It was somehow critical that the very card Dorian had spent so many hours fixating upon was given the approval of his own husband. Sebastian's opinion mattered to Dorian in all things, no matter how mundane. His husband, after all, had seen a great number of his artworks. Sebastian, by that notion, a perfect judge of this one even if the Fae King suspected the vampire would surely insist such a work was beautiful regardless. Dorian so simply required that reassurance of sorts. He was oblivious, in that moment, to the sigh that left his Father's lips or the fashion in which his husband hurried towards him in place of Matteo. Dorian lent back from that finished card to present it to his lover then. Sebastian's insistence it was magnificent seeming to prompt that brilliant grin to Dorian's own features- such a look only furthered by that soft kiss the vampire placed upon his forehead.The Fae King so at last satisfied with his work- and none too soon. Sebastian commenting that Aiden was sure to arrive in the next few moments as Matteo began to take charge of that event and the card was passed around to each of them before being returned to Dorians own hands. How baffling it was to see Matteo take charge. Such a role normally reserved for Alexander, when his grandfather was present. Yet, Aiden's recent ...mood seemed to have affected the family at large. Dorian hardly oblivious to how very tense Matteo had been of late. Even despite the elder Fae's efforts to hide that concern. Dorian so eternally skillful in picking up upon those underlying emotions even if he was hardly assured as to what had caused them. No one, it seemed, was willing to inform Sebastian or himself of exactly why Aiden had become so terribly withdrawn and Matteo seemed to spend so much time with him in turn. This birthday, it seemed, far more important than Matteo had willingly let on.

Dorian moved to follow the rest of his family out of the warehouse and onto those docks outside as Matteo and Alexander closed the warehouse door. That small family congregation hardly had to wait long before Aiden appeared in response to that text message Dorian had sent earlier. A small part of the Monarch was decidedly....thrilled that Aiden had been willing to come to his rescue even despite his clear depression of late. Matteo's sudden query on just what he had told the WerePanther in order to summon him however seemed only to inspire his Father's disdain. Dorian's own gaze shifted back toward his sibling. That look of utter confusion Aiden wore having shifted into a look of clear concern. Matteo readily seeming to imply that such a ruse had not been as clever as Dorian believed. Aiden, in turn, appearing to have seen through it almost instantly. The Fae King huffed slightly in response, Dorian oblivious to the amusement Sebastian seemed to take from that familial bickering. His Father's attempts to warn them that Aiden might not take that gift as anticipated prompted but a slight fluttering off nervousness within the Monarch and yet- Aidens very nature had surely eluded to the fact. His brother was a terribly guarded sort of person. His emotions difficult to read at the best of times. Aiden not prone to excitability unless it was a topic that interested him. That planned surprise gift surely within the realm of things Aiden was interested in. Surely he would like it, wouldn't he?

Any further thought upon the topic was quickly ended as Aiden himself readily approached the group. A warm simper found Dorian's features at the sight of his sibling. Aiden looking well, despite his recent apathy to life in general. His brother all but demanded to know how all four of them had apparently managed to get lost when that giant ship he called home was clearly within view. Hmm. Perhaps Matteo had been right about the quality of his ruse in this regard. Aiden clearly not fooled for even a moment. It was his siblings gaze settling upon the wrapped box in Sebastian's hands however that seemed to prompt something almost close to a look of...disdain upon the younger mans features. That first true feeling of doubt blossomed with Dorian's own chest. Perhaps this had not been such a good idea after all. Dorian so hardly desiring to, well, upset his sibling in any sense. How very much Dorian so adored those birthday and christmas and easter celebrations! So many years spent kept away from the world having resulted in a near determined desire within the Monarch to celebrate all those events he had missed and yet- for all his own love of those parties- he understood, keenly so, that Aiden might yet be one such being whom did not enjoy them. Matteo was quick to step forward with that insistence Aiden was simply not allowed to forget his own birthday before insisting their family had gathered to celebrate it.

How very ...not delighted Aiden appeared. Dorian readily wavered once more on whether that card was even truly suitable to present to his sibling only for his brother to hate it. Perhaps, in this, Matteo was not right to push. The monarch shifted in slight discomfort before Matteo abruptly gestured for him to go ahead. The eyes of his family all turning upon him in that moment. Dorian, so distinctly used to gathering his courage when needed and with the eyes of the world upon him, so quickly coaxed that warm simper to his lips once more before stepping forward to offer Aiden that birthday card he had worked so diligently upon.

"Happy Birthday, Aiden. I made it myself and we all signed it. I so aimed to model the road after those we drove on in Italy- you seemed to enjoy them a great deal. Sebastian insisted I use an animal atlas to properly draw a panther too, so it should be quite accurate."

That grin hardly faltered, that very memory of just how glorious that time in Italy had been seeming to only increase that delight upon the Monarch's features before he stepped back to stand beside Matteo and Sebastian moved to offer Aiden that truly extravagant whiskey. Such alcohol was, admittedly, far more than any of them truly ever spent and yet their funds, as a family, were ...significant beyond all measure. That alcohol hardly having made a dent in the family wallet. Matteo was quick to insist that each of them had taken part in acquiring this years birthday present. The elder Fae so seemingly alluding to that whiskey. Dorian himself quite unable to prevent that small simper of amusement at the clear bafflement on Aiden's features as to why it appeared his entire family had gone to such lengths for a mere bottle of whiskey. Matteo's hand extended then, the Frenchman waiting until Aiden held his hand out in turn before pressing those keys into his palm, Alexander gestured toward Sebastian, his own husband moving to pull that warehouse door aside and reveal that gorgeous car that rested within and beneath that single light that seemed to highlight each cure and line on that exclusive machine. How utterly fierce it looked within that darkness. Dorian finding himself near in awe of that car himself all over again as he moved to come to Aiden's side. His brothers face still largely unreadable. How very much Dorian hoped e adored that gift.

Dorian Aragona