"Here... Father" Kaelen said, his voice tinged with fear!
He held out a bouquet of vibrant, exotic flowers, their colours and fragrance filling the air.
Aether blinked in surprise, his eyes darting between the bouquet and Kaelen. "Father?" he echoed, pointing to himself in disbelief.
It was a strange and uncomfortable title for him... Yes, he did love children... but they were children, not a full-grown adult calling him father.
Kaelen's face flushed with embarrassment and a touch of fear and pitiful expression, "M-My mother told me to call you that... or else... 'gulp'" He gulped, visibly uncomfortable. "Please... Father," he added, forcing the word out, feeling both awkward and ashamed to be addressing a younger man in such a manner.
