When he was about eight, Galen befriended someone who had recently moved into the quiet, small community—a librarian working in one of the slightly larger neighboring towns. From time to time, his new friend brought him books, which he devoured late at night, under the blanket, with a flashlight.
Thankfully, Galen’s aunt and uncle never found out about his friendship with the librarian or the “book smuggling operation,” as they humorously called it. If they had, the kind person would have been expelled from town and likely lost their job too; regardless of the town's name, people from that region were intolerant and narrow-minded.
When Galen saw the library on his first day at Ottavio’s house, he thought he was dreaming and wished he would never wake up. Seeing the mix of disbelief, awe, and excitement in his son’s eyes, the man softly laughed and told him that what he saw there was nothing compared with what it was at Palazzo Sforza, the cradle of their family.
Ottavio told Galen he was free to explore the library and read any book he wanted, as long as, after finishing it, he would put it back in the exact same spot where he had taken it. The boy assured his father it wasn’t a problem, since he liked to keep everything neat, tidy, and within easy reach.
Galen yawned, rolled onto his side, and wrapped himself in blankets. "It’s really late," he thought, eyes closing. He decided to sleep so he wouldn't miss breakfast, recalling the joy of mornings with Ottavio and one of their trio, sharing Basile's delicious treats, laughing, joking, and enjoying each other. His life was good.
************
“The proverbial penny for your thoughts,” Ivy said, looking at his husband, who was sitting on the couch in the living roomnext to him, seeming lost in his own thoughts. “Well, I’m making it a million dollars for you,” he grinned.
“I was thinking about the future,” Ottavio answered at once, his dark-brown eyes shining with affection. “About us, our precious babies, and… Galen.”
“The three cuties grow stronger and bigger every day,” Ivy smiled. “Soon, Ives and I will need to order new clothes for them. They’re also getting smarter and smarter, like their papa and older brother. Speaking of which, is it just me, or has he softened up a lot over the past couple of weeks?”
“I noticed that too. His voice sounds warmer when he talks to me. He no longer avoids my company, and he doesn’t reject me when I want to hug him.” Ottavio sighed heavily. “I realize it will take a lot of time for us to have a normal father-son relationship, but I think we’re on the right path.”
A brief moment of silence followed his words, then Ivy cleared his throat and began in a hesitant tone. “Galen is good friends with Ives and Poisoned Ivy, and he also likes to hang out with me. Don’t get me wrong, love, I’m happy he seeks our company, but I think he needs friends his age to talk to and play with, do…you know…kids stuff. This sounds pretty weird, I know.”
“What would I do without the three of you?” Ottavio gently touched his lover’s face, each stroke filled with love. “I was planning to look for a school over summer break, but your words convinced me to keep homeschooling him.”
“Um... sorry, I know I’m not the brightest bulb sometimes, but how do you expect Galen to meet kids his age and socialize if he doesn’t attend a normal school and doesn’t interact with real people?”
“Nothing to be sorry for. Please don’t say this ever again. You are a smart and funny young man, stronger than you know.” Ottavio traced the other man’s face with the pad of his thumb. “Idon’t want my son to be bullied. He never directly complained to me, Basile, or any of you, but I have reasons to believe he faced a lot of it both at school and at home, from the son of that horrible couple.”
“I didn’t think about that, but you’re right,” Ivy whispered, his voice laced with compassion. “I think this poor kid endured far too much for someone his age. I overheard the conversation you and Elyan had when he told you what he’d learned about Galen’s relatives, and I think living with those people for almost two-thirds of his life must have felt like serving prison time.”
“I…” Ottavio hesitated, searching for the right words. “I try very hard not to think about Galen’s life after his mother passed, because if I do…” He left the sentence unfinished. “I’m praying to San Genaro to help me stay on the path I chose almost five years ago,” he said after a brief moment of silence.
Ivy didn’t reply right away; he sensed his husband was heading into a dark place and changed the subject. “You still haven’t told me how homeschooling Galen will help him socialize. I’m sure you have another one of your great ideas, and I’d like to hear it.”
“Sweet talker.” Ottavio placed a soft kiss on the corner of the other man’s mouth. “Actually, the idea belongs to Ives, who told me a while ago about the Special Ones, a team of teenagers with unique talents and inclinations that the former CIA director Alastair Stark formed decades ago. Back then, I saw no point in us doing that, too, but now the idea comes in very handy.”
Ivy frowned in concentration. “I think I either wasn’t around or Ives mentioned it in my presence, and I completely forgot about this. Anyway, it’s an amazing way for Galen to learn new, interesting things and share his knowledge with the other kids.” The young man paused. “Do you know the names of the other kids, his future… study pals?”
“No, because I haven’t thought through all the aspects yet,” Ottavio answered. “I’ll talk to the Wisdom Keeper first; he knows more about the Special Ones, and I’m also sure that, from the Librarian’s perspective, he knows many children with great but still untapped potential.”
“Of course!” Ivy exclaimed, a mix of excitement and relief. “The Wisdom Keeper is the right person to talk to about this project. Besides, isn’t he also the new Educator?” It was the younger man’s turn to choose his words carefully. “I know you don’t hold a seat on The Council, but I think it’s time for Galen to learn a thing or two about his family and the world they belong to.”
“Again, what would I do without the three of you?” Ottavio smiled warmly as he ran his fingers through his partner’s hair. “I plan to have a heart-to-heart with my son, share an abbreviated version of the Sforza family’s history, and, of course, talk to him about the Old-World Mafia.”
“We can help with that, too,” Ivy offered enthusiastically. “Well, not me, as I don’t know much about the subject, but Ives would love to, and I think Poisoned Ivy would like to train him in different combat styles that don’t involve weapons.”
“Yes to all of those,” Ottavio approved with a smile. “Also, I’ll talk to Baldassare and Martino; Galen has uncles and cousins, and it’s time for him to meet and get to know them.” He paused and gave the other an intense, smoldering look.
“What?” Ivy huffed a laugh, unsure how to interpret the look in his husband’s eyes. “You look like you’re about to devour me.”
“I would like the two of us to make love, with you on top,” Ottavio answered in a thick, raspy voice.
Ivy had never topped before, so his husband’s request caught him off guard. He nodded anyway, got to his feet, and took Ottavio’s hand. The other man understood and, after leaving the couch, let himself be guided up the stairs to the master bedroom.My beloved could make a great Dom in another life—Ottavio smiled internally at how natural Ivy’s gestures were.
Sternness and warmth mingling in his eyes, the shy bottom, now the top, gestured toward the edge of the bed. When his husband approached and stood still, Ivy began undressing him, covering every inch of his chest and torso with butterfly kisses. Ottavio tilted his head back, letting out needy moans that brought a smirk to Ivy’s face.
However, the man decided not to prolong his husband’s torture, as sweet as it was, and helped the other man out of his pants and underwear, quickly removing his own clothes as well. Ottavio shook his head at the clothes scattered across the carpeted floor, but a stern look from Ivy, as the man pointed to the bed, reminded him who was in charge.
Ottavio obeyed, lying on his back with his hands above his head and his legs spread wide, trusting his lover with his body, mind, and soul. Just as his lover had done for him, Ivy took his time preparing him, locking eyes and offering a reassuring smile. Buzzing with anticipation, Ottavio welcomed his husband’s fingers inside him, his ass greedily pulsing around them.
