We lie like this for a while before his tears dry, and when they do, I help him sit up then reach for another cloth. I wet this one with cold water and gently cleanse his face to soothe the swelling from his tears. He lets me, looking so lost for a moment. Reaching into the new basket I bought, I dig around before I find the wipes and remove his makeup from his face, then I put on the cream that the girls from the skincare store I went to suggested. It was expensive as fuck, but his skin is so pretty and soft. I don’t want it ruined because I got something that wasn’t good. I’ll have to check with him tomorrow, and if he tells me the brands he uses, then I can keep them here.
“Is that moisturizer?” he asks softly.
“Mm-hmm.” I carefully stroke it into every inch of his skin, hoping I’m doing it right.
“Why do you have it?” he asks.
“You mentioned once in passing that you like your skincare routine. I wanted to make sure you are comfortable here, so I got you everything I thought you would need—some brushes, hair stylingequipment, a straightener, skincare, and other goodies. It might not be what you’re used to, but I can buy different ones. Just put up with it for tonight.” I pull out the eye cream, frowning as I read the directions. His hand covers mine, and I look up to see him smiling softly.
“You bought it for me?”
“Of course,” I respond, looking back at the tube. Do I put it all over his eyes? What if it gets into them? Wouldn’t that hurt?
“Let me.” He takes the tube and twists off the cap, squirting a tiny bit of the pearly liquid onto his fingers then softly sweeping it under my eye. “Like that.” He does my other eye and then hands it to me.
Nodding, I squeeze a little out and massage it under his eye, careful not to add too much pressure. When it’s done, I cap it and look in the basket. “I didn’t know how you keep your hair at home, but they suggested ties to me?” I hold up the silk scrunchies.
“Who did?” he snaps. “Who did you ask?”
“The sales associate,” I respond with confusion.
He relaxes and nods, turning to offer me his hair. It’s dry since I didn’t wash it. “I tie it back so it doesn’t annoy me.”
Putting the scrunchie on my wrist, I brush his hair back and make a small ponytail like the videos showed me. “Is that okay?” I ask.
He nods and leans into me, smiling softly. “You’re fucking adorable, you know that?”
“Me?”
“I’m just imagining you in a makeup store.” He laughs, the sound soft and tinkling, and it melts my heart. When he directs his wide, unchecked smile at me, I swear I flush and almost melt into a puddle where I sit. “Adorable.” He pokes my nose.
I think all his crying sobered him up a bit, but his face is still slightly puffy. He looks so fucking young and pretty right now, I kiss his forehead. When I lean back, his eyes are closed, so I kiss each one before placing another on his lips. “Okay, baby boy, let’s dry you off before your pretty skin wrinkles up.” Unplugging the bath, I lift Zia and place him on the mat. I grab one of my big towels and start to dry him off, taking time to catch all the water before I kneel and dry each leg. Once that’s done, I hold his hand and lead him intomy bedroom, grabbing one of my nicer band shirts for him. “Arms up.”
He does as he’s told, and I swear I melt once more. Careful of his hair and piercings, I pull the shirt down. It falls to his knees, and it’s so loose and big, he looks small. Grabbing some shorts, I help him into them and tighten the strings so they don’t fall down. “Do you need to take any of your earrings out while you sleep?” I want him to be as comfortable as possible.
“Yes please.” He turns his head and gestures at two at the bottom that are long and spiked. He makes no move to do it, so I carefully pull them out, trying my best not to hurt him. I look around for a place to put them and make a note to get him a box or a dish or some shit, but for now, I put them on my dresser inside my watch so they don’t get lost.
“Okay, into bed, baby,” I order, pulling the cover back. He slides in, and I tuck it around him. Hurrying to the kitchen, I get a glass of water and return. “Drink.” He does, and then I set it next to the bed and climb in over him. I open my arms and wait, and he falls into my side, throwing his legs and arms over me. A protective instinct rises within me, demanding I kill anyone who would ever dare even look at him.
Kissing his hair, I hold him tightly, making sure the bedding is fully covering him. I’m exposed, but I don’t care. I’d freeze as long as he’s warm.
“Night,” he mumbles.
“Good night, baby boy.” I kiss him again. “Try to have some good dreams. If not, I’ll be here to fight off your bad ones.”
I watch him sleep, and when I’m sure he isn’t struggling, I finally close my eyes.
Zia is still asleep, so I move around quietly, preparing breakfast so he can eat when he gets up. He’ll probably be hungover. I should have expected it, but when my door bangs open, I whirl around. Charlie and my father walk in, and they aren’t quiet.
“Where the fuck were you?” my dad snaps. “You missed morning training.”
I knew he would be mad, but Zia was sleeping so soundly, I couldn’t bear to disrupt him. I didn’t want him to think I abandoned him if he woke up alone, and what if he was still upset?
“Quiet.” I glance at the bedroom. If they wake him up, I’ll kick their asses, dad or not. “I was busy.”
“With what? Boy, nothing is more important than your training!” my dad argues.
“Calm down,” Charlie tells him as he looks at me. “Nikko will have a reason—are you cooking?”
