The Brightest Star

67. King

King's POV

Kiki was right. Nothing could top Leo's gift. I've never reserved such a thoughtful and selfless gift as the one he gave me. I told him to pick anywhere he wanted to go for our little getaway, and he decided to give me time with my dad instead. I shouldn't be surprised, but I was utterly stunned.

Back at home, Kiki gave me a key and told me it was for the basement room. She was moving back upstairs to her old room. "It's only fair," she started to say when I tried to protest. "You and Leo can't stay cramped in that small room forever, and Winter seems to love it down there as well."

"Are you sure, though? I gave the room to you," I asked, but I really did want it. It would give Leo and me so much more space, and I was starting to run out of places to put all the things I'd bought Leo when I was out.

"Well, if I wasn't, I wouldn't be giving it to you. I'm hardly home as it is." She smiled at Leo behind me, talking to my uncle. "He's good for you, King." She turned back to me and smiled. "You both need each other and more space, so take the key and thank me before I change my mind."

I smirked at her. "You're just a big softy." She gasped and shoved my shoulder, making me laugh. "Thanks Kiki. This means a lot, and I know it will mean a lot to Leo too."

She nodded and walked away. I turned around to find Leo talking to Olivia. His face grew more red by the second, so I quickly walked over to save him from Olivia's far too-open personality. She congratulated me while pulling me into a hug and whispered in my ear. "I left my gift for you on your bed. Use it with Leo well, baby red."

"Uhh," I pull away from her. "What did you do now?" I couldn't help but rub my eyes. She could have put anything in there, and I was a little scared to go back to my room.

"You'll see. You boys enjoy yourselves." She winks at Leo before walking back over to my uncle, where they start whispering, most likely about work.

"So what did that crazy lady say?" I asked as I wrapped my arms around Leo's shoulders.

"I shouldn't repeat it in front of others," Leo mumbles, burying his face into my shirt.

I can't help but laugh and squeeze him closer. "That bad, huh?"

Kiki turns on the music as Dom, Tank, and some of the others start coming in the door. The party kicks off in full swing. Someone brings a keg. Others carry bottles of hard liquor. By the time night fell, the living room was packed, and I had a good buzz going. Leo becomes the center of attention to a few people as they tell him stories about living in the neighborhood. I see him sipping on beer from the keg and smile to myself.

He looks like he's having a good time, laughing at their crazy hand gestures. It makes my chest warm seeing him open up a little more after all the struggles he's been through. I've seen so much of it lingering in his eyes when he thinks I'm not looking, but he still had his golden heart. Always selfless, thinking of others.

I would have taken him anywhere in the world if he asked, yet he worked hard to give me something more meaningful. I had planned to see him soon after we got back. It was true that Casper was full of many activities for us to do, but it wouldn't have been a place I thought to take a vacation. My thoughts were going on a plane to somewhere far, far, away from everything and everyone here. As great as that sounded, seeing my dad felt better. It made me smile bigger just thinking about my dad meeting Leo.

I've told him about Leo in a few notes I've written but hadn't told him we were together as a couple yet. I wanted to tell him in person so he could see my happiness with Leo instead of just reading it in words. I hope he will accept this part of me. Accept me and Leo being together.