set out colored crystals and runes, outlining a makeshift ritual circle. "Let's try opening a small portal to a memory," Caelan said, bright excitement shining in his eyes. Rhydian, leaning against a column, crossed his arms. "Make it quick."
Kai and Lucien positioned their hands over the sigils. Lucien's mind found the rhythm of Kai's breath. Caelan murmured incantations, finger tracing a rune that glowed amidst them. A small pulse of silvery light formed—showing Kai's parents when he was a child, laughing in an abandoned meadow. Kai gasped as the memory bloomed around them.
Lucien whispered, "They're so proud of you." Kai closed his eyes. "I wish they could see this." The portal shimmered and dissolved. Rhydian stepped forward, placing a hand on Kai's shoulder.
"You're not alone here," he said.
Caelan smiled. "We're your same kind."
🌙 Evening
Night drew in as they gathered in the courtyard around glowing lanterns. Lucien held Kai's hand, Caelan passed hot tea, and Rhydian stood guard behind them. They talked of small things—garden plans, spice blends, which room to paint next. Peace woven into the words. Kai laughed at one of Caelan's jokes, leaning against Lucien. He felt something—a flicker of recognition in the cool night air. Lucien felt it too, hand tightening.
Kai pressed his palm to a smooth stone in the courtyard. Water-soaked roses at its base lit with soft amber light. He gasped—the same deep-rooted response, like a memory awakened in his veins. Lucien and Caelan watched, alarm rising. The roses formed glowing pathways, sigils unfurling beneath their feet—a message from beneath the mansion itself.
Rhydian moved swiftly, wards flashing to life, creating circles of protective runes around them. Kai's voice shook. "It wants us to know… that Rootbond is alive." Lucien drew him closer. "We know. We'll be ready."
When the magic calmed, they remained in the safe glow of lanterns. Kai nestled into Lucien's chest. Caelan sat near his feet, humming a lullaby from their childhood. Rhydian settled beside Lucien with a calm fierceness in his eyes.
They didn't speak again of the magic.
They just held each other.
Because in those moments, in that home—where laughter and longing, forging trust and fear—they belonged.
And that night, despite the flicker, despite the message beneath their feet—they slept.
Together.