Zaliyah rolled his eyes dramatically, turning around with a swirl of his lavender robes.
"Gladly. This place smells like cheap berries anyway. Move, Karas. Our sons are far too noble for this establishment."
Cressida sighed handing the child to Karas "Aww I'm going to miss you so much little Xian, it's a shame your dad is being so difficult self"
Zaliyah rolled his eyes "No one is stopping you from visiting us , stop being dramatic Cressida"
Nyx smiled "But if we come you'll accuse us of stealing flowers from your garden "
Zaliayh rolled his eyes "Then don't come, No one is forcing you "
Alessia smiled "we will come visit this weekend and there's nothing you can do about it , by the way it's getting so late and it's cold outside "
She grabbed two wool blankets gently wrapping them around Xian and Kiran .
Nyx smiled looking at the two children "This is a gift from your two beautiful aunties Cressida and Alessia as for aunty Nyx I'll come by with more prettier and expensive gifts "
Cressida chuckled, " Saying all this just to show up with a bouquet of flowers "
They all burst into a loud fit of laughter.
Karas handed the grocery bag to Zaliyah, he grabbed the satchels and baskets balancing the Xian on his shoulders.
Once they arrived home , karas prepared a warm water bath for the twins and Zaliyah slowly peeled away the children's layers of silks , he handled the bathing of the kids while karas prepared their cradles, evening outfits and food.
Zaliyah placed the two children in the washing basin and immediately Kiran let out a loud cry that pierced the silence, if a stranger came by , they would think someone was harming the child but no , he's just afraid of water.
Zaliyah sighed slowly sliding the wash cloth up and down Kirans's little frame ,
"Xian do you think your brother was a cat in his past life ? Is that why he is so afraid of water?"
Xian chuckled , playing in the water,
Zaliyah smiled pinching Kiran's cheeks " If you keep crying so much I'll send you off to granny, you know how much she hates crying babies rights ?. She's going to feed your little head to her horses"
Kiran only cried loudly, Zaliyah quickly locked his ears , Kara's voice came from the kitchen
"Is everything okay ?"
"You know how he is, he cries at the slightest inconvenience, of course he's okay "
"I'm sorry...I was just worried"
Zaliyah rolled his eyes "you spoil him a lot Karas that's why he's like this now "
He carried a handful of water , spraying the water on Kiran's hair gently washing the hair, when he was done , he kissed the child's forehead "you smell so good now , hopefully you won't cause your father and I a lot of trouble tonight, he's already tired as it is "
He shifted the child to the side of the wooden basin, Shifting his focus to Xian, "My shy little Xian you're going to behave yourself and eat all your porridge tonight right? No vomiting like your brother okay? "
The child giggled at him and Zaliyah smiled back,
Zaliyah quickly washed him , bathing Xian wasn't as tasking as bathing it was his brother , the child cooperated so well and In no time Zaliyah was done .
He kissed Xian on the cheek "you smell like flowers but you don't smell better than your brother "
Kiran Smiled and Zaliyah carried the two children out of the water , Planting unlimited kisses all over their faces.
Zaliyah stepped into the room , he elegantly sat down on the mat , wiping and dressing the children in heavy layers of silks and furs , the weather was quite cold at night, Karas entered with a silver tray of porridge for Xian, he grabbed Kiran into his arms, sitting on a rocking chair watching Zaliyah whom was about to feed Xian.
Zaliyah took Xian into his arms adjusting the bip around the child's neck before feeding him the porridge, it seemed Xian had listened to his pleadings, the child ate quietly, he didn't gag or scramble as he usually did. When he had eaten to his fill Zaliyah turned the child around stroking the child's back until he berged.
Zaliyah smiled at him kissing his forehead.
He carried the child placing him inside his cradle which was just close to Xian's own, Zaliyah gently rocked the child contemplating wether to sing or recite a poem.
It was now a ritual, he always had to sing or recite a poem for Xian before the child falls asleep.
Karas rocked Kiran who was still very much awake with eyes shining like night lamps.
Zaliyah looked a mess, but to Karas he looked even more ethereal, A sight he could never get enough of , and when he sang it sounded like it was a tune they would play during an immortals accession to heaven.
As the words drifted to Xian's little ears
"From mountain to mountain, cliff to cliff....
A little river divides us .....
Brother lifts stones , sister carries earth....
Built a flower bridge and cross together..."
As the melody settled in the room , little Xian slipped into a deep slumber, Zaliyah watched as the child eyes fluttered shut , he smiled placing a kiss on his forehead
"sleep well little one"
Zaliyah moved towards Karas,
"That was faster than I anticipated"
Karas spoke with a smile
"You know he only sleeps so fast when I sing for him " Zaliyah's eyes darted toward the little bundle of silks in Karas's arms ."Is he asleep?"
"You could sing for him from now till tomorrow and you know he wouldn't sleep unless you feed him "
Zaliyah sighed "how could I forget? This little glutton would be the end of me"
Karas walked slowly towards the sleeping child's cradle, he leaned down and pressed a kiss on Xian's forehead "goodnight little Xian I love you so much "
He stared at the sleeping child for minutes before darting his gaze towards Zaliyah who was now sitting on the rocking chair breastfeeding the Kiran.
He walked towards Zaliyah running a hand through Zaliyah's hair
"You're doing so well my love"
Zaliyah rolled his eyes " I don't have any choice."
Karas smiled, looking at the child who was now feeding like he had been starving for centuries.
He pressed a kiss on the child's forehead "Good night My boy, I love you so much"
Once he left , the sounds of Xian's heart rising and falling accompanied by Kiran aggressively sucking filled the room, Zaliyah slowly caressed the child head while looking up at the ceiling, he was tired his back was killing him and here was a glutton who didn't know no when to stop .
"The physician says I need to eat more , but I am trying my best.....I don't know why my body just won't produce more milk..... honestly I don't know how I managed these past few months..."
He exhaled deeply "it's one of this days that I wished I was a woman"
Kiran wrapped his hands around Zaliyah's middle finger smiling at him , Zaliyah eyes travelled down to the bundle of silks sitting on his laps
He smiled at the child speaking I'm a gentle tone " smiling isn't enough,I need you to not give your father and I a hard time tonight okay?it would be nice if you slept like a 'baby' ".
The child giggled, kicking his little legs
"I'll take that as a yes " he pinched the child's cheeks "why did you have to break those sissies inventory's ? They've been so kind to us and you see those blankets ? " He pointed a finger towards the wool blanket Cressida and Alessia had gifted them " They are quality wool , it's imported,make sure you don't vomit on it okay ? Otherwise you'll have to start eating porridge like your brother"
The child's mood instantly changed, his little lips were trembling, he started whimpering as if he were about to cry .
Zaliyah rolled his eyes thinking to himself ...oh heavens, should I just abandon them with karas and run away? No,no, no . He shook his head trying to dispel the thoughts.
What would people think of me ? A bum? I can't sully my reputation, maybe I can abandon them at that old hags place? Ehh she doesn't approve of me being with her son but surely she wouldn't hate her grandkids right? I mean she has been sending lots of gifts since you two were born .
If only my mom didn't hate children otherwise I would ship you two to her . He cupped his chin, but wait who cares what she likes ? If you cry tonight, tomorrow when your father is off to work I'll ship you two away"
He pinched the child's cheeks "I mean what's the worst he can do ? Yell at me ? It's not as if he loves you two more than me "
The child was asleep, Zaliyah sighed, the child had fallen asleep and he hadn't noticed, because he was busy plotting on ways to abandon them , he laughed at the absurdity of it all .
He gently pulled the child's head away from his chest, he gazed down at his nipples, the pink dots were now swollen.
"At least he didn't bite today"
Zaliyah gently carried the child to his cradle, gently placing him inside. If the child were to awaken ,he might just kill himself.
He kissed the boys forehead "sleep tight my boy , I love you so so much, I wouldn't trade you and your brother for even the most expensive silk's and gold, you mean the world to me little monsters"
He kissed the child's hands, slowly moving towards Xian .
He kissed the boy's hands before exiting the room.
In the adjoining bathhouse, the steam rose steadily from the large wooden tub. Karas had prepared the water hours ago, checking the temperature until it was perfectly hot, scattering fragrant jasmine petals and soothing oils across the surface.
Karas sat against the back of the tub, his muscular shoulders relaxed as the hot water eased the ache from carrying four bags and two babies all afternoon.
Slowly, the door opened, and Zaliyah stepped into the room. He had stripped out of his ruined lavender robes, standing bare and beautiful in the candlelight. His long silver hair hung loose around his shoulders, catching the golden reflection of the lamps. Without his usual sassy smirk, he looked quite tired, his shoulders slumped with exhaustion.
He stepped into the tub, letting out a soft, gasp as the warm water touched his skin. Karas moved smoothly, reaching out to gently catch Zaliyah's waist and pulling him back until Zaliyah's spine was resting firmly against Karas's broad chest.
Karas's large hands naturally found the curve of Zaliyah's waist, his thumbs tracing the skin softly under the water.
Zaliyah leaned his head back, his hair floating on the surface, letting out a long, weary sigh that vibrated against Karas's chest. For a long time, neither of them spoke, listening only to the gentle lapping of the water against the wood.
"Are you still angry at Alessia?" Karas asked softly, his lips pressing a gentle kiss to the side of Zaliyah's neck.
Zaliyah rolled his eyes , his voice carrying a soft, sleepy pout. "She had no right to call my son a biohazard. If anyone is a biohazard, it is her and her terrible taste in lip oils. Kiran did her a favor."
Karas chuckled, the low rumble vibrating against Zaliyah's back. He reached for a warm washcloth, gently pouring water over Zaliyah's shoulders, washing away the stress of the day.
"You were very fierce today, Zi. I've never seen you defend anyone like that. Not even me."
"Do not flatter yourself, Karas," Zaliyah muttered, though he leaned closer into the massage, his body giving up its last bits of resistance. "I only did it because they carry my genes. If they look foolish, it reflects poorly on my reputation. It has nothing to do with affection."
Karas smiled against his hair, his hands sliding down to gently rest over Zaliyah's stomach, remembering how heavy it had felt just weeks ago. "And the jade bracelets? Are we still trading them tomorrow?"
Zaliyah opened his eyes slightly, turning his head to look through the open door toward the bedroom, where the faint, synchronized breathing of Kiran and Xian could be heard in the quiet night.
He remained silent for a few minutes , his expression softening into something unguarded, genuine, and beautiful in the candlelight.
He let out a tiny, dramatic huff and closed his eyes again, nesting deeper into Karas's warmth.
"I suppose... we can keep them for one more week," Zaliyah murmured, his voice growing smaller and heavier with sleep. "Xian's hair is quite soft, it's easier to brush and it feels nice on the hands. And Kiran's screaming keeps the neighborhood women from hovering near my garden. They are mildly useful."
Karas let out a laugh, his arms wrapping tightly around his husband's waist, holding him close in the jasmine-scented water. He leaned down, pressing a passionate kiss on Zaliyah's forehead, his heart visible in his eyes.
"One more week it is, my love," Karas whispered against his skin.
They quietly sat in the water, resting for almost twenty minutes, when Karas finally finished washing Zaliyah 's hair, he lifted the smaller man out of the water and carried him to their room.
After wiping Zaliyah, he quickly dressed him in his undergarments, Zaliyah sat humming a tune in front of the brass mirror as karas brushed his hair.
"Is there anything you want to eat right now? I'll cook it for you" Karas said
Zaliyah rolled his eyes "if your mother were here and she heard you say this, she would raise hell thinking I'm maltreating you, and no I don't want to eat , I'm too tired to eat "
Karas smiled "I was just worried about you , I feared the children were taking a toll-"
"No" Zaliyah cut in "We are not getting maids , if the children are too much for you , you leave it to me, you'll not be the first man in town to abandon his kids"
"Zi.... they're my flesh and blood, I love them I would never abandon them, I'll never leave you , whenever I'm at work I get overwhelmed with worry, are you eating properly? Have you rested yet ? Is Kiran giving you too much trouble? Is Xian creating a mess at home ? I get overstimulated with thoughts like this and so I can't help but think of ways to make things easier for you "
Zaliyah rolled his eyes "Karas you worry too much "
he stood up , wrapping his slender arms around Karas's shoulders, pulling him into a deep passionate kiss, the hair brush fell on the floor as their tongue explored each other's mouth, Karas wrapped his hands around Zaliyah's waist while his other hand travelled into the man's pants, he gently squeezed Zaliyah's buttocks, his two fingers pressing at Zaliyah's entrance.
Zaliyah sighed knowing where this is heading to , he quickly slapped Karas's hands, forcefully pulling it out of his pants
"I don't want another child "
Karas smirked licking the two fingers Which were just inside Zaliyah
"My love you wanted 3 children"
Zaliyah rolled his eyes "and you wanted 8 children"
"I still want 8 children" karas smiled
"I guess you'll be taking concubines"
Karas hugged Zaliyah, leaning his head on Zaliyah's shoulder slowly inhaling the man's white hair
"I don't need concubines when I have you"
"I'm afraid you'll make history as the first single dad with eight kids, the bum of the century"
Karas laughed, tightly wrapping his arms around Zaliyah.
They stood there wrapped in eachother's embrace for minutes, when Zaliyah had enough of standing, he sat down watching karas dress, he was fascinated by the man's chiseled body, no matter how much he tried he couldn't remove his eyes, it felt like they were glued to that direction, and so a dangerous thought started invading his mind, he missed squirming and begging under that body.
His cheeks turned bright crimson, his ears burning red as he quickly strangled the devil who was filling his head with lust.
He quickly turned his head to the side avoiding Karas's gaze, if karas were to notice his burning cheeks he wouldn't spare him.
Karas was done dressing, the chaotic energy of the marketplace had finally faded into the peaceful, quiet atmosphere of the estate.
They both went to check on the sleeping twins.
The bedroom was warm, illuminated only by the soft, low glow of the lamps on the windowsill. In the corner of the room, tucked safely in their cradles, Kiran and Xian were fast asleep.
Xian was curled like a tangerine into a perfect, quiet ball, while Kiran had his tiny arms spread out wide, snoring softly.
The sight of the two children pulled their heartstrings, karas's heart was in his hands while Zaliyah couldn't help but smile , he couldn't believe he wanted to trade these bundles of joy for jade.
They retreated back into their own room, Zaliyah was sitting on Karas's lap, facing the window. His head tucked slightly downward under karas's chin, his hand resting on Karas's chest, while the other hand was gently resting on karas's lap, securely holding karas's hand while karas read to him.
Karas sat hugging Zaliyah from the back, leaning forward to press a soft kiss on Zaliyah's forehead. His left arm wrapped around Zaliyah's slender waist, both of their hands were intertwined together on Zaliyah's laps.
His right hand holding a leather bound book .
Karas was dressed in a crimson robe. The V-neck cross-collar garment sat open at the collarbone, revealing his sharp neckline.
Outside, the moon rose high over the peaceful estate, casting a silver glow over the family of four.
As Karas read, Zaliyah's head slowly danced in the air , he was falling asleep, karas found it funny since he had insisted they sleep but Zaliyah had argued on reading a book , he was A handful from the very first day --stubborn, dramatic, and exhausting.
but as Karas looked down at his sleeping husband in his arms, he knew he would have it no other way, he was right where he wanted to be .