39. Black Mountain.

Liz smiled as she took Colby from Alton, making sure to be gentle as she held onto him. “Thank you, sweetie.” She cradled the baby and watched as Alton drew. “How did you get good at that?”

“I’ve looked at a ridiculous amount of dragons in my lifetime.” He replied with a light chuckle, continuing to draw on his pumpkin, the dragon outline coming together quicker than even he had thought. “They’re all generally the same, as far as outlines are concerned.”

Liz had grown bored with waiting for her husband to finish getting ready. She leaned in the doorway of their bedroom and watched as he messed with his cuffs and tie, a smile on her face. She was glad to have Alton all to herself tonight, even if they were going out. “Thank you, Mr. Byers,” Liz smiled at her husband, her hands resting on his chest. “You look handsome.”

Bringing his hands up to hold hers, he smiled, before leaning in to give her a soft kiss. “Thank you.” He whispered against her lips, sighing contently before he pulled away again, turning to grab his wallet and slip it into his back pocket. “Are you ready to go?”

Holly couldn’t believe it would only take six months. This was started to become the best thing that had ever happened to her. “That sounds perfect. I’m happy to help wherever I’m needed, as well as in the office. How many handlers do you have here?”

“The guys will be excited to hear that, I’m sure. Gives me time to find a more permanent solution to their complaining, so it’s rather the win-win.” He sighed, nodding as he leaned back, a little more relaxed now that they had transitioned into more casual conversation. “Five, excluding myself. We’re looking to bring in a couple new interns, but I’ll put that on the back burner until you’re ready. It’s much easier to do training along the same schedule.” 

Bryson offered a chuckle, “The Norwegian Ridgebacks. I’ve been trying natural remedies first and I’m about to stop by the MACUSA to see if I can get one of the plants I need brought in.”

“Have you quarantined him? I don’t want my sanctuary to burn down because one of the babies wouldn’t stop sneezing.” He laughed once, shaking his head. “Do you need me to put a rush on it? Just how sick is it?”

The redhead listened intently to the others words and started to figure out a game plan for herself. She smiled when she felt like she had everything figured out. “I would love to start in the office until I can get my certification. How long do you think that’ll take to get initiated. I’m excited to get started.”

“We’re excited to have you.” Alton smiled politely, thinking of how the guys would be glad that he’d gotten someone into the position - even if it was temporary, it was still a load off their shoulders for the time being. “Six months, maybe? It usually takes longer, but since you’ll be in the sanctuary, I’m sure you’ll pick it up much quicker than through books alone. And of course, all the handlers are more than willing to help you along.” His thoughts drifted toward Griffin, hoping she ran into him last, lest he offend her and scare her off.

“Nope, I killed all of them. Rampage. Sorry.” Bryson smiled politely as he approached him. “I actually wanted to talk to you because we’ve got a sick little one.” One of the dragons eggs had hatched and while two of them were thriving, the third seemed to be feeling under the weather.

Alton sighed, it wasn’t that uncommon among the newborns. “So you’re about to kill one of my dragons.” He smirked fleetingly, before schooling his features back to normal. “What breed is it?”

“Hey, Alton, I’ve been meaning to catch up with you.” Bryson hurried to catch up to the man before he entered his office.

@altonbyers

Pausing his steps, he checked his watch before turning. He had just come back from lunch, and wasn’t entirely ready to resume work on his spreadsheet, so he turned. “Please tell me you didn’t kill one of my dragons.”

“I hear you’re a proud father as well.” Holly smiled. Her dad had shown her pictures of his new baby and she had cooed over them respectively. “Yes! I am. I’ve been interested ever since he took me to see one when I was younger. Right now, I’m working in the Beast Department at the MACUSA, but i’ve always wanted to work closely with Dragons.”

“Yes.” Alton murmured, eyes drawn to the small picture on his desk of his wife and son, an uncharacteristically soft smile playing along his lips at the mention. “Yes, Colby will be a month old next week.” With some difficulty, he brought his eyes and his thoughts back to the girl in front of him, his smile fading back into his cool, collected facade. “Well, to work with the dragons here you’ll have to get your license and certification, and after that we could start you as an apprentice. Of course, we could always use someone in the office if you wanted to start while you move toward those.”

“You’re right, it would be hideous if I started with the wings.” Liz laughed lightly, letting the Sharpie that was in her hand fall to the table. “Of course I am. Also, I miss him. And I think he’s hungry. And he’s so cute. He gets that from you.“

Alton laughed, readjusting their son so he could pass him to Liz, but not without a light kiss to his head as he went. “Daddy knows when he’s not going to win, might as well give in while I’m ahead.” He rolled his eyes playfully, kissing Liz on the cheek before picking up the discarded sharpie and beginning to draw on the pumpkin.

robertofdragons‌:

Rob let Alton take over helping Liz get to the car as he followed behind them. He stopped midway to turn around and look at Liliana. “Hey, shit, sorry. Can we talk about this in the car or at the hospital? Pretty sure my brother will kill me if we don’t go and quickly.” 

@lilianalloyd-rp​

Liliana was just standing off to the side feeling awkward and out of place. “So Liz is Altons Wife.” Liliana said to Robert. “Right got it, I’ll just go home. I don’t want to intrude,” she explained. 

@robertofdragons​

Alton was growing more and more impatient by the second, and once he had gotten Liz into the car, he turned. But Rob wasn’t there. “As much as I hate to break up the party.” He drawled, sarcasm dripping through his words as he called out to them, still unsure who the other woman was. But he didn’t care, and he didn’t care if she came, as long as she moved her feet. “But I’m sure we’ll have plenty of time to chat at the hospital.” He looked pointedly to Rob before getting in the back of the car with his wife.

“I was going to do a Golden Snitch but I can’t seem to remember where to start” Liz looked away from the blank pumpkin to look at her husband and baby. She smiled fondly at the two of them. “Do you want me to hold him so you can work on your masterpiece?”

“Not with the wings.” He laughed, smiling at her as he teased.  Their was no way to describe what he was feeling in that moment, his wife at his side and his son in his arms - he never thought this would happen for him. “I think you’re trying to sway him and make sure he’s a mama’s boy.” Alton accused light-heartedly.