Chapter 3

Chapter

Three

D id we just invite a big dragon in?

What if he's a bad guy?

What if he sets the house on fire?

Should we go call Gavin?

Should we drug his steak?

Do drugs work on dragons?

Cosmo and Cullen stared at each other, fretting in unison.

Corbin just cooked steaks. Doggedly. Ignoring them all.

And the big guy with scales like polished obsidian looked so beautiful he hurt. His faceted eyes, no longer hidden behind tinted lenses, gleamed red and gold, and he was probably stunning all shifted out. He looked almost human, but kind of like a video game character in armor like this. As if he didn't quite know how to be human but he was trying to blend in.

And his clothes…

They were ill-fitted and weird, as if he'd stolen them from a dozen clotheslines. Maybe he had. He said he'd woke up in a cave with no house…

Or maybe he was just insane. Either way, what bliss. Cosmo had no idea what to do. How to take this all.

It's a little exciting, though, he admitted. And he's crazy hot.

Cullen glanced at him. You think so?

Uh-huh.

Weird.

His cheeks heated, and he shrugged. He really did think Hawk was…whoa.

It didn't matter. It was just the truth.

It's okay. It's been a long time since we had a hookup. Cullen rolled his eyes. You're glowing.

Stop it!

Corbin rumbled. Both of you quit it. Right now.

He stuck out his tongue but pulled it back in hurriedly when Hawk glanced at him, expression curious.

Cosmo ducked his head and headed over to "help" Corbin with the steaks.

Cullen threw together some kind of side. It would either be a salad or coleslaw, and then garlic bread. He wasn't a particularly creative cook. In fact, that usually fell to Cosmo.

Cosmo just found himself weirdly unable to do anything. Except dither.

Go sit and talk to him. Corbin shoved him toward Hawk.

What? Me? Why?

Stop it.

He nodded and then shook his head.

"Are you well, little rose?" Hawk asked, concern edging out the curiosity.

"I am. Sorry. I'm a little—You're our first company. Usually, we are the ones visiting."

"Ah." Hawk said that a lot. He propped his chin on his hand. "Who do you visit? Family?"

"Our clutch, yes. They are…close."

"I see." He thought Hawk seemed almost…disappointed.

"Do you have a clutch?"

"No. I grew up alone."

"We've never been alone." They had grown up in the Land of Summer, only going to explore the human world as adults.

"No, no, I can tell."

Cosmo wasn't sure what that meant, but it didn't seem an insult…

It was just the truth, he supposed.

"Here we go. Steaks and…stuff."

"I made baked potatoes earlier," Cullin said. "So salad and potatoes."

"It smells amazing," Hawk said.

"Well, hopefully it is…"

"We don't entertain much…"

"We don't need to."

"I'm sorry." Hawk looked at them all in turn. "I don't mean to intrude, but I need to know what's happening."

Cosmo tilted his head. "With what?"

Corbin wrung his hands. Should we call Gavin?

Maybe? We can't just ask him about everything. Cullen shook his head.

Why not? Hell, he's an elder dragon. Maybe he knows this guy.

"With my house. I assume I missed the veil opening. I was asleep."

"It did, yes. It just all happened recently." And that was awful, to have just missed it.

"Yes, well, I can understand that. But my house disappeared, and I did not."

"It was Myk's family's house for a long, long time…" And it was his now, and it was going to suck if he lost it.

That got him a faint smile. "Only part of it is mine…"

"Only Cosmo's part! That's not fair. We didn't know!" Corbin stood at his shoulder.

Hawk studied him, those wild eyes so…cool. "I see."

"We…let's eat. It's not like we're going to make you stay outside. You need help."

"I could use some, yes. But I have no intention of taking away your things or your home."

"Well, then." Cosmo held out his hand. "Welcome, friend dragon, I'm Cosmo. Let's have some steak."

Hawk took his hand, and it was as if lightning shot through him, electrifying his whole body. He gasped, and Hawk's eyes widened.

"Yes," Hawk said. "Let's."

H awk's mouth fell open when Cosmo touched him, because he'd never felt anything like it. It was…concentrated fire. It was prophecy come to life.

It was truth.

He wanted to keep touching Cosmo.

Cosmo gasped, staring at him. "Dragon. Dragon. Dragon. Dragon."

"I—" He held onto Cosmo, his body shivering.

"Hey. Guys? Steak. What the heck?"

The lavender brother's eyes went wide. "He's having a vision, Cor!"

"No!" Cosmo shook his head. "I mean?—"

"Shh." He stroked Cosmo's hand with his thumb. "All is well. I promise."

"Yes. You're hungry. I should feed you. I need to feed you."

"Please." He beamed at Cosmo. "We should eat together, Rosie."

"Strangeness…" Corbin sighed and shook his head. "So much strangeness."

"No shit, Cor." The other one handed out silverware, then dug into his meal.

He couldn't stop staring at Cosmo.

Those eyes were sapphire and sparkling, dark and amazing. They were stunning and focused on him.

"After steak, perhaps you could show me your part of the house?" he asked. He wanted to see, but he also wanted to be alone with Cosmo. Badly.

"I think that's a terrible idea," Corbin put in.

"What? He's going to put it back on the West Coast?" Cosmo asked. "For fuck's sake, it's trapped where it is now. It's not going anywhere."

He just cut a piece of steak, which was beautifully cooked, and had a bite. He was hungry. Very much so. It just never seemed prudent to let someone know how bad off you had been… And it was lovely to hear Cosmo defend him.

"I would just like to see," he put in mildly.

"We'll all go! We're still pretty new. We love exploring. This place has ghosts, but it has magic as well." Cullen waved his hand, sending rainbow sparkles about.

"Of course." Disappointment speared him, and Cosmo's face took on a mutinous expression, but no one argued.

It would do no good, Hawk could tell.

Regardless, this was still the most fun he'd had in decades. Perhaps longer.

"I hope your hoard is here. Do you think it is?" Cullen blinked at him.

Corbin shook his head. "Right now, we need to see if we can find him clothes and shoes."

"And comfy things for his private parts."

Cosmo made him smile.

Are you worried about my private parts, Rosie?

Cosmo blinked up at him, wide-eyed. "And about your hoard. I haven't seen it."

Nice save. But his hoard was a large one… All precious stones, and all one-color variation. Tourmaline. Pink sapphires. Pink topaz. Rose quartz and pink diamonds…

He understood the obsession now… He'd been waiting.

He'd been waiting, and Cosmo was here.

In his house.

Hawk smiled, knowing now why he hadn't crossed the veil.

His life was about to start again.

"My hoard is safe here. I have no doubt." He didn't have to doubt. Cosmo was protecting it. He might not know it yet… But there it was.

"It is. I mean, if it's in the house somewhere, no one is getting to it." Cosmo smiled at him, cheeks darkening a bit.

They ate in silence for a bit, all of them polishing off their steaks. Then Cosmo hopped up. "Come see my part of the house."

"Of course." He rose, following.

The scent of Cosmo was heavenly, and he barely resisted the urge to touch. As it was, he grazed Cosmo's back with his fingers, just barely.

Tingles. You can hear me, can't you? I've never heard anyone but my brothers. You can hear me. You can hear me.

I can hear you, my sweet rose. Excitement filled him, starting at his toes and rising like the lava he'd been accused of breathing more than once. Really, it was more like he spit it.

Cosmo's excitement felt like tingles, dragging up and down his spine. He understood. He felt energized. Interested. For the first time in ages.

"So this is the main part of the house. We've got a couple of rooms blocked off, because they're…haunted." Cullen sighed softly.

"Haunted?" His eyebrows rose up. "By whom?"

Corbin shook his head, shaggy green hair like a mane. "A family of dragons were murdered here. One male omega and three children survived."

Vampires. It was vampires.

Oh. That made him angry on their behalf. Vampires are unnatural.

They fed on the babies. They almost killed them and Myk.

He wanted to roar about that . No. Not babies. Are they dead?

The babies are alive. The vamps are dead, but this was the house they came to…

That's horrid. He would have hunted the vamps down and killed them if no one else had. Thankfully, he didn't have to leave Cosmo.

Cosmo nodded. Say, "It's stunning."

He blinked, then opened his mouth. "It's stunning."

Cullen beamed. "Thanks! I think we did a great job painting it."

"Absolutely." Thank you, sweet Rosie.

Any time.

"Now, this is the stairway to the tower." That was Corbin.

"I know." He squatted down, then ran his hand over the lower step. "Here are my marks where I signed when I made them."

"Oh wow!" That was all three triplets, who immediately came to see.

He smiled. His mark was a carved Hawk, one that might pass for a dragon if one looked closely enough.

It meant a lot that they were willing to listen, to believe he was who he said he was. And he was. How this had happened was a mystery, but the why…

Cosmo.

I love your mark—it's perfect. Cosmo touched his hand, the touch featherlight.

Thank you, love. I like it. I've used it since… Hawk frowned . For a very long time. He couldn't remember how long. He'd been born on the other side of the veil. Being cast out had hurt his memory. So had all the many years of living on the human plane.

Cosmo made a soft noise of sympathy.

"You okay, bro?" Cullen asked.

"Fine. I think this is just hard on Hawk, hmm?" Cosmo stroked his arm, and his energy levels seemed to spark.

"It's been a tiring couple of days." Hawk just tried to smile.

"Would you like to lie down a bit?"

Only if you come with me…

Cosmo flushed dark again. I can't yet. The brothers will want to talk about you being here.

"May I bathe?" Hawk asked aloud. "I would love that." In fact, he would dearly love to wallow in a bath.

"Of course you can! There's a huge tub."

"Yes, with pink tiles."

Like it was meant for me. Like it was built just for me.

I think it was, my love. I can't wait for you to see my hoard. " Thank you, my friends. I appreciate it. I will clean up after myself."

"I should have some clothes that will fit you," Corbin said. "I take way more after dad."

"Is he the dragon?"

"Yes. Mom is fae."

"I thought that must be the case. Your eyes give you away. So pretty, all of you."

Cosmo blushed, and Cullen laughed for him.

"Come on, Cos. You can take him his clothes." Corbin's gaze was absolutely firm.

"Okay." Cosmo gave him one more lingering gaze, then left him with Cullen, who showed him to the bathroom.

"Cosmo will be back in a bit. The water gets hot."

"I like heat." He could fly into a volcano… Literally.

"Well, just be careful." Cullen waved him into the bathroom, then left him.

He looked around after he turned on the lights, curious to see what was the same and what was different. There was a slightly more romantic Victorian touch to the room now, the walls still green above the pink tile, but the fixtures more…frilly. The lights less terrifying and old.

The towels were thick and luxurious, and there was a heavy curtain of material to draw around the tub—for privacy? Heat retention?

Whatever it was, he liked it. He rubbed the fabric between his fingers, loving how it wasn't strange and plastic. It was heavy, luxurious. No doubt it would shed water like a duck, but it was still very lush.

He started the water, amazed as always at how hot water just gushed out of a pipe. Running water had been about for a long while, but heated like this? Without a bucket or a brazier?

Such a marvel. Like his own personal hot springs.

He stripped and settled in, peeping as the cold tub touched his back. The chill didn't last long, though, the hot water seeping around to warm him.

Oh, this was heaven.

He wiggled his toes, smiling at them. Dirty. Ugh.

Hawk could see hints of Cosmo everywhere in here—colorful clothes, a couple of books, a pile of candles in the window box.

He breathed in deeply, and yes, he could smell that rose and sandalwood scent too. There was also a deep hint of musk, something that spoke of how Cosmo touched himself when he was in here.

His cock twitched in a hopeful sort of way.

It had been so long. So long, and Cosmo awakened sensations he hadn't felt in eons. If he were honest, he'd never felt anything like Cosmo made him feel. He had a deep want within him now. A wild excitement.

Hunger.

This was actual hunger, and he welcomed it.

He hummed, then found the yummy-scented soap that Cosmo kept by the tub and scrubbed up a bit. He wanted to smell nice just in case he could convince Cosmo to sneak off with him and indulge in some kissing. Or more. And this way, he wouldn't make wherever they let him sleep smell like a cave.

I've got some clothes for you. Where should I leave them? Oh, his Cosmo.

You can bring them in, if you like. I didn't lock it. Would that lure Cosmo inside to him? He hoped so.

The doorknob turned, and Cosmo slid inside, closing the door behind him, arms filled with clothes. "Hey."

"Hello." He lifted his toes again, this time to wave at Cosmo. "This is very comfy."

"It is. I like it very much." Cosmo perched on a little tufted bench.

"It smells like you, sweet. That makes it even better." He wanted to sleep in Cosmo's bed with him.

"Does it? I'm glad. I didn't know what kinds of clothes you liked, so…we just brought a bunch. Soft."

"Thank you. I'm sure it will be fine. Even if mine are here, they will be sorely out of fashion." He had a feeling he'd slept longer than he supposed.

"I haven't found any of your clothes, but we're still exploring. We've been—working hard to make this a safe space."

"Of course. That's okay." He was really more worried about his rocks. And his books. He had a few very special ones in Old Dragon.

"I'm sorry that I took your house. Myk gave it to us." Cosmo twisted a napkin in his fingers.

"You didn't take it, Cosmo." He shook his head, rinsing off. He'd offer to let Cosmo join him, but the water was dirty.

"No, but still…" Cosmo stood and brought him a fluffy towel.

"Thank you." He rose as well, letting the water drain, then turning it on to splash some on him to rinse off.

Cosmo watched him openly, tongue sliding over his lips.

He wanted to reach for Cosmo, but he thought the brothers might show up soon. He heard stealthy footsteps.

Cosmo nodded to him. It's not fair. They think you've glamoured me. Have you?

No, love. I haven't. Your Cullen should know that. He's the illusion one, yes? I don't have that kind of magic. I can cloak myself well enough when I fly. I can spit lava at an enemy. I'm a throwback.

You're amazing. I dreamed —The thought broke off, but he saw a glimpse of the vision, a huge dragon circling the house.

Yes. I was doing reconnaissance . He chuckled. I watched from the heights, too. And then he'd actually seen Cosmo on the tower, and he'd been unable to resist coming all the way down to the ground level and finding out what was what.

"I wasn't scared, much. You know I'm not a full dragon, don't you?" Cosmo brought him a pair of soft pants, helping him dress with gentle, warm hands.

"I do. You are part fae, yes?" He reached out to rub a hand over Cosmo's hair, unable to resist. Oh, it was soft and lovely, and he smiled at the feel of it.

"Yes. My mother is a Blessed one." Cosmo smiled and stepped closer. "Oh dragon…"

A sharp knock came to the door, and Cosmo rolled his eyes. "Cos? Brother? Both of you okay?"

"We're fine."

"Okay. We just wondered."

Cosmo mouthed, "Go away," and he chuckled again.

"We should go on out and appease them. There will be time later."

"Yeah. They're not going to be decent until we do." Cosmo rolled his eyes. "Brothers."

"You love them very much. I can tell."

"Well, sure. I have no idea what I would do without them. But right now, they could get lost."

"That is not fun. I've been that way for too long."

"Oh, dragon, that's just a saying, not a wish."

"Is it?" He frowned. "Hmm. Meaning they could leave you alone?"

"Bingo!" Cosmo laughed, but it was for him, not at him.

"Bingo is a game. I remember that, I believe." Goodness, so much to learn. He hugged Cosmo gently before they left the bathroom, as thanks, mainly.

It shocked him when Cosmo wrapped lean, surprisingly strong arms around him, and squeezed him tight.

He leaned for a moment, smelling Cosmo's hair, feeling how warm and wonderful Cosmo was against him.

"Okay, that's enough. Out. No nookie with a dragon you just met!" Corbin banged on the door.

"I'm not nookie-ing. I'm hugging." Cosmo sounded outraged.

He patted Cosmo's butt, the familiarity making him so happy. "We're coming. He was helping me figure out these ingenious pants." He didn't want to get Cosmo in trouble with his family. He could take it slowly.

For now.