A Special Kind of Perfect

CHAPTER 8

Days passed one by one, turning into weeks, then months, but Ezra didn't come back. However, Leon, who worked as a bodyguard for a hotshot media tycoon who lived in the same posh neighbourhood as Daniel, the cousin who took the black-haired boy under his wing, kept Peyton up to date with the changes in Ezra's life.

According to the man, Benjamin, the Bloom clan's prodigal son, had come home unexpectedly, after being absent for almost two decades, and took tentative steps in reconnecting with Ezra, the son whose existence he didn't know about. Peyton wanted to know more on the subject, but Leon kept shrugging, saying his former protegee didn't like to talk about it.

Alasdair also called his friend every day, telling them a fascinating story about a man and his dream. According to the redhead, the mysterious Ardan ran a sanctuary where abused, neglected and exploited children got food, warm clothes, shelter and education. Since he returned to The Base, as that place was called, Alasdair had changed a lot, becoming more mature and responsible.

Peyton noticed that in the way their friend talked in a more serious voice, laced with compassion and concern every time the rescued children came into the discussion, and they coudn't be prouder of the redhead. However, Alasdair was not the only one who changed. Peyton noticed that Leon wasn't the same, either.

At times, he stopped in the middle of a sentence, a dreamy look on his face, and stared blankly ahead. However, his eyes weren't empty, like Ezra's. They were shining with a mix of gentleness, peace, but also passion, making Peyton wonder what caused that change. Their curiosity reached a new peak when Leon started to renovate the porch and installed a giant swing in the backyard.

A team of landscape designers came, bringing huge bags of fertile soil and all kind of bushes, flowers and shrubs they planted in the arid lot in the back of the house, turning it into a miniature garden of Eden. A brand new set of garden furniture made the atmosphere even more cozy and relaxing.

Peyton gasped in awe at the transformation, but their attempts to get answers from Leon proved unsuccessful, a wink being all the man offered. They asked Alasdair, but the redhead knew even less than his friend, whom he asked to keep him up to date with the changes in his protector's life.

One day, Leon called Peyton, telling them to come to his house in a voice thick with emotion. His face radiating from happiness, the man introduced them to a boy about the same age as Ezra with chestnut-brown hair, light-green eyes and one of the most beautiful, brightest smiles they ever saw.

"Peyton, meet Darien, who stole my heart a while ago and made me the happiest guy alive by agreeing to give me a chance and move in with me." Leon sat next to the boy, caressing his hair and whispering something in his ear.

"I'm extremely happy to meet you at last. I've heard a lot of great things about you from my angel in disguise and other people whose opinion I respect very much. Can I...is it okay if I touch your face? I want to have a clearer image of you, and I would also like to listen to your voice a bit if you don't mind."

"I'm honored to meet you. I've known Leon for a few months, and he's never looked as happy as he does right now. His eyes are shining, and he has this adorable little grin that makes him look kinda cute." Peyton took Darien's extended hand between their own, holding it for a good minute.

"You have a very melodious voice, but it's somewhat pained. Did you lose someone recently or broke up with your loved one?" The other teenager lightly frowned, his body becoming a little tensed. "Sorry if I'm nosy. I guess I spend too much time listening to noises and voices." Darien offered Peyton a shy, apologetic smile.

"Dar-Dar is part of a team of experts who track down the most dangerous criminals in the world, bringing them to justice. He uses his acute sense of hearing to identify the locations of different criminal activities or to tell if a certain person lies or tells the truth." Leon's voice was a mixture of pride and affection when he spoke about his boyfriend's job.