Delicate

Chapter Thirty Four

"Yeah. If you don't mind." Leo answered.

"No, of course not, I'd be happy to help." Kai grinned as he nodded. He glanced towards the younger boy, just for a moment, and Leo gave him a small smile in return.

Leo didn't exactly need the help. He was halfway done with the assignment already. But he knew how much it would mean to Kai. Since school was almost ending, this would be one of the last opportunities he would get to ask for his help.

The two didn't speak for the rest of the way, but their smiles didn't fade.

~~~

"-anyway I'm like the oldest among all my cousins, it's kind of annoying not having anyone my age to hang out with but those kids do everything I say. So, it's fun to boss them around as well. I kind of feel like a dictator, but the good kind. Do you see my dilemma?" Quinn finished their rant.

Christmas break was about to start, and there were only three days left of school before the holiday. Milan was spending his lunch break with some classmate that he was tutoring in biology, so Leo was eating with Quinn. Quinn spent around fifteen minutes straight telling Leo about how they visit Texas every year for Christmas, and about their giant extended family.

"Have fun," Leo replied, "sounds like there's going to be lots of food."

"Oh, yeah, tons," Quinn nodded, "it's what makes the annual trips tolerable. What does your family do for Christmas?"

"It's something different every year, last time we visited, um, my parents' home town and stayed with my grandmothers. This year we're going to stay home, probably watch old Christmas movies and exchange gifts," Leo shrugged, "my uncle and his partner might spend Christmas with us."

"I hope you got Maya the greatest gift ever."

"I tried my best," Leo chuckled, "I've always wondered this, but how did you and Milan become friends?"

"We both joined the Mathletes together in freshmen year and instantly hit it off," Quinn answered.

"Really? You were in the Mathletes?" Leo asked, taken aback.

"Hey," Quinn said with a slight pout. "I'm not a walking, breathing calculator like you but I'm not too bad. I have an A in Mr. Sorkin's class. Besides, I joined it because I had the biggest crush on Delilah Halstead at the time."

"Oh. You really do have a thing for cheerleaders, huh?" Leo said, "did you ever tell Delilah?"

"Yeah, she let me down gently. Told me she was straight and into boys. It was fine, we're still good friends." Quinn shrugged.

"Damn."

"I left the club in sophomore year. But Milan and I stayed friends. And now here we are, two queers against the world!"

"Well-"

"Not two, actually. Three, now that you're with us!" Quinn grinned as they slapped Leo's upper arm.

Leo let out a tired sigh, acting annoyed, but he'd be lying if he claimed what Quinn said didn't make him internally happy. It felt good to be included.

Both Quinn and Leo noticed as Nick and Owen passed their table. Their suspension was over, and thankfully they had been keeping their distance. They knew one wrong move would get them expelled. Nick glanced at Leo, before scoffing and turning away. Leo couldn't help but smirk as he ate his chicken nuggets.

"Your brother was so badass that day," Quinn recalled how Roan had handled the situation after Leo got into a fight with Nick and Owen.

"He's my dad, actually." Leo corrected, Quinn looked at him in slight confusion, probably because Roan didn't look old enough to be Leo's father. "He adopted Maya and I. Along with his husband, Mr. Nahar."

"Wait," Quinn's eyes widened. "That was Mr. Nahar's husband? Sweet Jesus!"

"Yeah." Leo shrugged casually.

Milan joined the two when there was barely a few minutes left. He gave Leo a quick peck, before taking out his lunch, wanting to finish his food as soon as possible.

After school, Milan, Leo and Quinn met at the bus stop. Since Kai had driven him to school, and he had to stay back for work, Leo decided to take the bus with his boyfriend and Quinn.

"I never asked, why don't either of you drive?" Leo asked.

"I'm too cute to drive," Quinn answered in all seriousness. "I like sitting on the passenger seat and looking pretty."

"I'm guessing it's the same for you? Right, handsome?" Leo questioned as he turned to look at Milan, who flushed red.

"Nah, Milan just sucks. He failed his driving test two times in a row." Quinn sighed as they patted Milan's shoulder in sympathy.

"Go ahead, air out all my dirty laundry." Milan narrowed his eyes at Quinn, making them and Leo laugh at his attempt at looking angry.

"Your terrible driving skills won't make Leo love you any less. Don't worry." Quinn winked.

"True." Leo nodded. "Your terrible navigation skills though..."

"Shut up. Both of you," Milan muttered as he folded his arms in front of his chest.

Leo and Milan got off at their stop, and strolled down the street until they were in front of Milan's house. Milan gave him a quick kiss, and was about to turn around and leave when Leo grabbed his arm, and pulled the other boy towards him.

"I'm not letting you go without a proper kiss." Leo said before connecting their lips, he kept one hand on Milan's neck, and the other on his lower back, just above his ass. Milan gripped Leo's shirt as his boyfriend kissed him deeply, before finally pulling away.

"Okay. Uh, wow." Milan looked a tad bit dazed.

"You know... Kai and Maya won't be back for another hour so we would have the house all to ourselves..." Leo trailed off.

"What are we waiting for, then?" Milan grinned.

***

chapter 39 is now up on patreon and buymeacoffee! links in bio.

I've read some comments about confusion regarding the ages of Roan, Kai and other characters in the series, so here's the clarification-are in their early thirties.

Tense: they're all 18-19

King's Guard: Kingsley, Kai and Roan are 23-24

Delicate: Leo is 19, Milan is 18, Kai and Roan are in their early thirties (31-32 to be exact)

update on the giveaway : as a thankyou, I'm gifting one month access of the bonus chapters to everyone that participated and sent in their cover designs. if you're one of them, then check your mail for details <3