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Chapter 71 - Grandparents
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2024-10-29 19:42:56"Hey, Zeke, guess what?" William asked excitedly, looking down at the boy who grinned up at him.
"What?" Ezekiel asked, looking between Noah and William for the answer.
"I have a surprise for you," William said in a sing-song voice, turning on his heel and beginning to march back up the stairs. "Come on," he said, gesturing for Ezekiel to follow.
"William," Cailen warned because he didn't know what this surprise was and he wasn't sure he wanted to find out.
"Don't worry, it's nothing bad. No sweets or anything," William said, making Ezekiel pout before following William up.
Cailen was about to protest but a pair of arms wrapped around his waist and he shut up.
"Let them go. Wil's just trying to win him over," Asher whispered in his ear. "You know, trying to be the 'cool uncle’ type... thing," Asher explained, making Cailen snort as he lifted h
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Cailenhad been shuffling his way forward on the couch, getting ready to stand to goto bed, but froze with Asher's words because, this has never happened before."What?" Cailenasked stupidly."I- I'm just going to sleep here tonight," Asherrepeated, shrugging his shoulder as if this wasn't a big deal.Cailenlooked at him a second longer, the man unable to meet his gaze, before scoffing at the situation."Okay," Cailensaid angrily and disbelieving, standing up from the couch and heading to their room, trying not to stomp in anger because Ezekielwas sleeping and there were people living underneath them.Again, Cailensuppressed the urge to slam the door shut, opting to not touch itatall in case he couldn't control himself.Maybe he was actually hoping Asherwould come to bed anyway and didn't want him to think he wasn't welcome by the door being closed, but he wasn't
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Asherhad also been quite distant the past couple days, maybe not physically but definitely mentally.Sure, he would still wrap his arm around Cailen'swaist or kiss him on the cheek, but it somehow just felt wrong.Like he was just going through the motions because he knew this is what he should be doing but like he didn't actually feel like doing it.Like when he left for work this morning, Ashergave him a chaste kiss to the lips, mumbled out a goodbye and barely looked him in the eye before fleeing for the door.Their goodbyes in the morning were usually longer-a lot longer-and involved a lot more embracing, kisses and some playful teasing.This morning,Cailenalmost broke down in the kitchen because that's all it's been the past couple days.He couldn't say Asherwas completely to blame because Cailendidn't want to bring it up either but he couldn't help but notice the wedge
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"I'm sorry," Asherapologized, never breaking eye contact. "I've been acting like a twat lately," Asheradmitted and as much as Cailenwould like accept the apology and leave it at that, he knew Asherwasn't totally in the wrong."So have I," Cailenadmitted, running his hands up Asher's arms and looking down at where their bodies met. "Why can't we figure this one out?" Cailenasked, knowing it's what Asher's been thinking as well."I don't know, because we're both a little stubborn and think we're right?" Ashersuggested, half teasing but half serious.Cailengave him a half smile, his hand resting on Asher's shoulders."I want you to know, I do support you. I know it might seem like I don't... But Ijust worry, Ash," Cailenexplained, continuing before Ashercan interrupt and he can't get his point across."I love that being a firefighter makes you happy, and all I want is for
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Cailenwas already grabbing the pants off the doorknob and slipping them on, underwear be damned."What's wrong?" Cailenasked, noticing Asherclimbing out of bed as well, going in search of his clothes."Zekehad a nightmare..." Williamsaid, and although it didn't slow his movements any as he searched for his shirt, his heart did calm some because this was something that had happened many times."Yeah... Hegets those. We're coming over," Cailensaid into the phone as Asherhanded him his shirt.Cailenglanced around Asherat the alarm clock and saw that it was nearly two in the morning."Is he still up?I want totalk to him on the phone.""Yeah... he's- he's here, but um, he doesn't want to talk about it. He said not to call you," Williamsaid, his voice turning into a whisper."We're coming,Wil, just try to keep him calm if you can," Cailen
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Cailen is startled from his sleep by a sudden weight crashing into him and then a wet nose sniffing at his face.He knows who it is instantly and groans, not caring if he wakes Asher up at this point.It's his dog, if Loki is waking Cailen up, then Asher can get woken up as well.Cailen brought his arms up, having to untangle himself from Asher's grasp in order to do so, and shielded his face from the intruding nose.It's not like this has never happened before, but it didn't happen often.Loki was usually pretty good at just sleeping at the foot of their bed, but recently, he's been cuddling up to Ezekiel in his so it was a bit strange.Either way, Loki was waking Cailen up so he started to sit up, just remembering to be gentle in case Asher's arm or leg was in the right position to get squished."Loki, down," Cailen mumbled, his tone firm.Cailen heard a groan come from behind him and knew Asher was now awake.
