{ #5 } Eclipse Of The Moon (MxM || 18+)

Chapter 43 - Them

Eclipse Of The Moon ~ Book 1 of Aaron
Chapter 43
Them

Saturday 8 November 2003

"I guess it's time to go..." I whisper anxiously as we reach the control gate.

I'm glad Ivan insisted to walk me to the furthest he was allowed to. This is my first time in an airport and other than the fact that I'm not familiar at all with how things work, the Los Angeles International Airport is a huge one, so big that I might have gotten lost. I have already checked in my luggage and gotten my boarding pass, now I just have to go through security check and find the right gate for my flight.

"Yeah, time to part ways, Menino," Ivan sighs, stopping us a few feet away from the control area.

My heart constricts in my chest at the somber expression on his face, even if it lasts for just a few seconds before he regains his usual self-confidence and that's when his phone goes off. His brows furrow deeply when he sees the caller ID on the screen, and he exhales a long sigh as he picks up.

"Hi, Pietro. You calling me so early doesn't bode any good. Has he fucked up again?"

Pietro is Ivan's third high school friend, the one who's not as close as Anton and Marcus but still one he regularly sees. He and his wife came home for dinner just about a week ago, and I remember that Pietro was complaining again about his magnet for trouble of a brother. I don't know why Pietro still has to take care of the young adult and I have no clue how Ivan helps him, but what I gathered is that my mentor's authority seems to usually work better than Pietro's.

".........."

"No, you're not waking me up, no worries. Go ahead, tell me what happened."

".........."

"Okay, listen, I'll call you back in... an hour and you'll give me details, but don't worry, I've got it. And if it helps, tell Connor that I'll personally deal with his case, alright? I'll talk to you later," he concludes dryly before he hangs up.

"A problem?" I cautiously ask.

"Nothing serious, don't worry. Do you have everything you need?"

"Yes, don't you worry," I reply with a small grimace. "I've got a coat, some cash, my phone and... oops... I think I forgot my charger in my bedroom!!" I exclaim dramatically, earning a glare from Ivan. "Just kidding!! I'll be able to call and text you a thousand times a day as you asked."

"You little dumbass," he grunts, ruffling my hair. "You'd better keep me updated. And behave! No funny ideas and don't get yourself in trouble."

"I'll be a good boy," I smirk. "You know my friends are serious guys and we've mostly planned to stay at the hotel and just catch up."

"Yeah, right. Don't forget to use the rubber sheath if..."

"Ugh, Ivan... We won't need condoms. No one's going to fuck anyone."

"I was talking about if you guys decide to go out and meet other people. Anyway, you'd better go now, you don't want to miss your flight, do you?"

"Definitely not."

"C'mere, gimme a hug," he then whispers, pulling me close to his chest. "I'm going to miss you, Menino," he then adds with a strangled voice that nearly breaks my heart. "Don't forget to come back."

"I'll miss you too and don't worry, I will come back," I reply, fighting hard against the lump forming in my throat to recover a cheerful expression. "You're getting old and you'll need me to take care of your ol' bones!"