Page 90 of The Accidental Dragon Baby

Ivo groaned. “I bet no one else in your family has done this ceremony so awkwardly.”

“You can use this to compete with Telos and Mav’s next birth; they’re going to make theirs dramatic,” Raptor said helpfully. “Yours might be the reigning champion though.”

Especially when they took a few more steps and liquid flowed out, right before a small, round head bumped against Ace’s fingers. “Fuck! I feel our baby!”

“Don’t step off the line,” one of Ace’s dads called out.

“Damn it.” Ace made himself look at where he was placing his foot. Ivo reached behind with his other hand, grasping onto Ace as he helped to support their baby.

“This was the worst idea,” Ivo mumbled.

“Half a lap to go,” Ace said. “C’mon, we can do it!”

They stumbled forward together, Ace’s attention bouncing between their feet on the circles, and the newborn being pushed out onto his hand. Ivo gripped his other hand so tight that his knuckles ground together.

“Oh gods, oh gods,” Ivo panted.

“Another step,” Ace said to him. “C’mon, almost there. You’re doing so great, sweetheart.”

They had roughly six more steps to go. Except Ivo’s body tensed again, and their baby slid fully out of him, onto Ace’s hand.

“Fuck,” Ace said, trying to balance their child without dropping him. Their baby boy was sotiny.

His siblings snickered.

“Hey, Alexander,” Ace said. “You came out at a very... interesting time. Welcome to our family.”

“Hey, Al. I’ll welcome you properly in half a minute,” Ivo groaned. “Gods, now we can finish the ceremony.”

Except his body tensed again, and his eye grew wide. “Why do I—Why—”

His gaze flew up to meet Ace’s. Ace bit down a sheepish smile. “You didn’t question why we had so many doctor visits.”

“You knew and you didn’t tell me!” Ivo cried.

“I was waiting to see if you’d figure it out. Are you angry?”

“Well, no.” Ivo glowered, but he rubbed his belly with his free hand. “Fuck. We’re not prepared.”

“I did. I’ve ordered two of everything.”

Ivo sagged with relief. “Oh, good.”

Ace kissed the side of Ivo’s head and held Alexander against Ivo’s chest for warmth. “Let’s finish this up. We’ve got another young one to welcome.”

They took the next steps quickly. The moment they completed the third lap, all of the circles flared a brilliant blue, and magic swooped from Ace’s body into Ivo. Ivo glowed briefly; half of Ace’s lifespan had been transferred to him, so they could grow old together.

Ivo’s eye widened. “The hair at your temples turned grey.”

“Yeah. I’ve heard that would happen.” Ace’s heart swelled. “We’re officially mates now. With a baby.”

They turned to face each other, sharing a sweet, lingering kiss. Ace kissed down Ivo’s throat to the crook of his neck, and bit down hard enough to break skin. Ivo shuddered against him.

“Mine,” Ace growled. “All mine.”

“Yours.” Ivo bowed his head, his ears turning pink. Ace accepted a towel from one of his brothers and helped to clean up Alexander.

“He’s so perfect,” Ace whispered, stroking their son’s head carefully. “Just like you.”

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