Nero arrived the following week with permission.
Actual permission.
Dean knew because he had personally received the message from him the previous evening, asking whether Saturday afternoon would be acceptable, how long Theodore usually tolerated visitors before becoming tired, and whether Arion had developed any additional rules since the last family visit.
Dean had stared at the screen for several seconds before showing it to his husband.
Arion had read the message twice.
Then he looked suspicious.
"He wants something."
Dean laughed.
"He wants to see Theo."
"He has never been this polite in his life."
"That is not true."
Arion raised one eyebrow.
Dean considered several years of evidence.
"Fine. He can be sensible when sufficiently motivated."
Apparently, Theodore qualified.
