Page 47 of Purple Protector

“Why do I have to help?” a third voice whined.

Aaron turned toward Curran, who was still on the couch. His skin tended more toward Alaina’s dark red rather than Birch’s middle-of-the-way purple.

“Birch will help us when you bring someone home,” Yarra said. “Now come on. Dinner’s ready.”

Curran huffed but dropped his phone on the coffee table and got to his feet. He grinned at Aaron and gently patted his shoulder as he walked past him. Aaron guessed they didn’t need to be introduced. They both knew who the other was.

Birch took Aaron’s hand and dragged him toward the table. “See? They like you,” he murmured as he pulled out Aaron’s chair.

“You don’t know that. They might be talking about me in the kitchen right now.”

“Oh, I’m sure they are. It doesn’t mean they don’t like you.”

Aaron supposed that things were going well. No one had told him to leave, and Alaina and Yarra seemed happy to have him there. They didn’t seem to care that he was human, just that he could make Birch happy.

It was all Aaron wanted, too. He loved his job and the friends he’d made since he’d arrived here, and of course, Lucy, but he also loved Birch. He’d focused on his work for the past few years, but he felt it was time to focus on his personal happiness now, and some of that came through Birch.

They made each other happy, and hopefully, they’d continue to do so for years to come.

BIRCH COULDN’T LOOK away from Aaron for most of the meal. Aaron was eating enthusiastically and talking to Birch’s mothers as if it was something they did every day. The three of them seemed to be getting along great, which was what Birch had hoped for.

He wouldn’t deny that he’d been a bit afraid at the thought of Aaron meeting his mothers, but not because he thought they wouldn’t like Aaron. He’d known they would love him. How could they not? Aaron was doing the one thing they’d always wanted—making Birch happy. They didn’t care that Aaron was human or that he was a recent addition to the clan. As soon as they’d found out that Birch had moved Aaron in with him, they’d started clamoring to meet him.

And here they were.

Aaron fit right in, even though he’d been nervous. It was like he’d always been a member of their family. He’d relaxed and was gesturing as he told Birch’s mother a story, and they both hung on his words.

“I don’t like that sappy expression on your face,” Curran teased.

Since Yarra, Alaina, and Aaron were busy talking, Birch turned his attention to his brother. “You don’t like anything about me.”

Curran grinned. “You’re not wrong. I have to say that you’ve become less annoying since you met Aaron, though. I like him.”

That meant a lot to Birch. He knew that Curran was teasing him, but not on this. “I’m glad. I want you to like him.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that. I like him more than you, and I’ve only just met him.”

Birch laughed and poked his finger into his brother’s ribs. “Shut up.”

“You shut up.” Curran’s smile slipped into something more wistful. “Seriously, though. I’m glad to see that you’re happy. You deserve that and to be in love.”

Birch could admit he was in love, even though they felt like words that only Aaron should hear. “I am. I didn’t expect Aaron, but I’m happy I met him.” It felt a bit like fate—if Birch had believed in that.

“He’s staying for you. He has to love you a lot because I wouldn’t leave my life behind just for anyone.”

“He does.”

From the way Curran watched Aaron, Birch wondered if he was thinking about Marlin. Birch and Curran didn’t talk often about Curran’s feelings for Marlin, but they both knew what they were. Once again, Birch wondered if he should tell his brother about Marlin’s feelings over having kids. He didn’t want to be stuck in the middle because he cared about both of them, and now wasn’t the right moment to do so, anyway, but maybe in a few days. He didn’t want Curran to hold on to hope if there wasn’t any. He had no idea how Marlin felt about Curran, and he didn’t feel like he should ask him.

“And who knows, maybe you’ll have kids soon,” Curran said.

Birch remembered the conversation they’d had with their mothers about both of them having children. Back then, he’d thought for sure that he wouldn’t have them. He wouldn’t say that Aaron changed his mind. He’d just turned what Birch hadn’t believed would be a possibility into one if they were both willing. “It’s going to be a few years, but maybe,” he confirmed.

Curran’s eyes were wide. “Seriously?”

“Why not?”

“You were really against it when we talked about it last time.”

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