Gregoris's grin widened, the satisfaction in his eyes brightening like a star that had decided to be smug on purpose.
"Run?" he echoed mildly. "You can try. I'll admire the optimism."
Rafael made a sound halfway between indignation and despair and buried his face briefly in Gregoris's shoulder. Ether pulsed lazily around them, warm and indulgent, like even the room was entertained.
Gregoris, because he was a menace and also because he took documentation absurdly seriously, flipped the page with precise dignity.
"Lesson Five," he intoned calmly, like a general addressing troops. "Do not let the alpha believe victory absolves him of softness. Continued affection is mandatory."
He paused.
Then he obeyed it with dangerous sincerity.
