Page 64 of Free Me

“For here in Sansbury. As beautiful as the snow is, I like that it’s at least a few degrees warmer here, and I’m less likely to slip on ice.”

“Here in Sansbury sounds perfect to me,” Brogan replied. “Our province is big enough for our families to have space, while still being close enough for weekly brunch. And, of course, to be close together in case of emergency. Not that I am advocating for you two to get a place together in the immediate future, but I remember how quickly things moved with Peyton and Layne when they acknowledged their feelings for each other.”

Linus held back a flinch at yet another mention of their elder siblings. “Miko and I still have a lot to figure out before we can get our own place. We know that. It’s not as if I’m in any position to financially provide for us, not with my soccer career blown toshit.” He cringed at the self-pitying way he’d said that. “Anyway, um, we should go. I’m getting hungry for dinner. Miko?”

“I could definitely eat.” Miko’s gentle, understanding smile made Linus want to weep. “One day at a time, right?”

“Yeah.”

Instead of a sit-down restaurant, they did a little negotiating (since their parents had driven in separate cars) and ended up at a popular fast-food drive-thru, and they took their respective bags of food back to the Higgs house. Tarius came home halfway through their group meal, and he heated up leftovers from the fridge. Linus and Miko took turns narrating their adventures in Ampshire—leaving out the sexy stuff, obviously—as they ate.

Papa made coffee and offered drinks to everyone after they cleaned up from dinner, and the gathering became less formal. Linus took this as his chance to pull Mikel to the side and quietly asked, “Will you allow Miko to spend the night here, sir?”

Mikel gazed down at him with familiar warmth in his dark eyes. “You know you don’t have to call me sir, but I appreciate the respect you’re showing. And shouldn’t Miko staying over be up to your parents?”

“It is, but I wouldn’t dare ask them without your permission first. Miko and I might be bondmates, but we are not mated, and we both live with our parents. I love Miko to bits, and I want to be with him, but I don’t want to disrespect you or Brogan. Or my parents.”

“Thank you for saying that, Linus.” Mikel glanced around, but they were alone in a corner of the kitchen. “I know I can be overprotective of Miko, but he’s my only biological child, and he’s omega. But I also know he is safe with you. And he is definitely safe in this house, if he chooses to stay.”

Linus’s heart swelled. “Thank you. I know I have an uncertain future when it comes to my career, but I do love Miko. I will do right by him and by your faith in me.”

“I know you will.” Mikel rubbed his eyes with the fingers of one hand. “Goddess, it seems like only yesterday you two were toddling around the house in diapers, trying to play hide-and-seek with Morgyn and Jaxson.”

“And now we’re all grown up.”

“Yes, you are.” Mikel extended his hand, and Linus carefully shook it. “I know you haven’t asked, but you absolutely have my blessing to mate with my son. I look forward to the eventual celebration.”

“Thank you.” Linus blinked back hot tears. He excused himself and found Miko in the living room, showing what few photos he had on his mobile to Tarius and Dad. As sweet as the scene was, Linus was exhausted, aching, and ready to ditch both his prosthetic and his crutches, so instead of asking Miko to stay, he went to his room and removed his body of both accessories, before stretching out on his bed.

He’d get used to it eventually, according to his physical therapist, but Linus wasn’t there yet. He hated his new body and missed the days when standing and walking were so fucking simple he didn’t have to think about either. He didn’t have to wait and plan and strategize his every movement. But he could hate it all day long, and it would not change his new reality.

He had to adapt, period.

For all Linus’s formality in asking Mikel permission for a sleepover, Miko must have taken his own initiative, because he came into Linus’s bedroom with their suitcase. Eventually, they fell asleep together in Linus’s bed, arms wrapped around each other. Linus clung tight to Miko, hopeful for their future as mates, and desperate to make each moment going forward as perfect as possible.

SIXTEEN

Miko wasglad he tried on his good suit the day before the Winter Solstice Gala, instead of the day of, or he’d have been a little bit screwed. After sharing breakfast with the Higgs family, he and Linus had decided on a fun project for the day: developing their trip pictures at a one-hour photo hut, and then putting together a scrapbook of their wintertime adventure, complete with fun paper stamps and stickers. They shopped at a local craft and hobby store while the photos were developed, Linus using the cart for balance instead of his crutches or the walker. Miko was incredibly proud of how he carried himself through the store.

After they collected their supplies and the photos, Miko drove them back to his house to grab some stuff that Omi had on-hand from previous attempts at scrapbooking the hundreds of photos Dad had taken over the years, after discovering a love for photography in his late twenties.

They also used the excuse of an empty house to make love in Miko’s room, using the slick he’d bought months ago for jerking off, since the other bottle was still in their suitcase at Linus’s house. Miko loved feeling his alpha sliding in and out of his body, an action both claiming and giving, until they both came.

Linus was still lounging on the bed when Miko came back in after a quick bathroom cleanup. “Have you aired out your suit yet?” Linus asked, pointing at the bedroom closet. “I need to get mine out when we go home.”

“What on earth made you think of that?”

“Papa.” He held up his mobile. “Texted me a few minutes ago asking if I’d done it.”

“Ah ha. Yeah, that makes sense. It’s been ages since I last wore it.” He glanced down at his rounded belly. “Hope it still fits.” Thanks to his bruised ribs and lack of real exercise these past two months, he’d gained some weight around the middle, and the pants had been a tad tight before.

Miko found it in the back of his closet, still in its dry cleaners bag, and put on underwear before trying on the suit. The jacket was fine, but as expected, the waist was tight. “Well, shit,” he huffed.

“Uncomfortable?”

“Really uncomfortable.”

“We’ve got over twenty-four-hours before we need them. Maybe there’s a tailor who can fit you in last minute.”

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