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It was true – not too long ago, thinking about food only made him stress out about whether or not he could provide for Luna. There had been times when he'd gone to bed hungry, his stomach gnawing at him and his heart aching with guilt.
But now, here he was, preparing a feast for a BBQ that would leave them all full and happy. They'd come a long way, and as much as it terrified him sometimes, Felix couldn't help but feel proud of the life they were building together.
"Hey, what are you making?" Luna's voice echoed through the kitchen, her bright smile lighting up the room as she leaned against the doorframe. "It smells amazing."
"Thanks," Felix replied, grinning back at her. "Just some sides for the BBQ."
"Ooh, can't wait!" she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I'll go set the table."
As Luna disappeared into the backyard, Felix couldn't help but think about how much he'd changed. The weight of responsibility had forged him into something stronger, more resilient.
And slowly, instead of pushing it away, he was learning to embrace the softer, more vulnerable side of himself – the part that longed for connection and intimacy.
"Mr. Reid!" called a cheerful voice, snapping Felix out of his reverie.
"Coming!" Felix replied, carefully balancing the dishes as he stepped outside into the yard. The lush grass was dotted with Luna's friends, enjoying the warm summer day as they chatted animatedly with each other. Luna herself sat cross-legged on a blanket, her dark hair catching in the sunlight as she laughed at something one of her friends had said.
Dante stood by the barbecue, his tall, muscular frame commanding attention despite his casual stance. The smoky scent of grilling meat wafted through the air, mingling with the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers that bordered the small lawn.
As Felix approached the group, he felt a familiar swell of pride and affection for his little sister. She looked so happy, surrounded by friends and completely free of the worries that used to weigh her down. He knew that this simple gathering meant more to her than any lavish party or extravagant gift.
"Here you go," Felix announced, setting the plates of food down on a nearby table. Like a pack of hungry hyenas, Luna and her friends descended upon the feast, their eyes wide with delight and anticipation.
"Thank you, Mr. Reid!" they chimed in unison, as if they'd rehearsed it. Felix couldn't help but roll his eyes at their dramatics, even as warmth filled his chest at their gratitude.
"Please, just call me Felix," he insisted, though he knew it would likely fall on deaf ears.
"Okay, Mr. Reid!" they giggled, already tucking into the food with gusto. He shook his head, a fond smile playing at his lips, and turned to join Dante by the barbecue.
Felix approached Dante, who was still at the BBQ, expertly flipping burgers in contentment. "Looks like you've got quite the fan club," Dante remarked, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as he flipped a sizzling burger.
The teasing tone in his voice sent a shiver down Felix's spine, igniting a slow-burning heat within him that was all too familiar. "Can't blame them," he said, trying to maintain an air of nonchalance. "I mean, look at my pasta salad. Anyone would want that."
"True," Dante conceded, a glint of something dangerous and thrilling in his eyes as they locked onto Felix's. "But not everyone is here for pasta salad… Mr. Reid."
"Ugh, don't call me that. Makes me feel ancient," Felix groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. The heat in his cheeks intensified under Dante's unwavering gaze, and he found himself shifting his weight from one foot to another, suddenly self-conscious.
"Oh? And what do you prefer to be called?" Dante asked, leaning closer as the smoky scent of grilled meat filled the air between them. He raised an eyebrow, challenging Felix to answer.
Felix hesitated, feeling vulnerable under Dante's intense scrutiny. "Well," he stammered, "I can think of some things I certainly wouldn't mind being called..." His voice trailed off, and he couldn't help but bite his lower lip, glancing away for a moment before meeting Dante's eyes again.
Dante's gaze darkened with hunger. Felix felt as though he were a moth drawn to a flame, captivated by this man who could make him feel so small yet so alive.
But that feeling came to a sharp and abrupt halt as he remembered the gaggle of hungry teenagers waiting impatiently for their feast.
"Unfortunately,Mr. Reid," Dante said, his voice laced with regret and amusement, "we have mouths to feed right now." He turned his attention back to the BBQ, expertly arranging the sizzling patties and sausages on the grill.
As Luna and her friends eagerly gathered around the table, Dante served up the delicious BBQ. The chorus of praise and delight that followed each bite made it clear that his skills extended far beyond the criminal underworld. Felix tried a bite himself, and the explosion of flavor in his mouth had him barely holding back a moan. The sensation sent shivers down his spine, and he couldn't help but glance at Dante with renewed admiration.
"Got to keep the family fed, after all," Dante said, smirking as he caught Felix's eye. The words settled into Felix's chest like an anchor, solid and reassuring, yet a thrilling reminder of the precarious balance between their public personas and private desires.
Eventually, the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting shadows across the grass as the laughter and camaraderie of Luna and her friends faded into pleasant memories. Luna stood at the door with her backpack slung over one shoulder, ready to head off to her tutoring job.
"Hey, I'm proud of you," Felix said, his voice warm and sincere. "You're doing great with your clients."
"Clients?" Luna wrinkled her nose, clearly unimpressed with her brother's praise. "They're just little kids," she grumbled, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.
Felix grinned, amused by her frustration. "Not too long ago, you were just a little kid like them, you know," he pointed out, watching as a blush spread across her cheeks.
