Page 35 of Purple Protector

For once, Birch obeyed easily. He knew that if anything happened, Marlin would protect Killian and would contact him right away. If he hadn’t had anyone to go home to, he would’ve pushed to stay, but he was eager to see Aaron and spend time with him. Maybe Aaron could take the rest of the day off, too.

There was a bounce in Birch’s steps as he made his way towards the dining hall. Aaron had mentioned that he’d be having lunch with Palmer and Taylor today, and while Birch didn’t know what time they were supposed to meet, there was a good chance that the three of them would be there. There was also a chance that half the clan would be there, too, but Birch didn’t mind. He didn’t care that everyone knew he was with Aaron. Hell, he wanted people to know he was with Aaron.

He wasn’t hungry, so he ignored the food. He looked around the dining hall, his gaze stopping on Palmer and Taylor’s usual table. Aaron was a regular addition to that table these days. The sight of him made Birch smile.

Aaron was talking and gesturing with his hands. He almost smacked Taylor in the face with his fork, and Taylor laughed and pushed Aaron’s hand away. Aaron laughed, too, and Birch’s chest squeezed.

Aaron was all his. He’d never really been possessive, but he was in Aaron’s case. He wasn’t jealous or anything like that, and he would never forbid Aaron from having friends, but he was happy when Aaron noticed him and his smile widened even more.

Birch pushed his way through the crowd until he reached the table. The spot next to Aaron was occupied by Taylor, so he slid onto the bench next to Palmer, who was watching him.

“Aaron told you I wasn’t feeling well,” Birch said.

Palmer grinned. “He did.”

“Well, it’s nothing you have to worry about. I’m fine.”

“You haven’t gotten food,” Aaron pointed out. “And you’re here in the middle of the day, which is unlike you.”

Birch reached over the table and took Aaron’s hand. “I really am fine. I do need to talk to you, though.”

Aaron’s expression instantly changed. “That doesn’t sound good.”

“It’s nothing bad, I promise.” Aaron didn’t know much about dragons and how they worked. To be fair, neither did Birch. He just knew that every so often, he became fertile and that he had to be careful not to get pregnant. He had no idea how his body decided it was time or anything like that. He wasn’t a doctor or a healer.

Palmer was. He probably didn’t know much about dragons and their anatomy, but Aaron would trust him if he confirmed that Birch was fine.

Birch turned toward the doctor. “Would you mind coming with us?”

Palmer frowned. “You realize that makes it sound worse, right?”

“It wasn’t what I was trying to do. I swear I’m fine.”

Aaron was already on his feet. “Let’s go. I can’t eat as long as I’m not sure you’re not dying or something like that.”

Birch wanted to tease him a little about how dramatic he was, but he appreciated it. It was nice to know that Aaron cared so much about him.

Hopefully, that wouldn’t change after Birch told him what he had to tell him.

AARON WAS FREAKING out. He wanted to believe that nothing bad was happening, but why was Birch here in the middle of the day? Why had he told Aaron that he needed to talk to him? Why was he involving Palmer if he was okay?

He wanted to drag Birch out of the dining hall, but unfortunately, that would get everyone’s attention. He couldn’t eat anymore, and thankfully, Palmer was already done, so they left Taylor at the table and made their way to the infirmary.

Palmer had suggested the place, which was good because if it had been Birch, Aaron would be freaking out even more. Birch didn’t need the infirmary, right? They were going there just because Palmer had to get back to work after they were done.

“I can see you freaking out,” Birch said softly as they walked. “You don’t need to. I’m not sick. I’m not dying.”

“You weren’t feeling well these past few days, even though you didn’t tell me anything,” Aaron pointed out.

“There’s a logical explanation for that.”

“And you can’t tell me?”

“I’m about to tell you. I just thought it would be better to do so in a place where people wouldn’t overhear our conversation.”

“And Palmer?”

“He knows something about what’s going on, probably more than me. I wanted him to be there so that if you had questions, he could answer them.”

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