GIFT HUNT.

Chapter 3. 

***

The sixteen years old boy had just rounded the mall for the millionth time that day, his silky honey-colored hair wet with sweat from the walking he had been doing. Like a man on a mission, he was desperate to find the best gift for the birthday boy. Stefan couldn't believe it has been ten years since the birth of the boy in question. He has grown so fond of Sky that he practically lives for him. Seeking him at every given time. The desire to Touch. To hold. To protect and to love was extremely strong, so intense that Stefan needs him like he did the air he breathes in every giving day. Stefan knew from when he was fourteen what he truly felt for the younger boy, but he had nothing to do about it. Stefan had tried to be the best big brother, he hated seeing Sky cry, not when he had something to say or do about it. So he took it upon himself to teach Sky how to be stronger, to stand his ground, to never let anyone intimidate him, never to cry no matter what because it seems to tie his heart in painful knots. And Sky seems to cling unto him with each new dawn. 

Stefan had always been the first to buy Sky his birthday gifts and the first to give them to him, from his one year birthday until now, an obligation that has become a part of his life, thus the reason he is walking in circles trying to find what would be best for the younger boy. It seems the older he got, the harder his presents are to find. Stefan saved a whole eleven months, so he would be sure no matter how expensive whatever he chose to buy would be, he could pay for it. This birthday, however, seem somewhat different, Stefan felt like he needed to buy something special, Something Sky would never stop using. 

A gift like he has never been given before.

Stefan had saved a lot for today, in fact, he had saved way more than he did the past years. A smile filled his lips and warmed his soul, lighting up his eyes as he made a turn for yet another round for the gift hunt. 

Lots of things had happened in the past years, four months after Sky's birth, his Aunt Gina had given birth to a baby girl, she was the sweetest thing and Stefan loved her dearly, yet it had nothing compared to the love he has for Sky. The boy had owned his heart thoroughly without even trying. On Sky's one-year birthday, Stefan had insisted his mother give him a baby sister too. He had cried and fought until they made up their minds to adopt a little girl for him. That day was the happiest day of his life, he wanted a baby he could teach how to talk and walk and eat with, just as he did for Sky. But he had ended up bonding with a pretty blonde three years old. She seemed lonely and mostly sad, but when her beautiful brown eyes caught sight of Stefan, she lit up. The sparkles in her eyes were so bright they could light up an entire room. His parents had adopted the little girl that day and made him name her as she didn't have any at the time. Stefan had immediately settled for the name Isabella, she loved the name instantly and had hugged Stefan so tight he thought his little heart would give up on him. 

Today the quiet little girl he had found that day sitting in a corner had turned into the brightest, yet most chatterbox he has ever seen. Nothing gets past that girl, she loses friends all the time only because she just wouldn't know when to stop. She gives your secrets out even before she knows she is doing it. She was amazing and Stefan loves her. 

Sky's mother had given birth to another boy when Sky was four. Likewise, his Aunt Gina had another girl and another in waiting. Yet in this big family and lots of cousins, the only one who seems to hold him completely captive is Sky. Stefan shook his head at the thoughts of the younger boy.

"Please, tell me you've gotten all that you needed," Bella yelled, jumping out of nowhere and startling the living hell out of Stefan, who was just about to enter a jewelry shop. 

"Geez! Bella, you startled me!" Stefan shook his head and went into the shop. 

"I had to! You looked so demented. What were you thinking about?" She scoffed, folding her hands on her small breast. Stefan always made fun of those, even though she wasn't born of his mother she seems to be cursed with the same small breast as his mother had.

"None of your business, now leave me alone and let me concentrate." Stefan groaned, he knew she wouldn't let him be when Bella starts, she wouldn't stop until she ends.

"We've been in the mall for the past five hours and you're yet to buy one thing!" She seethed, coming to stand in front of Stefan. 

"I told you not to come with me." Stefan reminded. He had told her and she, being the stubborn little sister, insisted she had things to buy too.

"I had things to buy, I told you!" She yelled with a little shove on Stefan's chest.

"I'm sorry, but I need to buy a gift for Sky and I haven't found anything for him yet." Stefan knew she was tired and he didn't want her to be angry.

"Tu Amante!" She gasped. "Why didn't you say so before?"

"For the millionth time Bella, he is not my lover, and I'm telling you now so let me shop in peace." Stefan could feel his face heating up, Bella always had a mind of her own.

"Keep telling yourself that. Everyone knows our cousin is a cutie, too bad he is tied to you like a rope." Bella was ranting more to herself than to Stefan.

"Bella!" Stefan broke her ranting and she opened big round eyes to acknowledge him like she was just seeing him for the first time.

"Whatever, I'll be in the pizza hut if you need me." She hissed back after a while and left. Well, that was fast, she never really did give up that easily. Stefan scanned the shop for a few more minutes and came to a stop on a jewelry box. They were both beautiful, one was an arrow shape and the other a heart shape. The chains are mesmerizing to behold. They seem to be made for couples or lovers. The twin hearts join together so perfectly, in a way that you can't tell from where one ends and the other begins.

They were both beautiful, the thought that he and Sky get to wear matching jewels had added to the beauty of it all. Finally, he decided on the heart-shaped ones. Stefan couldn't help but imagine how it would look on the other boy's smooth neck. He smiled knowingly, Stefan would give him this chain and in his heart, he would know he still owned the boy. 

His priceless possession.

His Sky.