There were times in which Matteo was near assured it was a veritable shame that the fate of the world, in some sense, so rested within the hands of such a lazy boy. His job, he was certain, would have been far easier were he so fated to watch over someone far more inclined to get out of bed and yet- in all the years he had so spent in Aiden's company he had come to find near most of the man's traits almost endearing. That love of sleep so typified the Panther near perfectly. Matteo unable to prevent that simper that found his lips all the same at the sleepy grunt he was so rewarded with for his inquiry. Some things did not change, no matter how the years passed. Matteo so hardly having the heart to rouse Aiden from his bed entirely, not when that vacation was truly the first chance to sleep near uninterrupted his companion had ever been given. The Frenchman wholly content to permit those birthday celebrations to begin with Aiden still mostly nestled beneath those warm covers. That hand that flailed from beneath the blankets in search of that gift however, was easily denied. Matteo unlikely to fall for the very ploy Aiden had fooled him with once before in his youth- pilfering those gifts to unwrap under the blanket. The Frenchman quite content to hold that very gift to ransom until Aiden's invertible desire for it won out over his adoration of sleep. That waiting, outstretched palm at last admitting defeat with those muttered grumbles as the blankets were pushed back and Aiden so forced to drag himself into a seated position. That very effort so seeing that gift handed over with a chuckle of amusement.

"My, my, but we are grumpy today."

That ready tease so found his lips, Matteo already assured of that glare he was rewarded with before the younger man so set to the task of unwrapping that very gift. A gift the Fae so already knew his adoptive son would fail to truly understand in any sense and yet- one that was perhaps more significant a gift then he had ever truly given the boy before. His silver gaze lingered readily upon his companion as Aiden eyed that black leather album only to open that first page and find that picture of the very room they lay within now, that clear perplexion on the boys features prompting that simper of amusement to Matteo's own as Aiden attempted to muster some form of thanks despite the lack of excitement that gift had garnered.

"Ah, Mon Amie, you do not yet understand the gift, but I will show to you what it does before the morning is done- I promise."

That he would so hardly offer more information then that was surely clear. Aiden so veritably left to wonder over that curious album and singular photograph within it before he placed it upon the bed beside him and settled back against that headboard. That query of just what plans they had for today so prompting the return of that near impish smile to the Frenchman's own features. Matteo so folding his own arms behind his head then, his limbs stretched laconically out across that bed as he leant back in turn. As if so considering the day ahead required such a position of relaxation.

"We will go down for breakfast shortly and then, while they finish the rest of your birthday meal, you and I will work on your teleportation and the use of that gift I gave you. After that birthday lunch and tart and depending on your progress we will either work on that teleporting some more or I will take you to see some of France's sights. Tonight we have cheese-themed dinner and yes, before you ask because I know you will, I will put the breadcrumbs and the sausage in the Mac and Cheese. Then I have your other gift for you and something of a...inquiry to discuss, if you will. Tomorrow we will go to Paris and I shall make you visit every tourist site regardless as to your thoughts on it. Apparently your going to be quite taken with the Arc De Triomphe- of all things."

His head shook but ever so slightly as if he could so hardly comprehend why, out of all those monuments, Aiden might choose to like the very arch the most and yet- Aiden had so eternally been inclined to surprise him, even now, with those things he took pleasure in so unexpectedly. Frankly, that the panther might be encouraged to show an interest in anything historical was a veritable victory as far as Matteo was concerned. If he was so destined to like that arch then so be it. The Fae hardly inclined to complain. Matteo's own figure stretched near lackidastically once more, the Frenchman remaining silent for several moments to allow Aiden to contemplate the very plans for the day before so glancing toward him once more.

"Breakfast, I think, will be ready now. I will see you downstairs shortly. Try not to get lost, Aidun- and bring that album with you."

That simper so found the Fae's lips once more. Matteo abruptly disappearing from the bed then to reappear within that kitchen. Maria starting in surprise at his sudden appearance before querying just where Aiden was. Matteo so insisting he would be down in a few moments once he had dressed. His own attention returned to the table so done up in a more....low key fashion for that birthday. That white table cloth and scattering of blue and white balloons, along with that impressive breakfast spread the only real indications of the day at all and yet- Aiden would have found disdain in anything more overt. The sound of footsteps on the stairs some minutes later readily saw the Frenchman's silvered gaze flicker to the figure of his adoptive son, whatever words Matteo had so been about to offer cut short by the scampering of paws across the carpet. An overly excited Herbert all but bursting into the room to near throw himself at Aiden's legs in a desperate bid to be picked up, his too-short legs and wiggling rear abruptly over balancing the Corgi and sending the excitable dog tumbling onto his back- his short legs waving madly in the air for several moments as he struggled to right himself. Matteo so inclined to stare at the ridiculous creature before a sigh parted his lips. The Fae wondered across the room then to roll the dog back onto his feet. Herbert, now righted, proceeding to charge around that room at full speed and in that fashion dogs so had of doing when that excitement became to much. The racing Corgi frantically circling that dining room table and kitchen before following that same pattern again at speed.

"This is what he does when he becomes too excited to live, cleary your presence has resulted in an outpouring of emotion to grand for his small body. I do not have guests very often, I think it is a little much for him. You should see him when Alexander is here though, he abandons me completely then and sleeps on Alexander's bed- traitorous creature."

His silver eyes so glanced toward that Corgi once more before gesturing toward that breakfast table so laden beneath those pancakes and bacon and eggs and toast and hashbrown and sausage and bread. Maria so hurrying forward with clear delight to wish Aiden a Happy Birthday in turn before proclaiming she had hardly known which breakfast was his favourite and as such she had made a 'bit of everything'. Matteo moved easily to take his own seat at the table then, the Fae pulling that tray of bacon towards him as he waited for Aiden to settle in turn in his own chair. His gaze glancing upward toward his companion then. A near knowing simper so finding his lips.

"What is the furthest you have ever teleported? I have discovered some things about this Shadow Jumping of yours since we last spoke of it. I think perhaps there is more to your talents then we know."


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