Cooling Down

(Drakken's POV)

"Papa~" I heard Astorias's voice as I was sitting down on the steps of the Manse, "Papaaa~"

"Hm?" I said

I then felt as she hugged me from behind, wrapping her small arms around my neck as she pressed her cheek against the side of my face.

"Papa, are you angry???" She asked as she latched on completely, "Why are you angryyy???"

"Hm….." I said while blinking, "I am no longer angry, my dear."

"But why were you angry???" She asked

"Something…..happened…." I said as I looked ahead, "And it could have affected Riktor."

"Something happened?" She asked, "What?"

"Nothing you should worry about." I told her

"Riktor got hurt?" She asked, "Who hurt him???? We should break them! Only I can hurt Riktor!!!"

I grabbed her and placed her on my lap as she faced me, her big and round eyes staring right at me as she was scowling angrily.

Seems she's serious about being the only one who can hurt Riktor.

"My dear, the ones responsible are being broken as we speak." I said with a slight smile, "Don't worry about a thing."

"Good." She nodded, "But Papa, you are scary when angry. Mother Mya too…."

"Hm, am I?" I asked as I gently adjusted her dress and looked at her beautifully combed white hair, "I am sorry about that."

"I don't want Papa to be angry at me…." She said

"I am not angry at you." I said, "Our Family is all we have. If anyone harms it, I would be enraged."

"Hm….." She said

I ran my fingers through her hair, "If anyone hurts you. If anyone touches a hair on your head...Vaella's too….." I started, "I would kill everything and everyone. You have no idea of the atrocities I would commit for you and her..."

She blinked, "We destroy?"

I patted her head, "Only when I say."

"Bummer." She pouted

"You..." I blinked, "You are…..special."

"Me special?" She asked as a light shone in her eye, "Me papa?"

"You're so beautiful, Astorias." I leaned in closer to her and gently squeezed her puffy cheeks, "Just like your mother."

"Not my cheeks….." She frowned

"What did I do to deserve you?" I asked, "Someone so beautiful."

"You are my papa~" She hugged me, "I love you~!!"

"Hm," I said seriously, "Do you, now?"

"Father." I heard Riktor's voice call out

I turned to see him walking up to us, "Oh." I said, "What is it?"

"When are we leaving?" He asked as he looked at Astorias, "And what's going on here?"

"We'll leave soon, don't worry." I said, "And-"

"Papa loves me more than youuuu!" Astorias said mockingly, "Bleh bleh bleeehhh!"

She stick her tongue out as she hugged me.

Riktor frowned, "The hell?" He said, "You are a little spoiled brat, that is all."

Astorias jumped at him, "I hit you!"

I caught her in midair by the waist and pulled her back, "Calm down." I said, "Calm down, Astorias."

Her little arms and legs were flailing around as she was yelling out at Riktor.

"I will beat you!!" She shouted, "I will hit you!!"

Riktor sighed, "This little girl…." He said, "She is nothing like Vaella. That one is much better company."

I patted Astorias's head, "Well they're both very young." I said, "You will warm up to this one."

"Doubt it." He said

"When Saera is ready, she'll fly you out to Harrenhal." I told him

"Can't you teleport me there already?" He asked, "I don't want to be here anymore."

"Fine." I said, "I'll take you with Maegelle after she is done saying her goodbyes in the Red Keep."

"Okay." He said

"Dumb Riktor. I break him." Astorias pouted angrily

"You can try." Riktor said

"I break you!!!" Astorias shouted

"You keep antagonizing her, she will be angrier and I don't wanna hear you complain should that be the case." I told Riktor, "Go on and wait with your brother, I will call you when I'm taking Maegelle."

"As you wish." Riktor turned around and walked away

"Papa~~" Astorias said, "I wanna flyyyy~"

"Soon, don't worry." I said

"Oh my~" A voice said, "My own daughter making me envious by being in my man's arms."

I turned to the side to see that Saera was walking towards us.

"Mama!" Astorias exclaimed as she got on my lap and launched herself at Saera

"Oh!" She caught her, "You're always so energetic. Where is my precious boy???"

"Riktor? He is inside being grumpy." Astorias frowned

"Oh, is he? Perhaps Mama needs to cheer him up." Saera smiled

"He big grumpy." Astorias said, "Dumb Riktor."

"Ah, my dear daughter." Saera said as she walked over to me and sat on my lap while still holding her, "Riktor is your big brother. He is important to you, to everyone."

"He big grumpy." Astorias repeated

"Well, yes." Saera chuckled, "But for a good reason."

I wrapped my arm around her waist, "Have you said your goodbyes or are you waiting on maegelle? I asked her, "Riktor doesn't want to fly."

"Hm." She leaned closer to me as Astorias was playing with her golden necklace, "Let him be then."

"Is that so?" I asked

"He needs his space and place of comfort." She said, "I don't want to annoy him when he doesn't want my presence."

"Maybe your presence is what he needs." I told her, "What he needs is the comfort of women who would never harm him in that way."

"But…." Saera frowned, "Are you sure he won't…..well…."

"What?" I asked

She leaned to my ear, "Won't he develop urges similar to yours?" She whispered, "And wouldn't my constant smothering be a catalyst for it?"

"Riktor is young. A boy. He will mature with time and we'll figure it out from there." I said

"And just be….caring….for him."

"I love him." She said softly, "With my whole heart, I love him. He is my son. He is not my blood but that doesn't stop me from loving him…..Sylas too…."

"I know." I told her, "And I am grateful for that."

"My love for them might surpass my love for you." She said softly

"I am glad that unlike me, my sons have mothers that will love them dearly." I said

"Is that why you wanted plenty of wives?" She asked, "So your children will have many mothers to love them? Because you didn't have one?"

"If so, my heart breaks for you."