#Roos's cam is better and she took the first three

[gauntletqueen]

Gotj Girl tiiiime~! Finally got my earlobes pierced, just kept forgetting ahsfjghaf

(first three pics taken by @rosedosed btw!)

[fragmentedink-archived]

Hell to Pay: Chapter Nineteen

I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, XIII, XIV, XV, XVI, IX

cowritten by @lux-scriptum

A/N: trigger warnings for mentions of past abuse

Nik was getting ready to throw Lev off a cliff for the sheer amount of fussing he was doing regarding Eden. He was straightening her clothes, rambling off advice, while they waited for Raziel to pull up. Nik put his hand over Lev’s mouth. “Shut. up,” he said, exasperated. “Half of what you said was completely forgotten. We’ll be fine. And if not, you’ll be back tomorrow.”

Nik grabbed a hold of Lev’s tongue when he tried licking Nik’s hand. Eden was giggling and wiggling when Nik warned, “If you plan on licking me, you better be licking me elsewhere.”

Lev flushed, but said, “Text me, if you need anything? Anything at all?”

Nik rolled his eyes. “We. Will. Be. Fine.”

“Are you sure?” Lev asked. Eden smacked Lev’s arm when he tugged on her cream colored sweater. “Maybe I should stay?”

“I will literally have Amara drag you by your legs if you don’t go,” Nik said, kissing Eden on the head. She wiggled happily, gnawing on her little fist while trying to shove her sweater in her mouth. “Eden will still be alive when you come back,” he promised.

“Okay, but are you sure-”

Lev’s millionth ask was cut off by the knock at the door. Nik sighed at the ceiling. “Thank the stars. Saved by the door.” Nik went to open it and grinned when he saw Raziel standing there. “So we meet again.”

She didn’t have a chance to respond before Lev just jumped her, throwing his arms around her. She just hugged him back. “Hello, Little bird,” she said, then looked up to Nik. “Hello.” Her eyes then moved to the babbling baby still wiggling in Nik’s arms. “This must be Eden.”

“She has my eyes, don’t you think?” Nik asked. He kissed Eden’s cheek, getting smacked in the face for his troubles. “She’s a darling,” he said, nipping at Eden’s fingers. “Clearly she takes after me.”

Raziel smiled. “She’s beautiful.”

“Isn’t she?” Lev instantly said, making heart eyes at Eden. “Would you like to hold her?”

“She absolutely may not,” Cameron said, damn near scaring the hell out of Nik by how quietly he came up behind them. Nik turned to see Cameron leveling a cold look at Raziel. Eden squealed loudly in Nik’s ear and started reaching for Cameron.

Nik handed her over before she deafened him. Cameron took her without taking his eyes off the ancient angel, clearly poised for offense, despite Raziel just ruffling Lev’s hair and telling him it was fine.

Eden replaced the sweater in her mouth for Cameron’s shirt while clawing at Cameron’s face with her tiny nails. It would be hilarious if Cameron didn’t look moments away from tearing into Raziel. Nik gave a low whistle. “Well, this is awkward,” he said, to no one in particular.

Cameron seemed immune to the confused and hurt look from Lev. Raziel chucked him under the chin lightly. “I’ll be waiting in the car. Go ahead and tell your goodbyes.” Cameron was watching her turn around and go back out to her car, before he finally looked at Eden.

“Stop chewing on my clothes,” he said, pulling the collar of his shirt out of her mouth. She just screeched at him for taking away her latest chew toy. “Stop it,” he scolded. She giggled at him before Lev wandered over to kiss Eden’s head.

“She’s probably teething,” Lev said, for the hundredth time. “You should find a teething ring for her to chew on.” When he looked at the small black claw marks on Cameron’s cheek, he added, “She also needs her nails clipped.”

“Noted,” Cameron said, halfway dismissively. “You may go now. Before your grandmother’s feathers fall out. Eden will be fine.”

Hurt was etched on Lev’s face. “Goodbye,” he said, quietly, as he went to press his cheek against Cameron’s free shoulder before coming to throw his arms around Nik. “Goodbye,” He said, looking at Nik.

Nik grabbed his chin and pulled him into a quick kiss. “See ya tomorrow,” Nik said, pressing a light bite to Lev’s neck. “I do hope you find that toy halo.”

“I’ll be back by eleven,” Lev promised, reluctantly pulling back. “I don’t wanna miss lunch.”

“Mmm, good,” Nik said. “Cam would hate missing out on feeding you.”

He could almost see Cameron’s eye roll behind him, but Lev kissed him one more time before disappearing out the door. Nik sighed loudly and shut the front door before turning on Cameron. “I think you hurt his feelings.”

Cameron’s blank look was cut short by Eden trying to tear at Cameron’s hair. “What are you talking about.”

“You mean you didn’t catch that little ‘goodbye’ he did when he left? You hurt his feelings, Cammm.”

“I did not. I told him to go before his grandmother started molting,” Cameron said, yanking Eden’s tiny fists out of his hair. “If I intended to hurt his feelings I’d be more direct about it,” he said, before glaring down at Eden. “Keep your hands out of my hair.”

Eden’s only answer was a shrill screech right in his face. Cameron just sighed and turned back towards the kitchen with a wiggly Eden going back to clench Cam’s white hair. “I don’t think she listened, Cam.”

“Shut up, Nikolas,” Cameron said, sharp enough Nik half winced, but it didn’t stop the grin from forming on his face. Cameron just pulled Eden away from his hair. “Knock it off, right this minute, you horrid child.”

“Give her to me before you kill my baby,” Nik said.

“Hmph.” Cameron stopped in his tracks and halfway shoved Eden at him. Eden wiggled and was giggling, completely oblivious to the look of murder in Cameron’s eyes. Nik tried so hard to wipe the grin off his face. “She can rip your hair out,” he said, turning around and going back to the kitchen.

Nik looked down at Eden smiling at him with her fist halfway in her mouth. “My stars, child, you are going to get yourself killed.” She just babbled at him, clearly not afraid of getting smothered in her sleep by her father, as she reached for Nik’s hair. “Oh no you don’t,” Nik said, holding her out just enough to keep those teeny pale fingers away. “My hair is definitely not for pulling. At least not by you.”

-----

Most of the ride was quiet, but not uncomfortable. Raziel seemed in a good mood, and Lev was enjoying it. By the time they got to Raziel’s house, nearly all the tension Lev had been holding had eased somewhat.

Walking inside no longer felt like coming home. That was the first thing Lev noticed, and he felt a little uncomfortable with that. Raziel’s house had always been home, and now he felt more like a guest than anything.

“You can stay in your old room,” Raziel was saying. “Are you hungry? I can make you a late breakfast.”

Lev shook his head. “Cameron made sure I ate before I came,” he said, apologetically. Cameron had made sure he ate enough to feed three people, and then some. It was like Cameron had had something to prove.

“They take good care of you, then?” Raziel asked. “You look better.”

This time Lev couldn’t help his little smile. “Yeah, they do.” He followed her into the living room and settled on the couch. “I like living with them.” Usually.

“You’ve gained weight,” Raziel said approvingly. “They clearly make you happy. You’re practically glowing, and you flush every time I bring them up.”

Lev’s face heated up. “Yeah, well, I think I love them.”

“You think you love them?” Raziel arched a brow, hiding a smile.

Lev flushed deeper. “Alright, I do,” he admitted. “But... it’s complicated.”

“As are most things in life,” Raziel said, pulling him into a hug. She pressed a kiss to his temple and rubbed his shoulder. “And, I mean no offense, but with those two, I’m not sure if it will ever be uncomplicated.”

Lev hummed. “You’re not wrong,” he admitted. “And it’s hard. Half the time I feel like I’m always going to be saying the wrong thing.”

“You need to pay attention better,” Raziel said. “You’ve always struggled to notice things going on around you.”

“Well,” Lev said, tucking his cheek on her shoulder. “When you put it like that.”

Raziel chuckled softly, tapping his nose. “Perhaps try looking beyond that, little bird. There’s a lot going on outside your head too.”

“Yeah, I know,” Lev promised. He closed his eyes, for a short moment, and then looked up again. “Hey, Gramma? Did I have a halo toy when I was a baby?”

“What?” Confusion flickered across Raziel’s face.

Lev sighed. “Cameron and Nik are convinced I had one. I promised I’d look into it.”

Raziel just laughed.

----

“Okay, but you said I can get new bracelets today,” Nik was saying. Cameron chose to ignore the borderline whining tone from Nik while he fed the actual infant in the room. Nik was sulking at the counter while Eden babbled at him, smearing applesauce across her face. “Pay attention to meeee.”

Cameron threw one of the spoons at him. “Knock it off, I’m trying to feed the baby.”

“Well what about this baby,” Nik snapped.

“I’ll put you in time out,” Cameorn said, flatly. “Do you really want that.”

Nik instantly shut up and Cameorn turned back to Eden, satisfied. He put the spoon of applesauce in her mouth, catching the bit that was going to dribble on her chin before she had the chance to spit it out. “If you ruin that sweater, we are going to have words,” he warned her.

“She’s a baby,” Nik said. “I highly doubt she gives a shit.”

“Okay, then,” Cameorn said, sitting back. “If she ruins her sweater, we will have words,” he directed at Nik. “That better?”

“Not really,” Nik mumbled.

Eden screeched at them, shaking her little fists at them with enough ferocity Cameron was almost impressed. He tried feeding her more applesauce but she pulled back away from the spoon, refusing any more.

“Great, she’s finished,” Cameron said, mostly to himself, as he looked at his watch. “We should go ahead and go to the store, then, so you can stop whining.”

“Yessss.” Nik came over and pressed a kiss to Eden’s glossy white hair. Eden babbled happily, chewing on the sleeve of her sweater when Nik looked fondly at her. “Stars, I can’t believe you made a nice baby.”

“Nice how? Have you even been in the same room as her when she was tired?” Cameron asked, glaring at him, while unhooking the tray from the highchair. Eden wiggled when Cameron picked her up and carried her to the bathroom to get cleaned up.

“You make it sound like she’s some kind of teeny monster,” Nik said, poking her nose. She almost tried chomping down on Nik’s golden brown finger. “Just seems nice to me. Babies like chewing on things, right?”

Cameron sighed. “You always were a bad judge of character.”

Nik elected to ignore Cameron and focused his attention on the wigging baby on the counter. “What do you think, tiny demon baby? Are you a nice baby? I think you are.” Eden screeched happily, reaching up for Nik. “I think she likes me,” Nik told Cameron. “See, look. She can’t get enough of me.”

“I’m sure you think that involving any female that looks at you for more than two seconds,” Cameron said, grabbing a soft wet wash rag and lightly scrubbing the applesauce still smeared across her face.

“Yeah,” Nik said. “Because it’s true. Have you ever found a woman that didn’t like me? No. you haven’t.”

“I think Biela would hang you up by your intestines if given the chance,” Cameron mused.

“Okay, the man hating lesbian does not count,” Nik huffed. “I meant anyone with a soul.”

Cameron flicked a look at him. “Are you saying I have a soul?”

“AWE. I knew you liked me,” Nik said, with a cheeky smile, pressing a kiss to Eden’s belly. “Look at that, Baby, Cameron does like me. Amazing.”

Cameron rolled his eyes. “You’re dumber than that baby.” Nik sighed and looked down at Eden, brushing his fingers over her sweater. “Why don’t you go find her some clean clothes to wear. Preferably something not so gaudy.”

Nik instantly perked up and disappeared out of the room. Cameron looked down at the baby trying to shove her fist in her mouth. “I’m finding you something less…. That. No kid of mine is wearing such ugly clothes,” he muttered.

Eden just reached a hand out to him, either completely agreeing with him or just because she wanted to be picked up. Cameron, more curious than anything, brushed his fingers through her hair. “Hmm.”

He instantly pulled back when Nik came into the room with her clothes. “These.”

Cameron instantly frowned. “What the fuck is that.”

Nik smiled brightly and held out a bright orange and black outfit. “What do you think?”

“I think she is a pale baby and you’re trying to piss me off by making her look like she’s the byproduct of a ghost fucking a pumpkin.”

Nik clicked his tongue and looked down at Eden. “And what do you think, my little demon baby? Do you want to look like a ghost pumpkin hybrid? I think you do.”

“I think you want your neck snapped,” Cameron said, flatly.

Nik frowned at him. “I think you’re bullying me.”

“You haven’t seen bullying.”

Nik sighed loudly and turned around and went to find more clothes. Cameron rolled his eyes and looked down at Eden laughing at him. “He thinks he’s funny,” he said, tracing a black button on her sweater. “Angels are notoriously idiots. Do yourself a favor and date a demon.” Eden shrieked a laugh at him and Cameron’s mouth tugged. “Good.”

Nik eventually came back with what had to be pink... tulle. “What the hell is that?” Cameron asked.

“This,” Nik said, “Is going to be the cutest little shit and I will not put her in anything else.” Eden squawked at them to hurry up and get her off the counter. “Well, looks like we have no choice. Better get her dressed now.”

Cameron ignored him and started undressing the wiggling infant on the counter, barely getting her out of her applesauce covered clothes and into the pale pink… tutu? that he thought clearly would be hilarious putting on his baby, judging by the crooked grin on Nik’s face. Cameron just balled up the dirty clothes and threw them at Nik’s face. “Lose that grin, idiot.”

Nik caught the bundle easily and stuck his tongue out. “You like it.” Cameron rose a brow at him, and Nik’s nose wrinkled, but that smile fell, even if Cam did catch a small one while Nik put the clothes in the dirty clothes bin.

Cameron picked her up and sat her up while he put the ghastly bow around her head. He was surprised enough to see her sitting at all, even if she was a little wobbly. Cam got down to eye level and pointed at her. “Get this dirty, and you’re sleeping in it.”

Eden screeched at him hard enough she nearly fell on her face. Cameron rose a brow, pressing a finger to her forehead to keep her upright. “If you break your head, don’t cry to me about it,” he said, dryly.

She had just given him a toothless smile when he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. “Hold that thought,” Cameorn told her as he fished his phone out of his pocket, sighing internally. “Just Lev,” he muttered.

Lev: how’s the baby girl?

Cameron had almost put away the phone, when Nik’s name popped up.

Nik: I put her in a pink tutu 😏

Lev’s reply was almost instant.

Lev: Pictures? Pls???

Nik: hmmm

Cameron rolled his eyes and looked at Eden. “They’re both dumbasses.”

Lev: pleeeaaaassssseeeeeee

Nik: HMMMM

Lev: Don’t be a tease :(

“Oh my gods,” Cameron muttered. He looked at Eden. “Sit still.” He took a few pictures of the wiggling baby demon and sent them into the chat.

Cam: Here.

Lev: TELL HER SHE LOOKS BEAUTIFUL 😭

Cam: She’s six months old. I doubt she cares.

Nik: ok but /I/ care. No kid of mine is going to be fucking ugly

Lev: Nik. :/

Nik: not all of us can be so altruistic, Levant. It’s just the way things are

“I didn’t think you knew that big of words,” Cameron said, loudly enough for Nik to hear him from the other room.

“Fuck you,” Nik said. “Just because I choose to act like a dumbass doesn’t mean I am one.”

“Mmm.” Cameron looked down at the wiggly baby. “He is a dumbass. Smart people do not sit outside in the dead of winter to freeze to death. There are much more productive ways to die,” he sighed, bending down to pick her up. “Come on. We need to go buy Nik’s bracelets.”

---

Lev pressed the baby blanket to his face, as if his parents scents would still cling to them after over a century. The only thing he got was a nose full of dust. He sneezed, dropping the blanket in his lap.

“This stuff is gonna have to be washed,” he said, before sneezing again.

“I was planning on it, little bird,” Raziel said patiently. She tucked a scrap of blue cloth back in the box in front of her, and then added, “I’ll hold on to the boy clothes for a few years longer. Who knows what your next child will be.”

Lev snorted. “As nice as that is, you might as well wait for Amara or Reneé to have a boy. I don’t think Cameron will want any more after Eden. He didn’t want Eden. This is going to be the only kid I get to have.”

Raziel hummed softly. “Alright, little bird.”

Lev shot her a look, but just pulled out an old stuffed animal. “Oh, I remember this. Does Amara know you’ve got Mr. Stuffykins?”

Raziel laughed. “No. Well, sort of. Best not to give that to Eden. Amara may come looking for him one day. She never did finish her childhood.”

“Gramma,” Lev warned, before she could go into one of her well practiced lectures. “She’s not even here. Kind of rude.”

“Hmph.” Raziel watched him pull out another stuffed animal. “That one belonged to your father, you know.”

Lev ran his fingers along the calico cat stuffed animal. “Glad to see we were both cat people.”

“Yes, well.”

----

Shopping had proved to be harder than Nik had originally thought it would. Apparently carrying a screaming infant throughout a high end store was frowned upon by clerks and customers alike. They had gotten Eden some new clothes as well while they were out, and was on their way home when Nik said, “Can we go see my brother?”

Cameron flicked him a quick look. “Which brother.”

“Preferably the one who doesn’t converse like drying paint.”

Cameron sighed quietly enough Nik almost didn’t hear it. “You’re going to keep hounding me until I say yes, aren’t you.”

“I might,” Nik said.

Cameron’s only response was an eyeroll. Just about when Nik thought Cameron decided to endure Nik’s whining, the car turned into the lane that went through Liwen. Nik looked in the mirror at Eden who was babbling to herself and chewing on her coat sleeve. “Does that kid ever not chew on something?”

“Does your mouth ever shut?” Cameron retorted.

Nik groaned. “You are so mean to me. It was just a question, you jackass.”

“Stupid questions require stupid answers, Nikolas,” was all Cameron said, when the manor house came into view. “I am not responsible for any blood being shed,” he said, pulling into the drive. Nik gave him a confused look, but said nothing as the car parked. “Carry the child.”

Nik got Eden out of the car and followed Cameron to the front of the house. He had been here… probably once or twice a while back dragging Ash out of bed when he lived with Maikel, but other than that he avoided this place as often as he could. Was bad enough his dad was BFFs with the bastard, he didn’t want to see their bromance anymore than his dad wanted to see him.

Cameron knocked on the door and Nik had to deal with Eden’s tiny hands clawing at his hair before the door finally opened. A good looking man with black hair that brushed his shoulders and electric blue eyes was standing in front of him. Nik’s eyes traveled the length of his body as he grinned. “Hi. Has anyone ever told you you look exactly like the prick king himself?” Nik asked. “Just hotter.” The smile instantly vanished from the man’s face. “Too soon?”

He ignored Nik’s comment, looking from Nik, to Eden to Cameron and back to Eden. “I guess it’s not just a Lev problem anymore, is it?”

Nik was not expecting Cameron to throw a punch, and he was definitely not expecting the very attractive man to catch the fist, and he definitely was not expecting Cameron to knee him in the balls. Nik winced and stepped back before either he or Eden ended up between the measuring contest. “Stars above, clearly you two need a room.”

The man’s teeth bared and Nik barely had time to register the fist in Cameron’s face. Cameron hadn’t even blinked, let alone flinched when Nik had heard the bones fracture in Cameorn’s nose. Nate got between them before Cameron had the chance to retaliate. “Then next person who swings is dealing with me,” Nate said, coldly. “There is a damned baby right there. And my very pregnant mate is in this house. Do you really want on my bad side.”

Nik could almost feel the undercurrent of power that Nate had- and he knew precisely how hard it was to piss Nate off to the point he got downright murderous. And that usually involved someone getting hurt- or even worse, his mate getting threatened.

“Sorry,” the man muttered.

Cameron didn’t even blink at Nate. “He started it,” he said, mildly.

When the man tensed, clearly ready for another fight, Nate grabbed him by the ear. “Silas,” he scolded.

The man- Silas- lifted his hands in surrender. “Fine, fine. I’m sorry.”

Nik forced himself to not flinch.

But Nate leveled Silas a stern look before letting go of his fucking ear. “You better be.” He looked at Cameron. “You should be ashamed of yourself,” he said, flatly. “Getting in a fight in front of a child like that. What if she got hurt? It’s not like Nik has the magic to be able to protect her from your measuring contest.”

“Hey,” Nik protested.

Nate flashed him an apologetic look, but just turned back to Cameron. “Not that I doubt someone like you care.”

Eden just kept up her happy wiggling in his arms, kicking her legs like her father getting punched in the face was a damned spectator sport.

Cameron didn’t seem phased by Nate’s blunt words, even if his brows did lower, just a fraction. “That’s why we don’t let you make the decisions, Nathaniel,” Cameron said, coolly. “Anyways, I came to see my brother.”

He then straightened his nose before pushing past Nate, completely dismissing every single one of them, before turning around and taking Eden from him. Nik frowned. “Did you have me carry her because you wanted to punch Silas.”

“Yes,” was all Cameron said, while disappearing down the hallway.

Nik blatantly stared after Cameron’s ass before turning back to Silas and Nate. “So. Anyways. I’m Nik. You must be Silas. The Silas, am I right? I must thank you for the booty shorts. They are. Nice.”

The anger on Silas’ face shifted to confusion, then more confusion, then to realization,and back to confusion, and then to being pleased. “He still has those?”

“Mmm. He does. I got Lev to give me a fashion show. Gave him head for it,” Nik said, sliding his hands in his pockets. “Definitely enjoyed that.”

Nate looked annoyed on Silas’ behalf when Silas looked at Nate. “Why didn’t you tell me your brother was just like him.”

Nate looked apologetic. “He was dropped on his head?” Nate offered.

“Well what’s Adrien’s excuse,” Nik asked.

Nate smiled. “He flew into a wall.”

Silas turned back to Nik. “How’s Lev?”

“I don’t know, how is Lev?”

Silas looked annoyed. “I don’t know, I haven’t seen him in months. I went from training him everyday to radio silence.”

“My fault, I’m afraid,” Nik said. “I keep him busy.”

Nate rubbed his forehead, tired. “Nik,” he said, exasperated. “Will you leave the poor bastard alone.”

Nik couldn’t stop the pout. “But I’m bonding.” He felt bad enough, he offered, “He’s, uh, with his grandma? Nice lady. Cameron was going to pluck her feathers out.”

Silas seemed to take it as an acceptable enough answer. “Okay. Is he at least training? With his magic at least?”

“Uh.” Nik winced. “I mean? He’s definitely getting a work out?”

Silas looked so pained. “He promised me he’d work on his magic. Even if we can’t train the way we used to.” Nik instantly picked up on that.

“Oh?” he said. “Oh, do tell. How was that.”

Silas looked both embarrassed and smug at the same time. Nate just looked pained, when Silas said, “I just needed to find the right motivation to get him to make his shadows solid.” Nik couldn’t stop the sharp jab of jealousy that hit him when Silas used his magic to make a solid black ball that he underhandedly tossed it to Nik, saying, “Lev could do this too, if he just believed in himself. After that, the options are limitless.”

Nik’s face prickled when he tossed him back the ball, shoving his hands back into his hoodie pockets. “You sound like a regular infomercial. You should be proud,” he said. Nate looked at him, like that and Nik just cut him a look warning him to not say shit.

Silas looked a little uncomfortable as he waved away the ball of magic. “But all jokes aside, if he can’t use it as a weapon, he can use it as a shield. Hiding won’t save him forever.”

“Better offense than a good defense,” Nik muttered. “At least that’s what Papi always says.”

Nate made a sound of almost disapproval mixed with just miserable acknowledgement. It was an effort to not look at Nate’s ringed hand, knowing how those scars had happened. Father of the fucking year.

Nik forced his attention back up to Silas. “So. You and Lev, huh?”

Silas looked a little pained and embarrassed. “That’s… old news. Older than you news.” But under his breath he said, “I cannot believe Lev is robbing cradles.”

Nate choked and gave Silas an incredulous look. Nik just frowned. “Yes, Silas, I am very aware of my elaborate daddy issues. You don’t need to spell it out for me. Have you seen Cameron.”

“Lev is the furthest thing from a father figure as you can get,” Silas said. “He’s small and he’s soft. He’s the one that needs taken care of.”

“I’d have thought stereotyping bottoms is beneath you,” Nik said. Nate rolled his eyes heavenward and just turned around and left them alone, clearly not wanting to hear about Nik’s sex life. Stars, he probably hadn’t had sex in months, the poor bastard.

Silas huffed out a laugh. “Lev’s not a bottom.”

“Excuse me?” Nik wasn’t sure what he had meant to say, but that definitely wasn’t it. “I think I’ve fucked him enough times.”

“He’s fucked me enough times.”

Nik blinked. “Are you saying I’ve been doing all the work. Stars, I’m going to kill him. He could have been fucking me,” he muttered, taking out his phone. He almost texted Lev before deciding against it, and just put it back in his pocket.

Silas just kept watching him in amusement. “Well, Lev’s not going to bring it up. Do you know how many times it took me to convince him I wanted him to?”

Nik eyed Silas from head to toe. Six foot three and pure muscle. The image of the scrawny five foot eight angel fucking him, did amuse Nik. “Oh I believe it,” Nik said. Unable to stop himself, he also said, “Is that why you’re still carrying a torch for him. And does that have anything to do with your unbridled hatred for Cameron? Because now he is fucking him?”

Any and all amusement was wiped from Silas’ face, but it didn’t erase Nik’s. “It’s not like I broke up with him willingly.” He paused, and said, “The hatred for Cameron is because he’s a fucking asshole.”

“Then why did you break up with him?” NIk asked. “Because Daddy said so? Also, Cam being a prick is part of his appeal. He’s fun to play with.”

“Dad didn’t make me break up with him.” Anger rolled across Silas’ face as he was looking away, clearly not mad at him, but at someone. “After what Dad put him through, I wasn’t going to let him stay.”

“So, instead of standing up to your idiot father, you kicked Lev to the curb?” Nik asked, shoving his hands in his pockets. “That worked out real well for Lev.”

“I thought it was a good idea at the time,” Silas said. “I didn’t want another significant other dying because my dad didn’t approve of them.”

“Then you should have done something about your father,” Nik said, like he had the balls to do something about his own prick father. Nik was sure he was still halfway afraid of him, but he didn’t have to worry about it since Az’ril didn’t show up in Demon Territory.

Silas leveled him a look. “You do not stand up to Maikel,” he said. “Son or not. No matter how old you are. You’re still going to end up on the floor. Ask me how I know.”

Nik met that steady look eye for eye. “Someone did,” he said. “And she’s still breathing. And he is not.”

“You do not have a monopoly on daddy issues. I was never going to be able to stand up to him; not in the way that mattered.”

“No,” Nik agreed. “I do not. But I would still stand up to Az’ril for both Cameron and Lev. And I did. Basically why I’m all but fallen. I’m sure the moment I stepped foot in my father's house I will get dewinged for having a backbone.”

“Then you should probably not step foot in your father's house,” Silas said, before immediately wincing. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

Nik gave him a sharp, humorless smile. “Like I said, elaborate daddy issues.”

“I didn’t know what was going on with Lev,” Silas said. “I tried distancing myself so he wouldn’t be at the center of Maikel’s attention.”

So he ended up trading one monster for another. “And since I am a betting man, I am willing to bet you now regret that decision.”

Looking both guilty and pained, Silas said, “I should have stuck around- kept an eye on him. I didn’t know he’d go for the most territorial alpha he could find.”

Nik wasn’t sure what all Silas knew about Lev and Remiel, but that was another story for another day. “Cameron tore into him,” Nik said. “That venom… is potent.”

“Death is still too good for him,” he said. “Does Lev know?”

“He, uh, had a mental breakdown over it,” Nik said. “Cameron just used alpha bullshit to justify it. I’m sure you understand.”

“Is he okay?”

“He’s fine,” Nik said, waving him off. “He has a baby.”

Silas looked so confused. “And you talk to me about stereotyping.”

“Stereotyping?” Nik asked. “Lev is the reason that baby is not dead in a ditch. He was all googly eyes and mama birding that poor baby the moment he saw her. Trust me. I am not stereotyping. Now saying I was fine because I have a baby, is definitely stereotyping.”

“...Oh.”

--------

Bay stared warily at the wiggling baby in Cameron’s arms. The thing was chewing on her sleeve gleefully as she tried clawing at Cameron’s face. “You… have a baby?” he said, dumbly enough, he winced as soon as he said it. “I imagine Lev is over the moon.”

Cameron gave him an irritated look as he sat down in the rocking chair across from him. “Clearly.” The baby screeched at him while smacking Cameron in the face. He cut her a sharp look and pried her tiny fingers away from his face. “Stop it.”

Her only response was a halfway scream loud enough Bay winced. He rested his hand on his belly, praying that Lucas wasn’t that. “Sucks to be you,” he told Cameron.

Cameron flicked him a cool look. “At least I don’t have to be pregnant.”

“At least my kid isn’t a little monster,” Bay shot back.

“Yet,” was all Cameron said.

Fear jolted down Bay’s spine but he just looked unimpressed at his half brother. He had opened his mouth in retort when Nate came into the nursery with disgust on is face. Bay rose a brow. “What’s wrong with you?”

“My brother is being disgusting,” was all Nate said, going over to Cameron. “Give me the child.”

“No.”

“Yes,” Nate said. “If I have to break up your pissing contest with Silas, then I get to hold the baby. I’m clearly the only parent in this house.” Bay frowned and Nate looked at him. “Except for you.”

“Hmph.” Bay looked back at Cameron. “Is that why your nose is broken? Can you not defend yourself?”

Cameron’s eyes narrowed at him, but Nate used Cameron’s divided attention to steal his baby. She wiggled in his arms, giggling happily when Nate kissed her cheek. “Such a pretty child from such an ugly man. Amazing.”

Cameron looked dryly at Nate. “I am not ugly.”

“Your heart is,” Nate said, glibly, sitting down next to Bay. He kissed her fingers and smiled down at her. “You, on the other hand, are a cutie, Eden.” Eden kept wiggling in Nate’s lap, chewing on her shirt while he looked her over, clearly making sure she wasn’t hurt. “I can’t believe she’s still alive,” he said, mostly to himself. “I can’t imagine you or Nik have anything to do with that,” Nate directed at Cameron.

Cameron’s brows flattened. “Clearly you lack imagination.”

Nate just ignored him and kept smiling at Eden. He perked up and looked at Bay. “Wanna hold her?”

Bay gave the baby demon a long, long look. Eden reached a small hand at Bay and Bay frowned at her, and at the drool that was dribbling down her chin. He wasn’t stupid enough to think babies weren’t messy but still, he didn’t want covered in demon baby slobber. “Do I have to?”

“Afraid of a baby?” Cameron asked. “A little late considering your condition, don’t you think?”

Bay grabbed the nearest toy and threw it at Cameron’s head. “Shut up.” He looked back at Eden, trying to keep the distaste off his face. “Clean her up and put something in her mouth so she stops chewing on her shirt.”

Nate hummed happily while immediately got up and did as told. He wiped the drool from Eden’s chin and popped a yellow and green pacifier in Eden’s mouth. He kissed the top of her head. “There, now you aren’t chewing through that brand new sweater,” he said down at her.

Eden gnawed happily on the pacifier while Nate brought her over to Bay. Bay carefully took her and then realized he couldn’t sit her on his lap. Tears instantly starting welling. “I can’t sit her on my lap,” his voice broke.

“Gods, just sit her on your stomach, you crybaby,” Cameron said.

“Shut up, Cameron,” Bay snapped as soon as Nate said, “Cameron.”

Bay forced himself to blink back the tears and sat her on his too big belly. “I will never be pregnant again,” he muttered, wiping his face. He chose to ignore the too neutral look on Nate’s face and looked down at Eden instead. She wasn’t as wiggly as she had been with Nate and luckily was calm on his belly as she lightly touched his face. He wrinkled his nose at her tiny sharp nails. “She needs her nails cut.”

“Shut up,” Cameron said, irritably.

Bay looked at him with raised brows. “What?”

“I know she needs her nails cut; It’ll get done eventually.”

Bay rolled his eyes and looked back down at the tiny demon baby. “You poor kid.” Eden’s only response was pulling at her tutu. “I refuse to believe you put her in this,” Bay said, to his still frowning brother.

Cameron grunted. “I did not. I have taste.”

“Mm, where?” Nate asked, flicking Cameron a head to toe look.

Cameron’s lips curled faintly. “I am more than willing to let you find out.”

Bay swallowed his growl, and looked back down at Eden, who was trying her damndest to get the tutu off. Next to him, Nate said, “I don’t have the time to waste.”

“Will you please stop your measuring contest,” Bay said, exasperated. “We get it, you hate each other.” Nate kissed the top of his head apologetically, curling up against Bay’s side. Bay half whined, “Stop ittt. You keep crowding me.” Nate pouted, but before Nate could pull back, Bay hooked his fingers in Nate’s thigh. “Stay.” When Nate huffed an amused laugh, Bay pouted. “Stop laughing at meee.”

Eden wiggled impatiently in Bay’s lap, clearly getting annoyed he wasn’t giving her enough attention. Bay pressed his lips to the top of her head, inhaling the pure baby scent. “I don’t think she likes her clothes,” he observed, watching her continuously tearing at the tutu.

“That’s because she has taste,” Cameron said.

“Or because she’s an infant,” Nate said.

Cameron had just rolled his eyes when Silas appeared in the doorway with Nate’s brother. He eyed Eden on Bay’s stomach. “So, this is Lev’s baby. She seems… energetic.”

“It’s the crack,” Nik said, cheerfully.

Bay frowned, but Nate’s frown was deeper. “I really hope you’re joking.” Nik’s eyeroll was answer enough for Nate as he turned back to the baby on Bay’s stomach and kissed the top of Eden’s head. “You poor baby,” Nate teased. “I hope you give him hell.”

“Are you being this fussy because you haven’t been laid in six months?” Nik asked.

Bay’s face inflamed, but it was Nate’s turn to throw a toy at Nik’s head. “Are you this fussy because you haven’t been laid in three days?” Nate asked, sharply.

“Yes I am,” Nik said, barely catching the toy block before it smacked him in the face. “We’ve been busy.”

Nate’s smile was far too sweet to be actually genuine. “And you’ll keep being busy. Poor you. For what? The next eighteen years at least.” Nik’s face paled at least three shades while he looked at the baby starting to fuss in Bay’s lap, still tearing at her tutu.

“Well, clearly she thinks you’re wrong,” Nik observed.

“Or she’s tired,” Cameron said, annoyed.

Nate said, “She can nap here, if you want.”

Nik chewed on his bracelets absently while Cameorn got up from the chair to pick her up. “I don’t want. We came, we’re going. Nik?”

“We just got hereee.”

“Then stay.” Cameron said, unfazed by Nik pouting. He pulled the still fussy baby into his chest and walked out of the room. Nate shot him an amused look before getting up and following after when Nik started going with Cameron, leaving Bay alone with Silas. “Going to be getting into any more fights around infants?” Bay asked, dryly.

Shame flickered across Silas’ face. “Cameron started it,” he muttered.

“And I’m finishing it,” Bay said. “If you get into anything like that around Lucas, you can say goodbye to being anywhere near him. I am not going to risk my baby getting hurt over some alpha pissing contest.”

Silas instantly sobered up. “I understand. Won’t happen again.”

“See that it doesn’t,” Bay said, settling into the couch. “And give me that blanket.”

------

Reneé pulled up in Cameron’s driveway. After sitting there for a long moment, she leaned forward on the steering wheel and squinted up at the mansion. “No wonder Mar likes to hang out with Nik, if he’s shacking up with a guy who lives here,” she muttered. She got out of Cin’s car, spinning the keys around her finger once. It was cold enough she could see her breath in front of her. How demons could stand this weather, she didn’t know.

With a small sigh, she marched right up the steps. Before she could even get to the door to knock, the sentry standing there moved in front of it, hand dropping to his sword. “Who are you?”

Reneé blinked, rubbing her arms. “Reneé Claire. Lev’s cousin.”

The sentry’s stony expression didn’t waver. “Is that supposed to mean anything to me?” He said.

Reneé huffed. “Lev does live here doesn’t he?” She asked, before sighing. “I know Nik, too. Makes the best empanadas I’ve ever eaten, and Amara’ll swear by that too, if she’s in a good mood.”

The sentry didn’t say a damn word for a good long moment, but in the end he stepped aside for her. Reneé eyed him suspiciously, but stepped up to knock anyway. And a second time, when several minutes went by. And again, when-

The door swung open, to reveal Nik.

“You look like shit,” Reneé said without thinking. She stood by it, though.

Nik gave her the flattest look she’d ever seen. “Wow. First of all, I never look like shit-”

“There’s a first time for everything,” she said, cutting him off. “Let me in, it’s freezing. We can bicker inside.”

“Why are you here?” Nik asked, not moving.

“Because I heard you and Lev had acquired a baby and I wanted to see. Besides, you’re never around anymore.” Reneé crossed her arms.

Nik’s smile was thin. “Miss me?”

“Well, yeah. Mar-mar can’t cook for shit, and you’re the one with a sense of humor. Besides, who else is gonna take me to the beach. I can't get her within a hundred miles of one.” She widened her eyes at him. “Let me in, Nik. I can hear the baby screaming from here, and I’m betting you want it to stop.”

“We can handle it,” Nik replied, defensively Reneé thought.

Reneé lifted an eyebrow. “I love you, Nik, you’re a far better older brother than Amara will ever be, but you know jack shit about babies and I can tell that with one look at you.” She tried to duck past him, and was stopped by Nik’s hand on her forehead. She stomped her foot. “Nik. I won’t even tell Amara you left me on the fucking porch in the cold so you could jerk your own ego.”

Nik leaned against the doorway. “Does she even know you’re here?”

Reneé flushed hotly. “Does it matter? She’d be pissed either way. Mad at me for coming, mad at you for leaving me to freeze. Best to keep her anger pointed at me. She’ll forgive me quicker.”

All Nik did was smile faintly. “Are you sure about that?”

“With how often you come to visit now? Or should I say, how little you come over? Uh, yeah.”

She was a little satisfied with the flash of guilt in his expression. “Yeah, yeah, come on in, then. Before you freeze your ass off.”

“Thank you,” Reneé said primly, scooting past. She still stopped to kiss his cheek, though, before shrugging off her heavy coat. “Seriously, though, don’t tell Mar I was here. She doesn’t want me around Cameron.”

“Yeah, no, I’m not telling her shit. She’ll get mad at me for you being around Cameron,” Nik said, taking her coat from her and throwing it at a sentry.

Reneé patted his cheek. “That’s what I thought. So do I just follow the sound of the screaming infant or are you going to show me to them? I’m assuming Lev is with the baby?”

“You assume wrong. Lev’s not here,” Nik said, heading down the hall. “He’s abandoned us in our time of need.”

“Where is he?” Reneé trotted after Nik. “And slow down, Nik, my legs aren’t that long.”

Nik didn’t even bother, which left Reneé to awkwardly hustle after him. Her annoyance vanished as she peeked into what was obviously a nursery to find a very pale man in a suit holding an equally pale baby who was clearly not having any of this. The poor thing was flushed grey in the face with how loud she was screaming, arching her back awkwardly. Reneé was impressed with how the man was staying calm in the face of such fierce tears, though he looked downright exhausted.

“Stars, please let me help you,” Reneé said without thinking.

The man slowly turned his attention to her. It was impressive how imposing he could seem while holding a screaming infant. “Who the fuck are you?”

Reneé paused, considering her answer. “I’m Reneé. Lev’s cousin,” she finally said, before adding, “Amara’s little sister.”

He stared at her a long moment before saying, “And what do you know about babies? Aren’t you like, twelve?”

Reneé bit back a retort. Maybe she did spend too much time with Amara. “I’m eighteen,” she corrected him lightly. “And I know a little. Amara was supposed to take a class on this sort of stuff, and I did her homework for her so she could pass high school and keep a roof over our heads at the same time. I still remember most of it, it was only a few years ago.” She flicked a look at Nik, pursing her lips to keep another comment at bay.

The man switched his attention to Nik. “And what about you?”

Nik winced. “I don’t remember ninety-five percent of school, Cameron. I was stoned the entire time.”

Reneé cleared her throat. “Check and see if her bottom front teeth are coming in. You should be able to feel it under the gums, if they are. It might be why she’s so fussy; teething hurts.”

Cameron checked, much to her relief, even if the baby tried to bite down viciously when he did. “I can feel one. Now what.”

Reneé hesitated, thinking. “If you don’t have teething rings yet, probably get one. Give her something cold to chew on until? Like, I don’t know, a frozen washcloth? Mar swears my parents rubbed whiskey on our gums, but she might be talking out of her ass, and it’s not like I can ask them. Uh, if she’s really in pain, they make baby pain medicine, too. Might help her sleep if her mouth doesn’t hurt constantly.”

Cameron looked over at Nik, who turned around and left. After Nik was gone, Cameron gave Reneé a slow once over. “So has Nik slept with you too?”

Reneé made a face. “No offense to Nik, but ew. He’s more like an older brother. When he bothers to show up.”

Cameron shrugged. “I don’t hold his leash. Usually.”

Reneé tried her best not to make another face. Even with Nik and Amara not in the room she couldn’t escape those sorts of comments. “I didn’t expect you too. Not your fault Lev’s suddenly more interesting.” She paused. “Not Lev’s fault either. He’s too sweet for it.”

Cameron shrugged. He offered his finger to the baby, who immediately started chewing on it. At least it got her to stop screaming, though big fat tears still slid down her cheeks.

“Try rubbing her gums, if you can?” Reneé offered. “Just a little.”

The look Cameron flicked her didn’t make her feel any more comfortable, but he did as she suggested. It seemed to help, so Reneé leaned against the doorway to wait for Nik. He seemed to take his sweet time showing up, but Reneé was proved right; the baby chewed contentedly on the wash cloth the moment they got it in her mouth.

So,” Nik said conversationally, “Where are you staying while Amara has her tri-monthly fuck fest?”

Reneé grimaced. “First off, ew. Second, just... around. Places.”

Cameron spoke up. “Lie again and you’re leaving.”

Reneé flicked him a look. “I’m couchsurfing. So. Around. Not quite sure who I’m staying with tonight, but I’ll figure it out. I’m a big girl.”

She watched the way Nik looked to Cameron, and the resigned expression on Cameron’s face.

“Nik, no,” she said before Nik could say anything. “I’m fine, and Amara would kill you if she knew you let me stay longer than I already have.”

“Nik, yes. You are not fine, and Amara would rip my balls off if I didn’t let you stay with me when you didn’t have anywhere to go. I am very attached to my balls. And so is Cameron.”

Cameron, to his credit, just rolled his eyes.

Reneé shook her head. “I’ve got the whole day to figure it out. I don't want to be too much of a bother. I just wanted to see you and Lev and the baby and then scoot along on my merry way.”

Nik’s smile was too sharp. “And who said that was an option?”

Reneé pursed her lips. “And I think that’s my cue to leave.” When she made a move for the door, Nik stepped in her way. “Really, Nik?”

“Reneé.” Cameron’s voice from behind startled her. She turned, eyeing him warily. That was all he had to say, apparently, but Reneé wasn’t stupid enough to miss the warning.

Facing Nik again, she said, more resigned than anything, “This is less hospitality and more kidnapping, you know that, right?”

“I consider it aggressive hospitality,” Nik replied glibly. “And you’re not a kid.”

Reneé rolled her eyes. “I could have just asked Gramma to let me stay with her. It’ll piss off Amara just as much.”

“Maybe next time you should think about showing up unannounced.”

“Right. See if I come visit you ever again,” Reneé shot back. She huffed, just to make sure Nik knew she was displeased, before glancing over at the baby. She seemed to have fallen asleep on Cameron’s shoulder, periodically sucking on the washcloth she had loosely held in her little fist.

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