The soft morning light filtered through the sheer curtains of the master suite, casting a pale gold wash across the bed. Cassian stirred, opening his eyes to find himself completely surrounded by warmth. On his left, Sora had a firm, possessive arm draped over his waist, his lips lingering along Cassian's jawline with slow, deliberate tenderness. On his right, Lucien pressed deep, soft kisses into the curve of Cassian's neck, his broad hand resting heavy and warm against Cassian's back.
Cassian let out a low, breathy sigh, his fingers tangling into Lucien's pale hair while Sora pulled him even closer.
"Good morning, my Prince," Sora murmured against his skin, his lips trailing down toward Cassian's collarbone.
Lucien's breath hitched as he shifted his weight over Cassian, his kiss deepening as his hand slid down Cassian's waist. The gentle morning affection was quickly turning into something far heat-flushed and intense. Cassian gasped softly, his cheeks turning crimson as the air in the room grew thick with quiet, long-denied desire.
*Knock. Knock. Knock.*
The crisp, polite sound of knuckles against the heavy oak door shattered the atmosphere instantly.
"My Lords," Elias's calm, dignified voice called out from the corridor outside. "Pardon the intrusion. Breakfast has been prepared in the private dining room, and His Young Highness Aurelian is waiting downstairs to speak with you."
Lucien froze mid-kiss, resting his forehead against Cassian's shoulder with a long, frustrated groan.
Sora clicked his tongue in annoyance, burying his face into the crook of Cassian's neck before letting out a soft laugh.
"Elias always has impeccable timing."
Cassian's face was burning as he cleared his throat, his chest rising and falling quickly.
"T-Thank you, Elias! We will be down shortly!"
"Understood, Your Highness," Elias replied smoothly through the door, his footsteps fading down the hallway.
Cassian looked between the two men resting on his chest, a soft, embarrassed smile playing on his lips. "It seems our morning will have to wait."
Lucien placed one last, firm kiss on Cassian's forehead before sitting up with a smirk.
"Only for now, Cassian."
*****
Aurelian sat alone at the long mahogany table, his fingers nervously tracing the polished wood grain. The high windows of the private dining hall poured bright morning light across the silverware, but he barely noticed.
Before him sat a plate of warm bread and fresh fruit, untouched.
His chest felt tight. The memory of yesterday's explosive outburst in Cassian's room kept playing on a loop in his head—the sharp words he had thrown, the cold drawl he had used, and the sudden, terrifying roar of his father Sora defending the man.
He had never seen Sora look at him with such genuine anger.
Aurelian rubbed his face with both hands, letting out a heavy, shaky breath. He felt utterly exhausted. He was supposed to be a capable young man who could compose his feelings. Yet around Cassian, he felt like a petulant child throwing a tantrum because his world had shifted off its axis.
He didn't hate Cassian. Not really.
He hated that he had spent nineteen years building a life without him, only for the man to walk back into the estate and instantly command everyone's devotion.
He hated that his Uncle Lucien looked complete again but not because of his father Sora. And he hated that Sora looked at Cassian with that soft, unbreakable look. And most of all, he hated that deep down, a quiet part of his heart had leapt with childish hope the second Cassian called him *my son*.
The heavy oak doors at the end of the hall clicked, ready to open.
Aurelian stiffened, pulling his hands back into his lap. He sat up straight, squaring his broad shoulders and swallowing the lump in his throat.
He wasn't going to run this time. He was going to sit right here and face them.
But Aurelian froze on his words, his jaw locking tight as he stared at the opening doors. He swallowed hard, pulling his gaze down to his untouched plate, and ended up saying,
"Nevermind, I even forgot what I was about to say."
Sora was the first to step through the entrance, followed closely by Lucien and Cassian. Sora's sharp eyes immediately swept over his son, taking in the tense posture, the downturned eyes, and the quiet hesitation hovering around the boy like a shield.
"Is that so?"
Sora asked gently, his tone far softer than the thunderous voice he had used yesterday. He walked over to the table and took his seat beside Aurelian, reaching out to gently adjust the plate of fruit closer to him.
"You used to have a better memory than that, Reli."
Aurelian kept his eyes fixed on the tablecloth, his broad shoulders pulled tight.
"It was nothing important anyway, so–"
Cassian stepped forward, taking the seat directly opposite Aurelian. His crimson eyes were calm, devoid of any lingering resentment or anger from their previous encounter. Beside him, Lucien pulled out a chair and sat down, his steady, silent presence anchoring the table.
"Important or not,"
Cassian spoke up softly, offering a warm, quiet smile across the wooden expanse, "I am here to listen whenever it comes back to you."
Aurelian's fingers twitched against his lap. He looked up briefly, meeting Cassian's eyes for just a second before shifting his gaze toward Sora, clear uncertainty flickering on his face.
"Yeah, whatever."
Just then Tristan chimed in with a bright grin, taking full advantage of the relaxed atmosphere around the breakfast table.
"Father, what are your plans for the day?" Tristan asked, looking directly at Cassian.
"If you are not so busy, could you honor us with insight on swordplay during my afternoon sparring with Aurelian?"
Aurelian flinched violently in his seat, shooting a fierce glare straight at Tristan.
'You traitor!'
Aurelian thought, his jaw clenching as his crimson eyes burned into his brother. 'Why invite him of all people?'
Aurelian quickly cleared his throat, trying to keep his voice soft and controlled so Sora wouldn't scold him again.
"Little brother, as you can see, the man can hardly stand to even—"
"I will do it," Cassian interrupted softly.
Aurelian immediately jerked his head toward Cassian, his eyes wide with shock.
Cassian smiled warmly across the table, his demeanor entirely relaxed despite the lingering stiffness in his body.
"I am better now, and I hardly used my cane, so I will be fine. After all, Tristan asked nicely, so I cannot disappoint him now, can I?"
Tristan beamed with satisfaction, while Aurelian sat frozen, realizing he had just been trapped into spending the entire afternoon right under his long-lost father's watchful eyes.
'Urgh!, seriously?'
*****