It was actually three hours before Connor made it back upstairs, to find Aydin and Luc fed and sleeping.
He found himself being fed as he chatted with Gently and Luc’s grandparent’s, who left shortly after, promising to come back the next morning to make brunch.
Connor didn’t argue. He knew they needed to take care of Luc.
Aydin and Luc woke for a short time. Gently confirming that it was expected for Aydin to be sleepy, and once Aydin was again in bed, the TV gave him a headache, Gently went home for the night.
Connor was just answering some emails on his phone when a movement caught his eye. He looked up as Maria came in.
“I’m sorry. It’s late.”
“It’s okay. I thought you would be by earlier?”
“Got tied up.” They were speaking quietly as Luc was slumbering on Connor’s lap. “Anyway, I need to speak with you alone. I have Aydin’s keys. Nana and Grandpa will be back in the morning, so I’ll lock up when I leave.”
“That’s fine, but I’ll walk you down to a cab.”
Maria smiled and patted his cheek softly, rather like her Nana would. “Terry is waiting downstairs for me. He’ll take me home, don’t worry.”
“What did you want to ask me?” Connor frowned when Maria just studied him with dark, serious eyes. She looked so much like Luc it was unnerving. “What? You wanna ask my intentions towards your brother or something?”
Maria’s smile was slightly wicked. “That is exactly what I wanted to ask you,” she confirmed.
Connor wasn’t quite sure what to say.
Maria sat on the coffee table. “Look, the thing is, we have a problem. Or more a situation. I’m going to be moving out. Me and Terry are getting a place, about three stops, not far.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thanks,” she beamed. “And Carlo is moving back in, with his family. The boys are twins,” She grinned, “They will have plenty of space in my room. Carlo and Fran need Luc’s room.”
“Oh!”
“So Luc needs somewhere to stay.”
“Well here can stay here, of course.”
“No not, of course,” Maria rolled her eyes. “I’m asking your INTENTIONS? Sure, he can use the spare room doesn’t cut it.”
Connor could feel his face flushing. He lowered his voice. “Maria, are you sure he’s asleep?”
She dropped her eyes to Luc for a moment. He was limp, relaxed, and breathing slowly and deeply. “Yea, he’s well out.”
“The thing is,” Connor started.
“Con, you’re blushing.”
“Shut up!”
“That’s adorable.” At his glare she mimed zipping her lips.
“I love your brother, Maria. I fell for him before I even let myself think I could. I didn’t trust myself. But I love him so much. I would have asked him to move in ages ago, but I didn’t think he would want to leave your grandparent’s. Not with your grandfather having been ill and everything.”
Maria smiled happily. “That’s the best news.”
“I didn’t want to make him choose.”
“It’s okay. So Carlo will be home. I will be close, and Luc will be four blocks away. It’s perfect.”
They sat and smiled at each other for a moment.
“Oh, and I apologize,” Maria said, standing and kissing Connor’s cheek. “Welcome to the family.”
“Thanks, but apologize for what?”
“I was lying to you when I said Luc was asleep!”
She grinned and bent to kiss Luc when he turned his head.
Connor groaned and hid his face in his hands as Maria spoke quietly in Italian, and then took her leave.
He felt Luc’s fingers gently tapping his hands and lowered them, smiling ruefully back at Luc’s grin.
“That mind reading thing you and your sister do, is actually quite creepy, you know.”
Luc just smirked but then cocked his head, like a question.
“What?”
Connor steadied Luc as he shifted, moving to kneel on the couch and then straddle Connor’s lap. His movements careful and slow. He gripped Luc’s hips as he leaned forward and pressed his face into Connor’s neck.
Connor just turned and kissed his brow.
Luc leaned back slightly and gave his sleeve a tug.
“What?” Connor half laughed.
Luc moved back and studied Connor with the same dark, serious expression that Maria had used. ‘I love you too.’ he mouthed, while pressing his fingers to his heart and then to Connor’s chest.
Their lips met gently. A brush, a breath, a taste. Tender, slow kisses that made them both feel drunk.
Luc shifted again, catching himself and freezing, “Ah. Shit!” he croaked out. Although it was barely understandable.
“Come on,” Connor helped him stand and gave him a nudge. “Bathroom and bed. You’re hurting.”
Luc tried to reach for another kiss.
“I know what you want” Connor told him. Pressing a finger to Luc’s pouting lips. “I’ll take care of you. I’m just going to lock up and check on Aydin.”
Luc rolled his eyes, knowing Maria had locked up already but Connor would need to check, and went to the bathroom.
After confirming all was secure, Connor placed water, an apple, and more painkillers next to a peacefully sleeping Aydin.
He looked almost innocent when he slept. HA!
Smirking, Connor passed Luc coming out of the bathroom. The smirk turned into a light laugh, when he came back out and saw that Luc had laid towels and lube on the bed.
He wasn’t shy about what he wanted, but was also struggling to get comfy. Wincing and fidgeting, trying to find the right position.
Connor turned Luc and cupped his face, bending to drug him with more soft kisses.
Luc’s cheeks were flushed and his eyes dreamy, when Connor pulled back.
Connor yanked his underwear down, his cock bouncing and grabbing Luc’s attention, then knee walked into the middle of the bed. Holding a hand out so Luc carefully turned and crawled to join him.
Luc waved a hand at the bed, but his question was cut off with another kiss.
“Trust me,” Connor demanded and Luc nodded, his eyes wide and a little nervous.
Connor moved close to Luc’s side so he was supported against him. Holding Luc with a strong arm across his chest, lightly gripping his shoulder.
Luc relaxed gratefully into the hold. His hands hooked around Connor’s arm. He was kneeling, but his torso was straight, which was more comfortable for him.
Connor placed soft kisses along the back of Luc’s neck, where the marks were not so bad, and over his back and shoulders.
His free hand skimmed Luc’s golden skin. Or held him gently to calm or re-position him.
Luc felt Connor’s fingers tighten on his shoulder when Connor’s hand carefully explored the large bruise on his thigh. One they hadn’t told his grandparent’s about. What was the point?
He was checking for heat and tenderness, but Luc felt a jolt of anger go through Connor, and pressed his lips to Connor’s skin to soothe. He wanted to reassure him, but knew Connor would get cross and stop if he tried to talk.
Connor sighed and his hand travelled back up to Luc’s bum. Even as his lips travelled further down his back. Soft, healing kisses on every abrasion and bruise.
“Spread your knees a little more,” Connor instructed, and Luc obeyed. Letting his head sink onto Connor’s pecs.
“Are you comfortable?”
Luc nodded against Connor’s skin, his eyes closing as he was loved and worshipped. Not even having to support his own weight.
“Make yourself useful, kid.” Luc opened his eyes to see the lube being held out to him. He flicked it open and drizzled onto Connor’s fingers. His frame so slight that Connor could reach around him easily.