Draven stared at his mom with a faint smile, grumbling under his breath,
"Tch. Cute, huh? That isn't new."
Elliana, hearing this, puffed out her cheeks, mock-offended.
"Ooh, listen to you being cocky now. Back then, I used to dress you in little outfits and kiss your cheeks 'til you turned red. You were cute every day—at least until you learned how to scowl properly."
She smirked, folding her arms.
"What, one little smile and now you think you're the only cute one around? Don't forget—you're no longer the only cute one here."
Draven, still smiling, replied,
"Not the only cute one anymore? Wow. So that's how it is, ma, huh? Raise me for years and now you're just gonna replace me like that?"
"Oh please," Elliana said with a wave of her hand.
"You've had your time, mister. Now you've gotta scoot over and make room for the new stars of the show."
She paused, her smile softening just a bit.
"But don't worry—I could never replace you. You're one of a kind, honey. Trust me."
Her gaze drifted briefly toward Lucifer, then back to Draven.
"My heart just grew bigger to fit all of you in it."
Draven smirked.
"One of a kind, huh? Damn right I am."
He gently adjusted Elenya in his arms as her tiny wings gave a lazy twitch. Still buzzing with energy, she reached for his hair again, but he caught her little hand before she could grab it.
"Alright, Ele. That's enough for one day."
With a careful touch, he handed her over to Elliana, who took the baby with practiced ease. She grinned, adjusting Elenya in her arms as she looked up at Draven with a sparkle in her eye.
"Wow, listen to that confidence."
She glanced down at Elenya.
"Did you hear that, Elenya? Your big brother thinks he's hot stuff."
Turning back to Draven, her smirk returned.
"Let's hope your food backs it up. Show us what you've got—and no half-baked effort, you hear me?"
She pointed toward the door, issuing her command.
"Put your back into it. I want real flavor, real seasoning... and more importantly, don't forget to put some love in it."
Draven smirked and brushed his hands off theatrically.
"Tch. Y'all better be ready then. I'll be taking my leave now, Mom."
He muttered under his breath as he turned,
"Gonna whip up something real quick before your stomach starts growling loud enough to echo through the damn forest."
He strolled toward the door, then tossed a glance over his shoulder with a grin.
"Hope you're ready. I don't cook for just anyone, y'know."
Elliana smiled.
"Go on, then. But if I'm still hungry after you're done, you're gonna be helping the maids in the kitchen for a whole year."
Draven suddenly stopped, something heavy pressing down on him.
What the fuck...? Why the hell would I be doing that just because you're still hungry? That's on me now? He thought.
A twitch formed in his brow.
He turned slowly and eyed Elliana with suspicion.
"Hold on a sec," he said, pointing a finger at her.
"That doesn't even make any damn—no, goddamn—sense."
Elliana let out a simple, smug "Huh?" like she had no idea what he was talking about.
Draven continued, frustrated.
"If you're still hungry, wouldn't that just mean you eat too—"
"Now it's ten," she said, cutting him off sweetly.
Draven froze.
Did she just say ten years? Seriously?
What the hell did I even do that I might end up washing dishes for ten fucking years?
Elliana smiled even sweeter now.
"Hmm. Still here? Guess ten years is still too short. Should I make it—"
She didn't get to finish.
Draven was already halfway out the door.
"Bye, Mom. Be right back," he muttered, pulling the door shut behind him before she could tack on more years.
---
Elliana sat in the silence for a beat, then let out a soft, knowing laugh.
She looked down at Elenya, who was still wriggling in her arms, tiny wings fluttering lazily.
"Mmhm. Works every time."
She brushed a finger over Elenya's cheek.
"And that's how you keep overconfident sons humble. Remember that, Ele."
Her gaze lingered on the closed door.
"He's grown up, hasn't he? Still thinks he can outsmart me, though."
A pause.
Her smile softened.
"Just like his father."
She kissed the baby's forehead.
"Don't tell him... but I love when he fights back a little."
Another glance at the door, eyes warm with fondness.
"Means he's still mine."
Then, with a smirk:
"Plus... it's fun."