[--July, 2008--]

"Are we there yet?" Nate repeated the same question that he and the other pups had been asking all through the drive to the airport, through the flight, the layover in Chicago, and the thirty-minute drive from Orlando's airport to their hotel.

Dakota didn't so much as twitch in response to the question. He had his head tilted back, resting against the uncomfortable seat with his arm draped over his eyes. Whether he was even conscious was hard to tell.

"Almost, bud," Slade assured with a weary chuckle from the other side of the van, which was more like a bus—one of two taxiing their group to the hotel.

Travis had gone all out on this year's summer vacation for the pups. In the past, he'd been reluctant, always using money or the pup's ages to reason away anything more than a small weekend outing or camping trip. But Byron and a few others had pointed out how important it was for the pups to have exposure to the outside world in a positive manner. A fact that was made even more vital as more parents expressed the desire to put their children in public schools.

Travis couldn't say he was in love with the idea. His own past made him rather opposed to embracing human life. Everyone was sure that Rose had been the real reason for his change in opinion on the subject. She'd often taken the stance that their ignorance, and distance from the human world, put them and their pups in more danger than living with and being a part of the world around them.

Yes, that had struck a chord with Travis, but not when Rose had said it. Honestly, it hadn't really hit home with him until one night at dinner when Dakota had brought up wanting to see the ocean. There was something so innocent and sincere in his fascination and wonder that Travis started to plan the trip in his head the next day.

He'd kept the group small, in hopes that would make it more manageable. Dakota, Slade, Mari, and himself, along with his two pups; Axel and Hazel, Nate, Kaiden, and a few others close to their ages. That made twelve total—split up between the two cars. Byron had stayed at the ranch to handle things while he was away, and both his wife and her beta were still there as well.

It was late evening by the time they arrived at the hotel. While Travis went to the front desk, it was up to the remaining adults to deal with wrangling the eight tired and fussy pups.

"This isn't Disney Land..." Nate mumbled.

"Disney World," Hazel corrected in a superior tone.

"No one cares, Hazel!" Nate snapped.

"She's right, though." Hazel's best friend interjected. "You're just dumb."

"Carina, we don't say dumb," Mari corrected in a patient, but stern tone as she handed Carina a bag to carry.

"Sounds like everyone's hungry," Slade said with a grin. "Come on kids, the sooner we get the bags to the room, the sooner we can all eat!" His big hands came down on Nate and Kaiden's shoulders, and he piloted his two boys towards the elevators.

Somehow, despite how busy the airports had been, getting the pups out to a restaurant, to get fed, proved almost as stressful to Dakota. At least, it did until the food arrived at their table. Then, for a few glorious minutes, not a single one of them was talking. All that could be heard from their table was the clink of forks against plates and the sound of cups being sat back down.

Dakota found himself unable to stop staring at the eclectic mix of decor on every inch of wall space and the weird, but interesting light fixtures. And when he wasn't doing that, or glancing down at his food, he was looking at the people dining at the other tables.

He was experiencing so many firsts on this trip and they were technically only on day one of their vacation. First time being on a plane. First time seeing taxis. First time really seeing traffic, or roads with more than two lanes. Same-sex couples openly holding hands... This restaurant had a fucking fish tank. He'd never seen one before except for in the background of apartment sets on tv shows... It was a lot to take in and he found himself wanting to mentally catalog every single detail.

"I can't believe we're really doing this," he mentioned sort of to the whole table, but also to no one in particular. It felt weird to be twenty-three and experiencing all these things that most humans were probably so used to that they didn't think twice about any of it. Sure, he went into town from time to time at home... Went into the restaurants or shops occasionally, but none of them were this big, or ever this crowded. Sheltered was the word that kept coming to mind, now that he was really away from the ranch to know that it actually did apply to him, even though that had largely been by his own choosing.

Travis and Slade exchanged a knowing smile between them in agreement with Dakota, but both were too exhausted to dare break the delicate silence. Unfortunately, it was whisked away all too soon when Xavier and Miguel finished their plates and started to make faces at a human child who was staring at their table, and they were promptly scolded for it.

From there, the table was absorbed once more by questions, side conversations, and the occasional reprimanding until their group paid—and that didn't stop, not once, even as Travis gave out room assignments when they'd gotten back to the hotel.

The main room was a large suite with a living area and Kitchenette in the center, and four adjoining bedrooms—one master, and three others. This was where the boys were staying, and across the hall was a smaller suite for Mari and the girls.

"Dad, which room is ours?" Axel asked, looking between the doors, his eyelids heavy. "And do we have to sleep in these forms?"

"You'll get used to it," Travis assured as he crossed his arms and turned to look at them all. "Pick your bunk mates. Two to a room, and you'll be sticking with them for the rest of the trip, so pick carefully."

Dakota raised a brow while side-eyeing the alpha. "You're really gonna let them choose?" he mumbled, his words barely audible. He was pretty sure Nate would choose to room with him. His nephew was practically like his second shadow.

"Do you want to share a room?" Axel asked, nudging Nate lightly with his elbow.

Nate responded with a few rapid nods as he shuffled closer to the other boy to indicate that they were paired. It was a big deal to him. Nate's age put him in the weird position of being the youngest on this trip, and he'd been worried that would mean that he would get excluded or left behind. So, the fact that Axel had picked him over their other friends, had the boy beaming.

That did, however, leave Xavier, Miguel, and Kaiden to decide who would be the odd man out. After a bit of murmuring and finger-pointing back and forth, which all seemed far too diplomatic for a bunch of 9 and 10-year-olds, Kaiden had rescinded, saving both of his friends from having to be the lone kid in a room.

Kaiden wasn't on his own for long because Slade, of course, picked his son. Maybe it was because Kaiden was his child, but Travis suspected that Slade would have done the same for any of the pups. It was part of his position as Omega, but more importantly, it was part of his nature to make sure that no one was left uncounted for, that no one was left behind. He could see that same nature in Kaiden, who, rather than look embarrassed at the fact that he was the only one paired with their parent, almost seemed proud of that fact.

As the others retired to their rooms, Travis shot Dakota a brief, but rather smug smirk. He'd rested an arm casually on Dakota's shoulder when the picking had begun. It had been subtle, but unmistakably clear who his pick was and therefore who was second in command without his beta around.

Dakota rolled his eyes at the superior expression on Travis's face, but didn't try to hide his own pleased smile either. "After you, Alpha," he said, motioning towards the door to the master bedroom, the only one left. Even as pups, the kids were all old enough to know by now that Travis got the best of whatever there was to be had. All of which was expected to be yielded willingly to him, of course, out of respect for his position and the role he filled for the pack.

Once inside the room, with the door closed, and the lamps switched on, Dakota's attention fell to the one, large bed dressed in crisp linens. "So... where are you sleeping?" he asked, flashing Travis a grin that he wasn't sure the alpha saw, before he fell backward onto the bed, stretching and yawning dramatically.

"In my bed," Travis said in what Dakota had come to affectionately know as his 'alpha voice'. It was the way he spoke around the pack and in public, or to his children when they were in trouble. It was stern, controlled, and lacked any emotion. It made Travis hard to read, and that was probably exactly why he used it.

Travis had just finished unbuttoning his dress shirt, to expose the white undershirt beneath it, when he glanced back at Dakota. A small, genuine smile crept into his eyes and the corners of his mouth as he just watched the younger male. It was adorable the way the redhead was cocky and confident until the moment that he moved towards him. Dakota's brows lifted but soon relaxed as Travis sat down next to him and began to drag his fingers through Dakota's hair.

"How are you liking the trip so far?"

"It's uh... it's been different," Dakota laughed, letting his eyes flit closed as he enjoyed Travis's tender touch. "I'm sure it'll be more fun tomorrow," he added, "Once we all get to do something besides sitting in a van or on a plane." He waited a few moments before opening his pale eyes. It was hard not to let them trail hungrily down Travis's chest.

Dakota had actually promised himself he was done screwing around with the older wolf, after the last time they'd slept together, six-ish months ago. When he'd gotten home that night it had hit entirely different. His chest had ached worse than it ever had before. He was past the age of just wanting flings, and yet he'd done nothing to go out and try to meet other people. Hell, Mari and her boyfriend, Conor, were already engaged, and here he fucking was... still crushing on a man he couldn't have. Could it even be considered a crush at this point?

All of that shit aside, it was hard not to feel like Travis had planned to make that secret resolution of his as difficult as possible. He hadn't brought his wife, for one, and now they were sharing a room... with only one bed. "Are you enjoying yourself, Alpha?" he asked, trying to sound as unphased as possible.

Travis snorted and he pulled his hand back. "Have I done something to upset you?" He was pretty sure he'd told Dakota a few times that he didn't have to call him alpha all the time. But he could feel it—something was off.

Dakota sat up, visibly surprised by the question. "No," he lied. "Why?"

"Hn. Alright then," Travis murmured, unwilling to push the matter further.

The younger wolf slipped off the bed and moved to the chair positioned next to the window to sit and unlace his boots enough to remove them. This was bullshit. Why did he feel bad? He hadn't done a single damned thing wrong. Right?

"...Travis?"

"Hmm?" He was halfway to the master bathroom when he paused to look back.

Dakota gazed up at him with those sharp, beautiful eyes. "Where am I sleeping?"

Travis froze a moment, his gaze lost in thought somewhere between the bathroom ahead of him and Dakota behind him. Now he was the one to feel the burn of guilt grip his throat. All the little voices in his head screaming at one another of what not to say. Until he turned to meet Dakota's gaze with his own.

"Stay with me..."

The pups are on vacation!!! We hope y'all are ready for some adorably wholesome bonding moments! Cuz they're coming up next! 8D

Shout-outs to h_j_potter, LTheBattyInsomniac, and Welkan00!! Thanks for your support!