Crown Of Hearts
Chapter 45: quite close

Chapter 45: quite close

"Mother, we got delayed because we had to look presentable." Alexander replied, telling half the truth.

"Alright, we should get started then." She said as she finished setting up the last item.

There was quite a variety of dishes and the aroma wafting off them made Damon hungrier as he took a seat next to Alexander.

"Damon, how is the food?" Nadine asked politely once they had started eating.

"It’s delicious." Damon replied honestly as he briefly lifted his head from his plate.

"So...how long have you known Alexander?" Nadine asked and Damon turned to look at Alexander.

Alexander’s hand reached for his under the table, holding it in a soothing grip.

"For about two months." Damon replied, well aware of Nadine’s sharp and unfathomable gaze.

He couldn’t help feeling like he was being scrutinized.

"And could you say that you know him well? Are you two close?" Nadine asked, her forest green eyes alert yet curious.

Damon’s grip on Alexander’s hand tightened as he searched his mind for an appropriate response.

"Yes, we are quite close and I believe I know him well enough." Damon replied, his voice surprisingly calm.

"Well then, I could like to thank you for taking good care of my Alex. He told me you once saved his life?" Nadine smiled, her eyes glancing between Damon and Alexander.

"You are welcome and yes, I did save his life once." Damon admitted, feeling much more relaxed.

"Thank you." Nadine answered, her eyes softening as she looked at Damon.

Damon acknowledged the smile with a faint nod, feeling like had passed a test he knew little about as the atmosphere at the dining table eased.

"Mother, will you tell Damon about that one time Alexander was given a role in the local village play?" Aya spoke for the first time since dinner started, her small face lighting up with a mischievous smile.

Alexander blushed as he glared at her.

"No one is going to be telling embarrassing stories about me." Alexander groaned turning his attention to his mother who was smiling devilishly.

At that moment, he knew there was no way he was getting out of this.

"Alex dear, we have to keep our guest entertained." Nadine reasoned as she turned to look at Damon.

"Don’t you agree, Damon?" She asked and Damon nodded eagerly.

Alexander sighed in defeat. This was truly happening and strangely... he didn’t feel as embarrassed as he assumed he would be. Damon was the one going to be listening and he had nothing to worry about.

"A few years ago, Alex was offered the role of Romeo in the classic play of Romeo and Juliet only to accidentally drop his Juliet down to the floor when it was time for the kiss..." Nadine paused, her eyes distant as she recalled the event.

Damon’s throat burned with jealousy. The image of Alexander nearly kissing someone else did not sit well with him and a childish part of him was glad that the kiss had not happened.

"It was nothing serious but ever since then, the only role Alexander was ever offered was that of a tree." Nadine grinned.

"You should have seen him, he made a very funny looking tree." Aya chuckled, earning a smile from Damon who was picturing Alexander dressed as a tree.

Alexander was blushing in embarrassment.

"I would have liked to see that." Damon admitted, his eyes meeting Alexander’s in an intense gaze.

"There are more stories." Nadine offered and Alexander glared at his mother.

"Mother!" Alexander’s voice held a soft warning only for his jaw to drop when she shrugged and ignored him.

"If Damon is indeed your friend, then there is nothing to be ashamed about." Nadine smiled sweetly and Alexander sank back into his chair, giving up.

His cheeks were red as he listened to all his messy and funny childhood stories being poured out throughout dinner but at the end of it all, he was happy because he got to see Damon laughing and getting along with his family.

"I think my mother wants to adopt you, Damon." Alexander smiled, feigning seriousness as they walked back to their rooms.

"You really think so?" Damon chuckled, feeling flattered.

"She clearly adores you." Alexander noted, remembering that it was the fist time his mother was sharing his childhood tales with someone who wasn’t family.

"I wouldn’t allow her to adopt me." Damon said, his cheeks flushing as he leaned into Alexander, wrapping his hand around his waist as they walked.

Alexander quirked up an eyebrow in curiosity.

"If your mother were to adopt me, then we could be brothers and brothers cannot do this..." Damon paused, placing a quick kiss on Alexander’s cheek while his hand sneakily grabbed his bottom.

Alexander gasped softly in surprise as he stopped walking and pinned Damon to the wall, caging his body between his masculine arms.

"We couldn’t do this too..." Alexander added as he leaned and kissed Damon neck, licking a path up his jaw before their lips met in a heated kiss.

"Can I sleep with you tonight?" Damon asked once they briefly pulled away to breathe.

"Yes." Alexander agreed within a heartbeat, earning a breathing taking smile from Damon which had Alexander momentarily dazed.

"You have a very beautiful smile." Alexander breathed, his thumb caressing Damon’s cheek as he gazed into the enchanting blue eyes that were looking back at him.

"Thank you." Damon replied, his smile widening as placed a quick kiss on Alexander’s lips.

"I want to sleep beside you every night." Damon added, his eyes warm and happy.

"Me too." Alexander whispered as he pulled Damon closer for a hug.

Me too.

He repeated inwardly as his hands gently caressed Damon’s hair, wishing for the moment to last forever.

"What is the meaning of this?" Nadine’s shocked and soft voice brought them out of their bubble.

The color drained from both Alexander and Damon’s faces as they put some distance between their bodies and looked at the woman that was standing a couple of steps from them.

"Mother?" Alexander whispered just to confirm that he was not imagining things.

"You better explain what is going on and make it quick." Nadine demanded, her voice laced with an underlaying anger.

Alexander swallowed, his fingers trembling as they slowly reached out to hold Damon’s hand. He had never imagined finding himself in such a situation and yet, here he was.

"I love him." He then said the only words that could come to his mind and his mother stared at him in disbelief.