YOURS // Les Twins {Sequel to MINE}

2 - By Your Side

Two Days Later

"Thank you for coming with me," Larry said distractedly, his gaze focused straight ahead.

As Laurent pulled into a parking space in front of the community center, he gave Larry's hand a little squeeze. "Of course," he answered, his tone laced with concern. "What's wrong, baby?"

"I just hope they're not upset with me. I missed so much time during my recovery, and they can't know the truth about why I went away again so soon after..." he trailed off quietly.

"Hey," Laurent said, taking Larry's chin and urging him to meet his eyes. "You performed for a charity and you got married. They'll understand," he reassured him with a smile. "And the ones too little to understand will just be glad that you're back," he smiled softly.

Larry sucked in a deep breath and grabbed Laurent by the cheeks, planting a kiss on his lips. "Okay, let's go," he said with a nervous grin. "And thank you."

"Always," Laurent answered, the warmth in Larry's eyes corresponding to the warmth in his own chest. It was all he could do to let Larry out of the car.

The simplest things between them could damn near bring Laurent to his knees...those subtle moments of sweet gratitude and pure love. Even when he was being a sneaky, manipulative little shit, there was something so innocent about Larry. It was the beacon that had led Laurent out of the darkness and back into the light.

Since Laurent couldn't selfishly keep Larry hidden away from the rest of the world, he settled for proudly walking by his side, holding his hand just like he'd wanted to do that first night at the restaurant. As they made their way into the main classroom and children's voices erupted, Laurent intended to fall back against the wall like he'd done last time, but Larry tightened his grip.

Swarmed by children, Larry gave Laurent a look telling him to stay put before releasing him to give hugs and greet everyone. So Laurent did as he was "told", happily accepting the hugs thrown his way as well.

"Oh my God," Larry practically whined as he plucked Chloe from her mother's arms, giving Alexis a one-armed hug. "How long have I been gone? She's grown so much!"

"Congrats, you two," Alexis smiled at them brightly, and Laurent shot her a wink because he may or may not have given her a heads up so the kids could surprise Larry.

Larry squinted at Laurent for about half a second before focusing on Chloe again, and Laurent couldn't help but laugh to himself.

"Go sit," Alexis ordered with a grin, pointing to two chairs in the front of the room. "We've got something for you."

"What are you up to?" Larry asked suspiciously.

"Just go sit down," Alexis laughed.

Doing as they were told, Larry and Laurent took their seats, Larry turning Chloe and standing her in his lap, her legs kicking wildly as her little body bobbed up and down.

Alexis took what would normally be Larry's place, and she led the class through a routine they'd obviously worked on for quite some time. Before they even began, Larry was grinning so hard it looked downright painful. At times, he moved with them, seeming to anticipate every step. It amazed Laurent to witness the connection between Larry and every single student in the room as though he'd taught them the choreography himself.

After a couple of songs Laurent didn't recognize, they finished on one that he'd come to know quite well, and the reason they'd chosen it was obvious. It was one they'd first learned when they met Laurent for the first time.