They had it coming

Amelia was just toying around with the rabbit and the clothes, and taking her time digesting the meal she had just had. Romeo was finding at good temperature before he started filling the tub with some along with a little bit of soap. He didn't need to fill it to the brim, but at least enough so she could have a bit of fun splashing around. Feeling his husbands arms around him made him sigh in content, leaning his head towards him, kissing his cheek. "We upset each other, my love, but we always work it out," he told him in a soothing voice. Letting the water run, he just turned around to look at his husband, cupping his face as he enjoyed being in his arms. "But we do need to work on communicating," he admitted, though at least it meant they could be more aware and work on it together.
"I want you to stay in bed with us tonight," he said, not knowing if it was too big of an ask. "I missed you .. missed feeling your arms around me and breathing in your smell," he admitted, kissing his husband's neck in small pecks. He sighed, looking to the water that had reached about the right level, "can you go get her? I'll change into something that I won't mind getting wet." He wasn't going to leave her unsupervised in a tub, that was for sure.

Amelia looked up at the knock, tilting her head to the side as she listened to him. She looked back to her rabbit before seemingly making up her mind and getting up on her feet. Holding onto Eden's shirt she let him lead the way as she still seemed a little shaken from her first visit to the bathroom. But inside she found Romeo, touching the water softly and she looked up to Eden with asking eyes. Letting go of his shirt she handed him the rabbit, clearly not wanting it to get wet again. "Safe," she told him, clearly putting a lot of faith and trust into him. If he replied positively and only then would she go to Romeo who helped her undress and get into the tub. The water made her smile, her little body finding some peace within the heat. Romeo chuckled, "don't worry, we won't run out of hot water," she assured her. She seemed to be able to wash herself up pretty easily, but she did need a little help with her hair. A lot of places it was slightly tangled and matted, but Romeo had quite the patience.
All in all the bath went surprisingly well, even if she constantly looked to Eden, making sure he kept Babbit safe. When she was all clean she was washed off, and a little reluctantly got out. Romeo swaddled her up in a towel, tickling her a little which made her giggle, and together they pulled the plug. She seemed quite fascinated by the drain it seemed, waving goodbye to the bubbles she had played with. "My love, will you grab that pair of pajamas I bought?" He smiled, because maybe it was best she just wore something comfy for now. They weren't going anywhere tonight, so they might as well make it more cozy in their little home. "You'll get Babbit as soon as you're dry, alright?" He promised her, but she still seemed a little upset, "don't worry, Eden's great at taking care of rabbits, isn't that right, amore mio?" The little girl looked to the vampyre with big and hopeful eyes.

Amelia was surely warming up the vampyre's dead heart, that was for sure. Her walking up to him to grab onto his shirt for comfort was unexpected and he realized that she was not much for going back to the bathroom on her own. It was fine that she sought comfort in him. He took her to the bathroom and walked with her over to the big tub. When she looked at the vampyre, did Eden turn his eyes her way, noticing that there was something she wanted. He crouched down and as she handed him the rabbit, did he smile and hum softly. "Of course. I'll keep it safe." he promised her with a soft grin. He took the dirty clothes that Romeo took off her and put them in the laundry basket before he held the rabbit so she could see that he was keeping it safe and dry.
Once the bath was over and done, did Eden go to fetch the clothes like Romeo asked him to. It seemed that Amelia was a little anxious about her rabbit and Eden came over with the clothes and rabbit. "Babbit is right here, safe and dry with me." he said, letting her have it even if she wasnt completely dry. It wouldnt be much of a hassle is the rabbit got a little damp and he rather wouldnt have her make a fuss over not getting her toy.

Fuck seeing Eden like this with a kid? Romeo felt like he was falling in love with him all over again, and sure some of it came from the moon, but he knew that had it not been full he would've still felt this way. It warmed his heart and filled him up with a love that he hadn't truly felt before. Amelia took the rabbit into her arms, hugging it close as she needed a few minutes before she wanted to get dressed. Romeo couldn't see the harm in it, instead getting up and moved over to kiss Eden. He just had to feel his lips, even if it was brief. "I swear you need to stop being such a hot daddy," he muttered against his lips, but he soon enough felt a tuck at his own shirt. Amelia seemed ready to get dressed, but she clearly wanted to do it herself. Romeo aided her a little with a few buttons, but otherwise she got through most of it on her own.
When everything was done Amelia went back to the living room with Babbit, whispering secrets to it and giggling softly. Romeo remained, cleaning up the bathroom a little, making sure it wasn't a big mess. "I know we haven't had her for long," he said a little seriously, "and we still need to get to know her better .. but maybe we should start thinking of her staying with us more .. permanently?" It wasn't like it was a small step, but if she had no parents and those who had gotten a hold of her had misused her, wasn't it better that they kept her safe? He felt his heartbeat increase a little. "I don't know .. I guess we need to really think about it."

Romeo wasn't really sure what he was asking, nor if what he was asking for was something he was even ready for. Regardless he felt his husband's question wake something within him. "I do want to be a parent, but that's not what this is about .. at least not fully," he argued. No this was about a little girl who had no-where to go and no-one to be there for her. And here they were, no worries in resources and they could easily accommodate a child. The question was rather if they were ready for it. Romeo was unsure, and it perhaps stemmed from what they had experienced so far. As well as the ordeal with the twins. If they were going after them, then Amelia would have to have somewhere safe to be while it went down. And she had to be kept a secret.
"I suppose I want us to figure out what is the best outcome in this situation; not just for the two of us, but for Amelia as well," one thing was what he wanted, another was what the child needed and of course how Eden felt about this. It hadn't really been something they had spoken much of, besides the obvious talk that children would happen in the future. Was it too early for them? Romeo could practically be her older brother, but then again she was almost too cute for him to send away. "Cazzo Eden," he swore under his breath, leaning in to connect their foreheads, "I'm not sure I have all the answers yet."

He knew it wouldn't be a small feat, but it also sounded good when he thought about it. But Eden was right, better wait and see things out before they made any promises. The mention of giving her one of their rooms did soothe him somewhat, nodding as he agreed to that. "We can share an office," he said with a soft smile. They had plenty of room for her to have her own bed, a place for her clothes and what little she had of toys. But he knew that she would be happy to have a place where she could retreat to if she needed it. "First thing in that room has to be a fluffy rug," he chuckled, leaning in to kiss his husband gently. Breathing in his scent he just smiled against his lips. "You do make a really hot dad," he teased once more before he went to check on the kid.

As the days passed, it seemed that Amelia felt more and more at home. She had even begun speaking more, showing that she actually had a pretty decent vocabulary. Romeo had made sure to take some time every day to teach her words, letters and how to read and write. He knew it wasn't a permanent solution, but he wasn't sure he could trust a tutor to come into their home. And he wasn't sure she would be okay with that. She had a brilliant mind, but she had never been allowed to explore it it seemed.
They had changed one of the rooms to a bedroom for her, and while she did sometimes sneak back into bed with Romeo and Eden she was getting better at sleeping on her own. Though that was greatly helped along with the fact that him and Eden would take turn reading her bedside stories. It really felt like they were building a safe foundation for her, and he knew that they soon had to make up their mind about her or start looking at other solutions. The full moon had passed at this point, so the two lycans had started to calm down more. Romeo was sitting on the couch, reading a book as Amelia came into the living room. She wasn't saying anything, just looking around, clearly searching for something. Or rather someone; Eden.

Romeo looked up as he heard the floorboards creek softly, turning his head to see the little curly haired girl, smiling as he knew who she was searching for. She had really bonded herself with Eden. Of course him as well, but he more so noticed it with the vampyre, and it made his heart swell with joy. He knew where he was, so he put down his book and moved over to her, squatting down and asked her to do the same. "Hunting is a delicate art," he spoke softly. "Delicate," - "yes, good - now close your eyes and use your nose," Amelia did as much trusting Romeo in this. He knew it would be a little hard for her as Eden's scent was all over, but he had faith in her. She started to crawl along the floor, her eyes closed as she followed the scent. Romeo smiled, following her and keeping his head down. He knew that Eden was preoccupied, so this was a good chance to teach the young lycan to trust her instincts.
She stopped, opening her eyes to see Eden out on the balcony, but Romeo hushed her back much to her confusion. "You must wait for your pray to come closer," he told her and she nodded. Once the vampyre returned inside she would jump out at him and Romeo soon enough followed, the two of them lightly tackling the vampyre as Amelia started to laugh. "Caught you!" She said proudly.

Amelia giggled, hugging herself a little closer to the vampyre, and Romeo hummed, "she's a good student .. I think she'll be a great hunter too," he said, feeling a little proud at how far they had come. The little girl who had been so afraid was now growing into a more confident child. He leaned in, kissing her on her curly head, "I'll get started on dinner, and then you have a few more words to write, but then you have to get to bed too," he told her. Amelia nodded, just holding onto Eden. The older lycan kissed his husband before he went to make dinner.
Amelia got off of Eden, pulling at his shirt. There was something she wanted to show him. If he followed her to her room that was currently littered in drawings she showed a drawing to him. It was rather simple for a kid her age, but she had taken an interest in art because Eden had shown her so many paintings. "For you," she said a little shyly, handing him the drawing. It was rather clear who it was she had drawn: Herself, Eden and Romeo in the same house, topped off with a nice sun in the corner. She had even written their names above their heads to make sure there was no confusion. She then looked down, frowning as she had something to ask as well. "Can I .. stay?" She asked. She was a bright child, so of course she knew that they weren't her parents, but it was clear that she wanted to be with them. Learn from Romeo and get hugs from Eden.

Romeo knew that Eden worried, but hunting was a part of a lycan's life cycle, especially during the full moon. Of course she was much too young, but if they hunted on safe and private grounds, he couldn't see the harm. Besides the quicker she got in touch with her instincts, the easier the moon cycles would be on her. But alas, Eden had a say in this as well.
Amelia felt proud that he liked it, because she had clearly worked hard on it. Even the grass had different colors of green in it. He spoke to her, affirming that she was there, but he also saw through her simple question. She just nodded at the reply, reaching out to hug him around his waist, hiding her face into his stomach. It was clear she had grown very attached in the brief time she had spent with them. "Dinner," she then muttered, taking his hand so they could join Romeo in the kitchen.
The rest of the night went on good, and once she was finally sleeping, Romeo went to his husband, wrapping his arms around him, holding him close. "It was a very beautiful drawing she had made for you," he noted, having seen it earlier and he had to say he was impressed. "Come to bed with me my love .. I need your touch," he pleaded softly.

Romeo chuckled at the mention of the vampyre inspiring her. It was good to see. The way their fingers intertwined made him sigh in relief, following him and undressing as well before crawling under. He needed his husband's comfort and touch, needed to know how he was, how he felt and most of all feel his scent surround him. Kissing his chest gently he moved up so they were face to face, laying on his side. "I know I keep saying this, but you're really good with her," he said softly, cupping his face, pulling him into a more intimate kiss. Sure their sex life had changed a little because of Amelia, but they did still go at it, just being silent and enjoying the thrill of that. Romeo at least enjoyed how tender their love making had been as of late. "Are you sure you haven't raised kids before?" He spoke softly and in teasing, but most of Eden's past was still a mystery. Perhaps because he was as old as he was. Kissing him again, he pressed his chest flushed with his, moaning softly into his mouth.
He craved intimacy these days. Coming off of the high sex drive, all he wanted was to be touched and cuddled with. Though even in saying that he knew he couldn't resist Eden when both of them got riled up a bit. "I want to be closer to you," he complained softly, but they almost couldn't get any closer. He wrapped his arms around him, needed to feel grounded and it was clear he wanted to soothe Eden as well. They had to tone it down around Amelia, but she was still sleeping, and he at least wanted to give the vampyre some love.

"Then I guess you're a natural, Signore Altieri," he mused, feeling how good they worked together with this kid just made him feel happy. Fulfilled in a way he hadn't felt before. He looked up at his husband, seeing his strong lean body and the mark on his shoulder. Nothing felt better than this right now. He felt safe. Like he could forget all about his problems, if only for a little while. The tease made him grit his teeth, his jaw tensing as he bucked his hips towards him. He already felt a bit riled up. "You know what I mean," he muttered softly, kissing him a few more times, just feeling how every part of their body was touching.
"Is it really so odd that I long for my husband?" He asked softly, but this time around he was much more about the touch and the feel of things. Not going at it like animals, but more that tender love they shared. Moving his hands up in his hair, he massaged his scalp gently, just holding himself close and being happy that they had each other, their home and their spirits.

Seeing how Eden was enjoying his touch, watching him just relax and enjoy what they had right now was amazing. He was so sweet, wasn't he? The suggestion of massages made him hum, running his fingers in circles on his scalp. While a vampyre couldn't have knots in his muscles, it was still really nice to just touch him. And he knew that Eden longed to be touched more. "Then you have to lay down on your stomach," he argued, moving his hands down to his shoulders. They moved around, and Romeo started out massaging Eden, taking great care of his body. He loved that feeling he got when he got to warm the vampyre up. Every time he found a cold spot, he just had to touch it, make it warm, let Eden feel just how much he cared for him. His hands were tender and not too worried about reaching deep.
"It's a nice excuse to touch you," he smiled, leaning down to kiss from one shoulder blade to the next. The cold skin was now more tempered, and while it wouldn't last forever, it was just nice to know that Romeo had that power. The power to make the vampyre warm and feel wanted. "I've always really loved feeling your skin," though that wasn't a dramatic reveal, it was true nonetheless. Kissing along his spine, his hands just kept on massaging him wherever he went. "I feel like having her around makes us explore our love in a different way," he then said, and it was clear he was happy about that fact. He really liked having Amelia around, and even though they hadn't really decided yet, he wanted to voice the good things when they came up. "Our love is growing deeper .. I can feel it when I touch you .. it's .. so addicting."

Romeo scoffed because of course he didn't need an excuse. He touched him plenty, but there was a part of him that would never feel satisfied. Touching the man he loved was just addicting enough on its own, and getting to feel him up like this, feeling how he slowly relaxed into his touch, was there truly anything better? He knew that bringing up Amelia was still a somewhat strange topic. But Romeo felt like the longer she was here, the more he started to consider her as family. It was strange. And he wasn't really sure that bringing it up now would do much to solve their conflict about it. Or rather their apprehension.
The sigh made him smile, leaning down to press his chest against his back, letting him feel all of his warmth at once, resting his cheek against his hair, his lips right at his ear. "There's no limit to the love I have for you," he spoke softly, running his hands along his arms, wanting to warm all of him at once. "If there's a peak, then it means stagnation," he pondered. No, nothing was stagnating for them. At least not from his point of view. What he felt kept evolving, growing and getting better and better. "You are my one and only Eden," he kissed him behind his ear, breathing warm air against his neck in this moment of intimacy. "Don't you feel how it keeps growing?"

"Well good thing I can feel it for you then," he chuckled, looking at his husband who held his face so tenderly, just leaning against his cold hands. Romeo's own was starting to explore his torso, feeling his muscles and skin. He sighed, closing his eyes as he just let himself feel everything. It wasn't something he did often, but just being here, reveling in the emotions they shared just made him feel so grounded. It wasn't a feeling he had ever had with anyone else. "Isn't it about my turn for a massage?" He smiled, opening his eyes as he had a bratty glimmer in his eyes. Sure, he was behaving very good as of late, but he was also kept extremely busy with balancing work, Eden and Amelia. Though he wouldn't trade it for anything else.
If Eden agreed, he would move off of him, laying down on his stomach, adjusting himself a little as he still was sorta turned on, though it had died down a little. However he was sure his body was going to react rather strongly to Eden's hands. Closing his eyes he groaned softly as it turned out he had quite a few knots in his back. He wasn't really tense, it was more his muscles being sore, though they would loosen up rather fast. "It feels so good when you're on top of me like this," he admitted in a soft sigh.