Page 32 of Thalen

The two Dragonii went outside. My lips felt lonely, missing the feel of his against mine. I let out a soft sigh.

Best get on with that. I waggled my eyebrows. Then maybe we can get around to having some afternoon delight, after settling Jason down with a movie after his afternoon lesson.

“Your face looks weird, Dad,” Jason informed me. “What are you thinking about?”

I broke out laughing. “Never you mind what!”

His eyes widened. “Gross! I bet it's kissy stuff! You’re thinking about kissing with your tongue, huh?”

“Uh huh,” I countered. “And D.D. and I want to go do our kissing in our room later, while you watch a movie.”

He looked even more disgusted. “Yeah, okay. Better in there so I don't have to see that. Yuck.”

18

THALEN

Doran and I carried the bed frame and mattress inside, taking them straight to the bedroom. We spent several long minutes dismantling Evan’s bed, propping it and its mattress against a wall to make room for the new one.

“I can take it from here,” I told Doran, walking him out to the door. “Putting it together looks straightforward enough.”

“Have fun, Pata,” Jason said as he finished his lunch and went to the bathroom.

I stared after him.

“What did he just call you?” Evan asked.

I grinned. “Pata. It is a Dragonii endearment for a male parent.”

“Really? One of the Dragonii kids must’ve taught him that. They were working in groups during the last part of their morning lessons. That’s so sweet!”

I’d loved it when he called me D.D., for Dragonii Dad, but Pata was a word that spoke to my paternal soul. It was a word I’d long fantasized of sometime getting to hear from my own kits, and had begun to believe that I only would after Evan and I perhaps had a kit of our own once the birthing unit was set up in the future hospital still waiting to be built. That Jason had learned the word and immediately adopted it for me made my hearts swell with joy, as it meant he was adopting aspects of Dragonii culture as his own as if it was the most natural thing in the universe.

“Congratulations, my friend,” Doran murmured. “He is a fine kit anyone would be proud to call their own.”

I nodded.

“It’s time for play break, yes?” he continued, glancing at Evan.

“It is,” Evan confirmed.

“My sister and nephew are visiting from Algoran III. She’s minding the store for me right now, and my nephew doesn’t know anyone here. I was thinking perhaps the two kits could enjoy playing together. It would give you both time to assemble the bed and sample how firm and cushioned a surface the mattress is.”

Evan looked torn. “He has another lesson this afternoon. If it wasn’t for that, I’d say yes.”

“What if I vow to have him log into his lesson in my quarters above the store? My nephew has schoolwork his tutors sent with him that he must also complete. They can do work at the same time.”

Evan threw a questioning look my way.

“If Doran says it will be done, it will be. He never goes back on his word.”

“Okay then.” Raising his voice, he called out, “Jason!”

“What?” Jason yelled back.

“Bob, please tell Jason to get ready to go with Doran. He has a play date with his nephew.”

We stood there, grinning as we heard Bob’s muffled voice inform Jason, who let out an excited whoop and came running.