[IC] [Skybreaker] Lumières Caelum [tenebrae16]

[tenebrae16]

He rubbed his hand along Skylark's back, trying to soothe him as he held out the meat. Watching he child take it and drop it, the maggot wriggling away. He had tried to get the meat back as soon as possible, even wrapping it up in an attempt to keep it's freshness. Sighing, he picked up the squirming maggot before it could escape, smearing it across the cloth sack, he hadn't expected his young to so quickly adapt to eating this sort of thing anyway. Opening his mouth to reassure them it was alright and there was always next time, he was stopped by the sound of Edge's voice cutting in halfway. Silently, he turned to watch him.

Sleipnir wrinkled his nose and turned away from his brother, not wanting to eat it either way. Turning his head when he heard his Daddy's voice. He ran to his Daddy, clutching his side and burying his head against him, taking in his scent. He watched in awe as Daddy cleaned the meat. He still didn't want to eat it though, not trusting it even if it smelled and looked cleaner. Father stood up and walked over to Daddy, taking ahold of Sleipnir. "Aren't you sleepy, I'll be taking the young ones out soon."

[Skybreaker]

Edge smiled. "I heard someone..." He began, placing a hand on Skylark's shoulder and squeezed happily. "So I woke up..." He murmured to Path, still yawning. 'but you're right. I'd better get back to sleep." He stretched. "I feel so tired, though. Thanks for saving me, by the way. Again." Smiling. Edge's violet eyes sparkled in the way they usually did. However, he paused and looked up. Not at the ceiling, but as if he could see.. through the ceiling. Through the debris, and through the dark clouds that blotted out his oldest friend, the sky. He narrowed his eyes, as if he saw something he didn't want to.

"Beelzebub..." He whispered, eyes shining ever so slightly.

He then turned back to his family. "I'm going to sleep. Be careful, you guys!" He sang, before brushing off Sleipnir's hand ad continuing to walk until he reached the bedroom and shut the door.

Skylark hugged his Father's leg. "Where are we going to go?" He murmured, a little unnerved Edge suddenly looked up.

[tenebrae16]

He watched Edge with blank golden eyes, ever so observant. His gaze held the barest hint of worry and...the light in them darkened considerably as he watched Edge go. He wanted his human safe, alsleep in his room was the safest he could think of especially if no one found this place. He turned his attention to Skylark, gathering him and his brother up in his arms, "We're going upwards to the surface, it is not very safe but I trust you both will keep close to me..we will go visit your elders. Do not tell Daddy of where we go and I will protect you." With that he lowered them just enough so his tail wrapped around their waists forming a makeshift slung, "Hold on tightly to my scales..." He murmured, carrying them with his tail as he sunk his claws into the metal rivets, hauling himself upwards to the surface.

[Skybreaker]

Skylark nodded slowly. Father was telling him to keep a secret from Daddt, and he didn't know why. His grey tail pointed upwards proudly as he squeaked. Daddy's scales squeezed him tightly. His stomach was compressed by his Father's tail. As they ascended, Skylark couldn't help but furrow his eyebrows. Father and Daddy... Weren't they suppose to tell each other everything? At any rate, he decided it wasn't his place to tell Edge, it was Path's. Or whatever his name was.

He coughed as they made it to the surface. It stunk like nothing he could comprehend. The air was so filty, it was as if he could see the grime in the air. Wait, that was just smog.

Pieces of metal stuck out in various places. In the shapes of sharp, pointy, hazards and obstacles. His attention went to a rather strange object. It looked pointy, and though it was covered with a layer of crusty grime, was still a little shiny. It was the top of a skyscraper, but he didn't know that. "Father..." He began. Looking at he dark sky. "What do you mean by elders?" Skylarl locked eyes with his dad, violet eyes shining in a hypnotic way. Literally.

[tenebrae16]

Sleipnir sneezed as they came upwards. The ground squelched sickeningly under his bare feet making him cling to Path's tail for a while to try and avoid standing in it. The thick smog clouding the air made breathing harder and a mormal child would be wheezing right about now. In some ways, it wad familiar though, this sort of smog, he wondered if he had inherited any memories of it from Daddy. In any case, he thought wrinkling his nose up, he wished that they were back down home where Daddy was sleeping. He didnt like the surface. Like instructed, he stuck close to his brother and Father, unwilling to take a step further.

Path observed the landscape along with his sons. It was different when you had two young sons barely a week old with you, regardless of their dragonic blood. Path wanted to bring them back down, wash them clean with green gel and tuck them into bed, before crawling to Edge's side and staying there as long as time would allow, but....that woukd be spoiling them and they would be unprepared for the day they had to survive for themselves, they would be weak....so even when he wanted to carry his children to avoid the debris on the ground, he resisted and settled for holding their hands and leading them.

Skylark's question made him pause in their stride along the confusingly dangerous and dangerously confusing terrain. He let go of Sleipnir's hand for the moment, kneeling down to their eye level to address them both. He was going to tell them anyway. It was only a matter of time. Be it due to Skylark's hypnosis or Psth's own melancholy, he spoke monotonously, "You see...long before the earth was like this, the humans...the ones like Daddy, they planned to leave and the hydras...those are the ones that hurt Daddy understand?...They sought to take over, make it hell for the remaining. We thought we slew them all, but the elders..the ones before us knew it was only time. They hid themselves beneath the earth, now they're sleepibg still, but restless to wske. You see...it is time, when all forms of peace can be forgotten, we go to war."

[Skybreaker]

Skylark's gaze wandered away from his Father's ending whatever hypnotic effect it would have had. Hydras? Elders? They rang a bell, but he didn't really know what they meant. It was like trying to remember the name of an old childhood friend when you could only remember their smile and the look in their eyes. Suddenly, Skylark's light violet eyes dulled as he thought. He seemed to have lost himself in thought. A world all his own, a world he had inside of him. That was a quality he had inherited from Edge- the ability to sink in the depth of his thoughts. Edge didn't show it around Path, but he was one to zone out and reach solutions by himself. When he was his laboratory for tens of hours at a time, he would silently work, though in his head voices raged on.

"I don't want a war." Skylark whispered slowly. He clutched his Father's hand tighter. The world around them stunk of death. It bothered him. Skylark could feel it... In his bare feet. Pressing his soles against the squishy, damp, toxic ground, he could feel the slight resounding thumps. He had believed they were nothing but his foot tingling, not used to the dead Earth and trying to adjust but... It was.. "Father, I'm scared!" Skylark blurted. He could feel it, so prominent. The tops of ancient, ruined buildings all around him, casting him into further darkness. His mind wandered to something Edge had told them while they were still eggs. 'Hear the voice... of the sky itself. Can you hear it? It sounds...' The heartbeat of the Elder dragons resounded against his sensitive feet.

---

Meanwhile, Edge was lying down on the bed when a figure scraped against the metal chute, climbing his way down. The human didn't move an inch. There was a small grunt as the invader hit the ground. He made his way to the bedroom. He was a fairly tall man, about six feet. He had hair blacker than ebony, and lightly tanned skin, complete with bright purple eyes. The man could be Edge's older brother. He sighed as he gazed upon his sleeping king. The man had a pink scar running over a single eye, but otherwise had nothing notable. He was clad in black renaissance-style robes. He stayed a good three feet from the bed. "Edge." He said simply. Slowly, the boy lifted the sheet, revealing he had been awake the whole time.

"Beelzebub..." He murmured blankly, not offering a smile. The hydra grunted.

"Always the same... Listen, we need you."

"I know."

[tenebrae16]

He turned away from them, clutching their hands and leading the twins forward. Letting the life underneath the earth guide him, tracing his steps all over again. They moved in silence, Path not paying attention to Skylark's quietness or Sleipnir nervously chewing his lip the whole way, grip tighter than usual. Struggling to keep as close as possible to his Father. Gazing over at his brother, he reached out a hand, closing the gap between them as he took Skylark's hand for assurance. Signaling the confusion he felt. War? What good would war do? Couldn't they just go home and all live happily with Daddy and Father, without the secrets they were beginning to form, the dark whispering a and the coldness that had replaced the warmth and love he only knew before.

Path paused when Skylark spoke, they had come across the large crater he had made already. So no further. "You must understand, there is no time left to be complacent, there is nothing left to be complacent about. We cannot live forever in a fragile bubble...the humans and hydras cannot live in theirs for much longer either..." He turned to them once more, back to the crater. Gathering them both up in his arms, "You cannot learn to fly underground. You cannot find love underground, hiding away like..." He sighed, "This is for the better, believe your father. It's for the best for the both of you and for the safety of Daddy, you say not a word understood?" He spoke softly to them both, Sleipnir whimpered, pressing his head against Father's shoulder. He still did not like this.

"Shhh..." He soothed them both, looking back down into the crater. He could hear them...not the real elders, but the replicas of their subconscious planted in his mind the day they started all of this. That was right...the survivor was the only one who could bring about their power, awake them. Softly, 'Relin, I am here."

[Skybreaker]

Skylark grasped his brother's hand tighter, breathing a bit deeper. War... it was horrible, bloody, and it would.., what would it do? The stench of the polluted Earth still sank into his nose, hurting him only slightly. He wasn't used to such a horrid stench. It could hinder his development. Though unlike humans, who still form outside the womb, this dragon was fairly developed, even to the point he could think complex thoughts many normal human children would never begin to comprehend.

As Father picked him up and secured him in his strong arms, the grey dragon wrapped his tail around his arm, trying to cling to Father like a leech would, scared when someone said something. "Rel ..in...?" He asked, feeling the strange name roll off his tongue. Swallowing thickly, Skylark snuggled his Father. "I'm scared... you'll protect me, won't you, Father?"

Meanwhile, Edge was shooting his 'brother' a dirty look. "Will you help us?" There was a long pause. Suddenly, Edge crept over, clenching his fists while Beelzebub stood by, unphazed. In one motion, he felt a few tears streak down his face as he captured the other in a hug. The hydra returned the embrace.
"Of course." Beelzebub grinned toothily. And he had some sharp teeth...

[tenebrae16]

"Off course, they will not hurt you, nothing will hurt you now." Path murmured, slowly sliding down into the crater. The dust rising up in clouds around them, dirtying his clothes, but he had purposely worn his older furs. The crater was already filled with dirty water, serpent like slugs slithering and writhing in it. His foot hit the bottom, splashing the water, but slowing his descent and softening his landing. Sleipnir whined softly, rubbing at the dirty water splashed onto his cheek, it only dirtied his hands as well. He wanted to go home, get cleaned and warm in bed with Daddy and his brother and...he felt hot tears prickle at the corner of his eyes, unable to rub them with his wet hands, didn't want to. Who knows what sort of bacteria lurked on the surface?

Path shushed them both, kissing their foreheads. The only way to soothe them for now. "Shh, I am here. Do not be afraid. Father is here...I am here." He whispered, opening his eyes. They seemed to glow brighter in the smog, calling for order, for them to be calm..."Nae shield thy eyes, Nae be fearful, nae expect no less of what is to come." His voice rolled out, louder than thunder, echoing off the crumbling structures around him. Resounding, getting louder and louder, the earth vibrating. Shaking, rumbling in response. The age old arches shook off their broken glass shards, the dust falling away from the corroded bodies. The faint light reflecting off the...strangely..polished mirrored surfaces of what was left of the arch. So long ago...he could remember them standing tall and proud, a sacred meeting site...not it had to serve one last use.

The earth collapsed in on itself, revealing the deep hollow cavern that opened up into a large crevice. The dust rose up, like a tornado, it swirled up around them, surrounding the now minuscule seeming crater. The earth roared, bright glowing eyes moving amongst the sand storm. Sleipnir buried his head against Daddy's chest, avoiding their penetrating gazes, sharper than arrow heads. Great shadows heaving themselves up from the earth, surrounding them. Path gazed on unwavering...he knew their ways all too well.

The shadows were shrouded by the dust, trading their giant forms for more agile ones. As everything settled, one approached him. A tall man of dark sea green eyes and bright dusted auburn hair, long over his shoulder. He was well built, still in his prime, but age and wisdom showed in his eyes and the slightest sign of crow's feet appeared when he showed a toothy grin. A clawed hand was gently placed over Path's shoulder, "Relin, I expected you alone..." His voice trailed off as his gaze drifted over to the twins, "But..." He reached over to Skylark...the sight of violet eyes had him taking a step back, claws and teeth out. A steady growl escaping his throat. Around them, the others mirrored the defensive action. Sleipnir whimpered and Path shushed him.

"They are not...they are mine, you know of my kind...they are the ones to carry on my lineage. You know of mine, there is no other....you know. Their father is not what you may think either, you know...I will not hesitate should you dare take a step with malicious intent." He said softly, voice strained, nearly pleading. The elder looked at him, betrayed no emotion at this explanation.

"There was no talk of such a thing before, no guarantee, no knowledge, but you have bought is our lives and the lives of our future ones, for that..we spare you but two." The elder whispered, voice carried on the wind. Sleipnir could feel his father relax, shoulders dropping. He didn't understand that he had just escaped death.

[Skybreaker]

Skylark whimpered as they descended into the crater. He could tell that something was dreadfully wrong here. At least, his primal, basic instincts told him that this was a bad idea. As his finely tuned ear picked up the disgusting slush and squish of horrible slimy things tunneling through the moist dirt, Skylark held back a gag. He didn't want to upset Father. He wanted his Father to be proud of him, impressed that he wouldn't complain. Wrenching his hand from his mouth, showing no signs of weakness. Daddy, he recalled, didn't like weakness. As Path continued to walk, the grey dragon nuzzled his father.

As the man approached them, Skylark could hear the muscles underneath his skin twisting. It was a very vicious sound, he decided. Though he knew he was scared of the man, his curiosity got the better of him. He had to know who was speaking in such a voice. Hesitantly, he turned to look into the deep, almost turquoise eyes of the stranger. Immediately, the boy regretted his decision. There was suddenly a deep growl, and Skylark reacted differently than his brother. He thought about hypnotizing him, but realized that would only make the other dragons angry. Well, angrier.

There was no point in that. Who was this man? Father seemed to know hi, but from where? For some reason. Skylark didn't recognize him. He shook his head, short, boyish curls bouncing about. He looked like the child of an ancient Roman god. The Romans, he remembered his Daddy telling him a story. He held his brother's hand. 'I miss Daddy... I'm scared.' He voiced before turning back to the man and growling back. He would protect his Daddy and Sleipnir. And Father too, if he needed it.

He stopped growling when the man said he would not attack. As a dragon, he knew not to speak to these elders. But he had too much of Edge in him. He narrowed his eyes and analyzed the information he was given. His Father told him these were the elders, meaning they must be really old. And Edge... He had read them many stories. One in particular was about a group of dragons called elders. It said, that, when the sun and the moon were aligned so the grey sky was totally illuminated in luminous brightness, the war would begin. Now that he thought about it, maybe Edge was just telling them. "Are you an elder?"

[tenebrae16]

The man's eyes slid over to Skylark as he spoke, unsurprised by how smoothly he spoke despite his tender age. While those around them still stood defensively still, the red haired man smirked and reached out to ruffle Skylark's hair, "Aye Young one, I am." The elder spoke gently, voice echoing along the wind. Path relaxed as the elder spoke.

Sleipnir peeked out from Father's shoulder up at the elder, quietly warning his brother to be quiet. He could feel the air ripple around the elder dragon, his power very clear to him. Perhaps it was a combination of Path's hypnosis and Edge's ability to spew smoke around him or just Sleipnir's own unique ability he had developed within his shell, but he could tell just by the feeling that the people they were surrounded by were not to be trifled with. They were warning him, all of them. He could feel it.

"Regnum, you haven't changed..." Path murmured softly, a small smile upon his face that the other returned with full confidences.

"Yet you have,Relin. Hath the world changed so much? The war is right then on time?" Regnum said quietly to himself, as if thinking out loud. The others, radiating the same power but holding less authority clearly, crept forward to listen to their leader.

"No." Path spoke quietly against the silence, another long pregnant silence following. "No, not now. Soon, but not now. They are tired, you are as well. Leave a day, rest a night. Tomorrow I shall come alone, then we shall plan." He looked up stoic at Regnum, not ready to take no for an answer. Years back, to refuse so out rightly with no clear reason would warrant social isolation, but all Regnum did was smirk and nod his head, "Very well, a rest."

[Skybreaker]

The grey baby dragon blinked in surprise when the Elder suddenly just reached out, and ruffled his hair, like a normal man would ruffle a normal child's hair. He smiled politely. Not that the dragon had shown him some kind of affection, but that he hadn't been yelled at or killed. Skylark debated whether or not it would be a wise idea to ask the elder yet another question. After much thought, and his brother's stare, he realized perhaps he shouldn't. Biting his lip to keep from speaking, he just buried his face, dirtied by the atmosphere, into his Father's shoulder. Maybe it would be best if he didn't say anything. What would be the point in it? No point, actually. He closed his violet eyes, wanting to disappear.

Actually, disappearing sounded really good. It had taken him a while, but Skylark realized he might have made a mistake. Edge implied that speaking your mind was very important, and an attribute to be proud of. For some reason, he had the feeling Path- or Relin- disagreed. Maybe his Father would like him to keep quiet. However, he wasn't one to keep everything in his head. He grasped his twin's hand. Skylark realized that his hand was slightly darker than his brother's. He didn't pay it much heed, though he wondered why it was so. 'Safety...' He could tell his brother was scared. "It's okay, Sleipnir..." He thought of saying 'Father is here,' but instead voiced, "I'm here..."

He eventually gathered they were going to go soon. "Let's go, Father. Daddy's waiting for us, you know." He said a bit heatedly. He wanted to hurry up and get out of here. It felt like a nightmare, like a dream. It all had happened so fast. "He can't wait forever..." He pleaded softly, not knowing just how incorrect he was. If it meant being together with Path, Edge would wait, even if he had to die several times. Or would he?

Meanwhile, back at the shelter, Edge was once again alone. "I wonder if I should keep this from Path-Path..." He rocked on his heels, then pouted slightly. "At any rate," He said to himself. "Beelzebub took up way too much of my time. He should have known I wasn't going to partake in the war." His eyes glittered maliciously. Then he laughed softly, and it was a pleasant sound. "Honestly... You think he'd realize that I'm softer than the rest of them..." More than anything, Edge wanted to know what he had done, to deserve such hatred... Humming, Edge hopped back into bed and tugged on the covers. He had better get some rest before the kids came back.

Meanwhile, after they had left the crater, Skylark squeezed his Father and looked down silently. They were almost to the chute. He wondered if Father was angry with him for speaking to the Elder. "I'm sorry, Father..." He said after a period of silence.

[tenebrae16]

Sleipnir didn't want to look at the elder even a little, the aura they had made his head spin and his eyes hurt from it. Only the scent of his father and his brother's hand in his kept him calm. Nodding at Skylark's soothing words, he wished that he was closer so he could hug him. His brother at the very least knew what he was going through, while he was just confused by Father and Daddy and all this talk of war and peace..so confusing. He just wanted to go home to his Daddy and have them all together, like a family. Being happy under ground away from everything else above. He didn't need to learn to fly nor did he want to find any other 'love' that his Father spoke off. He was content to have his family, but what he didn't know was that Path...Relin?...had been content to remain ignorant of the surface world as well, but it had fallen apart for him near completely and he had lost it wholly. Now to keep it, he would make sure that Edge's past and his own would never have to come back again.

Bowing to the Elder, he left with his young. Hushing Skylark though he agreed with him. "Yes, let us go home to Daddy. I'm sure he misses you both very much." Grateful that he was allowed this day or rest and the next morning he would watch the cities in the sky fall, driving out all those hydras..

The journey back was silent, Sleipnir having fallen asleep against Path's shoulder, still clutching onto his brother, exhausted by the day's events and the fact they had not yet been fed. Path rocked them both gently, looking over at Skylark as he spoke. Path mustered a smile for him, "Nae..no...there isn't a need to be sorry. I didn't tell you not to, it's alright." He pressed a kiss to his forehead as the neared the small shack leading back down to their home. "Hold tight...we're home." He placed them in his tail once more and slowly climbed down.

[Skybreaker]

Skylark giggled as his Father kissed him. It was good to know that his Father was so understanding and kind. He made a mental note that he wanted to be like Father. He wanted to be able to be so kind and handsome. His grimy face burrowed into his Father's shoulder. He had been born less than a full week ago, but it felt like he had known Father for years. Sighing contentedly as he hugged him, Skylark said nothing as they continued to the chute. He was fine just clinging to the dragon as they descended into their shelter.

The smell seemed to fade gradually, and Skylark inhaled deeply. Soon they were on the ground. Or, rather, below the ground.He stopped, and waited for Sleipnir and Path so they could go see Daddy. Then, deciding he didn't care, ran toward the bedroom and launched himself at Edge, squealing all the while.

Edge was sleeping, but awoke with a start as Skylark jumped him. He laughed and ruffled his son's dirty, matted hair. "Daddy loves you..." Skylark giggled.

"I love you, too..."

[tenebrae16]

Climbing down was harder than trying to climb up, Path had to dig his claws in extra hard to make sure he didnt skid down. Usually, he just jumped and took the fall, but with Skylark and Sleipnir in tow, he was being extra careful. Letting out a soft sigh as he reached the bottom.

Breathing in purified air, he coughed up dust, the difference between clean and unclean had started to become alarmingly clear after he had gotten used to living underground. His muscles ached too from the short climb, too long spent domesticated probably, he would have to be stronger...

Letting Skylark down, he cradled the still sleeping Sleipnir that had somehow made it through the entire remainder of the journey undisturbed. Leading them both to where Daddy was waiting for them. He knew they missed him, Path had too in some ways, but now he only had to make sure he was safe and he could always find a way back. Looking up at the human, he managed a small nod, mostly in the satisfaction that he was still safe.

He couldn't smell the presence of the hydra, in fact, he couldn't smell very much at all...and Edge's words sounded muffled and far away. Dismissing it as his senses playing tricks, he stepped forward and said, "They missed you....I'm going to go bathe them, brave little ones." With that, he gently pried Skylark from his Daddy and led them to the bathroom. If his stride was a little uneven and off hilter, he chose to ignore it.
______
"Regnum..." Sanare approached him, electric blue hair brushed back and eyes of melting ice full of worry, "Our kin, Relin. I am worried for him." "Why? What hath t-" "No, it is not that. All I see is that he is pushing himself far. His kind, among us, may have been able to endure the most, but there is only so much one's body and mind can take overtime."

Regnum stood silent in thought, gazing off at the gloomy distance, "It is his choice then, he nae be a child any longer and we nae have a place to persuade him otherwise.He is Relin, a survivor, do not worry too much Sanare.." "You of all of us should know that not all of us follow our namesake, but I hope you are right this time."

[Skybreaker]

...] Insert PM session [...

Skylark said nothing as Path picked him up and carried him away, back to the bedroom. He wiggled in the furs he was clothed in. Father was radiating a sort of forlorn sadness, and the child didn't understand. The grey-haired boy thought about pointing it out, but knew Father wouldn't like him to. There was no point in upsetting him any further. Though he hadn't snapped at him or anything like that, for some reason Skylark knew that Path was irritated. Or maybe... just sad. Eyes tearing up, the baby dragon suddenly leaped at the older dragon, not caring that Path was dizzy. He nuzzled his soft face into Path's chest. "Is Father okay?" He paused, then leapt up to kiss him on the cheek. "Don't worry, Father... You'll always have me." He said sweetly in a knowing, smiling voice.

However, Edge was not so happy. He felt alone. He felt... cold. Warm tears dripped down his cheeks as he sank lower into the goop. He had probably just burned to ashes whatever chance he had of bringing back their passionate love. All because he was scared of having children. Blinking back the torrent of tears, Edge cursed himself for staying. Beelzebub had offered him a position back as their king. But he had chosen his new family over his old one. There wasn't just no reason they hadn't found him before, when he still lived on the Sky City, Starlite. But they hadn't. He found it hard to trust them because of that sole reason.

"I love Path... don't I? I have to." It struck him that they weren't even bonded. In human terms, they were just bed buddies. And it saddened him that maybe he was obligated to spend the rest of his life with someone whom he no longer loved! The thought sent shivers down his spine. There was no doubt in his mind that Edge was fond of Path, and found him very attractive, but it wasn't possible that he loved him with all his heart. Maybe he was just a stupid kid who took advantage of a god. He grunted, then shook himself of the jelly and pulled on a few furs.

There was no point, he decided, to leave. Path would protect him and he would be able to see his kids whenever he wanted to. He wasn't sure what had triggered this onslaught of negative, mature emotions, but he didn't like it. As he stumbled into the bedroom, he felt like a zombie and didn't acknowledge his family at all. Instead, he simply plopped onto the bed, face-down on a pillow and stayed perfectly still. The teenager hugged the pillow the way he used to hug Path. He breathed in deeply, imagining it was someone he loved. Someone who didn't exist.

Wait... no... Violet eyes flashing in realization, Edge suddenly sat up. Maybe he couldn't have a sexual love, but he could have a parental one. That much was certain. "Skylark... Sleipnir... Can Daddy have a hug, too?" He said with a warm smile and with outstretched arms.

Skylark noticed his Daddy, but didn't make a move to hug him. He was a little... irritated with him for upsetting Father. Turning his head the other way, he murmured in a distant tone, "Maybe later." He then continued to hug his Father lovingly with a content smile.

Smile cracking visibly, Edge hastily turned to Sleipnir. "What about you, baby? You love Daddy.... don't you...?"

[tenebrae16]

Path held onto the doorframe to avoid being knocked over when Skylark jumped on him, hugging him. He forced a smile against the pounding in his head and wrapped his arms around his child. Hushing him softly. He could hear the tears in Skylark's voice and his maternal instinct took over. He cradled Skylark gently, pressing a kiss to his forehead and wiping away the tears at the corner of his eyes, "Silly thing..." He said affectionately, "I am just fine and I know you'll alwsys be there as I will always be there for you and your brother..." Skylark fidnt have to say what Path more or less had already known, but the dragon was glad for the distraction from his sober thoughts and the words brought a warmth to his chest. Warm...he realky hadnt felt it in such a long time.

Path barely looked up when Edge came in, too occupied with Skylark ir maybe just not knowing what he could say or do. It had been weeks since they had had a quiet peaceful moment like this and before they had taken full advantage of that time to satisfy each other and themselves. Now....well neither was satisfied anymore so Path kept his head down . Sleipnir, however, glanced over curiously at his Daddy, worriedly almost at the darkness that clung to Daddy like mist. Poor Daddy....Sleipnir, himself, had no qualms about the dark, but Daddy looked so weighed down by it...

Path cooed softly to Skylark, still rocking him as he walked around the room. Happy to stay warm a little while longer. At the request for a hug, Path forced an apologetic smile towards Edge because that was what he was meant to do right? Feel bad for hogging Skylark's attention, but secretly Path was glad tgat he hadnt rushed straight off to Edge, hadnt just left him so enthusiastically, coming back only when he desired somethibg....the thought made Path choke up a little and he disguised it with a turning of his head to cough which resulted in more coughs and a gasping intake of air. He passed it off as nothing, turning his attention back to Skylark.

Sleipnir on the otherhand was all too happy to bounce into Daddy's arms, hugging him tightly. A wide smile on his face as he loudly declared, "I love Daddy as much as Father does!"

Path visibly froze at the words. His gaze trained to the floor, the wall....the beds, anything to avoid Edge's gaze. Sleipnir, perhaps not understanding what he had just done, prodded further, "Father loves Daddy lots too right?" He asked, voice getting softer because he must have known how heavy that question was....to which Path cracked a false smile.

"Off course, Father loves Daddy very much. Yes...." He repeated the words in his head, staring over at Edge with masked golden eyes. Yes, he still very much loved Edge, or at least thought he did. He loved to protect and preserve Edge, he loved to look at him and remember how fond Edge used to look at him, his excitement over the pregnancy, the happy times he painted for them still. He loved Edge and for that was where irony lay. He loved Edge so he would be strong for him , but loving Edge was a weakness as well because should the human ever leave, Path wouldn't be Path anymore. He might still have his kids, but Path wouldnt be Path.

[Skybreaker]

Edge grinned in sheer happiness as Sleipnir hugged him. Returning the embrace with equal love and warmth, the violet-eyes male couldn't help but smile. he felt a warmth, a warmth that he was obligated to lean into. Kissing the warm hair underneath his nose. "Thank you, Sleipnir..." He whispered with a kind of sadness. But before he could say anything else, Sleipnir uttered a few words that made the human freeze. Carefully, he examined his young, searching for something... anything! He didn't even notice that Path had a coughing fit.

But Skylark did. "Is Father alright...?" He asked thoughtfully.

Why did Sleipnir say that? Then, Edge realized, little Sleipnir meant it in a good way. Though his eyes darkened, they once again smiled as Path spoke. "I love you too." He mouthed to Path with a warm smile. It was strange. For some reason, Edge didn't mind too much they hadn't finished their mating session. He once again turned his attention to Sleipnir. Picking him up by the shoulders, Edge tossed his child in the air and caught him playfully. "I'll always love you..." He said a little softly as he nibbled at his son's stomach.

[tenebrae16]

Sleipnir just stared innocently right back at Daddy's searching gaze, nothing to hide. He may have only been a week or so old and had yet to master or want to master speech as well as his brother had, but sometimes if one looked hard enough, they could see a glimmer of wisdom and years that only Edge seemed to also have. Just the slightest. And in that moment Sleipnir knew it wasnt right for Father and Daddy to get so tense when their love was in question, even if only playfully. He giggled, pushing the thought aside as Daddy bounced him in the air, tiny wings fluttering excitedly. Squirming and screaming happily when Edge tickled his tummy.

Path let the thoughts go too, choosing to focus on Edge's smile...his unheard words...and not the darkness in his violet eyes. Path cherished these, but avoided getting lost in such silly things, locking them away in memory to keep them safe for the time being. He could believe it was true, that nothing really changed at all between them. He smiled, albeit a little sadly as he petted Skylark, "Yes,...I am just fine. Go play with Daddy and your brother."

He placed Skylark down on the bed, ruffling his hair for the last time. "Play then sleep, keep Daddy company okay? I'll...just be out for a moment."He murmured softly to Skylark before he stepped out of the room anf vlung on tightly to a nearby chair. His knees buckling and his throat felt dry...but he was fine..wasnt he?

[Skybreaker]

Skylark at first did as he was told, sitting on the bed and bouncing a bit. He didn't feel like playing with Daddy right now. He just felt oddly... itchy? It was a strange emotion, and he couldn't level it. However, with his sensitive ears, he could hear something crash. Getting up right away, Skylark ran out the room and to his Father. "Father! Father! Are you alright?" He was horrified. He was always so strong, and Skylark hated seeing the white dragon this way. "Path..."

Edge finished with Sleipnir , and placed him on his lap. It was a little awkward, because Edge wasn't even twice the size of him. Nevertheless, he rubbed their noses together, saying, "This means love..." Smiling all the while, violet met violet.

Suddenly, Edge pulled Sleipnir forward and attacked his mouth. Tenderly, he lapped at the other's lips. As if he was... kissing his mate. Sucking on Sleipnir's bottom lip with a hunger. As a baby, he didn't expect Sleipnir to know what was going on. Then again, this was a dragon and not a human baby... Pulling away, Edge smiled. But the smile soon broke when he realized what he had just done. He couldn't help himself, Sleipnir was just.., so...

Feeling tears prick out, Edge's grip on is child slackened. "I'm so sorry, baby... I ... I.." he didn't know what to say that could possibly justify what he had just done.