Three weeks later

The funeral flock was strange. They wore a myriad of colors from deep red to greens to ivory; none wore black on the exceptionally sunny winter day.

The casket itself was modest, a light wood at odds with the deceased less than ordinary personality. The holy man went through the motions, reading sections of the bible because no one had volunteered to say a few words. For the first time in forever, even Malik was speechless.

Patricia stood between Malik and Sarah in a striped orange and white suit. "A wonderful day for a burial, no?"

Malik didn't glance her way. "He was alive the last time I saw him."

"Hmm," Patricia said. "Pity. Our team couldn't help him. Say if we had certain data...the outcome would've been different.''

Malik feigned ignorance. "Good luck with that. I have to go." He had no intention to linger where he was not needed nor did he want to lose his shit and do something that would get his public scorn. They can toss flowers and dirt or whatever.

Patricia sighed and Sarah gave her a nod and followed her younger brother to the garage. Malik's car had been drenched in blood on that horror of a night, it was still at the shop and since Sarah's car had been unscathed, she offered to give him a ride after the funeral.

"I need to stop at café Flora, yeah?" Malik asked as they headed to town.

"Course," Sarah said. "Nervous?"

Malik scoffed. "Nope."

And he wasn't, nervous that is, he was calm while placing the order and cool as a cucumber while he checked his outfit in the mirror. In a tight muscles shirt and tight pants accentuating his thighs; he was a picture of confidence. Which wavered at the gates of Windsor Park.

"You got this," Sarah said as Malik straighten his back.

"Yeah."

"You want me to wait?"

Malik rolled his eyes. "Hell no. Say hi to Jake." He didn't mention their parents.

Sarah sighed, eerily mimicking Patricia. "Salaam."

"Peace out."

The park was bursting with energy. Joggers, moms, and their kids were running and talking in excited tones. A little girl passed by a band tweaking their guitars and mikes. The lead singer, a slim dude sporting torn jeans and a leather jacket, was ringing do-re-mi when he caught Malik's eye. Malik gave him an encouraging thumbs-up.

For a moment Malik's insides tangled. The park benches were filled and if their bench was occupied...

But he was there. Clad in deep grey and a short mustard coat, blond locks glimmering under sun rays like a halo. The blind dog sat beside his master's ankles boots and alerted him to Malik's approach.

Noah stood and fastened the ocean blue of his eyes on Malik. His rosy lips parted in a perfect O.

He was vibrant, alive.

Alive.

"Hey," Malik said.

"Hello," Noah's voice held a tremor.

The dog barked.

"Hi, Horus. This is for you." Malik crossed the distance and passed Noah the frothy strawberry milkshake he'd stopped to get from the café.

Noah's delicate fingers circled around the cup. "Thank you. Um...do you wanna sit?"

I want to take you in my arms and kiss you senseless. "Sure."

They sat side by side. Their free hands were inches from each other. Malik scanned the younger boy, the snug clothes fit him like a glove they highlighted his new good health and perhaps his newfound fortune. The high-necked shirt might've suffocated anyone else but Malik knew Noah was sensitive to chill. The only thing off was the shadows under his eyes and the darting glances whenever he thought Malik wasn't looking.

Noah took a sip from the shake. "It's delicious."

"Good. How've you been?"

Noah's hand tightened on the beverage. "I wish everyone would stop asking me that. Ismail kept say it this morning."

"The butler?"

Noah nodded. "He gave me a ride here."

"He gives me the creeps," Malik said. In fact, the entire Patricia and co gave him the heebie-jeebies. Malik had been feeling smug the night he punched his way through Carlisle's security only to find out later Patricia had phoned her ex-husband Darius and they sent hired goons to help Malik and Sarah. They'd also taken both Sarah and Noah into their private hospital for treatment. Malik owed them for two of his family's lives.

Nonetheless; they were still hella creepy.

"Ismail is nice."

"You think everyone is nice," Malik pointed. "You thought I was nice."

Noah twirled the straw. "Did...is father gone?"

"Yup. They buried him six feet under."

"Hmm," Noah muttered and fell quiet.

Malik didn't ask why Noah had failed to see Carlisle off. The bastard deserved to rot...thinking about it made Malik's blood boil. He had to hold on to the knowledge that he would never lay a finger on Noah ever again. And no one like Rami would have to die.

"The data pretty much confirmed Carlisle was trading to shady governments. The formula was included. Your blood is the main component so if the data reaches the feds...you'll get dragged in."

"I understand."

"Which is why I kinda destroyed it."

Noah turned to look at Malik. "What?"

The shock on his cute face almost made Malik laugh. "I ain't going to gamble. The feds could take you somewhere and I know Patricia is taking care of you...I couldn't risk it."

"B-but your brother...justice."

"Carlisle killed Rami. And I hate to admit it but there is no saving him," Malik brushed Noah's finger by accident. "You're free."

Noah continued to stare, seemingly frozen. The band from earlier were deciding to set up instruments a few trees to their left.

"Noah?"

He blinked and tears rolled down his cheeks. "Three weeks...you didn't come to see me...not once."

"I did.'

Noah's tears were disappearing in the fabric of the high-necked shirt.

"The day you woke up, you screamed your head off when you saw me."

Noah frowned. "I...I didn't...I thought I was at the shed and father got you and..."

Malik felt an ache in his chest. "Take it easy."

Noah wiped at his eyes with the back of the coat's sleeve and obeyed, his breath coming out ragged. "I was scared."

"Me too," Malik admitted. "I can't believe you wouldn't let me pull you off, Sarah."

"She shouldn't have had to suffer."

"And you should?" Malik's temper flared. "After all this time you really think I'd be fine if you'd died."

Noah bit his bottom lip and emitted an incomprehensible noise.

Malik took a deep breath inhaling the scent of freshly cut grass. "I figured if you both half bleed, you'd make it."

"I'm sorry.''

"What for?"

"For being what I am. Broken."

Malik took the shake from Noah's hand and crooked a finger under his chin. "Look at me."

Noah tilted his head and batted his wet eyelashes, faint freckles had started to appear like morning stars on his cheeks. The tip of his nose had gone as pink as his inviting dulcet lips.

"Uh." Malik cleared his throat. "I was going to say something very meaningful but...Noah?"

"Yes?" Noah's butterscotch voice had gone husky.

"Can I kiss you?"

"Oh yes please."

Malik cupped his face and licked Noah's mouth open. Noah moaned as Malik delved deeper tasting strawberries and the honeyed sweetness that was pure Noah who began to gasp in pleasure as Malik circled his slender waist.

Good lord.

They came for air and Noah whispered. "I don't know how to do relationships."

"We'll work it out."

Noah grazed Malik's scruffy cheek with the tips of his fingers. "Can we just sit here in the sun?"

Malik kissed the vulnerable skin behind Noah's earlobe and laughed at his surprised yelp. "I was thinking we could dance."

Noah's brows furrowed and Malik snapped his fingers.

The speakers blared loud and clear, the lead singer was in tune with the strumming of his band member's guitar.

"Hey, Jude. Don't make it bad..." The singer's electrifying voice rolled the Beatles' song.

Malik got up and offered a hand to a stupefied Noah. "Would you do me the honors?"

"Remember to let him into your heart..."

Malik grinned as the dude remembered to alter the lyrics from her to him.

As if in a trance, Noah placed his hand in Malik's and allowed himself to be swept in Malik's arm. He placed the top of his head on Malik's shoulder and sighed into his lover's ears.

The park crowd was milling around them. The older peeps chanted the lyrics as they swayed and out of the corner of his eye, Malik caught Sarah beaming at them.

Noah furrowed closer into Malik, fragile twigs snapped under his heels.

"You okay?"

"I'm great," he said in a strangled whisper.

"Too much?"

"Uh-huh."

"Want me to tell them to shoo?" Malik pecked the golden crown of Noah's hair who flashed a sheepish smile.

"I think I like dancing in the sun."

Malik laughed and it caught because Noah laughed too and Horus, bless him, jumped around them to snag a bit of the milling crowd's affection.