[FweepFwopFwoop]

Astien mumbled something. "Maharel ir al belan, belan il bekon."

[Eskal]

"Hm?"

[FweepFwopFwoop]

Astien just grinned. "It's elven. It means, 'I love you, you are precious.'"

[Eskal]

Marius blushed. "I love you too, Astien."

[FweepFwopFwoop]

"Say it in another language." He grinned. "Can you? If you can't, then just list off a few things you love about me. The professor has given you your homework."

[Eskal]

"I love you eyes. I love how kind you are. I love how you always want to help people." He gave Astien's butt a slight squeeze. "I love your butt." He kissed Astien's lips. "I love your sweet lips and how you giggle when my beard touched your skin."

[FweepFwopFwoop]

Astien blushed. "What else? Tell meeee!"

[Eskal]

"I love how you're willing to go through so much to give somebody a chance at life," he said as he caressed Astien's belly with his hands.

[FweepFwopFwoop]

Astien's blush deepened. "He's my son. I love him."

[Eskal]

"I love him too." Marius nuzzled Astien.

[FweepFwopFwoop]

A kick was felt beneath Marius' hand, and he heard a voice in the back of his head. "Acceptable."

[Eskal]

Marius smiled and kissed Astien's head as he gave his belly a soft rub.

[FweepFwopFwoop]

"I think you'll be a great father. We're lucky to have you, you know."

[Eskal]

"I'm lucky to have met you when I did."

[FweepFwopFwoop]

"We'll be even luckier once this whole ordeal is over. Then we can plan out the wedding, I can meet your family, we can say our vows and have our honeymoon..." Astien closed his eyes, smiling. "I'll have a family again."

[Eskal]

Marius nodded. "Our little patchwork family."

[FweepFwopFwoop]

"I can't way to hold Aiden in my arms. I see him in my dreams, like the things that are going to happen someday. I just wish I could remember them when I'm awake."

[Eskal]

"If you did, maybe you'd be too focused on those to actually make those dreams happen." He rubbed Astien's belly.

[FweepFwopFwoop]

"Maybe. All I can really remember is how warm he feels in my arms."

[Eskal]

Marius smiled and nuzzled Astien.