LOGINValentino shifted, sighing as he nuzzled his head against Nathan's chest. A chill coursed down his spine when the boy's hand moved to his hair.His fingers threaded through his strands, warm tips gently brushing his scalp. Another sigh slipped through his lips and he smiled."Aren't you supposed to be working?" Nathan asked, sliding his hand to his nape.Valentino's brows furrowed, his chest tightening with discomfort. He reached for the boy's hand and guided it back to his hair.A smile crossed his lips as his heart thumped against his cheek. Faster. Harder. Than he thought was possible."Yes," he replied, fluttering his eyes close as Nathan's fingers resumed their massage. His ears pressed harder against his chest and he listened to his heart beat.It was music."Why are you here then?" Valentino didn't reply; he lifted his head just enough for their eyes to meet. Once he had his fill of that confusion-ladened gaze, he plopped his head on the boy's chest and nuzzled against it.As
Nathan stood in the balcony, a hand rested on the metal railing, a smile across his face, his heart throbbing as he waved his parents goodbye.Valentino stood beside him.They slid into their car, pulled out of the curb, and his mother flashed them one last smile through the window, before they drove away.A soft sigh slipped through Nathan's lips and his hand fell to the railing.He inhaled sharply, when Valentino's hand slid to his waist and pulled him close, muscles tense as the sensation of his cold hand coursed through the thin fabric of his shirt.His eyes darted to the man. Their gaze lingered on his face for a moment too long, then it sliced to the bushes below.As they both watched the world below them, beneath the evening sun, in the chill breeze, snuggled up together, Nathan's mind wandered to those words.He hadn't meant to eavesdrop.But God was he glad he heard them.A warmth crept to his cheeks as they swirled in his mind, like they were there to stay. And he wasn't aga
The hospital room was quiet. The kind of silence that tightened around Valentino's like a noose, heavy with unsaid words. Nathan's mother sat in the chair beside the bed, slicing some apples, while his father sat beside him in the couch by the window.Valentino glanced towards the man, fiddling with his fingers, his mind replaying the scene from earlier over and over.A memory that just might taunt him forever.His eyes darted to Nathan and the duo exchanged looks, brows furrowed awkwardly, then he looked away.How could he have been so careless?He knew they were coming.He'd planned accordingly. The smile he'd wear. The way he'd speak. The way he'd show his mother that he was the right person for Nathan despite his age.Valentino sighed, wincing internally.Nathan's mother wasn't upset as he'd thought she would be, instead it was his father whose glares were burning through him currently.He sliced his gaze to the man, immediately flicking it back to his fingers when their eyes met
The afternoon sun hung high in clear blue sky, its rays filtering through the glass-paned window, across the sleek hospital room.Nathan was seated in the chair by the window, staring down at the bushes below and the people walking by.His heart raced beneath his ribs, dread creeping deeper into his chest. His parents were visiting today.He clutched his folded legs tighter, a shiver coursing through him as the warm, soft fabric of the blanket brushed his skin.The door slid open."Cheryl made you lunch."Nathan sighed softly, glancing towards Valentino. He placed his head on the sill and smiled lightly."What is it?"Valentino closed the door behind him and placed the flask on the table nearby. The boy watched, blinking slowly as he took off his coat and rolled his sleeves-something he'd never thought would make his stomach this warm. "Porridge."He groaned and the man chuckled, walking up to him, hair uncharacteristically slicked back and brown eyes like aged scotch whiskey twinkli
Sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a warm gold glow across the desk. The chill from the AC hung in the air, colder now that winter was near."I must say, it was quite a surprise." Valentino frowned. Nikolai's lips curved into a light smile, his gaze dipping.He reached for the coffee mug on the desk, and brought it to his mouth, taking a sip as he locked eyes with him firmly.Still holding his gaze, he placed the cup down."I could never have imagine that kid was your mate." The words dripped with a contempt that made his blood rush with rage.He clenched his jaw and inhaled sharply."Why are you here?"Nikolai's smile fell into something sinister.He took a breath and sighed, crossing his legs, eyes darting briefly to the side before he looked back at him and replied."Celyn..." His father's eyes darkened.Valentino's breath hitched, heart thumping beneath his ribs, nails digging into the leather-coated arm of his chair.Nikolai paused, searching his gaze. "She was a tou
Nathan stirred, squinting as his eyes adjusted to the light filtering in from the window beside him.His gaze sliced to Valentino's head rested beside him and he smiled small, looking towards their entwined hands.He stared at him for a while, trailing his features under the sun, brows furrowed, hand moving to shade him.But as quickly as it did, Valentino held it back, head snapping up to look at him, eyes wide and tinged with relief."You're awake."Nathan nodded, smiling disappointedly.He hadn't meant to wake him up."I'll be back," the man said, releasing his hand abruptly, and rose to his feet. Nathan's heart throbbed and he reached for his shirt, tugging firmly on the fabric."Please, stay."His ears flushed red.Valentino's gaze locked onto his, something soft settling in it, and he sat on the bed beside him, taking his hand into his."I'm not leaving."Nathan looked away, embarrassed.He stared at the window, his other hand moving to his neck, fingers brushing the skin as the







