Ethan called his personal secretary and said firmly, "Get me everything you can on Rico—background, current activities, anything suspicious."
The secretary nodded and left without a word.
Grabbing his car keys, Ethan headed out.
When he arrived home, the maid greeted him at the door.
"Mr. Ethan, Miles is waiting for you at the dining table," she said politely.
Ethan nodded and walked in with a soft smile. He hugged Miles from behind and whispered, "Did I keep you waiting long?"
Miles shook his head, smiling. "Nope, I just finished my assignment. Let's eat."
After dinner, Ethan and Miles made their way to the bedroom. As soon as the door closed behind them, Ethan pulled Miles into a deep, hungry kiss.
Miles tried to catch his breath. "W-Wait… Ethan—"
Ethan whispered against his lips, "You don't know how long I've waited for you. I can't hold back anymore, Milk…"
Miles blushed. "But I have an important class tomorrow."
Ethan gently bit his ear and murmured, "Don't worry, I won't overdo it. I'll be gentle this time."
He began kissing and licking along Miles' neck, making him shiver. "Let's finish what we left undone," Ethan whispered.
Miles smiled, giving in as they kissed again—passionately and hungrily. Ethan bit his lower lip, then licked into his mouth. Miles moaned softly, his hands clinging to Ethan's shirt.
Ethan lifted Miles up in his arms and carried him to the bed. Laying him down gently, he admired the way Miles' body practically begged for his touch.
Bast and Kai ate their dinner in silence, the gentle breeze from the ocean brushing against their skin. The night sky was clear, and the sound of waves added a soft rhythm to the moment.
Kai felt a little shy but continued eating quietly.
Bast smiled as he watched him. "When you were little, you always cried for ice cream."
Kai glanced at him, cheeks flushing. "I did not."
"Oh really?" Bast chuckled. "You don't remember when you were sick, but still begged for ice cream? Jennifer said no, and you cried your heart out. You were even more adorable when you were being stubborn."
Kai lowered his gaze. "I miss Mom…"
Bast's smile faded slightly. He looked down at his food and said softly, "I do too. But having you with me… that's enough."
He reached out and gently patted Kai's head, offering a quiet warmth that words couldn't fully express.
Bast looked at Kai, his voice gentle. "Kai, I want to tell you something…"
Kai tilted his head. "What is it?"
Bast hesitated for a second, his eyes searching for the right words. "Your mom and I—"
But before he could finish, Kai suddenly stood up. "Look, the moon is full tonight."
He ran toward the sea, his footsteps light against the sand.
Bast followed quietly.
Kai walked into the shallow water, the waves gently touching his ankles. "The moon's reflection on the water… it looks so beautiful."
Bast watched him with a soft smile. "Just like your eyes."
Kai stood in silence, the sea breeze ruffling his hair.
"You want to know how your eyes look when you look at me?" Bast stepped beside him. "They shine… just like this water under the moonlight."
Kai looked away. "Why are you always being so nice to me?" His voice cracked slightly. "I'll always hate you…"
Bast didn't flinch. Instead, he took a step closer and said quietly, "Because I love you."
Kai's eyes widened at Bast's words. "I know… as a son," he muttered, looking away.
But Bast stepped closer, his voice low and steady. "No, Kai. I want to be more than that. I want to be your everything—your brother, your father, your mother… your friend, your partner, your lover."
Kai looked up at him, stunned, his breath caught in his throat.
Before he could respond, Bast leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. It was soft, tender—filled with all the feelings Bast had kept hidden for so long. His hands found Kai's waist, pulling him closer.
Kai's eyes fluttered shut. Slowly, his hands reached up, resting lightly on Bast's chest. The quiet beat of Bast's heart thudded beneath his palms.
Then, the kiss deepened—no longer gentle but desperate, passionate, and full of the emotions they had both kept buried.