Lucien was almost relieved to hear his response, because it meant that he hadn't been the one to slip but at the same time.. he hadn't expected that to be something they had to look out for. They had always been careful about Aurel potentially seeing him, but it had not occurred to him at all that the snakes were also to be a concern. From the way the snake was reacting it seemed like he could understand the extent of their conversation. He had truly underestimated the intelligence of those reptiles. The nephilim tried to focus on the task at hand. He couldn't simply answer Aurel's question without [i]knowing[/i] what he meant by those words. It was best to avoid telling him the truth if it was possible.

[color=burlywood]"Well.. what do you know about kissing.. and the like?"[/color] He asked him. 

Aurel glanced at his snake as Lucien asked this question. He had the explanation he had given him in the past, when he was growing up, and then.. what he had seen when he had come more into contact with humans. 

[color=#a7d3d4]"Well.. I've seen people do it at the circus.. and sometimes our visitors would do it as well.. it doesn't seem like something you do with just anyone? My snake said the humans who do that make hatchlings together."[/color] He said, pausing for a moment.

[color=#a7d3d4]"Are you two going to make hatchlings together?"[/color] 

Lucien's face flushed a little at the boy's comment. He.. clearly knew what it meant.. even if he wasn't really going about his explanation in the most normal way. Those snakes.. surely did [i]attempt[/i] to explain things to the boy, in their own way. It seemed like he couldn't really avoid answering him. Plus.. if he had figured them out at this point.. it was important that he knew he shouldn't tell anyone about it.

[color=burlywood]"No.. that's not possible for us. Hatchlings are what you call reptilian newborns, the human term would be babies, or children. I'll explain why when you're a little older but.. yes.. we are.. [i]partners[/i]."[/color] He explained a little hesitantly. 

Aurel nodded at this piece of information. Children.. right.. he had heard that before, hatchlings was just easier for him to recall, because that's what his snakes called it. He was confused with Lucien's reasoning. Honestly having to wait until he was older to have him explain things made him a little impatient. He wished he could grow up faster. 

[color=#a7d3d4]"I see! I'll draw you holding hands then."[/color] He said, about to go back to his drawing. 

Lucien was surprised by such a.. simple response. There was no negative reaction from him.. no disgust. Had no one.. ever discussed this with Aurel before? He thought it was likely, as it didn't seem like anyone at the circus went out of the way to teach him anything. It was a bit.. relieving to know that this was not something they would have to struggle with, but there were still other things he had to address. 

[color=burlywood]"Ah.. well.. even though we are partners.. there's a lot of people who aren't as.. understanding about how we feel about each other.."[/color] He said hesitantly, unsure of how to approach what he wanted to say. Even though he seemed to be perfectly okay with this, he was still a child.. he wasn't sure what he should or shouldn't tell him yet.

Aurel was confused by this response. [color=#a7d3d4]"Why?"[/color] He asked, not quite understanding the reason. Wasn't this normal?