𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 | 𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐉𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐑𝐎

𝟏𝟒.𝟎𝟎

"I hope, buddy. I hope."

Mattia bursted into a sprint after the older man. He wasn't even thinking. Once close enough, he jumped at the boy and the two fell onto the concrete. Mattia was able to catch Alejandro's head before it hit the pavement. Mattia now on top, and Alejandro below him, Mattia looked into those eyes. Those stunning, gorgeous eyes. Mattia leaned in and kissed him softly, smiling when he felt that familiar pair of lips moving in sync with his.

He pulled away to catch his breath. Alejandro was still staring at him, either in amazement or horror. He didn't know how to feel. Mattia looked back down at the shorter man. "M-mattia?" The older finally stuttered out, studying the italian's features. As soon as he heard the voice he knew it was Alejandro.

"Yes! Yes, yes, yes! It's me!" Mattia got off of him and pulled the shorter man up. Mattia's knuckles and fingers stung from when he caught Alejandro's head. Before the older man could question him Mattia was already scooping him up and carrying him into the house bridal style. The first thing Alejandro noticed was the kid who was staring at him the whole time.

"Who's this?" The shorter man asked curiously. Mattia shifted his gaze to his son. "This is Elijah.. my son." Alejandro's eyes widened and he looked around. "Maybe I should get going then. I wouldn't wanna disturb you and your wife." Before Alejandro could stand Mattia blocked just path and shook his head. "I broke up with her earlier today.. and she's not my wife. Never was. It's just me and Elijah now."

Alejandro looked at the small boy with soft eyes. The young boy tilted his head and stared back at Alejandro. The older man laughed softly and shook his head before looking back up at Mattia. "Daddy, who's this?" Elijah finally asked, scooting himself to the edge of the couch and climbing off. He walked over to Alejandro and messed with his shirt.

Mattia chuckled and met Alejandro's eyes."This here, buddy.. is, well.. Alejandro." Elijah pulled Alejandro's collar of his shirt down and looked down his shirt. "Woah." The small boy stated, shocked. Alejandro blushed and grabbed at his shirt, pushing it back up against his chest. "Pretty cool, right buddy?" Mattia asked, still looking at Alejandro. The small boy nodded. "That was all mine once." Mattia said, making Alejandro look away.

Elijah looked up at his dad. "Really?" Mattia nodded and Elijah once again let out a small gasp. "How about you stay a while, Alejandro. We have a lot of catching up to do." The older man nodded and Mattia smiled. He focused back on Elijah and sighed. "Well, buddy it's time to get you to bed. It's nearly ten o clock." The small boy groaned and slowly stomped up the stairs.

Mattia clicked his tongue and walked up the stairs after the boy, swooping him up into his embrace and running up the steps. "Maybe on second thought we'll give you Gian's room." Mattia said hesitantly as he passed his parents old room. Elijah raised an eyebrow and looked up at his father. "Who's Gian?" He asked, curiously. Mattia shook his head slowly. "Your uncle. He's my brother." Mattia opened the door and Elijah jumped out of his father's arms and ran to the bed.

"How come i've never seen Gian?" Mattia looked around. "Because he.. he's on a special mission so no one can find him. It's been quite some time since i've seen him too, buddy." The small boy got up into the bed and under the covers. "Oh.. okay." Mattia nodded and walked over to Elijah before giving him a soft kiss on the forehead. "Alejandro is gonna stay with us.. right?" Mattia stared blankly at the wall and shrugged. "I hope, buddy. I hope."

Mattia turned on the night light and walked to the door. "Love you, Eli." "I love you too daddy!" The small boy said excitedly before nuzzling himself into the covers. Mattia chuckled and closed the door before making his way back downstairs where Alejandro remained on the sofa. Mattia walked up behind him and wrapped his arms around the older man's neck before kissing his cheek.

The smaller man held onto Mattia's arms with his own hands and looked up at the italian. Mattia clicked his tongue before sighing. "I'm sorry about what happened that night. It was all my fault. I shouldn't of done that. Just because I was drunk.. that isn't even a good enough excuse-" He was silenced by one of Alejandro's index fingers being pressed against his lips. "It's okay, Matti. I still love you."

Mattia smiled lightly. "Do you.. you know, still wear the ring?" Alejandro chuckled before showing his right hand which still had the black band on it. "I never stopped wearing it." Mattia showed his own right hand. "I didn't either.." Mattia made his way onto the couch and the two laid down in each other's embrace.

They were both now hoping for the best.