Page 62 of Honeythorn
Each day the bond became warmer and more distinct. Milan knew that it had grown strong enough for Raphael and him not to sleep in the same bed, but he didn’t say anything.
Neither did Raphael.
“It’s going to rain,” Raphael warned, even as they went downstairs in search of their coats.
“Don’t be pessimistic,” Milan chided.
“It’s not pessimism, it’s fact.”
“We’ll see,” Milan said haughtily and then laughed as the dogs started running in circles around them, already knowing they were about to be let out. “Oh, to have that much energy.”
Raphael snorted. “Yes. Youaregetting stiff in your old age.”
“Don’t tease me.”
“My apologies.” They smiled at each other a little goofily before wrapping up against the cold and stepped outside.
Milan groaned as soon as the freezing air hit his face, pressing against Raphael’s side. “You were right, it’s about to rain. Let’s go back.”
Raphael laughed, taking his hand and pulling him forwards. “And disappoint the pups?”
Milan huffed, his breath blooming in front of him. “You like them more than me,” he complained. Raphael squeezed his hand.
“I do not.”
Milan looked up at him, a grin taking over his face.
They set off at a quick pace, and soon Milan warmed under his furs.
“See?” Milan said just as they started heading home. “No rain.”
At that exact moment, the clouds rumbled, and rain started pouring down.
Milan screamed as he was drenched quickly, and Raphael laughed loudly, almost doubling over at the force of it.
“How dare you?” Milan squealed, which only made Raphael laugh louder.
Milan couldn’t help but laugh at the sight.
The dogs, which normally stayed indoors when it was raining, became hysterical with joy, racing like lunatics to and fro. Milan was infected by their sheer, simple happiness, and let go of Raphael’s hand to chase after them.
“No!” Milan laughed as Pax jumped against his legs, covering him in mud—not that it would make much difference with how the ground was being churned by the rain. Milan wrestled Pax off as Lima leapt up to join him and started running again, sliding across the mud precariously.
“I’m freezing! I’m dying!” Milan laughed as he ran towards Raphael, circling him so that the dogs would follow, but the sharp turn made him slip suddenly. He would have landed face first if it weren’t for Raphael’s arms around him, pressing him against his body.
Milan looked up, a breathless laugh dying in his throat. Raphael was looking at him as if Milan were the only warm thing in the world, arms tightening around him.
Milan’s lungs weren’t quite working. Rain was dripping across both their faces and Milan watched the drops curve around Raphael’s cheekbones, collecting in his eyelashes before dropping down.
Milan craned his neck and pressed his lips against Raphael’s.
It was their first completely voluntary kiss. Their skin was cold, but as Raphael parted his mouth slightly, everything became unbearably heated. Raphael’s breath, his tongue, his mouth—Milan moaned, and the sound burnt in the fire between them.
It must have been a moment later, although Milan felt that entire ages had passed, when the yipping of the pups drew them away. Milan and Raphael looked at each other for a moment after they parted, Milan trembling with the force of that stare. Raphael cupped Milan’s cheek, water still pouring off them.
“Let’s go home,” he said. Milan could only smile and nod in response.
Orson looked completely scandalised when the four of them finally made it to the manor, walking in through the mudroom. Milan restrained the dogs from shooting inside and tracking mud over everything.
