"Aw, love you too," 'Chelle says fondly.

(He has a moment where he has a sharp feeling of jealousy. Not sure what of.

Of the fact that 'Chelle's obviously so much better than he is?

Of the fact that she can say that so easily?)

Still. He smiles. Zev deserves to be loved.

Zev laughs, trying to hide the happy tears that sprang into his eyes. He wipes at them ineffectually and nudges ‘Chelle with his foot. “Stop it. I can only have a heart so big.”

He looks at Nova, grins back at his smile, and kisses him gently behind his ear. 

-tiny, startled, not at all disapproving squeak.

"I find that hearts are much like the universe: constantly expanding."

"-have we hit the point of philosophy of human emotions?" Aaren teases gently.

“That may be so, but you’ll upset your dad if you make me all heart and no stomach.”

Nova’s shoulder is a very good place for his head to be. 

"Quite! There must always be room for stomach!"

"You're biased, Dad," Lan grins.

“He has every right to be,” Zev laughs. 

"Thank you, Zev, nice to have some back-up against these two reprobates." (There's no heat in his words.)

"Okay, this old man is heading to bed, and you guys might want to as well, you've got school tomorrow, 'Chelle."

"Probably a good idea," he says to Nova.

He then tries to hug 'Chelle with his legs.

"I find arms are more conducive to hugs," 'Chelle notes, hugging his legs anyway. "But eight out of ten for the attempt."

-yeah. Sleep sounds appealing. He nods tiredly.

"True. But where's the challenge?" He says to 'Chelle, but lets her free from the prison of his legs.

He sees Nova's yawn, and cuddles him. "All right. Upstairs with us both then."

"Anyone want a hug before bed?" Aaren asks, getting to his feet and opening his arms.

"Dumb question," 'Chelle says immediately hugging him.

Lan crowds around 'Chelle to join that hug, before the two of them head up the stairs.

"Open offer?" Aaren says.

Zev nudges Nova gently. 

...who doesn't seem to have an easy answer to that, although he does get to his feet.

Zev stands with him, hand between his shoulders to try and comfort him.

He leans a little into the touch.

"Your choice," Aaren reassures. "Zev, would you like a quick hug? Five seconds? Apparently that's the optimum time for a hug according to Lan, after that it apparently becomes a cuddle?"

“Longer than five second cuddle it is then,” Zev says with a laugh. He takes Nova’s hand just to keep contact with him, and then happily steps into Aaren’s arms, hugging him back one handed.