Tim was entirely used to being suspected and doubted by the world. It felt like people had questioned his every single step for as long as he could remember. That was precisely why he wasn't surprised when the boys started throwing so many heavy questions at him. In the past, he had never bothered to answer anyone's suspicions or waste his energy explaining his life, but everything was completely different now. He deeply cared about this group, and more than anything, he didn't want his past to create trouble between him and Willy. He knew Willy trusted him implicitly, but he also knew Willy's friends and family still saw him as a danger.
Tim looked around the table, keeping his voice steady. "I received an emergency message that my crew needed immediate help on a mission, so I sent them out. Whenever they are short on hands or lack the necessary supplies during a crisis, they always contact me."
Miles frowned, looking completely baffled. "What crew? What kind of help are you even talking about?"
Usually, Tim absolutely hated explaining himself, and his temper could flare up quite easily when pushed. But tonight, he remained perfectly calm. He knew that if he let his anger take over now, it would only make the tension in the room a hundred times worse.
Tim leaned back, his expression relaxed. "I hold official certifications in Search and Rescue, as well as basic EMT training. That's why I have my own specialized rescue crew. Right now, they are deploying to help evacuate families after the recent earthquake. I'm incredibly nervous because this is the very first time they've ever gone out on a dangerous mission without me by their side. I won't be able to travel to their location in time, so I explicitly ordered them to keep me updated the second they are clear."
Willy smiled proudly, nudging Tim's shoulder. "I'm honestly not surprised at all. I always knew I had a literal genius for a boyfriend."
Ethan offered a warm, knowing nod from across the table. "I'm not surprised either, Tim. I always knew you would do absolutely anything in your power to help people in need."
Tim looked down at his hands, his voice dropping into a quieter tone. "Because I was completely powerless to save my own brother and cousin back then, I resolved to take these medical courses. Now, I use what I learned to keep others alive."
It was a beautiful contrast while the rest of the world looked at him and saw a cold-blooded murderer, Tim was quietly spending his life caring for total strangers. Whenever he managed to find a scrap of free time away from his businesses, he always volunteered to help in disaster zones. He had never breathed a word about this to anyone. Both he and his private company constantly funded shelters and medical assistance for families hit by tragedies. Even right now, Tim's resources were quietly providing roofs and emergency care for the earthquake survivors.
Al stared at him, his mouth slightly open. "Wait... are you actually a certified genius? Is there anything else about your life we need to know before our brains explode?"
Tim chuckled softly. "I hold a private pilot's license. And I actually graduated from high school when I was fourteen years old. Look, there are a lot of chapters in my history that you guys don't know about yet, but tonight isn't the time to unroll all of them."
The entire room fell into a stunned silence. A pilot's license? Graduating at fourteen? The more they uncovered this man, the more amazed they became by his hidden talents.
Al blinked, leaning across the table. "Are you even human, Tim?"
Tim smirked, a playful glint in his dark eyes. "No, I'm actually a vampire... I'm just kidding, obviously. Of course I'm human."
Willy giggled, shaking his head. Honestly, with everything Tim could do, the boys probably would have believed he was a vampire much faster than they believed he was just a regular guy.
Seb rubbed his temples, thoroughly impressed. "It seems like you can master absolutely anything you set your mind to, Tim."
Tim nodded casually. "I can learn pretty much anything I want to. Maybe that's the reason I get bored so easily; my mind catches on quickly, and once I know I can do it, the challenge disappears."
It was the absolute truth that he mastered skills with unbelievable ease. He had known he was uniquely talented since he was a little boy, but he had rarely displayed his abilities to the world. He hadn't even pushed himself to use half of his true potential until his brother's tragic death changed everything. In the past, he had always felt that showing off his talents would only bring trouble and envy into his life. Whenever he accidentally displayed how gifted he was, people would look at him with fear because he was so entirely different from everyone else. That was just how human nature worked. People were always terrified of anyone who didn't fit into their ordinary boxes.
Tim stood up from the sofa, stretching his tall frame. "Alright, it's officially time for bed. I'll share more of my old stories another time, but you guys have to hit the road exceptionally early tomorrow morning."
Suddenly, the boys looked like a bunch of eager children, begging for another bedtime story instead of wanting to go to sleep.
Logan leaned forward, his eyes bright. "Come on, it's still early! Just tell us how it actually feels when you're flying a plane up in the clouds?"
Tim smiled warmly at him. "It's the absolute best feeling in the world, Logan. It's pure freedom. You should try it sometime; I'll personally take you up in the air whenever you want."
The group had so many lingering questions that they probably could have stayed up talking until sunrise. Tim sat back down for a few more minutes, sharing stories about his initial flying lessons and laughing about how absolutely terrified he had been during his very first solo flight. Everyone listened to his words with rapt attention, completely captivated.
Ethan smiled warmly. "Man, we have so much to learn from you, Tim."
Tim smiled back, checking his watch. "I'll teach you guys absolutely anything you want to know, but we seriously need to sleep now. It's already two o'clock in the morning, and my boyfriend looks exhausted."
Realizing how late it had gotten, everyone finally headed to their respective rooms. Drained from the heavy emotions and the long day, they all fell into a deep, peaceful sleep the moment their heads hit the pillows.
The next morning, the sun rose on a quiet house. Everyone woke up early except for Tim and Willy, who were still sound asleep in the main bedroom. Moving like mice, the boys carefully tiptoed out of the beach house, making sure not to make a single sound that might wake the sleeping couple. They would have gladly stayed longer, but university classes and Miles's demanding corporate job forced them to return to the city grid.
Tim and Willy didn't end up waking until late in the afternoon. After enjoying a quiet, lazy breakfast together, they decided to head outside for a breath of fresh air.
Walking along the sweeping shoreline had quickly become their favorite little tradition. The ocean waves were crashing violently against the damp sand today, and the autumn wind felt even colder and sharper than it had yesterday.
Since their sudden escape to the beach had been entirely unplanned, they hadn't packed many clothes or supplies, so they agreed to head into the local coastal town to do some shopping.
Willy shivered slightly, pulling his thin jacket tighter around his frame. "I honestly didn't think the coastal wind would be this freezing. I definitely need to buy a thick sweater."
Tim smiled warmly, slipping his arm around Willy's waist and pulling him flush against his side. "You won't need to waste money buying anything warm, sweetheart, because I will keep you warm."
Willy looked up at him, raising an eyebrow playfully. "Oh really? And how exactly do you plan on keeping me warm out here in the open?"
"Like this," Tim murmured. He immediately wrapped both of his powerful arms around Willy, holding him in a tight, unyielding embrace.
A few local townspeople walking along the sidewalk turned to look at them, smiling at the display. Willy's cheeks flushed a delicate pink, feeling a little awkward under their gazes.
Willy whispered, nudging Tim's chest. "Tim... stop it, everyone is staring at us."
Tim just laughed, burying his face in Willy's soft hair. "Let them stare. It's only because we look incredibly good together. Just ignore them and look at me. Not everyone is blessed with such a handsome husband, you know. Then again, no one else has a husband as absolutely lovely as mine."
Willy couldn't help but smile, completely melting under Tim's constant praise and sweet jokes. In a matter of seconds, he completely forgot that there were other people watching them on the street.
Willy wrapped his arms around Tim's neck, looking up at him with pure affection. "You really are handsome, you know. No one could ever find a husband like you. There was only one perfect model in the world, and I luckily found you. You love me so deeply that you don't even notice anyone else."
Tim smiled, his dark eyes melting. "Yeah, I'm the one and only original love. How could my mind ever wander to anyone else when you are my absolute universe?"
Willy smirked playfully, tapping his nose. "Keep talking like that, and you just might get a reward later tonight."
Tim raised an eyebrow, a wicked grin touching his lips. "Does that imply you think I don't want that reward right now?"
Lost in their own little world, the couple completely forgot about the shopping list they had come to fulfill. Laughing and holding hands, they finally wandered into the local shops. They picked out a few thick, warm sweaters, some heavy winter blankets, and a basket full of fresh cooking ingredients. It was pretty much all they needed, since Tim had already taken care of the heavy grocery shopping the day before.
As they walked out of the grocery store, Willy checked his pockets. "Where are we heading next? Do we have anything else left to buy?"
Tim grabbed the bags, guiding him down the sidewalk. "Let's find a shop that sells board games and a laptop. That way, when the storms hit and we get bored, we can play together."
They spent an hour selecting a few classic board games, laughing over which ones they would probably fight over, and then purchased a sleek new laptop for the house.
By the time they walked back through the front door of the beach house, Willy was completely wiped out from all the walking. He kicked off his boots and collapsed onto the living room couch, completely unable to move his tired limbs. He lay back against the cushions, lazily watching Tim move around the space, systematically putting the groceries away and tidying up the rooms.
Willy offered a dramatic, sleepy pout. "I'm so sorry I'm not helping you clean, my love... but my legs are literally made of jelly. I can't even move a muscle."
Tim paused, turning around with a brilliant, teasing smile. He bowed deeply from the waist. "There is absolutely no need to apologize, Your Majesty. Please rest your beautiful frame, and I shall take care of every single chore."
Willy burst out laughing, completely caught off guard by the playful title. "Oh, really? So now you're going to claim it is your lifelong duty to serve me just because I'm your majesty?"
Tim walked over, leaning over the back of the couch with a devoted expression. "Yes, precisely. What are your immediate commands, my liege?"
Willy smirked, playing along with a dramatic wave of his hand. "My throat is terribly dry. I command you to bring me something refreshing to drink."
Tim bowed again. "I shall retrieve it for you this very microsecond, Your Majesty."
Tim vanished into the kitchen and returned a moment later, carrying a beautifully chilled bottle of wine and a single elegant glass.
Willy raised an eyebrow as Tim poured a generous amount. "Did you seriously bring me wine, Tim?"
Tim smiled wickedly. "A fine wine suits your royal elegance perfectly, Your Majesty."
Willy chuckled and took a sip. But because he was thirsty and feeling mischievous, he ended up draining the entire glass in the blink of an eye. Tim's eyes widened in genuine surprise at the speed.
Willy grinned, holding out the empty glass. "Where is your own glass, husband? I completely refuse to drink alone."
"I'll go get it right now," Tim said, shaking his head with a laugh.
Tim walked back with a second glass, pouring a drink for himself and refilling Willy's. Feeling the warmth of the alcohol hit his empty stomach, Willy quickly finished his second glass in a matter of seconds, immediately handing it back to Tim to be filled yet again.
Tim gently took the glass out of his hand and set it down on the coffee table. "Alright, I think that's officially enough wine for you tonight, sweetheart."
Willy pouted, crossing his arms stubbornly. "But you're the one who started this entire game!"
Tim chuckled, leaning down to press a soft kiss against his pouting lips. "If you keep drinking like this on an empty stomach, tomorrow morning you are going to have a monstrous headache to match your sore legs. And don't you dare tell me I didn't warn you when you're groaning under the pillows."
Willy leaned back against the cushions, the wine making his head spin with a pleasant, stubborn warmth. He looked up at Tim with heavy, hooded eyes. "Your Majesty would like to officially reward you now, Mr. Grant. Your royal service has been absolutely excellent tonight."
Tim smiled tenderly, brushing a stray lock of hair away from Willy's forehead. "Just a minute ago, you said you were far too tired to even move a muscle. You need to rest that beautiful body of yours. You can give me my reward tomorrow when you're clear-headed."
Whenever Willy had a few glasses of wine, his stubborn streak would flare up beautifully, making him incredibly clingy and determined.
"No," Willy insisted, reaching up and grabbing the front of Tim's shirt. "I want to reward you right now. Come closer to me."
Tim, completely unable to resist his husband's commands, stepped closer to the edge of the couch. The moment he was within reach, Willy wrapped both arms securely around Tim's neck, pulling him down with surprising force.
Willy stared deeply into his dark eyes, his voice dropping into a breathless whisper. "Have I ever mentioned to you just how breathtakingly beautiful your eyes are, Tim?"
Before Tim could even articulate a response, Willy pulled him down into a deep, passionate kiss. His fingers tangled tightly into Tim's collar, pulling him closer and closer until he forced Tim's massive frame to hover completely on top of him on the narrow couch. Willy's kisses grew frantic, but as his hands began to lose their strength from the exhaustion and the wine, Tim gently but firmly pulled back, breaking the embrace.
Tim kept his arms anchored on either side of Willy's head, looking down at him with a gaze full of intense adoration and protective restraint. "I know exactly what you want, my love... but it's incredibly obvious that the wine has taken over your senses. We need to stop right here."
Willy let out a soft whine of protest, but Tim gently pressed a finger to his lips.
"Listen to me, sweetheart," Tim whispered tenderly. "You just drank almost a whole bottle of wine, and your body is completely wiped out from our long walk. I am stopping this because I care about your well-being more than anything else. You need to get some real rest tonight. Tomorrow, when the wine has cleared out of your system, I promise we will pick up exactly where we left off."
"But..." Willy tried to argue, his eyelids growing heavy.
Tim cut him off with a soft, lingering kiss on his nose. "Don't you dare try to tell me you aren't drunk, and don't even try to compare this to our wedding night. We only had two celebratory drinks back then, and our minds were perfectly sober."
Before Willy could protest further, Tim slipped his strong arms beneath his back and knees, effortlessly lifting his husband into his arms. He carried Willy down the hallway into the quiet bedroom, gently laying his frame onto the soft mattress. He pulled the thick, warm blankets up to Willy's chin, tucked him in securely, and sat down on the edge of the bed.
"Go to sleep, my love," Tim whispered, gently stroking his hair. "I'll be right here by your side the entire night."
Wrapped in the deep warmth of the blankets and feeling completely safe under Tim's steady gaze, Willy's eyes closed, and he drifted into a deep sleep almost instantly. Tim watched him sleep for a long, quiet moment, a soft smile touching his lips. He leaned down and pressed a feather-light kiss against Willy's forehead, making sure not to disturb his beautiful, peaceful dreams.