Page 12 of Winds of War

“That's the Spyros I know and love,” Seamus exclaimed, standing, going around the desk, and tightly hugging the other man. “That won't happen, but if it does, send the fellow here, the two of us will have a very interesting chat.”

Spyros shook his head, then disentangled from the embrace, wished his friend a good day, and left the room. Maybe Seamus is right, he said to himself on the way to his patrol area. Maybe everything Van did was his way of reacting to me always suspecting him, sneaking behind his back, and making his life hard.

Maybe, without realizing it, I enjoyed the things he did to me, Spyros admitted to himself, blushing. Or maybe not. Either way, I have to talk to him, find out what he thinks about...this thing the two of us have. Who knows, maybe the guy is as confused and lost as I am. And if he acts like a dork, I have Seamus to take care of him, a mischievous smile played on Spyros's lips at the thought.

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“Good morning, son,” Ardan greeted Cian, who stood in the living-room's doorway, in the soft, gentle voice he used with the kids at The Base. “Take a seat, please.” He patted the couch, indicating the spot next to him.

“Good morning, Pater.” The boy hesitantly stepped in and sat on the edge of the couch, back straight, his entire body tensed. “Spitfire said you wanted to see me and talk to me about something.”

“Yes, that's right.” Ardan examined his son with worried eyes. “You don't look well, sweet child. Are you having trouble sleeping? Has the treatment you take for your condition become less effective? Is there anything else bothering you?”

“I had a hard time falling asleep last night, but it was nothing. I have no worries, really, and I'm ashamed about it, especially given the current circumstances. I think I should get myself involved more in...I don't know...everything related to The Base,” Cian barely whispered, lowering his eyes.

“Son, stop, please! You are doing enough as it is, studying to become a social worker and spending every little bit of spare time you have among the small children and teens at the sanctuary. You are enough, and I should have told you this way earlier. I'm so sorry I didn't.” Ardan tentatively caressed Cian's dark-blond strands, pulling him in a tight hug.

“Thank you, Pater. Your words mean a lot to me,” the young man said in a- voice filled with gratitude. “With all the things happening lately, it's a wonder you find time to eat and sleep, so I completely understand...”

“I deeply apologize,” Ardan cut his son short in a gentle voice, looking into the boy's turquoise eyes so much like his own, “for not making more time to talk to you and Lorcan, to listen to the two of you. And I also want to tell you how sorry I am for my total lack of sensibility last night.”

“What about last night?” Cian gave his father a confused look, then he waved his hand dismissively. “Oh, it was...you didn't say anything wrong, just asked for my opinion. I apologize if my answers to your questions weren't clear enough or satisfactory.” The blond boy sighed and lowered his gaze.

“I shouldn't have brought Don Joaquin into discussion, not when I see you and Soames from the window of my office every day. Even from that distance, I can tell he loves to spend time in your company, and you enjoy his presence very much, too.” Ardan smiled warmly, massaging one of Cian's hands with the pads of his thumbs.

“Soames is the only person at The Base, except for the kids, who looks at me like I am a normal guy. He sees past my health issues, and this makes me feel really special. Of course, Soames treats me with great care and attention, but it's different from the treatment I get from my friends.” Cian lowered his head as he felt his cheeks burning from the blush creeping on them.

“Son, love is the most beautiful feeling the gods put in our heart, and it comes in so many wonderful forms.” Ardan spoke in a tender voice, running the tips of his slim, elegant fingers through his son's hair. “Sometimes, however, for one reason or another, one can have a hard time expressing it, and they need help. I suggest you go and talk to Soames, tell him what your feelings are, and find out if he reciprocates them.”

I will do that. I will talk to Soames and tell him what I feel, Cian said to himself as he headed to the playground across the school where the guards patrolled in the morning. Suddenly, Joaquin's face, a smile playing on his full lips, appeared in Cian's mind, and for some reason, the blond felt a pang in his chest.

Lost in his thoughts, Ardan's son bumped into someone. Most likely a kid who was late for school and didn't pay attention to the road like he didn’t. Cian smiled internally. He examined the boy in front of him, who froze on the spot like a deer caught in the headlights.

CHAPTER 10

“Sorry for not seeing you. It won't happen again.” The blond, fragile boy brought his hands together in a pleading gesture, kneeling in front of Cian. “Please, don't hit me. Please, anything, but don't beat me.” He covered his head with both hands, curling into himself.

“Calm down, sweetheart. No one is going to hurt you. This is a safe place for children of all ages. My name is Cian. What's yours?” Ardan's son tentatively rubbed the delicate boy's back, shocked to see how skinny he was.

“I'm...Bob and Tim say my name is stupid. They only say it when they want to mock or humiliate me.” The skinny kid’s answer came in a shaky, whispered voice. “I'm just a useless bag of skin and bones who will soon turn to dust. Evon. That’s my name.” The boy's almost white lips barely moved when he said his name.

“Well, Evon, your bad days are over now.” Cian spoke in a warm, calm voice, tentatively caressing the kid's pale cheek. “I know you don't believe me right now, not after you've been put through hell for gods know how long, but it's true.” Ardan's son paused for a few moments, continuing to rub the kid's back. “So, where were you heading when we bumped into each other?”

Suddenly, Evon shied away from Cian's touch and scrambled to his feet, hugging himself. “To the dumpsters. I wanted to see if there are any leftovers from breakfast, a half-eaten muffin or bun...anything will do.”

“Why in gods' name would you do that when the kitchen is open all day long and there's plenty of fresh, unspoiled food for you to eat?” Cian stared at the blond kid, then the realization hit him. “Were you starved back home and afraid you would be punished if you asked for food?”

Evon nodded slowly, head hung low. “It's...those scary-looking men are tall and large, tattooed all over just like Bob, and they have thick, wide belts. I'm sure it hurts a lot when a kid...when someone like me, a bag of bones, is hit. I don't think I could take any more pain. Last time was....I wanted to die.”

“Sweetheart, the guards are there to keep the intruders out, not the kids. They may look scary, but all of them are just giant teddy bears, really.” Cian was smiling, but inside him, anger was boiling like hot lava. Were the two bastards who tortured that poor kid there, he would have ripped them apart with his bare hands.

“Maybe you're right,” Evon spoke a little louder, carefully choosing his words. “I mean, at least some of the guards, how you call them? Must be good people. I met one last evening, and he was very gentle like a real father must be. A tall, strong man with long hair and dark-brown eyes, very warm.”

“You offered the perfect description of Uncle Leon.” Cian's turquoise eyes started to shine with affection. “He's a marshmallow on the inside. The guy has the biggest, most loving heart, and he has plenty of room there for all the children at The Base and then some.”

“Is he here now? Can I see him again, please?” Cian's enthusiasm was contagious, making Evon speak in a louder, livelier voice.

“No, he'll come a little later to take a tour of The Base and see what needs to be repaired. Uncle Leon is, as Spitfire puts it, very good with his hands. He could have been a very successful construction engineer, but life got in the way, and he didn't go to college. Oh, my”—Cian covered his mouth with one hand—“poor you are starving and I...Come on, let's go to the kitchen and feed you.”

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