Taken by the Mafia ✧⁠*⁠。

Episode 31

Later that night, the mansion was still, with only the soft sounds of wind outside. Perth and Santa were in Santa's room, as usual, lying together under the dim light of the bedside lamp. But tonight felt different. Santa had noticed Perth's quietness, something uncharacteristic for him. Normally, Perth was more talkative, playful even, but now he was lost in thought, his eyes distant as if he were wrestling with something deep within.

Santa, who had been leaning against the headboard, glanced at Perth again, observing his silence. Gently, he shifted closer to him, reaching out to brush his fingers lightly against Perth's cheek. The soft touch made Perth blink, pulling him from his thoughts. He looked at Santa, the warmth of his gaze clouded with concern.

"Phi, are you okay?" Santa asked softly, his voice full of care.

Perth nodded, but the tension in his body gave him away. "Yeah...I'm fine," he murmured, though his tone was far from convincing.

Santa frowned slightly. "You know, you can tell me anything," he said, his eyes searching Perth's face for the truth.

Perth gave a small smile, his expression softening as he reached out, pulling Santa closer until his head rested on his chest. He held him there for a moment, feeling the comfort of Santa's presence. "Ta, do you love me?" he asked suddenly, his voice barely a whisper.

Santa’s brow furrowed in confusion as he looked up at Perth. "Of course I love you. Even though when you first took me here...you hurt me a lot," Santa paused, remembering the rocky start when they first met. "But yeah, you've changed now," he added with a soft smile, his hand resting on Perth’s chest.

Perth exhaled a deep breath, as if Santa's words soothed some of the turmoil inside him. He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to Santa’s forehead. "Don’t ever hate me, alright?" he said, his voice tender but filled with an unusual seriousness.

Santa tilted his head, confused. "Why would I hate you?"

Perth chuckled, though there was no humor behind it. "Just promise me you won’t. No matter what."

Santa could feel the heaviness behind the request, but he didn’t question it. Instead, he nodded, leaning into Perth’s warmth. "I promise," he whispered back.

Meanwhile, in Jeff’s room, things weren’t much lighter. Jeff sat on the bed, his back propped against the headboard, staring blankly ahead. Barcode was lying across his lap, peacefully resting, but Jeff’s mind was anything but calm. Hidden behind the cover of his phone was the note the worker had given him, a message from Santa and Barcode’s father. The weight of that message felt heavier than anything Jeff had ever held. He felt guilty, incredibly so. How could he tell them their father was gone? That they’d never get to see him again, never get to hear his voice?

The guilt gnawed at him, making his chest feel tight. As he stared ahead, lost in thought, Barcode shifted slightly, looking up at him. "Are you okay, phi?" Barcode asked, his eyes wide with concern.

Jeff blinked, pulled from his heavy thoughts by Barcode’s gentle voice. He forced a smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. "I’m fine, Code," he said softly, brushing a hand through Barcode’s hair.

Barcode, reassured by Jeff’s touch, smiled back and nodded, laying his head back on Jeff’s lap, unaware of the turmoil Jeff was keeping inside.

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The next morning, the house slowly stirred to life. As usual, the routine began. Perth, Santa, Jeff, and Barcode went about their daily routine, though there was an unspoken tension lingering beneath the surface. Breakfast was being prepared in the kitchen, and Aunty Mai, with her cheerful attitude, kept the atmosphere light. But for Jeff, the guilt weighed heavily. As they all gathered around the dining table, the usual banter and conversations flowed, but Jeff avoided eye contact with Santa and Barcode as much as he could.