Julian was watching Noah from the doorway, arms crossed.
He looked… thoughtful. And maybe a little stunned.
Eugene stepped beside him.
"You've gone full mother hen," he murmured.
Julian, smoothing a wrinkle from the comforter with a flourish, didn't even look up.
"If I must live in a realm of demons and damnation, I'm at least going to give taste to the world."
In the center of it all, Noah layed curled in bed, peacefully asleep. Small fingers clutched at the edge of the covers.
His breathing was even.
The glowing wards embedded in the room's architecture—designed to keep out madness, possession, and corrupted magic—didn't even flicker around him.
Julian tilted his head, voice quieting. "He isn't afraid of me."
Eugene smirked, stepping beside him. "Maybe you're not as scary as you think."
He scoffed lightly. "Last time I checked, when we first met, you were quivering with fear."
Eugene snorted. "I was seventeen. And it wasn't fear."
"Oh?" Julian raised a delicate brow. "What was it, then? Awe? Lust?"
Eugene moved toward the shelves, thumbing through the row of newly added books—"Beginner's Guide to Mortal Child Rearing," "Lullabies of the Southern Flame," and a tattered copy of "The Sleepy Dragon."
Julian narrowed his eyes. "Since when did you have these kind of books?"
"Since always," Eugene replied quickly, too quickly.
Julian floated behind him like a shadow with wings. "In my eight years of knowing you, there has never been a single children's book in this dimension. So try again, darling."
Eugene sighed, holding a book open as a way to avoid Julian's piercing stare. "Can we not—?"
But Julian stepped closer, expression softening into something more sincere. "If you have something to say, say it. Because I do as well."
There was a silence.
"Did you ever want children?" he asked softly.
Julian tilted his head. "As lovely as it would be to have a little genius, I don't think that's how it works for us."
Eugene rolled his eyes. "There are other ways."
Julian raised a brow.
Eugene sighed,"Adoption is a thing…"
Julian turned sharply. "Are you… serious?"
"I am," Eugene said. "There is no sign of his parents, its been weeks and—You looked happy. Content. Like you, want this too ."
Julian arched a brow, amused. "You smelled aroused."
"Will you stop that— I'm trying to have an important conversation with you."
Julian grinned, soft and predatory.
"Eugene Pendragon… are you saying you want to have a child with me?"
Eugene flushed, but didn't look away.
"When you put it like that, it sounds stupid. But yeah. I am. And—" he lowered his voice, "I love you, Jules. You know that. I love you with all my soul." Julian watched him closely.
"…Is it so wrong for me to want to share that love?" Eugene continued, eyes flickering to Luka. "To give it to someone who needs it?"
Another silence. This one fuller. Thicker.
Julian finally said, voice warm and low, "You know there's nothing I want more than a child with your eyes… your smile… your stubborn, infernal genius ."
Eugene smiled, barely.
"But," Julian added, gently, "a child is not a magic experiment, Euegne . Look what became of Mordred."
Eugene's breath caught. His smile faded, and he looked toward the small sleeping boy in the bed.
Luka shifted slightly in his sleep, murmuring something incomprehensible… and then settled again.
Julian reached forward, brushing a stray lock of hair from Eugene's forehead.
"If we do this… then he will be whatever he chooses to be. Together. You and me. Plus one."
Eugene chuckled , voice barely a whisper, said, "…Yea thats what I had in mind"
They stood together in the soft stillness.
Julian licked his lips slowly. his voice dipping again.
"Just when I thought you couldn't smell any more delicious…"
Eugene rolled his eyes . "And what scent is that?"
Humoring him.
Julian's grin turned into something quieter, realer.
"…A husband."
Eugene stilled.
"Are you asking me what I think you're asking me?"
Julian leaned in.
"Yes… no… maybe so."
"Julian."
"I'm serious," Julian said, finally. "Marry me, Darling. Be my mate. For life in human terms."
Eugene stared at him—heart full, full in a way it hadn't been since before Julian died. Since Elaine gave everything.
"…Okay," Eugene said softly. "I will."
Julian smiled.
"I waited years for this moment, and all I get is 'okay'?"
"Take it or leave it," Eugene teased, eyes bright.
Julian wasn't leaving.
He leaned in—
And kissed him.
Then there was rustle .
Noah sat at the edge of the couch in Eugene and Julian's chamber, his small hands gripping the edges of his tunic.
"Well would u look at that."
"Nothing."
His legs swung slightly above the floor.
He tried not to fidget.
Tried not to look too afraid.
Julian sat beside him first, eyes softer than usual. Eugene stood nearby, arms crossed—but not in anger. In thought. In nerves.
Julian cleared his throat.
"Noah," he began, voice low, "we wanted to ask you something—"
But Noah blurted out before they could finish—
"Please don't make me go."
Julian blinked.
Noah's words tumbled like marbles down a hill.
"I'll be quiet—I'll stay out of the way—I won't touch the library or the garden or the nice towels, I promise—just don't send me back—I don't even know where back is, and I'll eat anything, even the green stuff—"
His voice cracked at the end.
And suddenly, he was in Eugene's arms, pulled tightly to his chest.
"Noah…" Eugene said, breath warm against his ear. "We don't want you to go."
Julian leaned forward, resting a hand over Noah's heart.
"We want you to stay."
Eugene held him tighter.
"Everyone wants you to stay."
Noah trembled, his voice barely a whisper as he laid his head on Eugene's shoulder.
"Thank you."
Julian smiled, kissing his forehead gently.
"No. Thank you."
Noah sniffled, eyes wide. "What happens now?"
They exchanged a look.
And the scene changed.
The Pendragon estate buzzed with life.
Arthuria was still alive then—regal in her chair, swirling her goblet of wine, listening to Calisto and Elizabeth argue about whether glitter belonged in spellcraft.
Arthur and Ceselaia were bickering gently in the corner about the roast.
Rhyssand was attempting to help decorate the table, but mostly just getting in the way.
Elaine and Seraphina were laughing about something no one else could hear.
And when Julian and Eugene stepped into the room, hands joined with a boy between them, the entire room paused.
Noah stood there, small, uncertain—but not alone.
Eugene cleared his throat, just a little awkward.
"Everyone… we'd like to officially introduce—"
"—our son," Julian said softly, hand on Noah's back.
"Noah Pendragon."
There was a beat.
Then—
"WELCOME, COUSIN!" Elizabeth screamed, charging at him.
Seraphina followed with grace. Callisto hugged him too "I saw it coming !"
Arthur and Rhyssand raised goblets in tandem.
"To fatherhood," Arthur said.
"You're in for a ride of a lifetime," Rhyssand added with a smirk.
And then—Artizea stood.
The Queen. The Storm. The Daughter of Fire and Throne.
Everyone went still.
She stepped forward.
Knelt.
And pressed a kiss to Noah's forehead.
"Welcome to the family," she said. And her voice was not just warm—it was binding.
Noah's eyes welled with tears. He didn't speak.
He just hugged her.
Tightly.
And that night, for the first time since he could remember…
He dreamed of home.