Arik lifted his head a fraction at the word 'settle,' as if he had just been insulted in a foreign language and understood enough to object.
"Stay," he mumbled, reaching for Gabriel while still clinging to Damian.
Gabriel stepped closer immediately and brushed a hand over Arik's hair. "We're not going anywhere. You're just going to sleep."
Arik squinted at him with the grave suspicion of a child who had been told lies before, then yawned again so hard his eyes watered.
Natalie chose that moment to begin a small, escalating protest from Rafael's arms - more tired outrage than true crying. She rooted at his coat, then smacked his chest with her tiny hand as if demanding he fix the offense of consciousness itself.
Rafael's whole posture changed at once, instinctive and tender under the silk and rank. "All right, all right, little tyrant," he murmured, swaying her. "I know. I know."
