That near teasing insistence from the emerald-eyed panther that he was pleased to have filled his life with purpose only further prompted that impish simper to the Frenchmans features. Matteo chuckling softly at that insistence before that singular french word so found it's way from his lips in response.

"Toujours." (Always.)

He uttered simply. That word decidedly true even if he knew Aiden would no more understand it then he himself held any intention of delving into that bond of sorts the pair had shared for twenty long years. Ever since that first night. Ever since he had so finally managed to coax a terrified child into accepting his presence before steadily building enough trust to permit even the faintest of touch. Trust, after all, had always been an issue for the boy and one he knew Aiden struggled still to overcome even in adulthood. Aiden, for weeks, having flinched away from him each time he had reached for him and yet- in this his stubbornness had near matched his adoptive sons own. Aiden slowly but surely permitting him closer and closer until, finally, he had persuaded that scared little child to let him wrap his arms around him. As if Matteo could have held together those broken pieces of Aiden's life for him when he could hardly do it himself any longer. After all, was that not what a parent did? Even a friend? Picked up those pieces and put them back in place time and time again? Still, most parents, surely, did not have to put together a shattered world, a splintered family, a ruined life- and a broken child. Matteo, so many times, having felt as if he was surely holding Aiden together with no more then the strings of hope and the glue of that promise he himself would never leave. Some damage never truly healing no matter how many times he had tried to bandage over it and build Aiden up again. Yet- they, together, had survived this long. Somehow. Despite it all. Aiden had given him more then he truly believed the WerePanther might ever realise ever since that day he had finally coaxed the boy into his arms and in some fashion- never truly let him go. After all, for as long as they both lived, she would not win. That a singular goal the Frenchman so refused to fail at. He loved Aiden far to much to ever fail at that.

His own thoughts turned with curiosity back toward their guest then, Matteo content to inquire about Arya's work and it's very nature. Aiden himself seeming decidedly intrigued by the younger girls role at that aquarium, especially with her very species so perhaps predisposing her to find a pleasure of sorts in those very tasks. The near ancient Fae not at all surprised to learn those animals favoured her, after all, perhaps they sensed a kinship of sorts within her. How unfortunate though, that her parents seemed not to appreciate such passion within their daughter. Passion in work was a decidedly rare thing and indeed, if Arya truly took pleasure in her role then as far as he was concerned she should readily pursue it. It was hardly a difficult thing to so peer into the girls future, indeed those very visions near came quote without his consent to turn behind his eyes and afford him those glimpses of what she would one day become within that field. Those very words off assurance parting his lips quote before he could stop them and yet, though he was assured Aiden had noted that slip of his tongue, Arya herself hardly seemed to truly fixated upon that prediction. The girl instead contentent to lament that she wished her parents would display that pride more readily. Matteo's own head shaking softly.

"Ah, parents are strange creatures."

He offered simply, an amusement of sorts touching those lyrics all the same. His attention returned largely to that pasta before him, assuring it was prepared in a fashion he deemed suitable. Each action performed with the ready and assured confidence of one whom had done such a thing near countless times before. His diligence with that very work halted only by that argument over cheese and Aiden's declaration that cheese was merely cheese. As if he had never tasted true cheese before! Heathen that he was! So uncultured. Matteo's head merely shook in disdain before he readily proclaimed the wound his companion had inflicted upon him with such thoughts. Aiden's own words layered with sarcasm as Matteo's own simper once more took up that impish note. The Frenchman content to present his companion with that cheese grater then and the insistence it was his turn to grate. Arya readily warned against falling beneath the sway of those emerald eyes. Matteo, in that moment, hardly glancing into the immediate future. The Frenchman becoming aware of Arya's well-intentioned efforts perhaps a second too late, his feet pivoting upon that kitchen floor with her name upon his lips in an effort to stop her and yet- that touch of her power had already afflicted Aiden in turn.

The silence was near deafening- at least- it seemed as such to the ancient Fae. A feeling near akin to a fist of sorts seemed to tighten within his chest. Those decidedly protective instincts clawing at the surface even as he struggled to contain them and so force down the rise off his own affinities. Arya had hardly meant any harm, she had hardly known and as such she could so hardly be blamed. Aiden already having retreated well behind the fortified walls off his own detachment. Whether or not he might let those barriers down again tonight hardly known. Matteo sighing softly in that interim. Arya, sensing her own error, had already begun to cry, the girls cheeks stained with those tears before her own affinity extended itself, pressing her own emotions onto that group at large until they were near cloying in the air. Matteo readily attempting to detach himself from those feelings he knew were not his own. The Frenchman's hand reaching for her then in some effort to break that spell of sorts and release them all from that emotional wave. Matte gently resting his hand on her arm.

That spoon was gently and yet swiftly forced into her hands. Matteo seeking to occupy her with a task of sorts while he saw to repairing what damage had already been done in perhaps the most efficient manner he knew- at least in this singular moment. It took him only a few moments to reappear within that kitchen with that liquor in hand, those three glasses lined easily long the bench before those drinks were poured. That very nickname upon his lips seeming to shatter whatever darkened memory he knew lingered upon Aiden's mind and so draw the Panther from that grating task in turn as he slid the drink effortlessly toward him. Aiden catching it smoothly as always. This, so evidently, not the pair's first drinking session. His own drink was downed with just as much profociancy, that burning sensation seeming to warm his inside entirely as he returned to that pasta to thank Arya for her efforts and gesture to her own drink. The girl appearing decidedly disheartened all the same. How fortunate it was that meal was almost ready, Aiden declaring that cheese finished.

Matteo moved easily toward that cheese then, carrying it back towards those pots to make that smooth, cheesy sauce he had long ago perfected. Those ingredients combined several moments later into three steaming hot bowls of perfect Mac and Cheese. Arya suddenly insisting she had surely overstayed her welcome as Matteo returned those bowls to the bench only to add another sprinkling of cheese to Aiden's favoured meal. His companion quick to inform her that her leaving would be 'lame' if only because she would surely never eat Mac and Cheese quote like this again. Matteo sliding that bowl and spoon toward Aiden then before pushing another toward Arya.

"Ah, the boy is quite right I fear, Mon Amie. I am an excellent maker of the Mac and Cheese- even without the sausage and breadcrumb."

One eye rose slightly toward Aiden then, assuring him rather silently that he had heard that comment all the same and yet that good-natured simper remained upon his lips all the same.

"Besides, what good would it do you, Arya, to go home and be hungry when food is right here? It would be, how they say, very lame."

That warm simper hardly faltered as his silvery gaze met the woman's own, encouraging her to join them once more. Matteo moved to take his own seat at that table then, pulling his own bowl toward him before reaching for the tequila again, the bottle lifted in silent question toward Aiden, Matteo waiting for that subtle nod before pouring another glass and pushing it back toward the panther before refilling his own. His gaze glancing back toward Arya to make sure she had quote recovered.

"How do you like it, Arya? I am often astounded at my own talent."

Another soft chuckle hummed from his lips once more, Matteo content to return that mood to what it had been before his foot so suddenly extended beneath that table to kick at Aiden's leg and draw his attention as any friend surely captured the attention of another.

"Tell me, these ring fights you have here. Is it only for the Were or can I have a turn? I think I'd be quite good at it."


m a t t e o
it's tough to be a god