Leon's relationship with his parents was always thin. In families like his, parents are only there for the beginning of the path. A partner is the one who walks the rest of the way with you.

But Lucien was built on traditional thoughts. If Leon's parents were in New York for a month, ignoring them felt cold. Plus, Freya was gentle. He and Leon's mother hit it off immediately.

The final result was simple. Leon couldn't find his wife.

Usually, the "lamb" was glued to his side. Aside from classes, they were inseparable. Now, Leon checked the time and waited outside the lecture hall. Lucien was gone.

Leon called him, his expression darkening. Lucien sounded way too cheerful on the other end. "I'm getting my hair done with Freya."

"Don't mess with it," Leon grit his teeth. "It looks fine the way it is." He loved Lucien's black hair. It was soft and felt incredible under his palm.

"Ugh, you're so annoying. Stop nagging me. Bye!" Lucien hung up.

Annoying? Leon stared at the dead screen. He nearly bit through his back molars.

Lucien didn't get back until evening. The apartment was pitch black. Lucien wondered where Leon was, then flicked the light. Leon was sitting on the sofa, watching him coldly.

Lucien jumped. "Why are you sitting there in the dark? You scared the hell out of me."

Leon's mouth quirked into a joyless smile. "Battery died? Having a blast out there?"

"My battery actually died," Lucien held up the phone. It didn't respond to his touch.

Leon felt like a volcano about to erupt. Then he saw the small, bouncy curls. "You actually did it?"

Lucien shook his head, making the curls dance. "Well? Do I look good?"

Leon tried to stay stern. Lucien leaned in, pressing his head against Leon's hand. "Touch it."

Leon's fingers sank into the fluff. It was soft and tickled his palm. His Adam's apple bobbed. The anger vanished.

Leon rubbed the curls until Lucien batted his hand away. "That's enough. You're ruining the style."

Leon retracted his hand, clearing his throat. "Next time the battery dies, find a way to call. I worry about you."

Lucien pouted. "Fine. I get it."

Leon scooped him up, kissing his cheek. "Baby, let's go on a date tomorrow. Camping at the peak?"

Lucien's eyes lit up. "Can we invite Freya and your dad?"

Leon went silent. He took a long, slow breath. "A date. Just the two of us."

"It's fine! Freya took me for my hair today. I should return the favor." Lucien wriggled out of Leon's grip and ran for a charger. "I have to call her!"

Leon stood in the hallway. He hadn't even gotten a kiss yet.

Lucien crawled into bed later that night. A "lamb" automatically refreshed in Leon's arms the second he laid down. Leon hummed.

Lucien used Leon as a human furnace. The "blanket" was a bit hard and had a "wooden stick" poking him, but he tolerated it.

"Notice anything different?" Lucien asked. The bedside lamp cast a dim, amber glow.

The curls made Lucien look like a porcelain doll. Leon's hand settled on his waist. "The hair is nice."

"No, the other thing." Lucien gave up. "I went to a spa. Don't you think my skin is better?"

Leon's gaze darkened. "It was already good." Lucien glared. Leon corrected himself. "It looks... tender. Softer."

He pressed a heavy kiss into Lucien's cheek. "Much softer, baby."

Liar. Leon was the one getting harder. Lucien rolled away, bundling himself into the duvet. "Go to sleep!"

Leon hadn't gone camping with his parents in years. He was too independent too early. This trip was entirely Lucien's doing.

They took two cars. Leon didn't want to share a vehicle with his father. Lucien grumbled in the passenger seat. "Why aren't we all together?"

"They want their 'two-person world' too," Leon grunted.

"Whose parents are they, anyway?" Lucien sighed. "It's fine. We'll have separate tents."

Leon's jaw tightened. "Obviously. Did you want all four of us in one?"

"Don't be petty," Lucien muttered. Leon nearly swiped the steering wheel. If he were petty, he would have locked Lucien in the manor weeks ago.

The mountain was beautiful, but they had to hike to the top. The parents were world travelers. Leon was a champion athlete.

Poor Lucien. Even with Leon carrying all the bags, Lucien struggled to drag his own weight. Ten minutes in, he stopped.

Leon handed him a water bottle. "Slow sips." Lucien didn't reach for it. He let Leon hold the bottle to his lips. "So tired. My legs are jelly."

"Take your time. We'll make it." Leon knelt, massaging Lucien's calves. "Five more minutes, baby. Then I'll carry you."

"Forget it," Lucien panted. "You're already carrying everything."

"That's nothing." Leon looked up, kissing Lucien's mouth. "Pack in front, wife on the back."

Lucien giggled. He kissed Leon's cheek. "You seem grumpy lately."

"You just noticed?" Leon asked flatly.

"Aren't you almost thirty?" Lucien teased. "Or is it three? You're acting like a toddler."

Leon exhaled slowly. Every word Lucien said hit a nerve. He stood up, his expression cold. "Get up. Keep walking."

Lucien blinked. Leon changed moods like the weather.