CHAPTER 25: CURIOUS ELIAS!

Viktor headed to Elias’s room to ask about the sleepover his kids were discussing. He wasted no time and knocked on the door as soon as he arrived. He stood, expecting a response but there was none. He grabbed the handle and twisted it, the door creaked open, and Viktor stepped inside.

Viktor froze as he perceived the familiar faint scent that filled the small room. His grey eyes scanned the space, his brows furrowing as he took in the bare walls, the single bed, the small wardrobe, and the desk with a chair. There were no photos, no decorations... just the essentials.

Elias’s heart skipped as he stepped into the room. He didn’t expect to see Viktor there, but he kept his face neutral, tightening his grip on the tray of sandwiches and a glass of juice he’d brought from the kitchen. He kicked the door closed with his foot, setting the tray next to his books on the desk.

"Why is your room so empty?" Viktor asked, his voice low, almost accusing. "Not a single picture of you, nothing personal. Are you planning to leave?"

"It’s just a room, Master," he said, leaning against the desk, his eyes wary. "What are you doing here, sir?"

Viktor folded his arms, stepping closer.

"I’m here because of the boys. They said you’re having a sleepover. What’s that about?"

Elias exhaled, relieved it wasn’t about the pills or the office thing.

"It’s just to bond with them," he said, his voice steady. "They’re good kids. I promised them a sleepover to get them to the designers. They hate the engagement, you know."

Viktor’s eyes narrowed, and before Elias could react, he closed the distance, pinning Elias against the desk with his hands on either side. Elias’s breath hitched, his body tingling at Viktor’s closeness, the cedar scent overwhelming.

’Why’s he always so close?’ he thought, his heart pounding.

"Are you sure you’re not getting close to my kids for some other reason?" Viktor asked, his voice low, his eyes searching Elias’s face. "You said so yourself... you’re here for the money."

Elias shook his head, his voice firm despite the heat creeping up his neck. "I care about them. That’s it. I’m not using them for anything."

Viktor’s jaw tightened, his gaze intense.

"I’m joining the sleepover tonight. To keep an eye on you. And them."

Elias blinked, glancing around his small room. "Here? It’s too small for all four of us."

"Then we’ll use my room," Viktor said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You’ve been there before so you know there’s plenty of space for all four of us."

Elias’s stomach dropped. "No, that’s..."

"It’s an order. I’m not asking," Viktor cut in, his voice sharp. "You want your pay? You’ll do it."

Elias bit his lower lip, his mind racing. Viktor’s eyes flicked to his mouth, and before Elias could move, Viktor’s thumb brushed his lip, pulling it free. Elias gasped, stepping back and covering his mouth with his hand, his face burning.

’Not another kiss,’

he thought, his heart hammering.

"Fine," Elias mumbled, his voice muffled. "Your room. I’ll get the kids ready."

Viktor grinned, a rare, dangerous smile that made Elias’s stomach flip.

"Good. Get everything set up. I’ll see you tonight." He turned, leaving the room, the cedar scent lingering.

Elias lowered his hand, exhaling shakily.

’A sleepover in Viktor’s room? It felt like a disaster waiting to happen.’

He sat at his desk, picking at a sandwich, but his appetite was gone. He would be away from here in three days, yet everything about Viktor... his kisses, his groans, his insistence... kept pulling Elias deeper into something he couldn’t control.

.

After finishing his studies, Elias headed to the kitchen, where Milo was cleaning up and Gerald was organising supplies.

"Uhm..." Elias said, his voice quieter than usual. "The twins’ sleepover... It’s happening in the Master’s room tonight."

Milo’s jaw dropped, his eyes wide.

"What? You’re sleeping in the Master’s room? And I’m not invited?"

Elias forced a smile.

"It’s just for the twins. Viktor’s... joining to keep an eye on things."

Gerald’s face softened, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"That’s good to hear. I was worried the twins would pull away from their father because of this engagement. A sleepover might bring them closer. I hope it goes well,"

"Yeah," Elias said, rubbing his neck. "I hope so too."

Milo pouted, tossing a dish towel over his shoulder. "Man, I wanna join. Bet it’s gonna be fun. You picking movies yet?"

"Not yet but I’m working on it," Elias said. "The twins want action movies, but I’m thinking something lighter. Maybe a cartoon."

"Good call," Gerald said, stacking plates. "They’ll need snacks, too. Milo, can you whip up some popcorn and cookies?"

"On it!" Milo said, already grabbing ingredients. "Elias, you want chocolate chip or oatmeal?"

"Chocolate chip," Elias said, managing a grin. "The twins love those."

Gerald patted Elias’s shoulder.

"You’re doing well with them, Elias. They’ve been happier since you came."

Elias’s chest warmed, but the guilt of planning to leave gnawed at him.

"Thanks, Gerald. I’ll get the kids ready."

He headed to the twins’ room, finding them playing a video game, shouting at the screen.

"Nanny!" Dante called, not looking up. "Are you joining us?"

"Nope," Elias said, leaning against the doorframe. "Time to shower and get ready for the sleepover. We’ll be having it in your father’s room,"

Dario paused the game, grinning.

"In Dad’s room? Really?"

"Yeah," Elias said, faking a smile. "He... insisted. Come on, let’s get you cleaned up."

The twins cheered, racing to the bathroom. Elias helped them shower, making sure they scrubbed behind their ears and washed their hair properly. They changed into matching blue pyjamas with cartoon characters, chattering excitedly.

"This is gonna be awesome!" Dante said, tugging on his shirt. "Dad’s room has a huge TV!"

"Yeah," Dario said, "but I’m still taking the left side of the bed."

Elias laughed, shaking his head. "We’ll figure it out once we get there. Let’s go."

He grabbed his own clothes... a long pair of sports pants and a sweatshirt, knowing Viktor’s room was always chilly. The light fabric of his pants felt thin, but it was the longest pair he had. He led the twins to Viktor’s room, their small hands gripping his as they practically bounced with excitement.

Viktor’s room was massive, with dark wood furniture, a king-sized bed, and a flat-screen TV mounted on the wall. A table was set up with bowls of popcorn, chocolate chip cookies, and juice, courtesy of Milo. The twins gasped, running to the bed and jumping on it.

"This is so cool!" Dante said, grabbing a handful of popcorn.

"It’s our first time sleeping in Dad’s room!" Dario said, his eyes wide. "He never lets us in here."

Elias frowned, his heart tugging.

"Really? You guys seem so close to him."

Dante shrugged, munching on a cookie.

"He’s busy a lot. And since Mom... you know, he’s different."

"Yeah," Dario added. "He doesn’t let us get too close to his room anymore."

Elias’s chest ached. He’d seen Viktor with the twins... stern but protective. But hearing they felt distant from him hit hard.

"Well, tonight’s gonna be fun," he said, forcing a smile. "Let’s pick a movie."

They settled on a superhero cartoon, the twins cheering as it started. Elias sat between them on the bed, the massive TV casting colourful lights across the room. Gerald appeared at the door, his expression apologetic.

"Elias, the master’s held up with some business. He said the twins can start without him. He’ll join later."

Elias nodded, but worry etched him.

’Business? Is it that kind of business?’

"Thanks, Gerald."

The twins didn’t seem fazed, diving into the snacks and laughing at the movie. Elias tried to focus, but his mind kept drifting to Viktor and his ’Business’. The twins’ chatter pulled him back, their arguments over which hero was coolest making him smile.

"Spider-Man’s the best!" Dante said, tossing popcorn at Dario. "He’s got webs!"

"Nuh-uh!" Dario shot back. "Batman’s got all the gadgets!"

Elias laughed, grabbing the popcorn bowl. "Enough throwing food. Watch the movie."

They watched two movies, the twins giggling and shouting at the screen. After the second one, they switched to a board game, rolling dice and arguing over rules. Elias joined in, letting their energy distract him from his worries. By the time they finished, the twins were yawning, their eyes heavy.

"Time for bed," Elias said, pulling the blankets over them. They curled up on one side of the massive bed, leaving the other half empty. Elias lay beside them, keeping the far side free for Viktor. He didn’t want to sleep, his mind was too full of so many things, but the warmth of the twins and the soft hum of the TV lulled him, and his eyes drifted shut.

He woke up to a familiar scent... cedar, sharp and strong, mixed with something metallic. Blood? His heart raced as he realised someone was behind him. He reached out, his hand brushing something warm, long, and firm.

"Huh? Did the kids sneak in their toy bat into the room?"

Curious, he touched it again, his fingers tracing its length, until he squeezed and heard a low wince. His eyes widened, his face flushing as he realised what it was.

’FUCK!’

He yanked his hand back, his heart pounding, his cheeks burning.

’Tell me I didn’t just... grab him,’

He turned slowly, peeking over his shoulder. Viktor was asleep, his chest rising and falling, his face relaxed but smudged with a faint bruise. Elias’s breath caught, the cedar scent overwhelming, his body reacting despite his panic.

’It felt... good and warm. Since he’s asleep, he won’t know if I touch it again...’ he thought, then shook his head. ’Stop it, Elias. Don’t do it! Just once!’

He moved to touch it again, his hand trembling, but Viktor’s hand shot out, grabbing his wrist. Elias froze as Viktor’s voice whispered in his ear, low and rough.

"If you want to touch it that much, Elias, all you needed to do was just ask."

Elias’s face burned, his heart racing as Viktor’s warm breath brushed his ear. He tried to pull away, but Viktor’s grip tightened, his voice dropping lower.

"You’re curious, aren’t you?"