Lyriana turned, eyeing Elenya's back where her tiny wings still fluttered stubbornly. Her wings are still out... If she set the child down now, Elenya would simply take off again. Lyriana sighed.
"I guess I'm holding onto you until the Young Master arrives," she murmured with a wry smile, shifting her grip to keep Elenya snug against her shoulder.
Then, from the corner of her eye, she saw movement—another pair of small, shimmering wings rising from the crib.
"Oh no. Lucifer, not you too!" she gasped, rushing forward just in time to catch the baby boy as he floated upwards. She cradled him gently, adjusting her hold to balance both winged infants. "Now I have to hold onto both of you so you don't fly off. What am I, your perch?"
Right then, the door creaked open. Draven stepped in, Aldric trailing behind. He stopped at the sight of Lyriana juggling two fluttering babies in her arms.
Ah. She already fed them... he thought with a pang of disappointment. He'd been looking forward to helping.
But Lyriana turned toward the babies and said with a bright smile, "Look, you two— the Young Master is here! It's time for your feed."
At her words, both Elenya's and Lucifer's wings shimmered once—then vanished in a blink.
So she hasn't fed them! Relief surged through Draven, warming his chest. He moved quickly to her side, grinning down at the twins.
"Hey! Hiiii, Ele! Hiii, Luci!" he cooed, voice dripping with affection. Elenya's giggle bubbled up the moment he leaned closer.
"You missed me, huh?" he teased, scooping her from Lyriana's arms and lifting her to eye level. "Yes, you dooo, don't you, Ele?"
He gently tapped her nose with his, then pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. Elenya squealed, delighted.
Turning, Draven met Lucifer's gaze—wide-eyed, solemn, and still in Lyriana's arms.
"Hey, Luci. You missed me too, right?" he said gently, reaching to poke the baby's cheek. Lucifer blinked, his tiny face flushing pink, but he said nothing.
Draven chuckled. "You really don't smile much, do you?"
"Alright, time to eat, you guys," Draven said, walking to the table and picking up a pair of baby bottles. He glanced at Lyriana and tossed one to her.
She caught it easily. "You want me to feed Lucifer?"
"Yeah. I'll take care of Elenya."
As if on cue, Elenya reached out, fingers twitching toward the bottle in Draven's hand.
"Hungry girl," he laughed, gently guiding the bottle to her lips. She latched on eagerly.
Lyriana settled into a nearby chair, offering Lucifer his bottle. He hesitated for a second, then began to drink, his eyes still fixed on Draven.
A peaceful quiet settled over the room, filled only by the soft sounds of contented feeding.
Once both bottles were empty, Draven stood and stretched, grinning. "Alright, now that you two are full, let's go see Mommy!"
The scene shifted to the corridor. Draven carried Lucifer, snug against his chest, while Lyriana held Elenya, who rested her cheek against Lyriana's shoulder, sleepy and satisfied.
The five of them walked together down the hallway, their steps light and warm in the quiet of the Castle.