Hyll bounced on the heels of her feet, not even trying to hide her grin now. It grew even bigger as Rowan wrapped her arms tightly around Alvaro, although she did release once Alvaro did. Her smile didn't falter, even though she was disappointed for it to end so soon.

Hyll exchanger a knowing glance with Nakia, but didn't mention out loud how obvious their attraction to one another was.

"I missed you too, Alvaro," Rowan responsed back, her eyes not leaving his.

Alvaro was the first to look away, the tips of his pointed ears turning a deep red. The faerie boy who'd been talking to Nakia was flying off but turned a little to look at Alvaro in confusion. Even the other faeries were starting to understand that Alvaro liked someone. Most of the time, it was cause for celebration, as a pairing between anyone meant children were coming soon, and in the faerie world, children were adored in a way no other race could compare. After all, faerie number were rather low. Unfortunately, no one really knew who Alvaro liked, as he was much to busy to settle down right now.

"I'm sorry I haven't been able to visit more often. Being the first in command is...hard, especially with the pixies returning. But that's not what I'm here for huh? Actually, what am I here for? And Rowan, since when did you speak with the trees." Alvaro raised an eyebrow as her, but his smile said he wasn't really serious, just curious as faeries often were.

Rowan bit her lip in a sly smile, "Something I picked up," she said smoothly, "Reworking the basis of Immortal magic to be able to take my energy is a cause for a small celebration, no?" Rowan raised her eyebrow, and Hyll giggled.

"Oh! As for why you are here - I was planning on going on a ride then having a picnic with the children, and was wondering if you wanted to come along?" Rowan hoped he wasn't too busy, and would be able to join them, although she'd also understand if Alvaro wasn't able to.

Alvaro raised an eyebrow at Rowan's words, but did not push any further. He completely respected her privacy, and if she was dabbling in nature magick then he had no right to stop her. After all, immortals were supposed to do the exact opposite, so if anything, he was rather happy she was talking to the trees and not using them like most immortals did.

"A picnic? That sounds wonderful! I haven't had a moment to rest in forever. I would love to go on a picnic with you all." Even though he said you all his eyes were firmly on Rowan's, though he quickly looked at Nakia who was doing a little happy dance. Celebrating the return of her kinda but not really dad. Though with the way he was looking at mama, she was pretty sure that he would be her actual dad soon.

NAKIA OH MY GOD BAHAHAHAH))

----

Rowan grabbed Alvaro's hand with a large smile, tugging him inside, "Perfect! Neo is a lot better of a cook than I am - my speciality is burnt meat - so he's been putting stuff together. He's already making vegetarian stuff for Hyll, and knew that I was going to invite you, so there will be stuff for you to eat."

Hyll followed the pair back inside with Nakia, "Well little sister," The dryad giggled, "It seems our family of four is going to be a family of five."

Nakia be speaking the truth))

~
~

Alvaro couldn't help how red his ears turned when Rowan grabbed his hand and tugged him inside. Suddenly he was just a child again, with an innocent crush on a girl way out of his league. Alvaro would never be able to even meet her level, and he was okay with that. Romance wasn't really for leaders, though when it was, the love tended to be everlasting, and the two past together into the Earth. Again, that would never happen with Rowan, she was immortal, and deserved not only better, but immortal too.

"Oh, I'm sure it will come out amazing, Neo has always cooked so wonderfully." Alvaro grinned as he was dragged inside, his voice summoning Neo from the kitchen, the boy giving the faerie a brilliant smile before rushing over to hug him. Alvaro reluctantly let go of Rowan's hand, his fingers gently brushing hers before he enveloped Neo in a warm hug.

Nakia giggled in agreement, a smile plastered on her face, sharp teeth exposed. "I mean, I think we both know where this thing is going, probably Neo too. He's pretty intuitive for a human." Nakia smiled, she liked complimenting her brother, even if he was a human and not nearly as good as any of the forest folk. Still, he was very nice, and made really good food, and cared for Nakia like she was a little sister. He made her happy and she appreciated that. Plus, she could roughouse with him unlike Hyll. Not that that was a bad thing, but Nakia needed to run around often, it was in her blood.

Rowan missed the warmth of Alvaro's hand, but her face didn't falter. She enjoyed seeing Neo smile, and Alvaro always seemed to be able to draw it out.

Hyll elbowed her little sister and pressed a finger to her own lips, gesturing her head over to Rowan, who was looking at the two of them curiously, not quite able to hear what they were saying. Once Neo and Alvaro finished their 'hello's, Hyll offered to help Neo finish up, and dragged Nakia along with her, "You two should saddle up the horses," She said over her shoulder to Rowan, who looked at her oddly, but shrugged, "If you don't mind helping me, I could use a hand," She said to Alvaro.

Nakia couldn't help but release a soft giggle at Rowan's curious stare but quickly looked away, acting as if nothing was happening. Acting was definitely not her strong suit though, and she couldn't stop giggling under her breath. Momma was funny, how could she not know about her own crush on Alvaro? Or maybe she did know, she just didn't own up to it. Human like beings were so weird. In catamount culture, Rowan and Alvaro would've already recognized their feelings for each other and became mates. If anything, Rowan would probably already be pregnant. People in love often moved very quickly in catamount culture.

Neo looked at his siblings and immediately knew exaclty what was happening. Though it wasn't really that hard to figure out, he'd seen the way Alvaro's fingers had lingered a little to long on Rowan's. Neo wasn't dumb. He had parents, dead ones, and he'd seen the way they acted. It was obvious that the two adults in front of him liked each other, now if they would only just hurry up and recognize those feelings.

Alvaro grinned down at Neo as he stood, ruffling the boy's hair with a hand, which immediately granted a swat on the hand. Hyll's suggestion was immediately met with nods of approval from her two siblings, and a discreet thumbs up from Nakia. "Yep, we'll just finish up lunch then, and Nakia, no eating the damn lunch meat." The shifter released a soft meep as she got dragged into the kitchen, giving her mom a quick wave before disappearing into the kitchen.

Alvaro turned to Rowan with a confused expression. "That was um... odd, but of course I'll help you!" Alvaro beamed at Rowan, he suddenly missed holding her hand, and he fought down the urge to grab it. No, she probably didn't like him the way he liked her. Plus, he didn't want her to get too attached to him. Alvaro would eventually die, Rowan would not.

Rowan looked sharply at Neo, calling out, "Don't curse at Nakia, Neo!" She wasn't too bothered, though, and walked beside Alvaro as the two exited the house, "I'm not sure where he picked up those damn curse words." Rowan sighed, shaking her head, "I'm a awful parent," She confessed, "Yeah, I'm there for the kids, and can teach them stuff, but I'm worried that I'm not strict enough, or that I'm letting them do whatever, but I never really had those limitations for myself. Gwendolyn and Aldwin loved me, for sure, but they were occupied with running a kingdom, or taking care of their other kids - they are all so complicated. I was quite self-sufficient. Anyway... but I raised myself pretty much. I'm not sure how to do this parenting thing."

The boy laughed softly and said replied with a raised voice. "Sorry mom!" Before continuing the making of lunch. Nakia tried to help, but ended up stealing a slice of cheese instead and Neo decided that he liked the kitchen better when he was alone. Nakia's ravenous appetite was unnatural.

Alvaro looked at Rowan with a grim smile, and nodded in understanding. "From what I understand, you learn along the way. You could ask most faeries in the village for some advice, most of them are or were parents at one point or another. Plus, I think it's easier when there's two parents involved. Especially with three children, more like five with the amount of energy in little Nakia." Alvaro chuckled softly, he meant nothing bad, catamounts were part mountain lion, and Nakia would need a very firm hand as she grew up.

"I cannot offer much advice, but I'll try to help out as much as I can. I don't want you to have the burden of three children all at once, all by yourself no less. I just wished I had more time to be with all of you." Alvaro sighed sadly, running a hand through his tangled hair. "Regardless, I'll try to be around more. Honestly, they're all good kids, they just need some set rules. Especially Nakia, she's a catamount, she'll always need more parenting than the other children."