The airport was bustling with activity as Xanthos and Shoji made their way through the terminal. Shoji, wide-eyed and brimming with excitement, stuck close to Xanthos, his small hand clasped tightly around Xanthos’s fingers. The thrill of the upcoming trip to the Maldives had Shoji almost bouncing on his feet, his gaze constantly darting around to take in everything.
As they passed a series of shops, Shoji’s attention was immediately drawn to a new chocolate store. The display was filled with the cutest pastries shaped like animals, and Shoji's eyes widened as he tugged on Xanthos’s sleeve, pointing to the shop with an excited gasp.
“Look! Xanthos! Cute bunny chocolate!” Shoji exclaimed, his voice soft but filled with delight.
Xanthos followed Shoji’s gaze and gave a small smile. Without a word, he steered them toward the shop, and within minutes, they were walking away with a small bunny-shaped pastry. Shoji held it with both hands, his eyes shining as he took a bite. The bunny's delicate ears disappeared into Shoji’s mouth, and he let out a contented "nom nom" noise as he chewed.
Xanthos chuckled quietly, watching Shoji enjoy the treat with such innocent happiness. There was something comforting about seeing Shoji like this—so pure and untouched by the harshness of their world. It made moments like these all the more precious.
Once the bunny pastry had been devoured, they headed to their gate. Xanthos handed Shoji his new ID, passport, and plane ticket, watching as Shoji’s eyes grew even wider. He turned the passport over in his hands, marveling at the official look of it.
“I’m a big boy now, right?” Shoji asked, looking up at Xanthos with pride.
“You’ve always been my big boy,” Xanthos replied, leaning down to kiss the top of Shoji’s head.
Once on the plane, they were led to their VIP suite—luxurious, private, and spacious. Shoji’s eyes were as wide as ever as he looked around the room, but his excitement quickly gave way to exhaustion from the long day. He climbed into Xanthos’s lap, his body small and warm as he snuggled against Xanthos’s chest, holding his little plushie close. Within minutes, Shoji had drifted off to sleep, his soft breathing punctuated by the occasional twitch of his fingers clutching the plushie.
Xanthos held him close, feeling the warmth of Shoji’s body against his own, his hands resting protectively on his omega’s back. The steady rise and fall of Shoji’s chest was soothing, and the peaceful innocence on his face made Xanthos’s heart swell with a tenderness he rarely allowed himself to feel.
A soft buzz from Shoji’s phone caught Xanthos’s attention. He glanced down and saw that Shoji’s two fathers had messaged him, probably excited to hear how the trip was going so far. With a smirk, Xanthos took a quick photo of Shoji, curled up like a kitten on his lap, plushie still clutched in his hand, and sent it to them. He could already imagine the proud smiles on their faces when they saw it.
Once the message was sent, Xanthos gently turned the phone over, not wanting any notifications to disturb Shoji’s sleep. He leaned back in his seat, adjusting his hold on Shoji so that the boy was comfortable, and then selected a movie on the in-flight entertainment system. The gentle hum of the airplane, combined with the warmth of Shoji in his lap, made the moment feel intimate and peaceful, a rare escape from the chaos of their lives.
As the movie played on, Xanthos found himself more focused on Shoji’s sleeping form than the screen. The way Shoji's lashes rested on his cheeks, the soft rise and fall of his chest—it all felt like a dream, a calm amidst the storm of their usual existence. For now, at least, they had this—this moment of peace together.
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After a long and exhausting flight, Xanthos and Shoji finally arrived at their luxurious VIP hotel in the Maldives. The evening sun bathed the crystal-clear waters in a warm golden glow, and the tropical breeze carried the scent of salt and fresh flowers. The suite they had booked was even more breathtaking in person—a sprawling space with a private pool overlooking the ocean and floor-to-ceiling windows that framed the picturesque view.
Shoji, already bursting with excitement, could barely contain himself as they settled into their suite. He eagerly opened their suitcases, his tiny fingers working quickly to unpack. Xanthos watched him with a mix of amusement and affection, but exhaustion from the trip tugged at his limbs. He gave Shoji a quick kiss on the forehead before excusing himself to take a long-awaited shower.
Once Xanthos disappeared into the bathroom, Shoji turned his attention to the private pool outside. He could already feel the relaxation seeping into his bones just thinking about the warm water. After the long plane ride and the journey to the hotel, his body was in desperate need of unwinding. Without wasting any time, he stripped down, leaving his clothes in a neat pile by the edge of the pool, and slipped into the warm, crystal-clear water.
The warmth of the pool was a soothing balm against his skin, and Shoji immediately felt the tension melt away. He sighed contentedly as he submerged himself deeper, letting the water caress every inch of his body. His hands moved instinctively, rubbing over his tired muscles and cleaning himself thoroughly, paying particular attention to his most intimate areas. After the long hours of travel, the sensation was refreshing and comforting, allowing him to finally relax.
As Shoji took his time enjoying the water, his mind wandered to the bliss of the moment—the perfect setting, the privacy, and the fact that he was here with Xanthos. A small smile tugged at his lips as he thought of how this trip was turning out to be exactly what he had hoped for.
Eventually, the sound of the bathroom door opening caught Shoji’s attention. He turned his head to see Xanthos emerging from the steam, freshly showered and wearing nothing but a towel slung low around his waist. The sight of Xanthos, his toned muscles still glistening with droplets of water, sent a shiver down Shoji’s spine.
Xanthos stretched lazily before making his way over to the massive king-sized bed that dominated the room. He glanced out the window, his eyes briefly meeting Shoji’s as he laid back on the bed, exuding a calm confidence. Shoji couldn’t help but blush slightly as he admired Xanthos’s relaxed posture. There was something about seeing him like this—completely at ease, his powerful body resting against the soft sheets—that made Shoji’s heart flutter.
After a few moments, Xanthos picked up his phone, checking his messages out of habit. Shoji noticed his brows furrowing slightly as he opened an unfamiliar email. He watched as Xanthos’s expression shifted from curiosity to something darker, more intense. Xanthos’s grip on the phone tightened, and his jaw clenched as his eyes scanned the contents of the message.
Without a word, Xanthos lowered the phone, his gaze hardening as he read the chilling line from the anonymous sender:
“I love it when Shoji is all naked, displayed in front of me.”
Xanthos’s entire demeanor shifted, his usually calm and controlled aura replaced with a dangerous edge. The message, its invasive nature, filled him with a surge of protectiveness—and anger. He glanced towards Shoji, still blissfully unaware, floating in the pool with a peaceful expression.
Xanthos immediately sat up, his mind racing. Whoever had sent that message had crossed a line, and they had clearly been watching Shoji. But how?
To be continued
