The first week at Arthur's estate passed in a strange, comforting blur.
Mornings started with Lin's hungry cries echoing through the halls. Ben was still recovering, so Arthur often rose first, changing diapers with surprising competence while Ben watched from the bed with sleepy affection. Abbey had practically moved into the main house, claiming "auntie duties," and could often be found rocking Lin while Smart taught her ridiculous tech tricks.
Liam and Jeff settled into their east wing like it had always been theirs. Their days were filled with quiet domesticity interrupted by occasional bursts of passion. Jeff's career was booming despite (or because of) the scandal, and Liam was slowly detaching from active mafia operations, though old instincts died hard.
But the real shift was between Arthur and Ben.
After that explosive night on the balcony and in the bedroom, the floodgates had opened. Arthur was insatiable, and Ben — finally allowing himself to want again — matched him hunger for hunger.
One quiet afternoon, while Lin napped under Abbey's watchful eye, Arthur found Ben in the study reviewing old security reports. Without a word, he locked the door, bent Ben over the large oak desk, and took him right there — slow and deep at first, then hard and possessive, papers scattering everywhere as Ben moaned into his arm to stay quiet.
Later that same night, after everyone had gone to bed, they christened the massive shower again… and then the walk-in closet when Ben teased Arthur about "needing to pick an outfit."
Arthur was addicted to the way Ben said his name when he came.
Yet beneath the passion, something deeper was growing. Arthur would catch himself watching Ben cradle Lin and feel his chest tighten with emotions he'd never allowed himself before. Ben, in turn, was learning to trust that this powerful, dangerous man would burn the world down to keep them safe.
But peace in their world was always fragile.
Late one night, as Ben lay curled against Arthur's chest, tracing idle patterns on his skin, Arthur's phone vibrated on the nightstand.
A single encrypted message:
"The keys were only the beginning. You have something we want more now. Tick tock."
Arthur deleted it immediately, but his body tensed. Ben noticed.
"Trouble?" Ben whispered.
Arthur kissed his forehead and pulled him closer. "Nothing I can't handle. Go back to sleep, babe."
He stared at the ceiling long after Ben drifted off, one hand protectively over Ben's waist, the other resting near the gun hidden under the pillow.
The war might be quiet for now…
But it was far from over.