Page 64 of The Himbo and the Lord

“If I were, I’d’ve told him ages ago,” he cuts me off, and I have to sigh.

“You were very fucking bravetoday, and that’s what matters.”

“Yeah, and I almost put my father in an early grave,” he snaps at me, but I let it go quickly. This isn’t about me, it’s about him and the voice inside his head that’s still telling him he can’t be his true self.

“No.” The simple denial is hard enough to have him snapping his head up and looking at me—finally. “What made your father collapse is probably a life full of stress, some bad eating habits, andfear. Prejudice, archaic fucking beliefs, and unwillingness to change and get with the fucking times. You didn’t do this. He did this to himself. Don’t you dare blame yourself for his fucked up head and heart, you got me?” I demand, ragged puffs of air leaving my lips.

I won’t let him blame himself. Iwon’t.

“I got you,” he says quietly, looking at me like I’m some alien or something.

And okay, this is probably not how I should be speaking to him when his dad’s in the hospital, but?—

“I love you.”

The words come out softly, in his beautiful tender voice that melts my insides.

“That’s a reaction I didn’t expect,” I tell him for some fucking reason. I don’t know why those were the first words out of my mouth, but I hope my smile clues him in to what’s coming next.

He laughs, looking less heavy and apparently not at all bothered by my reaction.

“It’s the truth.” He shrugs and looks away for a second, but I know he’s waiting for it now, and I’ll give it to him. Whatever he wants.

“I—”

“They have a great coffee shop downstairs.” Dad bursts in, not caring at all about what was about to happen inside. “I swear they offered me like ten different blends?—”

“Dad, get out!” I shout.

He frowns at me, clearly put out, but then seems to realize some of what’s happening and turns right around with the carton of to-go cups still in his hand.

I turn right back to Ru and cup his cheeks.

“I love you too. Maybe more. Maybe I’ll become one of those saps that always has to tell you, because let me tell you, it feels good to tell you I love you. I do. So, so much it?—”

I groan in relief when he shuts me up with a hard kiss. It’s simply perfect.

We get lost in it for a while, enjoying this bubble we created where the world can’t barge in.

And when he’s ready he pulls back and looks at the door. I know what that means.

“Come in, Dad,” I shout again.

“Sorry ’bout that,” he says sheepishly and offers us the coffees.

“So how is he now?” I ask Ru. Thehedoesn’t need an explanation.

“Mother told me he’s stable, but I haven’t seen him. Considering everything that happened right before, I don’t think he wants to see me.” He looks down gloomily at his coffee.

“I don’t know,” Dad muses. “I don’t know your dad, of course, but you won’t know unless you ask. I think he would like to see you.”

Ru looks out the window and contemplates that in silence for a minute. I’m not gonna tell him what to do. Personally, I’m not a father, and I don’t know his father, so I don’t know how I could have any type of wisdom to share here.

“Will you come with me?” he asks me, then surprises me when he looks toward Dad as well.

“Of course. We’re here for you.”

“Thank you,” he sighs, the relief visible all over his face.

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