Lucien spent the entire drive back to the city mentally cursing both Burt and Leon. The "King" had taken his little runaway-bride story far too literally. Two days in a hotel room with a locked door and a possessive boxer was a special kind of hell.

They stopped at Joey's to collect Coco. Joey was sitting on the floor, surrounded by colorful plastic buzzers.

"I taught him to talk," Joey announced, looking far too proud of himself.

Leon adjusted his watch, his expression flat. "Get a psych evaluation, Joey".

Joey ignored him, blowing a whistle. Coco trotted over—impatiently—and slammed a paw onto a red button.

A robotic voice chirped: [Hungry].

Lucien's eyes went wide. Leon didn't even blink. He scooped up the puppy and the box of buttons in one go.

"Requisitioned," Leon rumbled, marching toward the SUV. "They're coming home with us."

Back at the apartment, Lucien tried to smother Coco in kisses. He'd missed the little "chicken feather" during his two-day confinement.

Leon's large hand moved faster, blocking Lucien's face. "Dirty," Leon noted, his brow furrowing in genuine distaste.

"He's a puppy, Leon!" Lucien huffed.

"Bath first. Then you touch him".

Lucien poked Leon's solid chest. "You'd be a terrible father. It's a good thing I don't actually have your kids".

Leon's eyes darkened, tracking the movement of Lucien's lips. "You can call me Daddy instead," Leon rasped. "I only play nice for you".

Coco let out a sharp bark, trapped between them. Leon flicked the dog's ear. "Quiet. You're loud".

Coco had learned one thing at Joey's house: he had his own bed now. He stopped trying to jump onto the mattress, curling up in his plush crate instead.

Leon waited until Lucien's hair was dry before letting him sleep. Lucien rolled into Leon's chest by instinct, his breathing even and deep.

Leon woke at 3:00 AM.

The weight against his chest was too heavy. Too hot. Leon touched Lucien's forehead and felt a wall of heat.

"Lucien," Leon whispered, his voice tight with an unfamiliar panic.

Lucien didn't wake. His lashes fluttered against his flushed cheeks, his throat letting out a dry, sandpaper rasp.

Leon was on the phone instantly. Lucien's eyes opened into dazed slits. "What's... what's happening?".

"You have a fever, baby. We're seeing a doctor".

Lucien recoiled, his voice a broken crackle. "No hospitals. The needles... they're too big".

Leon's palm settled on his shoulder, grounding him. "Not a hospital. I'm calling the family doctor".

Lucien woke again at noon. The room was bright, making his head throb like a percussion section.

He tried to sit up, but his limbs felt like lead. The door groaned open, and Leon walked in holding a steaming mug.

"Still dizzy?" Leon asked. His face was a mask of cold, controlled fury.

"A little," Lucien whispered. "Like a carnival ride."

Leon's jaw tightened. "The doctor said you caught a chill. I checked the security footage from yesterday".

Lucien's heart skipped a beat.

"You walked the dog without a coat," Leon noted. The ice in his voice was sharper than a winter wind.

Lucien ducked his head. "The heater in the hall was on...".

"Don't." Leon cut him off. He sat on the edge of the bed, looking lethal and exhausted.

Lucien reached out, hooking his fingers around Leon's wrist. "If you stop being mean, I'll feel better".

Leon sighed, the anger bleeding out of him. He rubbed Lucien's ear with a thumb. "Drink this. All of it".

Lucien swallowed the bitter cold medicine without a protest. Leon followed it with a glass of warm honey water.

Lucien took a slow sip, his eyes regaining their mischievous glint. He looked at Leon over the rim of the glass.

"I heard fevers make you... hotter inside," Lucien whispered, his voice dropping into a suggestive rasp. "Want to check?".

Leon's gaze turned predatory. He took the glass from Lucien's hand and finished the rest of the water himself.

"I'm checking if this is honey or an aphrodisiac," Leon murmured. "Because your fever just peaked".

----

Leon's version of "recovery" involved a strict regime of Chinese herbal tonics and medicinal stews. Lucien had spent a week eating things that tasted like dirt and discipline.

By the time the final exam ended, Lucien was practically vibrating with the need for a cheeseburger.

Leon, however, still had him wrapped like a fragile snowball. A thick beanie was pulled low over Lucien's ears, and a red scarf was wound twice around his neck, leaving only his wide, amber-gray eyes exposed.

They pulled up to the dorms so Lucien could pack his essentials for the holiday.

"I can do it myself," Lucien promised, nudging Leon back toward the SUV. "It's just a few things. Wait for me here."

Leon hesitated, his hand lingering on Lucien's shoulder, before nodding. "Don't lift anything heavy."

Lucien hurried upstairs. Jamie, was sprawled on the sofa when he walked in.

"Lucien! You've been a ghost lately," Jamie chirped, eyeing the heavy layers Lucien was wearing.

"I'm moving out for the break," Lucien said, dumping a bag of snacks Leon had packed on the table. "These are for you."

Jamie's eyes lit up. "Thanks! But... moving out where? To that guy's place?"

Lucien ducked his head, his ears heating up under the beanie. "Yeah. My boyfriend's."

"Boyfriend!" Jamie barked a laugh. "The one you were having 'situations' with? Is he a student here?"

"Something like that," Lucien murmured, darting into his room to avoid more questions.

He packed light, mostly just a few old favorites Leon hadn't replaced with designer silk yet. As he was zipping his suitcase, Jamie knocked and leaned against the doorframe.

"Celebration gift," Jamie said, tossing a small, wrapped box onto the bed.

"What is it?" Lucien asked, reaching for it.

"Something I bought for myself but never got to use," Jamie winked. "Brand new. Don't open it until you're alone."

Lucien's phone buzzed, Leon's name flashing on the screen.

"Baby, are you done? Do I need to come up?"

"Coming down now!" Lucien called out. He shoved Jamie's gift into his suitcase without looking and lugged the bag toward the door.

Jamie watched him go, shaking his head. "Tucked away by a possessive rich boy... good luck to your lower back, Honey."

Leon was waiting by the curb, taking the suitcase from Lucien's hand as if it weighed a hundred pounds.

"Hungry?" Leon asked, tucking Lucien into the passenger seat. "It's a three-hour drive to the estate."

"I'm okay," Lucien said, his stomach letting out a traitorous growl.

Leon smirked—reaching into the back to produce a box of artisan cupcakes. "Eat. I don't want you fading away on the highway."

They stopped by Joey's to pick up Coco. The "chicken feather" was so excited he nearly did a backflip off the upholstery.

"Why does he only listen to you?" Lucien pouted, watching Coco sit perfectly still at a single look from Leon. "I'm the one who feeds him the good treats."

Leon steered the SUV onto the interstate—his thumb grazing Lucien's knuckles. "Every house needs one person who can keep the peace."

Ten minutes into the drive, the excitement wore off.

The heater hummed, the winter sun was low, and the steady vibration of the car acted like a sedative.

Lucien's head lulled against the window, Coco curled into a ball in his lap. Their breathing fell into a synchronized—rhythmic hum.

Leon glanced sideways—his expression softening into something dangerously close to a smile.

"Baby. Wake up."

Lucien blinked, his vision blurry. The sky was a deep—bruised purple of twilight.

He looked out the window and his jaw dropped. "Leon... you live in a castle?"

Leon let out a short—amused huff—leaning over to kiss Lucien's cheek. "It's just an estate. Don't exaggerate."

It was a fortress. Even with the snow, the grounds were lush with greenery and vibrant flowers.

"How is everything still blooming?" Lucien asked, stepping out into the crisp air.

"It's fake," Leon explained, guiding Lucien toward the massive stone steps. "My mother likes the idea of eternal spring. The staff replaces the silk plants every season."

A line of people in identical uniforms stood by the heavy oak doors.

"Good evening, Sir," they said in a terrifyingly rehearsed unison.

Lucien jumped, nearly tripping over his own feet. Leon caught him by the waist, his fingers digging into Lucien's hip.

"This is Dean," Leon said, gesturing to a sharp-eyed man in a suit. "The butler. Anything you need, ask him."

"Little Master," Dean bowed, his smile polite but professional. "Please, let me know your requirements."

Lucien leaned in, whispering frantically into Leon's ear. "Why do they call you 'Sir'? How old are you, exactly?"

Leon suppressed a grin. "It's just the protocol here. My parents are traveling, so I'm the head of the house."

"You scared me," Lucien huffed. "I don't want to date an old man."

Leon's eyes darkened, his voice dropping to a low rumble. "Careful, baby. I might have to show you exactly how 'young' I am tonight."

Dinner was a shock.

The table was spread with authentic Chinese dishes—smelling of ginger—scallions—and home.

"I hired two chefs from the city," Leon noted, cutting a piece of braised pork for Lucien. "Where do you think I learned to cook?"

Lucien stood on his tiptoes, pressing a quick, messy kiss to Leon's jaw. "Love you!"

He scrambled toward the kitchen to thank the staff, leaving Leon standing in the dining room, stunned and breathless.