Joey and Rick entered the manor. Coco, the "chicken feather" puppy, nearly knocked Joey over with a frantic, wagging tail.

Dean, the butler, took their coats with a practiced, polite smile. He moved with a quiet elegance that usually made the manor feel like a silent museum.

Lucien sprinted down the stairs, his light blue loungewear fluttering. He moved through the monochromatic halls like a streak of fire.

He looked healthy—his skin was glowing, and his cheeks had a soft, well-fed roundness. Leon's kitchen skills were officially turning the art student into a pampered house cat.

Joey squinted at him. "I almost didn't recognize you. Your... vibe has changed.".

"Am I fat?" Lucien touched his face, eyes wide.

Leon sauntered down the stairs behind him, his steel-gray gaze flattening Joey. He reached out and pinched Lucien's ear. "Don't run. You'll fall.".

Lucien hopped off the last two steps just to prove he could. Leon's mouth quirked into a suppressed, frustrated smile.

They moved to the second-floor lounge, where Lucien's half-finished Lego sets were scattered across the floor.

"Want ice cream?" Lucien asked, eyes bright. "The chef makes the best in the city.".

Leon cleared his throat. "Lucien, you mean you want ice cream.".

Two days ago, Lucien had sneaked six servings, resulting in a night of stomach cramps and Leon having to massage his belly for hours.

Dean brought out a tray of bowls. Everyone got one except Lucien. Leon ate his portion slowly, right in front of the boy.

Lucien pouted, his bottom lip jutting out. He looked away, pretending to be deeply interested in the curtains.

Joey broke the tension. "Let's set up. I brought the new speakers. Top-tier bass.".

"Great!" Lucien chirped. "Jamie and Burt are coming too. It should be loud.".

Leon followed Lucien into the massive walk-in closet upstairs. The space was overflowing—Leon had turned buying Lucien clothes into a professional sport.

Lucien dug through the racks, emerging with two matching gray uniforms. "Wear this. We can match.".

Leon pinned him against the wood-paneled wall, his hands settling on Lucien's waist. "What's my real gift, baby?".

"After the cake," Lucien hissed, face flaring pink. "And not in bed!".

Leon didn't listen. He crashed his lips against Lucien's, muffled protests dying in the back of the boy's throat.

Every time Leon pulled back for air, Lucien's voice hopped out in tiny, indignant bursts. "In... here...?" "People... are... down...stairs!".

Leon covered Lucien's eyes with his palm. "If you keep looking at me like that, I'm going to ruin you right here.".

"You're a freak," Lucien whispered, his lashes fluttering against Leon's hand. "You're twenty-four. Why are you always like this?".

"I'll be like this when I'm sixty," Leon promised, his voice a low, vibrating growl.

Lucien checked his reflection in the mirror. His lips were slightly swollen, but not enough to cause a scandal.

Downstairs, the staff had set up the grill in the garden. Lucien grabbed a pile of skewers, lining up beef, pineapple, and tomatoes like a game of Tetris.

Jamie arrived, nearly dropping his bag at the sight of the Roman columns and the butterfly fountain.

"Honey! This place is like a movie set!" Jamie whispered, clutching Lucien's arm.

Jamie handed over a sleek, ribboned box. "I spent a fortune on this. My hand was shaking when I swiped the card.".

"Thank you!" Lucien tried to sneak the box upstairs to hide it in the bedroom drawer.

He made it halfway across the hall before he spotted Leon leaning against a pillar, watching him with an arched brow.

"Hiding something, baby?".

Lucien shoved the gift into a drawer and pushed Leon toward the door. "Go back to your guests!".

Leon snagged his wrist, hoisting him up for a quick, possessive kiss. "That's interest for later.".

"Tonight is for cake! Not for eating me!" Lucien shrieked.

Jamie was already drinking fruit wine with the boxers when they returned to the garden. Dean brought Lucien a special, low-alcohol blend.

Lucien usually avoided drinking because Leon always got "extra" once Lucien was tipsy. But the sun was out, and the music was loud.

"One more glass won't kill me," Lucien decided, raising his cup to the crowd.

"Happy birthday!"

Lucien drained his glass of fruit wine. His cheeks flushed a soft pink, but his hazel-gray eyes remained bright.

Leon sat beside him, his steel-gray gaze tracking the stray black hairs on Lucien's forehead. "You're this happy?".

"There are so many people!" Lucien beamed, his shoulders relaxing. "It's so exciting.".

Since moving to the estate, Lucien had rarely seen anyone but Leon. The quiet staff usually avoided his path.

Leon's smile dimmed. "You don't like it being just us?".

Lucien gripped his empty cup. "It's not that. But it can't always be just us.".

Jamie and Joey kept the energy at the table high. Joey mentioned the two had met at the school party months ago.

Jamie nearly fell off his chair. "Honey! I'm your matchmaker!".

"I need to have a drink with both of you!" Jamie demanded, waving his glass.

Lucien smiled and stood up. Leon stood with him, towering over the group.

Jamie insisted on a "Kizuna" toast—arms entwined. Lucien felt like he was at a wedding rehearsal.

Leon smirked, extending a thick, tanned arm. Lucien awkwardly hooked his slender one through it.

Lucien downed his drink to escape the stares. Leon took slow, mocking sips while staring directly at Lucien's mouth.

Lucien sat down, his ears burning a vivid red.

Jamie nudged him, whispering loudly. "Why are you still so shy? Haven't you already done it?".

"Shut up!" Lucien hissed.

After lunch, the guests scattered to play cards, video games, or swim.

Leon stayed on the sofa. He gestured for Lucien to come over.

Leon pulled the boy into his lap, burying his face in Lucien's neck. He inhaled the scent of Lucien's skin.

"You've been with them all day," Leon rasped. "You haven't looked at me once.".

"They're guests!" Lucien pushed Leon's blonde head away. "You're harder to handle than Coco.".

"Then do something with me."

"Leon, teach me snooker," Lucien suggested. "I saw a video. It looked cool.".

Lucien bent over the table, gripping the cue with slender fingers. "Like this?".

Leon stood directly behind him. His large hand slid down Lucien's spine, adjusting his posture.

Leon's palm landed on Lucien's rear, squeezing the fabric of his trousers.

Lucien's brow twitched. "Coach, please stop harassing the student.".

"Sorry," Leon murmured, though his hand remained in place.

Leon guide Lucien's arm hand-over-hand, his chest humming against the boy's back.

"Stay steady," Leon whispered into Lucien's ear. "Then—one shot, right into the hole.".

Lucien froze. Hole? What hole?.

"Stop saying weird things," Lucien muttered.

"I'm just teaching," Leon said. "You're the one overthinking.".

Leon nudged Lucien's elbow. The ball clicked and rolled perfectly into the pocket.

"See? Easy," Leon chuckled. "Baby is so good at this.".

Lucien's face burned. Leon used that exact tone in the bedroom.

Lucien's back finally gave out. He dropped the cue and sprawled on the sofa.

Leon sat beside him and began massaging Lucien's waist.

"Did you grow up here alone?" Lucien asked, looking at the high ceilings. "Was it boring?".

"Mostly," Leon said. "My parents were always traveling for business.".

"That's a lot of empty space," Lucien noted.

"There's a saying," Lucien began. "If you can't give me love, give me money.".

Leon stopped moving. He stared deep into Lucien's pale hazel eyes.

"You're not doing too bad," Lucien teased. "I had neither. I just wanted my own bedroom.".

Leon's expression went flat. "That wish isn't happening now.".

Lucien huffed. "So much for being a romantic.".

Leon knelt by the sofa, kissing Lucien's cheek.

"I have both, baby," Leon whispered. "Take all of it from me.".

Lucien yawned. The wine was making his head feel heavy.

"Sure... transfer fifty bucks," he mumbled.

Lucien drifted off before he could see the dark, hungry gaze Leon settled on him.

Leon exhaled a heavy breath. He lifted the small, sleeping boy and headed toward the master suite.