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Chapter 30: Nosferatu

Nathanial and Garret woke to the sound of the alarm at the front gate. Garret sat upright, knocking Nathanial off his shoulder, and patted his shirt and jeans. Nathanial was confused, "Um, Dad? Something wrong? You still have your wallet. You're in my room, in Halifax, and not some random woman's somewhere else in the world. And, no, I didn't rape you, if that's what you're worried about, either."

Garret glared at him, his voice was dripping with sarcasm, "I was looking for my phone, thanks. I would've woken up if you raped me. Furthermore, I don't wake up that groggy. I remember the names of the women I sleep with, it makes life much easier, like remembering the names of my clients. I was going to check who's at the gate. I have an app that lets me tap into the security cameras around the property."

Nathanial checked for him, "It's Liam-sensei and Faelen. Your phone is on the kitchen counter. Um, thanks, for the offer of the massage." He still found it hard to thank Garret for anything, but he knew it'd help keep things civil, and possibly grow into a normal father-son relationship. Even if it didn't, it'd be good for Nicholas and Micah. He grinned, then shook his head. Garret looked at him questioningly, but Nathanial smiled and shook his head, "I was going to tease you about admitting to infidelity, but I decided against it. It isn't my business and I don't care if you did or not. I'm trying, like you are, to keep things civil, if not outright friendly."

Garret stood up and patted his stomach, "Well, that nap did wonders. Is Nicholas or Micah going to get the door?"

"Micah is. I feel a lot better, too. Still drained, but I'm much more relaxed. I hope you didn't feel uncomfortable waking up next to me like that." Nathanial was still sitting up on the bed, his legs bowed with the pads of his hindpaws pressed together. He had grabbed his ankles and was staring at his claws, he was afraid his Dad was going to be creeped out that they'd cuddled.

Nathanial felt Garret staring at him, and he unconsciously shrunk in on himself. Garret chuckled, "Yes, a bit. I find it odd being... physical with you guys, in any fashion. I was never close with my father, and I don't know how to be a good dad. Don't tell Nicholas or Micah that, please. This is new territory for me."

Nathanial looked up at his father, tail wagging slightly, "You... you're not afraid to be close to me, even though I'm gay?"

He saw Garret twitch slightly, "No! No, of course not."

If he hadn't seen the twitch Nathanial would've believed him. Nathanial slumped a bit, and stood up. His voice was a little cold, "I better go welcome Sensei. He'll check the two of you for Taint, and probably have some choice words for you."

Garret frowned and put his paw on Nathanial's shoulder, Nathanial knocked it off and started to walk out of the room. Garret stared at him in surprise, "What's wrong? Why the sudden attitude?"

Nathanial turned back to Garret, his eyes downcast, "Please, don't lie to me. If there's a problem, just tell me." He noticed his vision was a little blurry, so he wiped his eyes.

Nathanial saw Garret reaching for his shoulder, he flinched slightly, but Garret still grabbed him firmly. "Son, you're right, I shouldn't lie. But this is my issue, not yours. I want to be your father, a proper father, and not just the guy paying the bills. I will deal with it. And, no, I'm not afraid. It just feels awkward. I'm just not used to physical contact with people, in my job the closest you usually get is a handshake. And, really, the only gay people I deal with seem to be waiters at restaurants. I don't know how to act around... you... people. You focus on the problems you have control over, and let me deal with mine." Garret wiped a tear off Nathanial's cheek and hugged him.

Nicholas quietly opened the door and peeked in. He saw them standing up and hugging so he walked in, "You're awake, good. Sensei is here. Micah went to let him in."

Nathanial smiled, "I know, Faelen is here, too." He let Garret go, and ushered them into the rec-room. "I'm putting the kettle on, anyone want hot water for something?"

Garret gave Nicholas a stern look, but didn't say anything about the continued nudity, "Does Nicholas just walk into your room, without knocking, often?"

Nathanial glared at Nick, "Yes. So does Micah. I've tried many times to get them to knock before walking into my room, especially if the door's closed, but it's never stuck. That's also the case when I'm showering. Oh, and Dad, Sensei is a nudist, too. As is Geoff and Faelen, so don't be surprised if you see them naked if they're over."

Garret rolled his eyes, "Great. That's the most convincing argument you could've given me to let you know I'm on my way downstairs, before coming downstairs. In return, I want you guys to put shorts on while I'm here, agreed?"

Nathanial looked at Nicholas, "Agreed, but we'll have to see if Nicholas remembers. Go put shorts on, Nicholas. Spare Dad a little grief, eh?"

Nicholas' shoulders sagged, "Yes, sirs." He slunk into his rooms and walked back out in his red briefs.

Nathanial smiled, shaking his head, "Dad, I'm curious. I get the impression that there are a number of Mages who can use Demon magic, and I bet your Mom and/or Dad can, too. Is that true?" Nathanial filled the kettle with water.

Garret sat on the couch, "Yes. And I doubt you have drinkable coffee here, right?" Nathanial pointed up to the kitchen, "Hmm, later. Yes, there is a small Cabal of us in the Society. We know very few of each others identity as it's a forbidden practice, but there hasn't been a confirmed case of illegal activity because of a Mage's Demon magic in a hundred years. Well, illegal activity other than the mere use of Demon magic. I'll warn you, now, keep your secrets very close around your grandfather."

Nathanial raised his paw sharply to stop his father, "We have a coffee maker upstairs, and I know Lily kept several types of beans on hand. Do you want me to put some on for you?"

Garret shook his head, "No, I'll make some after the exams are done." Micah bounded noisily down the stairs, and scampered into the room. He was naked. He dashed over and jumped onto the couch by Garret, "Hey, little Mickey, be careful, would you? You're liable to hurt someone like that. What if I had a mug of coffee here?"

Micah grinned, "I would've stopped before jumping. Sensei and Faelen are here! And no one's dying or being attacked, first! Are they just visiting? It'd be our first real company! What's for supper?"

Garret pulled Micah up against him, "If we have company, why are you naked?" He poked Micah's side and suddenly started tickling him. Micah squealed and began laughing as he tried to get away. Garret stopped as Faelen and Liam walked into the room. He stood up, "Micah, go put some clothes on, even if it's as inadequate as the clothes your brothers have on." Micah saw Nathanial nod, so he dashed to his room as he still gasped for breath. Garret bowed fairly deeply to Liam and greeted him in Chinese. Liam didn't bat an eye and returned the greeting, though he didn't bow as deeply. "Faelen, please be welcome in my home." He extended his paw to Faelen, and shook it warmly. "Nathanial just put the kettle on, would you care for some tea? Or some other beverage?"

Liam sat in the love seat, which was against the wall, and nodded as he placed his medical bag on the floor beside him, "Tea would be lovely, thank you." Faelen nodded and sat beside Liam. Liam and Garret began talking, keeping it strictly conversational, and drew in the others. They chatted for a half hour before Liam held his paw up, "While I enjoy the tea and the company, I was asked to come here on fairly important business. I should get to that and return to my work."

Nathanial nodded, "Of course, Sensei, but I'd like you to examine my dad, too." *Sensei, Dad can use Demon magic, too. Like Nick, he was captured by a Demon when he was younger, and he was Tainted. I don't know if he was ever cleansed."

Liam stood up, his demeanour noticeably less friendly. "Nicholas, here, now." He had his paws on his hips, but he managed to keep his face impassive. Nicholas was shivering as he crept over. "I am not going to actually kill you, Nicholas." His tone indicated he thought of it. "Stand straight, arms out, legs apart. Remove that filthy thing from your throat before I rip it off." Nicholas was shivering so hard he couldn't unfasten the clasp on the choker, Nathanial remained sitting in his chair as he took it off for Nicholas and floated it over to the coffee table. His eyes were narrowed as he carefully watched Liam and his brother. Liam slowly ran his paws over Nicholas, carefully passing over every inch. His eyes were closed in concentration, and he didn't make any noise or visual cue of what he found.

"Mr. Marks. It is your turn. Remove your clothing, you may keep your undergarments on, if you wish. We may also go into another room, should you be bashful." Nicholas sat on the couch, and Micah cuddled up to him, trying to calm him down.

Garret stood and pulled off his t-shirt, "Unnecessary. While I may insist on proper decorum, I'm not ashamed or embarrassed of my body. Besides, I get the impression that the lot of you would appreciate the view." He unfastened the buttons on the front and back of his jeans and let them drop. Nathanial had never seen his father in just his underwear, and he was impressed. His dad was hot. He heard Nicholas' breath catch, too, and even Liam and Faelen reacted. Garret just smirked, "Sorry, guys. It's for the ladies only."

Liam began his exam, keeping it perfectly professional, but it still took a bit longer than Nick's exam due to the size difference. Liam frowned as he finished, "You Marks are a complete mystery to me. Marks-san is not Tainted, and while Mr. Marks is, it is a very old Taint. I will remove it, but because it was there so long, it may be difficult." Nicholas started sobbing in relief. "I do not understand it. Every person I have ever examined, or heard of, that could use even the slightest amount of Demon magic was Tainted, and that Taint grew over time. Even after a cleansing, if they continued to use it, the Taint would return."

Garret stared at Nicholas in shock, before asking in a horrified voice, "Is this cleansing that bad?" Nicholas nodded vehemently, Nathanial found he couldn't meet his father's eyes when Garret looked over at him.

Liam's voice was full of doubt, "Yes. It will hurt, but your Taint is old. I do not know how this will work. I will start slow, but..." He paused uncertainly, "It may go somewhat painfully, or even worse than Nicholas' cleansing. I may be able to finish in one session, or it may take several. I just do not know. This turns much of what I believed on its head." He walked over to Nicholas' choker and poked it with his finger. He frowned, and poked it again. He growled and picked it up, confusion etched on his face. "I am not being burned. Items with strong Demonic auras should burn me, and be burned in turn." He gave the choker back to Nicholas, "Put it on. I can feel the Demon magic in it, but it seems different. I will monitor your Chi while you use it. I wish to see what happens to you as you use Demon magic." Nicholas created several balls of hellfire are began juggling them. "Enough. Nothing happened to you. Do you know a more powerful spell, one that is still safe to use?" Nicholas shook his head.

Garret cleared his throat as he began dressing, "The grimoire can teach you some. If it likes you." He bent over to pull on his jeans, Liam stared at his ass hungrily and gave a small growl. Garret jumped up in surprise and stared at the furiously blushing Liam.

"Sorry. Your ass is as pleasing to behold as Nathanial-san's, even when covered. It is easy to see where he inherited it from."

Garret blushed and hastily pulled up and fastened his jeans, "Um, thanks. Many women have complimented me for my ass. Yeah, anyway, um, the grimoire."

Nathanial cut in, "No. Not today. I don't have much magic, and I don't know if you two could put a strong enough Mind Ward on everyone here to protect us properly. Wait until I have a chance to rest before experimenting."

Garret countered, "I may not be able to cast many spells, but I can cast that one. And cast it on everyone here."

Nathanial shook his head, "Fine, do what you want, but I won't be party to it."

Garret looked at the cabinet and back to him, "Meaning you won't get the key for me, which means none of us can get into the cabinet." Nathanial felt extremely smug, making Garret growl, "Pup, that's my cabinet, my key, and my grimoire. You don't have the right to keep me from them."

Liam cut the argument short, "He is right, well, both of you are, but I agree with Nathanial-san. It was foolish of me to push things so rapidly, when I have more pressing matters. When are the Mages coming to examine you?"

Garret nodded, "Right. Sorry, Nathanial. I don't know, Sensei, but they aren't coming to examine me, just the three pups. They detected odd magic at the McDougal's while they were there, and wanted to interview and examine them. I wasn't there, so they shouldn't want to look at me. I wasn't even in the country at the time."

Liam smiled and spread his paws apart with the palms up, "Should not or will not? Are you willing to take the risk, knowing the consequences?" Garret lowered his head in defeat. "I am unable to use more of my medicine without dire consequences, but I should have enough Chi for one cleansing. I will require a lot of Chi afterwards." Faelen looked concerned and delighted at the same time. "I may also collapse, please do not give me more medicine, just put me in bed and have Faelen and one of the Yang aligned Wolves stay with me, if possible. It would be appreciated if they would still give me some Chi."

Faelen didn't seem so delighted, "Even if you're unconscious? That's... wrong. Sick and wrong."

Liam shrugged, "And potentially life saving."

Garret was watching them with deepening confusion, "Life threatening, Chi, sick and wrong? What the hells are you talking about?"

Liam answered, "Chi. Life force. You must be familiar with the words Yin and Yang, the duality. It is a concept carried over to explain much of Chi, they are opposing elements of the one energy. I use my Chi, as you use magic, to power my healing arts. If I use too much, I can die. I normally use a special medicine to temporarily recover, but over the last week I used too much, and may not take more. It has shut down the natural recovery of my Chi, so I can continue to use more Chi but cannot replenish it. Faelen and his kin radiate energy that is naturally and easily converted to Chi, but it is aligned to either Yin or Yang. Should someone's Chi shift too far out of balance, it has dire consequences, up to and including death."

"I know they're Spirits, Sensei. You don't need to dance around it. So what is sick and wrong?"

Liam seemed a little surprised, "Very well. Spirits infuse their semen with large amounts of concentrated energy, which, when taken into the body, is easily incorporated. It takes a little time, depending on the quantity and power, but it is the easiest and fastest way I know of to replenish Chi. In normal times I am able to transfer my Chi to others, non-sexually transfer that is, but I cannot take someone's Chi. It is safer and faster, but it is certainly not easy. Thus, I was asking Faelen give me some of his semen, even if I fall unconscious. I was also asking him to contact one of the others, one of the Yang aligned ones, to also do so, to prevent my Chi from falling too far out of balance. If they cannot, for some reason, merely laying with me would slowly infuse me with Chi."

Garret's disgust was evident, "Yeah, I agree with Faelen on that one. That's wrong, really wrong. But if it's that or letting someone die, well, I'd pick the sex."

Liam grumbled, "To give semen does not always mean having sex. It is an easy and pleasurable way to deposit semen, but if the thought of having sex with me while I am unconscious causes such revulsion, then get a turkey-baster and squirt it in me that way. I could not take it orally without choking, so anally would be the only way. Hells, even coating me in semen would allow me to absorb some of the energy in it. Though most of it would radiate out into the air, not to mention the difficulty of washing it out of my fur. Now, if that is settled, may we return to the important matter?" Everyone else nodded, "Thank you. Let us begin. I will proceed slowly, well as slowly as possible. Marks-san, if you would leave? I do not think you could take watching this, not after your experience with a cleansing. Take Marks-kun with you and go to my house, or to Faelen's." Nicholas ran upstairs.

Nathanial pulled out his phone, "I'll call Conor and see if Dirk or Geoff can be here. If it's Geoff, Dirk can drive you over, Micah. If Geoff can't come over, then you'll still get permission to go over." He dialled Conor's number as he refilled the kettle and turned it on, "Conor? It's Nathanial. Liam-sensei is here and needs to use a bunch of Chi. Can Dirk or Geoff come over to help replenish him? He thinks he's going to need to use enough Chi that he may pass out, but he can't take any more of his medicine. Also, um, Nicholas and Micah don't want to be here for the, um, procedure Sensei needs to do. Can they go over to your house?"

Conor was silent for a bit before answering, "It sounds... rough. I guess I'll let Geoff go, again. He seems to be avoiding a lot of his punishment, but the whole thing has been a series of extenuating circumstances. They'll be on their way shortly. Dirk can bring the pups back with him."

"Thanks, Daddy." Conor chuckled and hung up.

Garret didn't look amused, "Daddy?"

Nathanial smiled, "Yes, other Son? Sorry." Faelen and Micah laughed, "Inside joke. It started when Conor was said he'd only expected to get one son-in-law, not two. I started calling him Daddy as a joke." He then said, teasingly, "Are you jealous?"

Garret just grumbled, "What does the cleansing entail?"

Liam shrugged, "On your part? Breathe in some steam, maybe drink some liquid. Hurt. Possibly scream."

"Oh."

Micah whimpered, "But it didn't hurt me."

Nathanial hugged him, "You were barely Tainted. Your Fey heritage must have protected you from most of it. It... well, we're probably making this worse for you, Dad. Let's just get on with it. Micah, get dressed and bring some clothes up to Nick. He's on the front steps."

Liam began pulling some ingredients out of his bag, "First, I need to know what did this. Different Demons create different Taints."

"A-a Nosferatu, it's one of the demons that were supposed to have created the Vampires. It uses... b-blood magic." Garret looked extremely sick, again.

Liam said nothing about Garret's reaction, but sat still and stared at his bag. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, "Huh. Well." He looked in his bag and shuffled a few pouches and vials around, "I see. That is a problem. I do not have the preferred ingredients for that. Here, home, or at my office. I cannot say I have ever had to deal with a Nosferatu, in any fashion. I do not suppose anyone knows a Vampire, do they?" He looked at Garret again, "Take off your shirt, Mr. Marks, and I will massage your back. I can alleviate some of your nausea. Just sit or lay however is more comfortable for you, as long as I have access to your back."

Garret nodded, his voice was weak, "As long as my back side remains untouched, I'll..." he stopped and swallowed heavily, "Nathanial?" Nathanial got up and helped Garret get his shirt off. Garret leaned forward over his knees and Liam knelt on the couch beside him and began massaging his back, occasionally pressing certain points with his fingers or a claw.

Liam massaged for five minutes, with Garret looking progressively better as time went on. Liam seemed deep in thought. He stopped rubbing and got off the couch, "Mr. Marks, give me your paw." Garret held one out. "Good." He held it off to one side, "Nathanial-san, take his other paw and hold it as I am holding this one. Faelen, fetch that dish and knife." He pointed to a small, white ceramic bowl in his bag, and a small wood handled knife. "Thank you." Faelen stood nearby, watching curiously. "Mr. Marks, watch Nathanial-san closely. Nathanial-san, trace the Yin-Yang pattern on the centre of his palm. Draw it as perfectly as you can. Both of you focus on it." Nathanial began tracing the pattern and Garret stared at his paw. Liam handed the bowl to Faelen and had him hold it beneath the paw Liam was holding. Liam pressed on Garret's wrist, and swiftly drew the knife across Garret's palm, standing so Garret couldn't see anything. Garret yelped, but Liam held his arm still. "Do not look, Mr. Marks. Watch Nathanial-san trace that pattern. Faelen, had me the roll of gauze, please, and the pot of salve." Liam handed the knife to Faelen, quietly instructing him to keep Garret from seeing any blood, and bandaged up Garret's paw. "The wound will be healed by tomorrow. I apologize for any pain you may have felt, but I believe this will provide what I need for your cleansing." Liam sat beside the coffee table and began examining the blood.

Nathanial watched curiously, noting that Garret made a point of not looking at his cut paw or Liam. "Sensei, what did the pattern I draw do?"

Liam chuckled softly, "Nothing, my boy, nothing. Distraction for young father, is all. Now, silence, focus is required." Garret's confusion at Liam's personality change was obvious. Liam seemed deep in thought for several minutes before he placed a CD case over the small bowl and began pulling ingredients out of his bag. He carefully, but quickly, began preparing his concoction, "Young Garret, a face washing, if you would. Minding the bandage." He waved his paw over his shoulder, shooing the Akita from the room. Garret opened and closed his mouth a few times, but got up and walked from the room.

Nathanial watched his father go and was about to say something, but Faelen shook his head. Liam mixed a few ingredients into the bowl of blood, let them sit for a minute, and took them back out. He squeezed the blood soaked mess over a thermos of hot water, letting the liquid fall inside, before dropping the rest back into the bowl and handing it to Faelen. He added the rest of his items to the thermos, mindful of his bloody paw. Faelen brought back the cleaned bowl and knife, along with a damp cloth. Liam cleaned up his paws and handed it back. Nathanial could feel the power of the potion, he was sure it was stronger than the one he had, or even the one given to Nicholas, and Liam hadn't even infused it with his Chi, yet. "Um, Sensei? Is that potion safe? It's really powerful, already."

Song Li chuckled again, Nathanial still found it weird to hear Liam sound so different. Even if he knew why, now. "No, my boy. No, no, no. Most assuredly not safe. Necessary? Yes. Wait for young Geoff, now." Liam shook his head, his voice was normal when he next spoke, "Mr. Marks, is your face not washed? I have almost finished the potion, you may return to the couch, now."

Nathanial scanned the washroom, Garret was very pale and leaning against the counter, water dripping from his muzzle. Dirk was driving up to the gate with Geoff, so Nathanial opened it for them as he walked into the bathroom, "Dad? You don't look well. Liam-sensei won't let anything bad happen to you, not without risking his life to prevent it. You can trust him. Come on, Geoff is just pulling in, now, and we're ready to start as soon as he's downstairs. I'll be with you the whole time."

Garret snorted, "I thought I was supposed to be the Dad. The one comforting the childish fears of his boys, not the one being comforted."

Nathanial put his arm around Garret, "Hey, a phobia is not something to be ashamed of. You can work through it, with help. I'm here, Dad. Besides, Sensei cleaned it up, and it gave him what he needed to get that Taint out of you. I don't want my brothers to become orphans. I'm probably not old enough to become their legal guardian, and I don't want to lose them." He smiled, "And, actually, I don't want to lose you, either, now that you've decided to be our dad."

Garret shook his head, smiling weakly, "Yeah, you're better at this than I am. You're better than your grandfather, even. Okay, lets get this over with." Nathanial led him back into the rec-room as Geoff was walking down the stairs.

Nathanial paused to admire his boyfriend, blushing as Geoff stared hungrily at him. He smiled at Geoff as he lowered his head, "Hi, Geoff."

Geoff grinned and jumped over the last few stairs, landing with a soft thump on the tiles, "Hey, love." Nathanial could tell Garret rolled his eyes, "Hi, everyone."

Liam glanced up, "Mr. Marks, I would ask that you sit on the floor. I would like Faelen to sit behind you, to restrain you. Geoff-san will sit in front of you holding your legs."

Garret paled even further, his legs seemed a little wobbly. Nathanial put his arm around him, again, "I'm here. I'll be here the whole time. They held Nicholas like that, too. We don't want you hurting yourself, or splashing the potion." Garret nodded and sat where Liam pointed. Faelen sat behind him, legs wrapped around Garret's waist and over his forearms. Faelen's arms went around Garret's chest and upper arms. Geoff put one of Garret's legs under each arm, his forearms and paws were braced along Garret's calves. Liam picked up the thermos and focused, infusing it with his Chi. Nathanial flinched and rubbed his jaw at the sudden ache. He knelt beside Garret and rubbed around his ears, "Try to relax, let the potion do it's job."

Liam knelt on the other side, "Mr. Marks. This will be different than Marks-san's cleansing; rather than a few large doses, I will ask you to take some small ones to start. Breathe in a regular lungful of this steam, and I will see how the Taint reacts." He placed a paw on Garret's stomach, and put the thermos under Garret's muzzle. Garret took in a breath and froze, all of his muscles tightening up. Nathanial gently pushed Garret's head back against Faelen's shoulder and held it there. His other paw held Garret's muzzle shut. Garret whimpered and shook, tears streaming from his eyes. He remained like that for two minutes, before sagging in Faelen's grip. Liam frowned, "Some change. The Taint remains fairly strong, but at least little harm was done. Several similar doses, in higher frequency, should be the least painful and most effective means of cleansing. Mr. Marks, breathe in." He held the thermos under Garret's nose. Garret reluctantly breathed in, reacting the same way as the first breath. Liam re-administered the potion every forty-five seconds, five times. He kept a very close eye, and paw, on Garret. After the last dose, he smiled, "Very good. The Taint is faded. Now, Mr. Marks, drink. Drink the whole thing. It will be very cold, but it will remove the final traces of Taint." Garret's eyed the thermos fearfully, and Nathanial rubbed Garret's muzzle as he let it go. Nathanial also let Garret's head go, scratching around the orange ears. "You may release him, Faelen and Geoff-san." The two Wolves let him go, and stood, stretching sore muscles.

Nathanial sat down beside Garret, holding him close, "Hey, you're doing well. Nicholas said the potion was just cold, it didn't seem to hurt at all. It almost seemed soothing. Just take your time and drink it all. It can't be any worse than that smelly coffee stuff."

Garret grinned weakly and quickly chugged the potion down. He handed the thermos to Nathanial with a shudder. "Ugh. Not nearly as bad as I was thinking, but still pretty bad."

Liam's voice was faint and he was slurring as he spoke. His eyes seemed unable to focus, too. "You had smaller doshes than Nickish-shan... tried to make less pain. Did-didn't fight." Faelen picked him up and carried him to Nathanial's room. "D-down, boy." Garret stared after them in surprise.

Nathanial rubbed his Dad's back, "They should be fine. Geoff, Sensei will need some of your Chi, too. Help me get Dad up to bed, and then you can come back downstairs and give him some."

Garret shook his head, "I'll be fine in a bit. I can just lie down on the couch, or on one of the boys' beds." Nathanial helped him up and brought him to Micah's room.

"Do you want me to stay with you?" Garret shook his head and waved Nathanial out, "Take a nap, then. I'll be checking in on you periodically." Geoff was laying on the couch, stretched out. Nathanial lay down on top of him, and checked on Liam and Faelen. Faelen was quickly mating with Liam, who seemed to be enjoying it, even if he was barely lucid. Nathanial smiled and gave Geoff a kiss. "Dad will be fine and Liam-sensei will be, too, in a bit. Thank you for coming over to help." Geoff smiled and hugged Nathanial close as they kissed passionately.