Ice Cold You

Chapter 71: Flashback - Me Before You

Tom arrived at their Villa with a smile on his face.
He has several reasons to be happy. First Can is single. Second, he is into guys which makes Tom's ship sail even better and lastly Can is still healing and he will use the opportunity to be close with eventually winning the boy's heart.

"Don't be so happy yet! You still have competition." Keith suddenly pop out of nowhere with his usual mischievous smirk.
"What do you mean?" Tom ask his younger brother.
"Oh come on you are not that stupid to notice how Vlad look at Can." Keith responded hitting the spot. Is it that obvious? He needs to step up his game so that Can will choose him over Vlad.
"You are spouting non sense." Tom lied as he walk pass Keith who is raising is knit brow at his brother's mighty action.

Days passed by and it is almost a year since Can move away from home.
Tom and Can became closer. They spend time together much more than any other royal Can spend time with. With Tom's help Can is now an able swimmer even in the cold Australian weather.

That morning Can got a message from his older brother asking him to come home for their parents wedding anniversary. He is happy about the festive occasion but even after a year he is still hesitant on the idea of going home. In his mind the question remains and keeps on repeating what if he saw Tin back home. Will he be okay? Is he even okay? Can has these deep in his thoughts.

"You are over thinking again." Keith said as he hand over Can a cone of ice cream.
Can is amaze how Keith is able to maintain his royal stature despite his rebellious outfits.

"I'm going home Keith." Can finally said. The royal prince pinch both of his cheeks.
"We both know that the time will eventually come wherein you need to come home. But remember if things don't go well the royal family of Australia will welcome you back. It's your home away from home." For the first time Can heard something serious coming from the youngest prince. He is right Australia will always welcome him back.
"Thank you Keith!" Can said pulling Keith in a tight friendly hug.
"When are you planning to tell him?" Keith refers to his middle brother Tom. He knew that among them he and Can where the closest. In fact his brother has been in love with Can for such a long time now.

Can sighed.
"I am not sure yet. But I plan to tell him as soon as I got to find a chance a good chance." Can said before turning his attention back to the melting ice cream in his hand.
"Well good luck with that and don't you dare forget us!" Keith said with sadness in his tone.
"I will be back. Just need to come home for an important family matter that's all." Can explains to Keith.
"I see." He responded shortly.

Time went by fast and it is Can's last two days before leaving for his home country.
Can and Tom are having a bonding moment. Actually he requested to the other princes to give him that day to spend time with Tom on the Villa.
It seems that everyone is just busy, that is how Tom sees it.

When Can arrived at the Villa he is greeted by the guards before he saw Tom waiting at the outside lounge.

"Hey! How are you?" Tom greeted Can upon the boy's arrival. Of course Can return his greeting back. The two are having the usual talk they did before but Tom is not aware about the bomb that Can is about to drop on him.

"Let's go for a swim?" Tom said inviting Can.
Can has already a pair of swimming trunks in the Villa for times like this. He went to fetch his trunks and change into them. When he return he saw Tom enjoying the water already.

Can join him. Sitting at the edge of the pool while his limbs are submerged playing on the water Tom suddenly went over to him. Tom is now in front of him while his arms are on the sides while holding on the edge where Can is seated.
"Tom I have something important to tell you." Can began.
The prince look at him waiting for Can to continue.

"I need to go home the day after tomorrow." Can breaks the news to Tom who is now awestruck.
"You are leaving?" Tom clarified.
Can nodded.
"Why?" Tom ask.
"It will not be long. My parents are renewing their vows and that means I need to come home." Can explain the reason he is leaving.
"But you are coming back right?" The prince ask again.
"Yes, I still need to finish the last term of the school year." Can said which is true. The school year is still on going.
"Alright. I'll come with you." Tom said which made Can's eyes widen in shock.
"Tom please don't do that. It's not that I don't want you to be there but I would like to take this opportunity to catch up with them. Hope you understand." Can said pleadingly.
Tom just nod and smile.

Tom decided it is now the perfect time to tell Can his intentions for him.
"Can! I need to tell you something." This caught Can's attention.
"Yeah! Break it to me." Can said awaiting for Tom to say something.
"I like you Can!" Tom said followed by dead reckoning silence.
Can just stare at him.
"I appreciate it Tom. But I will no longer fall in love again. Not with a guy again." Can's words break Tom apart.

"I'm willing to wait until you get ready. I will make you feel how much I need you."

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Hello everyone! This is the last chapter of the flashback.
What do you think will happen next?
Happy reading.