Page 4 of Winds of War

“What? You're here? When did you come, and why didn't you let me know?” Nico darted from behind Elaine, jumping in Seamus's arms. “I’ve missed you so very much,” he whispered, burying his head into the man's chest.

“Hey, my friend, I think it's time for us to get back to work and let these two enjoy the moment of their sweet reunion.” Van turned to Spyros, gesturing with his head in Seamus's and Nico's direction.

“For once, you’ve said a decent thing,” the other guard reluctantly agreed, somehow irritated that it wasn't him who came up with the idea. “Let's go. What are you waiting for?”

“Party pooper,” Elaine muttered under her breath, looking in Nico's direction. “You took all the fun out of the game,” she continued, discreetly wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.

But Nico and Seamus didn't pay attention to her words; they were too caught up in a world of their own, where only they existed. The boy raised his head, boring his turquoise eyes into the cobalt-blue ones of his fiancé, the mix of longing and innocence in them melting the man's heart, making his protective instincts kick in even more.

Cradling Nico's cheek in one hand, Seamus used the thumb of the other to trace the contour of his beloved's face. Lowering his head a little, he placed the most tender, chastest of kisses on the boy's forehead, then continued with the brows, temples, cheeks, and chin, his lips barely touching Nico's skin.

A butterfly kiss on the tip of his nose made the teen giggle happily, and he put his arms around Seamus, surprising the older man with a kiss on the lips. Nico then burrowed his head into his fiancé's broad chest, hiding the blush that started to creep on his cheeks. Seamus held the boy close, his big hands rubbing soft circles on the blond's back, then convulsively hugged him, tears of joy and relief escaping from his eyes.

The scene before him tugged at the chords of Kieran's heart, opening his eyes to a facet of love he never met before. The tattooed, blond young man was fed from a very young age with stories that presented the relationships between men as something brutal, unnatural. As he grew up, his perception on gay couples changed a lot, but he still didn't see the closeness and tight bond he was witnessing right then and there.

“Elaine, do you happen to know where Nico is? I’ve looked for him in every damn corner of The Base, and...oh, it seems I’ve found him.” The man's voice, heavy with concern and worry, made Kieran turn his head.

“Well, just your luck, poor you missed all the good stuff.” The girl snaked an arm around the newcomer's waist, grinning. “Anyway, we have new faces among us. The resident drug lord brought his cellmate with him.” Elaine pointed in Kieran's direction.

“Hi, I'm Dunbar, nice to meet you.” Without realizing, he checked out the newcomer and found him very attractive, the thought confusing him. “Nice ink.” Dunbar pointed to the side of the other one's neck.

“I'm glad you like it. The flower is a lily, a symbol of innocence, and I think you figured out the meaning of the shield and the sword. You have a very unique, interesting name. I'm Kieran.” The blond smiled, extending a hand.

“You have a beautiful name yourself.” Dunbar blushed, taking the other man's hand and giving it a light squeeze. “So”—he inhaled sharply—“Elaine here is my best friend, but her greatest pleasure in life is to tease me. Tell me, please, did I miss anything important?” He pointed to Seamus and Nico, who, absorbed by each other as they were, ignored everything and everyone.

“Oh...” Kieran paused for a while, searching for the right words. “They were...making out, I think? You know, hugging, kissing, whispering in one another's ear... It was very sweet.” He tenderly smiled. “I’ve never seen a gay couple doing those kinds of things before, so it's something completely new to me.”

“You'll witness a lot of scenes like that one during your stay here,” Elaine said in a warm voice. “The guys are not afraid or ashamed to express their love for one another. Some of them had an early start, and they are the sweetest and cutest ever.” The girl paused a little, then changed the subject, curious to know more about the newcomer. “So, you’re into ‘drug dealing,’ too?” She air quotes as she spoke.

“What?” For a brief moment, Kieran didn't know how to answer, then he realized what Elaine meant. “No. I was sentenced to ten years for stabbing two human-faced beasts to death. Temporary insanity, my pro bono lawyer said, and the prosecutor embraced his theory with a little too much enthusiasm.”

“Ian and his team from DA's Office are a recruitment agency of sorts for Ardan, Uncle Fabian, and the rest of the guys in charge of running The Base. They spot talented, dedicated people and send them our way,” Elaine explained.

“I totally understand the talented part.” Kieran gave the blond girl a confused look, “Seamus told me the whole drug lord story, but dedicated...to what?”

“To protecting the helpless and innocent, the children who are neglected and abused, of course,” Dunbar answered in a soft but passionate voice. Come on, let's leave Seamus and Nico alone so they can express their feelings for each other, and you can join us for a tour of The Base.”

Kieran nodded and followed Elaine and Dunbar, who took him first to the Remembrance Hall. In a voice thick with emotion, the girl told the newcomer about the significance of the building. His eyes were wide with shock but also shining with admiration as the story of The Base's beginnings unfolded.

The small group's next stop was to the dorm building. Well-aired rooms, walls painted in bright and vibrant colors, adjoining bathrooms, nice-smelling bedding, shelves filled with toys and books—Kieran didn't see any of these things in any of the orphanages or foster homes he lived in at different stages of his life.

Thinking about all the time, money, and dedication that went into creating that place, the unwanted orphan's heart filled with admiration for the ones behind that project. His two guides took Kieran to the very large, spotless, clean kitchen where the food for the guards and the children was prepared. The rich aroma of the dishes simmering in the large pots on the three stoves tickled his nostrils, and his stomach grumbled in response.

The sound made Dunbar flinch, and he examined Kieran with worried eyes. Apologizing, the man disappeared into one of the adjoining rooms and came back a few minutes later with a huge plate filled with tasty breakfast foods. Meanwhile, Elaine took a large glass, and, opening one of the giant fridges, took out a carton of milk and a jug of peach juice.

The two set the table and invited Kieran to sit and enjoy the late breakfast while they watched him digging into the food like there was no tomorrow. The warmth and sisterly affection radiating from Elaine wrapped around the newcomer like a comfortable blanket, making him feel that he really mattered for the first time in his life.

Dunbar also gave Kieran an affectionate look, but he perceived it differently than the expression on the girl's face. He couldn't put a finger on that special something in the other man's ice-blue eyes, but it made him experience a completely new sensation. Kieran felt his cheeks burning under Dunbar's concerned stare, and his heart started to race in his chest.

The sound of children laughing and giggling coming from outside distracted Kieran from his thoughts and feelings, making him smile. It must be this place, the man thought, everything here is so different, so special, so...home.

CHAPTER 4

“I think I'm the only guy crazy enough to say that he missed his former love rivals, but this is gods' truth,” Seamus said, hugging Xavier and Dehaan. ”Long time no see,” he turned to Fergus, his cobalt-eyes becoming even shinier. “How are you?”

“He's resting,” Everly, the man's fiercely protective alter-ego answered. “The morning was busy with a lot of job interviews and phone calls to and from Social Services. “All this bureaucracy can be damn exhausting at times, and Fergus needs a break once in a while. Plus, he can't be of any help in this situation.’’

Seamus nodded in understanding, then turned to Xavier and Dehaan. “What's the plan? Ian didn't offer me too many details; he can be a thorn in the side at times.”

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