INSTITUTION OF THE ILL AND FORGOTTEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

ALEXANDER PIC^^^

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(ALEXANDER POV)

I felt like I was getting through to Sky when talking to him, Leo. It seemed like he was about to open up, but then something stopped him as if he was fighting with himself. I'm concerned about him.

Leo sighed, rubbing his temples as he processed the information. "I've noticed that too," he said, his voice heavy with worry. "It's as if there's something, or someone, holding him back. He's got so many walls up."

"I don't know what to do," I admitted, frustration tinging my words. "We just want to help him, but it's like he's in a constant battle with himself. What if we never get through to him?"

"We have to be patient," Leo replied firmly. "Sky has been through a lot. It's going to take time for him to trust us. We just need to keep showing him that we're here for him, no matter what."I nodded, though the concern in my chest didn't lessen. "I just hope it's enough. He's been hurt so much already."

Leo put a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "It will be enough, and if not, we'll just keep working until it is enough. The only mistake we can make is giving up, and we won't give up on him; you, me, and the others won't give up. He needs to see that we aren't going anywhere and that we truly care. Eventually, he'll come around. We just have to keep trying."

Leo's words echoed in my mind. Patience. Persistence. Those were the keys. Sky needed time, and we would give him all the time he needed. Even if it felt like an uphill battle, it was one we were willing to fight for Sky.

We sat in silence in his office, the atmosphere charged with a different kind of tension. We have been trying to keep things behind closed doors since Skylar arrived as we didn't want to spook him, so we haven't been able to get as much time together as we used to. The rest of the boys are really starting to get frustrated in that regard, but all of us in the house care too much about Skylar to do anything that will scare him away.

"Alexander," Leo said softly, breaking the silence. His eyes held a depth of emotion that made my heart skip a beat. "Thank you for being here, and I really appreciate you and the others in all that you are doing to help Sky."

I felt a warmth spread through me at his words. "Of course, Leo. We're all in this together-me, you, and the others."

Leo took a step closer, his hand reaching out to gently cup my cheek. The touch was tender, filled with unspoken promises and a connection that we have had since the beginning of everything. "I don't know what I would do without you and the others," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Without thinking, I leaned into his touch, my eyes closing as I savored the intimacy of the moment. "We're a team," I whispered back. "We'll all get through this together."Our breaths mingled as we stood there, the air thick with a tension that was both comforting and electrifying. Slowly, almost tentatively, Leo leaned in, his lips brushing against mine in a soft, tentative kiss.

I responded eagerly, the kiss deepening as our emotions poured into it. It was a kiss filled with need, reassurance, and a promise that we would face whatever came our way together. My hands found their way to his shoulders, pulling him closer as the kiss intensified.

Leo's hands moved to my waist, holding me firmly yet gently. The room seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of us, lost in the moment. The kiss grew more passionate, a silent affirmation of our bond, of the trust and connection we had built.

When we finally pulled away, our foreheads rested against each other, our breaths coming in shallow, uneven gasps. "I need you, Alexander," Leo whispered, his voice filled with raw emotion. "I need you now, right now."

I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. "I need you too, Leo. More than you realize."

We spent the night together, our connection shining through in the form of our once-again blossoming relationship. It was a night filled with passion, whispered confessions, and tender touches. A night that once again solidified the bond that we have. As the morning light filtered into the room, I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them together. For Sky, for ourselves and the rest of the boys, and the future we are all building, one step at a time.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OK, MY PEOPLE, THAT IS THE END OF THIS CHAPTER.I KNOW IT WAS A SHORT CHAPTER DON'T COME AND GET ME I WILL TRY TO MAKE MORE UPDATES WEEKLY AND LONGER CHAPTERS OK, BUT I MAKE NO PROMISES. I APOLOGIZE FOR THE LONG WAIT. SO, HOW DID YOU LIKE IT? TELL ME IF YOU WANT ME TO FAST-TRACK SKYLAR'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BOYS.Feedback is always appreciated! Thanks for your patience and support!