Remington, Ephraim and Lux sat at the table in the kitchen just to relax and drink a cup of tea while chatting about things. It was at least 20 minutes before a portal opened and Skyler walked into the kitchen and wandered over to the refrigerator and dug around for something to drink, then he began to gather things to make a sandwich. Remington watched him because he seemed to be very spaced out as he fumbled around with the bread. Remington got up and approached to check on him.

  “Sky?” Remington said meekly. Skyler reacted slowly to greet Remington.

  “Hey Rem.” He said looking sleepy. “What's up?”

  “Oh, nothing. Are you alright?” Remington asked.

  “Yeah I'm great. Just tired. Haven't gotten a full night's sleep since I returned, but I'm alright.” Skyler said. He finished making his sandwich and started to eat it with big bites.

  “Do you want to come and sit down to eat?” Remington asked, looking worried.

  “Nah, I need to get back as soon as I can. Plus if I sit down I'll probably fall asleep.” Skyler seemed to find this amusing. Remington only looked bewildered.

  “Why don't you try and get some rest?” Remington asked out of concern.

  “I do rest when I can, but I want to make sure Khallie is well rested first so she can heal from giving birth, and Dash wakes up often and cries a lot. Khallie said she believes it's because he has something called a colic? So he can get very fussy and then neither of us are able to sleep.” Skyler explained then he yawned.

  “Oh man, how do you cure colic?” Remington asked.

  “There isn't really a cure. Babies will grow out of it eventually. We just have to tend to his needs as best as we can until then. I try to make him as comfortable as possible.” Skyler said.

  “I see. Well if you need help I am off the rest of the day I think. I really would like to meet baby Dash if you are okay with it.” Remington said meekly.

  “Oh sure. I don't mind. Let me finish eating and I will take you to see him.” Skyler said, then he began to eat faster.

  “Uh! No rush, Sky!” Remington said. Soon they were off to Skyler's bedroom where Khallie was tending to a very fussy Dash.

  “Aww is he okay? How long has he been awake?” Skyler was quick to come and pick up Dash and pat him gently. He quieted for a moment as Skyler sat down with him to try and sooth him. It didn't work and soon he was fussy again. Remington watched as Skyler tried to calm him.

  “This is Dash. He must have a tummy ache or something. He had a bottle not long ago and his diaper is dry.” Skyler said. “Can Rem hold Dash?” He asked Khallie.

  “Sure but he is rather fussy right now.” Khallie said.

  “That's okay. I still want to meet him.” Remington said warmly. Skyler stood up and carefully transferred Dash into Remington's arms. Dash calmed a little bit but as soon as Remington was securely holding him he returned to fussing.

  “Aww poor lil guy.” Remington said feeling bad that Dash seemed to be distressed but not knowing how to help him.

  “Do you want to sit with him?” Skyler asked.

  “Sure.” Remington walked to the chair near the bed and sat down. As he did this Dash calmed down.

  “Hey there. Are you feeling better now?” Remington asked the little baby in his arms. Dash started to fuss again. “What do you need?” Remington asked him. Dash only fussed more.

  “See, I just don't know why he is so uncomfortable.” Skyler said unhappily.

  “Maybe we should lay him down. Maybe he just needs to rest.” Khallie said looking distressed herself. Skyler carefully took Dash and walked over to his bassinet to lay him down. As he did this Dash calmed down but after a few minutes of laying in the bassinet he was fussing again, this time even louder than while he was being held. Soon he was crying very loudly. Remington watched in puzzlement as Skyler picked him back up and he calmed down again, but after a moment of laying stagnant in Skyler's arms he was fussing again.

  “Ah, Dash. I will do anything to help you. I just don't know what you need.” Skyler said unhappily. Remington watched him as he tried to make Dash more comfortable but it only helped for a moment before he was fussing again.

  “Can I try something?” Remington asked suddenly.

  “Of course if you think you can help him.” Skyler said. Remington stood up and approached.

  “When you put Dash in his baby bed he was the most uncomfortable, and he cried the loudest, it was also when he was the most still. When you pick him up and hold him he feels a little bit better but he is still fussy. When you hand him to me or back to you he calms down, watch.” He took Dash carefully from Skyler which calmed him for a moment. “But as soon as we stop moving around with him he returns to fussing.” Dash was in fact crying again. Skyler and Khallie both looked intrigued as Remington began to walk around the room back and forth and soon Dash was calm and quiet. After a long moment of walking Remington stopped and stood still. Dash returned to fussing. He walked again and Dash became quiet.

  “He just doesn't want to be at a stand still. He likes movement.” Remington said as he walked back and forth.

  “Wow. I had no idea.” Skyler was impressed.

  “Thank goodness I just wanted to make him comfortable.” Khallie said.

  “Now maybe we can take turns walking him around so one of us can sleep.” Skyler said mostly to Khallie.

  “Yeah, and hopefully take a shower!” She said eagerly. Remington thought about this for a moment. He looked down at Dash who was awake and content now.

  “Well if you want, because I know you are both tired, I can walk around with him for a while, so you and Skyler can get some rest.” Remington said he stopped to hear their answer but immediately Dash began to fuss.

  “It's okay with me if Khallie doesn't mind.” Skyler said.

  “No I don't mind, that would be very helpful. Thank you Remington.” Khallie said look relieved.

  “No problem.” Remington said. Skyler helped him throw the diaper bag on his shoulder just in case he needed it. They reminded him that Dash had just drank a bottle and he wouldn't need one for at least two more hours. He left out of the room and walked down the hall to keep moving so that Dash would stay content. He really didn't mind walking around with Dash in his arms while going up and down multiple hallways. His brain seemed to go into processing mode which was similar to what happens while he runs on the treadmill. He was so spaced out that he hadn't realized he was now outside the infirmary. He decided that maybe he could try asking Zexich about this dilemma with Dash. He walked into the hospital room and continued to walk in a large circle until Zexich appeared.

  “Good afternoon Remington. May I help you?” Zexich asked.

  “Well maybe. I just have a question.” Remington said. Zexich observed him walking in a circle for a moment with an obvious infant in his arms.

  “I will do my best to provide an answer.” Zexich said politely.

  “Skyler and Khallie haven't been able to get much sleep because Dash wasn't comfortable so he would only fuss. I figured out that he will calm down if he is in motion. That's why I am walking around in a circle to keep him content for a while so Skyler and Khallie can rest. Why do you think Dash needs to be moving around in order to be comfortable?” Remington asked.

  “While in a mother's womb a fetus is surrounded by the weightlessness of liquid, while being snug in a tight space. Now that Dash is here out in the open it is quite a different sensation for him to experience, having so much more room, it might feel scary, and now feeling the force of gravity for the first time that is constantly pressing on him. Some infants get used to these new sensations quickly, others are more sensitive to it. Walking around with him soothes him by closely mimicking the feeling of motion while in the womb. There are other sensory things that may help him until he adjusts to the new world around him.” Zexich spoke very knowledgeably.

  “Wow I never knew being born was so overwhelming for the baby. What else could help him?” Remington asked.

  “There are sound machines that mimic the white noise a baby hears while in the womb. A baby also may like to be swaddled in a blanket which will make him feel more secure while he is resting. Would you like me to demonstrate this?” Zexich asked politely.

  “Sure.” Remington came to a stop and Zexich searched the baby bag and found a blanket. Dash was already starting to fuss. Zexich laid the blanket out and instructed Remington how to wrap him.

  “Now it may seem like it would be uncomfortable but I assure you he has plenty of room to breathe and being wrapped this way will help.” Zexich explained. Sure enough once Dash was wrapped his fussing quieted and he was a bit calmer.

  “Wow Zex. That really did work.” Remington was amazed.

  “If he still likes to be in motion to sleep there are baby swings that will help. Walking around with him constantly helps but it may not be ideal to always need someone to do this. A baby swing will give Skyler and Khallie a chance to rest without having to ask anyone else to walk with Dash.” Zexich said.

  “I will let them know. Thanks for all the pointers. Babies are so much more complicated to take care of then I ever thought, but Dash and Felix are both so adorable. I know it is rough at first now, but it must be a truly joyful thing to have a baby.” Remington said mildly, watching Dash as he seemed to be falling asleep now.

  “Indeed it is. And soon they will crawl and walk and talk and grow. It will be marvelous seeing each of their milestones.” Zexich said in agreement.

  Remington left the infirmary with Dash who was asleep now to head to the kitchen. After a long while of sleeping contently, he began to fuss. Remington checked the time on his phone and pinpointed that it was just about the time that Khallie said he would need a bottle. He quickly dug in the diaper bag and found what he needed to mix up a bottle of formula and quickly got it into a pot of hot water to warm. Soon Dash was very enthusiastically sucking down the formula. Remington was very satisfied that he was getting the hang of this whole baby care situation. Being able to care for Dash was amazing, but it did however make him miss baby Felix. He wondered if sometime soon he would be able to pay him a visit.

  “What do you want to do now?” Ephraim asked. Remington had just ditched them both to go and take care of that baby human which was mildly irritating. Lux crossed his arms in annoyance.

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  “I don't know. I could use a cigarette.” Lux said, trying to control the gall in his voice.

  “Can I go with you?” Ephraim asked meekly. Lux refocused on Ephraim now. Ephraim smiled at the attention. There was a feeling that had been brewing between them both. Of course they were both in the same group relationship, but they had both viewed it as three individuals who were all dating Vezaias but not each other, though they were all allowed to love each other it just hadn’t progressed that far until now. So far Lux hadn't exactly focused on being more than just a friend to Ephraim. Of course he was attractive and they have had sexual contact with each other, but up until now it had been them with Vezaias alongside each other while never fully having sex one on one. Now they had made that full satisfying connection together and it was suddenly on Lux's mind. He had definitely emotionally attached to Vezaias, then later with Remington, and now he was aware of a growing attachment to Ephraim. They headed to the smoke room where Lux fell into aloofness while pondering these new exhilarating feelings for Ephraim. He was thankful that he was free and allowed to love him so nurturing this relationship was not so scary but it was definitely unusual. He was now picking apart the abstract idea of love within a group relationship and getting married. He was deep in analysis when Ephraim's voice cut through his train of thought.

  “Lux?” He had such a lovely bird-like voice. Lux broke out of his internal focus and looked at Ephraim.

  “Hm?” He hummed softly.

  “Your cigarette went out.” Ephraim said in amusement.

  “Oh.” He said in bewilderment, looking at his cigarette, long ashed, and completely out. He smashed it into the ashtray then crossed his arms self-consciously.

  “Are you alright?” Ephraim asked in concern. Ugh that voice. So desirably chirpy.

  “Yeah.” Lux said shortly trying not to blush as if caught red-handed by his crush, daydreaming about his crush. “Just have a lot on my mind.” He added.

  “What are you thinking about so intensely?” Ephraim asked out of sheer curiosity.

  “Uh…” He had to stop himself from blurting out the word ‘you’ by impulse. “Nothing bad. Just stuff that I um….” He stammered feeling his cheeks heat up. He was feeling very awkward now.

  “It's okay Lux. You don't have to explain it. You're just super focused right now. It's cute.” Ephraim said in amusement. Lux blushed harder. “Do you want to go to the bedroom with me?”

  “Sure?” He said in question form. Ephraim smiled again like an angel and got up and took Lux by the hand coaxing him gently out of his chair. His hand was soft and silky but cold just like actual snow. Lux let him lead him through a portal out of the smoking room and into their communal bedroom. He guided Lux to sit on the bed then sat next to him still holding his hand. They were quiet for a long moment.

  “Lux…” Ephraim said softly.

  “Hm?” He hummed looking at Ephraim who was now very bashful. It was so adorable that it was disgusting.

  “I really enjoyed what we did earlier.” Ephraim said, full of coyness. Lux's mind immediately drifted into thinking about that moment again. Having Ephraim's soft snowy skin against his, feeling the tight muscles squeezing him pleasurably. He was aroused now and achingly uncomfortable.

  “I did too.” Lux managed.

  “Do you think Zay noticed that we did that?” Ephraim asked meekly with a hint of worry.

  “Vezaias notices everything. He a fucking machine.” Lux said. Ephraim was bashful now.

  “Well he didn't seem angry about it so…” Ephraim said.

  “He was too busy plowing his fiance.” Lux said seriously.

  “I guess I'm just feeling anxious about doing that with more than one person. I'm glad he was okay with it because I really enjoyed myself.” Ephraim said, now fidgeting.

  “Yeah, me too. Just thinking about it really makes me….” He trailed off getting caught up looking at Ephraim's strawberry champagne eyes.

  “…want more?” Ephraim said.

  It was a suggestion, and a question. They leaned closer and began to kiss. It was tender and soft but progressed into a desperate need to fulfill their desire for each other. Soon Lux was laying firmly against Ephraim, licking as deep inside his mouth as he could, then dragging his mouth down Ephraim's neck while reaching to scoop his legs and fill the space between them with the urgent effort to grind out what he desired. Ephraim was making him even more lustful by wrapping his arms around Lux's neck and panting heavily into his ear with his approval. He drug his hands downward gripping Lux by the hips as if to increase their connection. Lux couldn't wait anymore. He sat up ripping the pants upwards then completely off of Ephraim's legs just before adjusting to lick and lubricate the spot he wanted to have.

  “Hahhhh! Mmmm.” Ephraim panted heavily feeling the tongue lick him deep down, warm and wet making him throb to complete this connection. Lux returned to licking and sucking on his neck as he readied to push himself inside. He was slow and guided the moment much more carefully than Vezaias would usually handle the situation.

  “Ahhh! Ohh Lux…..hah you feel so good!” Ephraim said in pleasure. This made Lux even harder, hearing Ephraim's moans and voice saying his name and breathing on Lux's neck. Lux was breathing heavily and struggling not to finish so soon from how fast Ephraim was able to take him to the edge of satisfaction.

  “Ahh fuck Ephraim…..I'm not going to last much longer.” He mumbled

  “That's okay Lux.” Ephraim whispered in his ear in amusement before kissing Lux deep and desperately. Just then a portal opened and Vezaias walked in. Lux immediately pulled away and yanked up his pants to cover himself. Ephraim was not so lucky because his pants were across the bed on the floor. Vezaias looked at them both seriously for a long moment.

  “Vezaias I can explain!” Lux blurted out. Vezaias held up a hand to stop him from spilling out his excuses.

  “Having fun without me?” Vezaias said very seriously. Lux swallowed his nerves and nodded. There was no use lying. Of course this was enjoyable.

  “Are you mad?” Ephraim asked meekly, now sitting up and trying to minimize the obvious erection he still had.

  “Of course I'm fucking mad.” Vezaias said matter of factly. “You know you both belong to me. Here I am busy, trying to make arrangements to secure the future of our assets while we are gone on our mission. Which is very important and stressful shit having to deal with my asshole father for the sake of our empire. Yet here you two are off carefree and fucking each other's brains out without me! And you didn't even have the decency to ask me if it was okay.” Vezaias snapped in irritation.

  “I’m sorry!” Lux apologized.

  “It's fine Lux. I'm jealous. I'm trying to control it. After what happened earlier I suppose I should have been expecting it.” Vezaias paused. “As punishment I want you to fucking finish what you started.” Vezaias said seriously. Lux was unnerved for a moment but he knew it was best to do as he was told. He turned back to Ephraim who was bright pink and fidgeting.

  “Common Eph. Accept your punishment. I know you want to finish.” Vezaias cooed. Ephraim blushed more and leaned in and began to kiss Lux again. They both did their best to relax and continue the moment now with the added pressure to satisfy Vezaias’s consequence. They were quickly back into their rhythm as Lux was going even harder especially when he looked up and saw Vezaias focused on them both. Ephraim shut his eyes and began to claw Lux's back and shoulders from the intense pleasure. Lux helped him finish by jerking him and kissing him harshly as he splashed all over Lux's chest. This automatically made Lux let go of his reservation and unload all over Ephraim's stomach and chest. Vezaias did not interrupt as they cleaned up and put on a minimum amount of clothing again.

  “Very good. Glad I got to see the end of the show.” Vezaias said in amusement.

  “What about you?” Ephraim asked.

  “Me? I thought I wasn't a part of this fucking session.” Vezaias said in sudden irritation. Lux and Ephraim both cringed as if they were being scolded. Vezaias sighed. “It's fine. I have more work to do in the office. But don't think I'm not going to unload the massive amount of jealousy that I'm suppressing right now, the next time we fuck. Now if you will excuse me I have to get back to work.” Vezaias said. He turned to leave.

  “Wait!” Lux said impulsively.

  “Yes Lux?” Vezaias said impatiently.

  “Ca….can I talk to you alone for a moment?” Lux asked nervously.

  “Of course. Come to the office.” Vezaias said now feeling curious as to what Lux needed to say that he didn't want Ephraim to hear. Lux wasn't the type to embarrass easily, so there had to be an actual reason that he wanted to talk one on one. Lux followed him to the office. It was rather odd but Vezaias did not sit behind the desk but offered Lux a seat then sat in a chair that he positioned to face him.

  “Please speak your mind Lux.” Vezaias said mildly. Lux took a deep breath.

  “Well…” He paused. He wasn't sure how Vezaias would react to what he wanted to say but he had to be honest. “I’ve just been thinking a lot about the way things are working out. You know that I have a difficult time emotionally attaching to people. You are the first person I attached too and I love you more than anyone else….” He paused trying to compile the rest of his explanation. “….but then I spent a lot of time with Remington and I became attached to him, and although it has been a slow process, I've started to become attached to Ephraim too. I spent a lot of time training with him and we are around each other everyday. I think he is beautiful, his skin is so soft and snowy and his eyes are lovely and now I feel like I want him around when before I was somewhat indifferent to it. I think about him more often now and I feel like I love him.” Lux paused anxiously and looked up to see what Vezaias's reaction was. He no longer looked angry but attentive and interested. “So while we were at the hotel you and Remington were having sex, and well you both looked like you were enjoying it and I didn't want to interrupt, I was content to just sit at the desk and watch, while stroking myself. Ephraim noticed what I was doing and he asked me if I needed help and pff fuck yeah because I've always been sexually attracted to him since the day I met him. We ended up having sex all the way, which was a first time for us because you know normally I like the bottom but with Ephraim, I don't know, I just don't mind switching for him. I am sure you noticed that right?” He paused.

  “Of course I did. I was fine with it because I was there with you.” Vezaias said reassuringly.

  “So afterwards we left and came back here and you had work to do and Remington ran off to see that baby human and it was just me and Ephraim. He came with me to the smoking room and I just couldn't stop thinking about everything, I was nearly manic over it. But Ephraim snapped me out of it then took my hand and pulled me into the bedroom where he told me he really enjoyed our first time. And shit well I did too, so much in fact that I wanted more. And everything he was doing was making me want him more. Holding my hand, his voice, the way he looks at me, his smile, ugh, he's just so damn cute that I couldn't help it.” Lux said seriously.

  “I understand. I feel the same way about him.” Vezaias said mildly.

  “Well I didn't mean to piss you off.” Lux sighed.

  “I'm over it. I know you didn't come in here in private just to give me a super long explanation and apology. What else did you want to say?” Vezaias prompted.

  “Heh, I guess…” He paused again. “…I am glad you and Remington are going to get married, don't get me wrong, but I've also been struggling with it. If you marry Remington that means I can never marry you. That's illegal. But okay sure, I can deal with my own jealousy and still be happy for both of you, because I know that doesn't mean you love me any less and you will still want me around right?” Lux paused for an answer.

  “Of course I do Lux. I love you. I always want you around as long as you want to be here. I would marry all three of you if I could.” Vezaias said mildly.

  “Right, but you can't. But that doesn't mean I never want to get married. Obviously I cannot marry Remington because you are. So I thought of an idea and of course I wanted to talk to you about it first because I won't do it if you do not approve of it, but maybe if you are okay with it, I could ask Ephraim to marry me?” He paused anxiously again to see what Vezaias's reaction was. Vezaias looked a bit caught off guard for only a short moment but then he composed himself quickly before speaking.

  “Do you really love him that much?” Vezaias asked.

  “Well if we are talking hypothetically of course I love you the most and I always will, if I had to pick between you and him and I could only choose one of you I would definitely pick you. On the other hand hypothetically if you are asking me if I could be happy with him if I had nobody else? Yes, definitely. I love him enough to be with him for the rest of my life.” Lux said seriously. Vezaias pondered this for a long moment. Lux was nervously awaiting his final say.

  “First of all I cannot say that this doesn't cause me any negative feelings. You are mine Lux. Even without a legal way to marry you. You belong to me. If you marry someone else of course I feel hurt initially by that. I also feel the same when it comes to Eph. However I understand what you mean, you do not want to just give up experiencing what it's like to get married to someone you love just because I cannot marry you. So you are going with what is essentially ‘plan B’ so I get you. I also know just as you pointed out that just because you marry Eph, doesn't mean you love me any less, and you will still belong to me. Right?” Vezaias paused.

  “That will never change.” Lux affirmed.

  “So I will approve of this under a few conditions.” Vezaias looked amused and Lux felt relief and awaited the stipulations.

  “First; you have to take Eph out on a real date. Second; you have to actually make your relationship as more than friends official. Just because you have been in this group relationship together with him doesn't mean you have expressed it enough that you are more than dating me alongside him. Three; you have to make the proposal special. If you really want to marry him then I expect you to take that seriously. He deserves to have a wonderfully planned surprise engagement. You should want him to feel special to you. Don't worry about how much it will cost, I will fund it. Four; If you marry him I expect you to treat him right. Be a good fucking husband to him or I will beat the life out of you. He belongs to me too, and I don't want you to forget how special he is to me, so if you ever hurt him I will take it very personally. Got it?” Vezaias said very seriously. Lux was a bit stunned but eager to agree to these terms.

  “I will do all of that! I might need your help with more than just money, but I would do anything to live up to your expectations!” Lux said, now standing up and full of excitement. Vezaias got up and hugged him.

  “I will help you. Calm down though Lux, you are going to send yourself into a manic episode. Relax.” Vezaias said soothingly. Lux was shivering with adrenaline now but trying to calm down.

  “I'm trying to stay calm. Thank you Vezaias. Just hold me for a bit. So I can relax.” Lux said with labored breathing. He dug his now gushing eyes into Vezaias's neck feeling security in his arms.