Chapter Seven

Obviously, Knight had been onboard ships before. He had gotten to and from several missions that way. This was different. It was a level of luxury that blew his fucking mind. It was a mansion on water with a crew ready to serve. Their every wish was just a glance away. They were catered to twenty-four-seven. The food was delicious. The scenery was beautiful. It was like even the weather bent to Quentin's money and will. The best part was being with Royal.

The family had exchanged gifts around the tree after a meal so decadent, Knight thought he might pop. Royal and he had decided to wait until they were alone to open each other's gifts. As always, they spent some time out on the veranda, listening to the water lap against the ship. The smell of the sea filled Knight's nose.

"Fuck. I could live like this. It's so quiet and beautiful. I can't imagine having this much peace all the time."

Royal didn't respond.

Knight looked over and found him staring at the water. He looked like he wasn't really there. "Are you okay?"

Royal looked his way. "Yes. Sorry. I was just thinking. This much peace would probably drive you insane, eventually. It's beautiful here, but the monotony of colors would snap your mind after a while. You like art too much. You need an explosion of colors."

Knight was in love with him. The realization hit him fast and hard. Royal knew him. He paid attention to Knight and soaked up those details. This was love. "You'd do great here. This is the rest you need."

Royal smiled. "I guess it's a good thing we have a happy medium and intend to live at your place. You'll have your art. I'll have peace."

They shared a chuckle.

Royal stood. "Come on. Let's open gifts."

Knight stood. He didn't know why they had come to their room, dumped their haul from the family Christmas, and then immediately headed for the veranda. It had been like an unspoken agreement they needed a moment to decompress. As amazing as everyone was, they were also loud and rambunctious. Royal and Knight were quiet people. Calm. Observers. Sometimes the noise was too much.

Once they were back inside the room, Knight headed for the suitcase where he kept Royal's gifts. Royal did the same. Once they gathered their things, they met in the middle at the bed. They climbed onto the mattress and sat cross-legged while facing each other. They shared a smile and held a wrapped gift out to each other.

"Open this first." They laughed as they said the words simultaneously.

Knight smiled like a kid as he tore into the Christmas-y paper. The present looked exactly like it had been wrapped by a dude who didn't wrap presents. That made Knight doubly happy for some reason. It was a watch. Not just any watch, but a super fucking expensive one. Knight didn't know exactly how much it cost, but he had heard of the brand. It was gorgeous.

"Wow. This is amazing." He glanced up and found Royal eyeing the gift he had opened.

Royal met his stare. He wore a huge grin. "A pottery-making class for two? It's perfect."

Knight blushed. He didn't know why. Heat just flooded his face. "I wanted to give you something we could enjoy together—like giving you the gift of time."

"The gift of time," Royal said at the same time as him.

They shared another smile and then quickly handed each other another gift. Knight ripped into his. It was a phone. A very expensive phone. He sensed a theme.

He glanced up. "I have a phone. You didn't need to spend so much money."

Royal didn't look up from inspecting his gift. He sniffed the cologne Knight had bought him before responding. "Your phone is old, and the screen is cracked."

With an inner sigh, they exchanged another gift. This time, Knight chewed his bottom lip as he unwrapped the paper. He didn't know if he could handle another gift over a thousand dollars. Relief washed over him when he found an envelope inside the box with two tickets for the local contemporary art museum. That was reasonable.

"This is amazing."

Royal didn't respond.

Knight looked up to see Royal digging through the box Knight had put together for him. It was thick socks, matching pajama pants for them, and a photo album with only one picture inside. Knight had a selfie on his phone of them made into a nice photograph. Royal touched every item and flipped open the book. The hard set to his shoulders had Knight holding his breath. He never knew how to read Royal.

"Is everything okay? Did I get the wrong sizes?"

Royal looked up. His eyes looked haunted. Knight didn't know how else to explain. Royal swallowed. "I think I'm in love with you, but I don't know what that means. How does love feel? Does it feel like this?"

It was like getting punched in the chest. Sometimes Knight forgot he was dealing with someone who came from horrors most people never knew. While surrounded by so much luxury, it was easy to forget Royal hadn't been given socks and pajamas for Christmas every year. The things that were normal to him were new to Royal.

Knight took a steadying breath. "I can't read your mind, but if you think it's love you feel, then it probably is. If it helps, I love you." Once the words left his lips, they solidified in his heart. "I'm in love with you. For me, it means I never want to be with anyone else. I'm happy because you exist, and it feels like I'd die if I never got to see you again. You're the most important person to me. I'd choose you over everything."

Royal nodded along, looking as if he hung on every word. "Okay." He gave a sharp nod, as if coming to a decision. "I love you too."

Knight fought a laugh. Not only was he too happy to contain it, Royal always brightened his life. Knight knew when Royal said something, he meant it. He grabbed another gift and handed it to Royal. "Last gift."

Royal passed Knight his final gift too.

They tore into the packages.

Royal held up the heart-shaped keychain with a key on it. "House key?"

Knight nodded.

Royal unfolded the paper inside.

Knight held his breath. He couldn't look at his gift until he saw Royal's reaction.

Royal's gaze moved across the page. A smile slowly curled his lips. Finally, he met Knight's stare. "An amusement park?"

Excitement flooded Knight. "Yep. For seven nights. We're staying onsite and everything is included, even our meals. I had to schedule the trip for this summer while I'm off work, but we'll have so much fun."

Royal's smile was everything. "I've never been to an amusement park."

Knight took a breath. He had to calm his heart. "I want to give you everything."

Royal set aside the itinerary for their prepaid vacation and took Knight's last gift from him. He popped open the box. A flash of gold was all Knight saw before Royal shifted to his knees. Knight watched as Royal undid the clasp on a necklace. His gaze refused to budge from the piece. It had a small, rounded, flat pendant that Knight couldn't see. After Royal put the necklace on him, Knight's gaze dropped. He inspected the charm. One side had a compass etched on it. On the other, their initials were engraved together.

"It's beautiful." He met Royal's stare.

Royal looked as serious as ever. "It's a compass, so you can always find your way back to me."

Knight's throat swelled. "You deserve so much more than I'll ever be able to give you."

A line appeared between Royal's eyebrows. "I thought you said you love me."

"I do."

Royal's expression cleared. "That's all I need."

Knight's hands found Royal's hips. He fell backward, bringing Royal with him. Royal laughed as he landed on Knight's chest. Knight would never get enough of that sound. He wanted to keep Royal happy forever. That was exactly what he would do.

Every day Royal spent with Knight, his walls eroded. Emotions swirled through him. This was his fifth Christmas with Quentin, and it was the first year it truly felt like Christmas. That was because of Knight. He always got a ton of gifts because there were seventeen of them. So the presents had nothing to do with his feelings. The holiday had felt personal this year—like he was finally with his real family.

He hadn't forgotten Knight's sexy body was beneath him. Royal lowered his body, ensuring Knight didn't forget either. "I have one more present for you."

Knight's eyes flashed with laughter. "Do you now?"

Royal nodded. "You should take off your clothes."

"I need to be nude for this gift?"

An evil-sounding chuckle rumbled from Royal, surprising even him with the playfulness of it. "Definitely." He rolled from the bed, freeing Knight so he could strip. He peeled off his shirt while Knight did the same. Royal pulled Knight's last gift from his pocket while Knight worked his way out of his jeans and underwear. He was such a work of art. Royal loved staring at him.

Once Knight was nude, Royal revealed the item he held. The satin mask unfurled in his fingers. "It's a blindfold." Actually, it was one of those thick sleep masks, but it would work.

Knight watched him with heat in his eyes. "I'm game."

"I know." Knight had always made it clear he would go as far as Royal wanted. Royal wanted a lot of things, but he was still working on it. In this case, he needed Knight to not look at him. Royal slipped the mask over Knight's head, covering his eyes. "Just feel."

Knight sucked in a shaky-sounding breath. "Okay."

Royal straddled Knight's body. He couldn't take off his pants. This had to be about Knight. His heart needed this to be for Knight. He whisked his lips across Knight's before immediately moving away and nuzzling his neck. Royal had to taste it. He opened his mouth and sucked. Knight moaned. He grabbed Royal's hips, as if he planned to hold him in place.

Royal took his hands and led them above his head. "Don't move."

Knight's throat worked. "Okay."

"Good boy." Royal snapped his teeth together so fast and hard he nearly bit off his tongue. He hated those words, but he had said them so easily to Knight. Royal stared hard at Knight, watching for any sign he wanted to stop now. His flushed face and heavy breathing said the opposite. Royal kept going.

He kissed a path down Knight's body. His hard dick wept for Royal. Nightmares tried pushing their way inside his head. Then he smelled Knight's skin, and everything disappeared except the man beneath him. The man he loved. Royal licked Knight's crown. Knight made a sound that had lust pulsing through him. Royal took Knight's cock into his mouth. Knight moaned. Royal lost it.

Knight's erection hit the back of his throat. Royal didn't even remember relaxing his throat and trying to swallow him. All Royal knew was he needed to make Knight fly. He had to be the one who made Knight cry for more. Royal bobbed and sucked. There were no thoughts. Knight had to come with Royal's name on his lips. Nothing else would do. His cock begged for the same attention. Royal ignored it. His heart was in control. This was his man, and he would take care of him. Royal might be a damaged sociopath, but Knight took a chance on him every day. He would get everything for his sacrifice.

Knight's hips lifted, seeking more. Royal sucked faster. The sounds Knight made had Royal high. He leaked pre cum in his jeans. Knight's muscles hardened. Royal sucked hard. A cry rent the air. Salty cum filled his mouth. That was the point where Royal failed. He immediately turned his head and spit. Royal felt like he couldn't breathe. He sucked air while trying to get the taste from his mouth.

Then Knight was there. Royal was on his back. Knight's tongue was in his mouth. The world righted itself. His jeans were open, and Knight's fingers were wrapped around his cock. Royal forgot to panic. He rode Knight's palm, straining to reach the edge. Needy whines left the back of Royal's throat. Ecstasy punched him, stealing a cry from him. His entire body jerked as Knight squeezed the cum from him. He was still a panting mess when a ringing filled the air. Knight's tongue moved sexily slow against his, as if nothing could tear him away from Royal. The ringing stopped and then immediately started again.

Knight growled, making Royal laugh.

He pushed at Knight's chest. "It's okay. Answer it. It might be important."

Knight glanced around, as if searching for his phone. The mask had disappeared at some point. "I don't see how it could be. Everyone I care about is here."

Royal stared at the charm dangling from Knight's neck. He was certain. This was love. Knight smacked at the table next to the bed until he hit the answer button. He kept punching things until he had it on speaker.

"Hello?" His voice sounded exactly like he just got fucked. Royal smiled. It fell the moment he heard the voice on the other end of the line.

"Hey, babe. Merry Christmas."

Knight's brow furrowed. "Merry Christmas."

"I wondered if I could come by to see you today. My mom got you a present." Cannon didn't give Knight a chance to respond. "Plus, I just want to see you. I've been thinking a lot about us and—"

"There's no us."

Royal hid a smile at Knight cutting him off. Knight didn't stop there. He snatched up the phone, took it off speaker, and pressed it to his ear. "Look Cannon, I get that you're still working through some stuff. But before we ran into each other in June, we hadn't seen each other in years."

Cannon obviously cut him off because he stopped talking and a muscle jumped in his jaw.

"I'm in a committed relationship." He paused. "Yes, with Royal."

Royal pointed toward the bathroom.

Knight nodded.

Royal headed for the privacy he needed before he snapped. He had given Cannon a second chance to back off, and the guy didn't even know it. Now Cannon had interrupted their Christmas. Royal's temper couldn't take it. Royal angrily cleaned his skin. Luckily, his phone was still in his pocket. He dug it out while trying to calm his fury. Royal kicked his way out of his jeans as he pulled up his contacts.

Royal: Terminate .

X: Understood .

X's immediate response let Royal know he had already set things in motion and had only been waiting for the call. Royal set the phone on the counter and stared at himself in the mirror. His gray eyes looked colder than usual. He relaxed his face, practicing being human. When he thought he could pull it off, he opened the bathroom door and stepped back into the bedroom. He found Knight still nude and obviously transferring his old phone to his new one. Royal's shoulders relaxed.

"That was a short call."

Knight flashed him a smile. "There wasn't much to say."

Royal moved to the bed and straddled Knight's body. "Apparently, I'm not the only one who thinks you're impossible to let go."

With a snort, Knight set the phones aside. He ran his hands up Royal's thighs. "Cannon doesn't want me. Not really. He knows I won't get angry and out him to the world when he fucks me over again."

Something dark rose inside Royal. It showed in his voice. "He'll not be fucking you in any way ever again."

Knight eyed Royal, making him wonder what he saw. "I know that. Do you?"

Royal worked to relax his face again. He faked a smile. "Yeah. Sorry. I'm just not used to feeling the way I feel about you, and he keeps popping up around every corner. Maybe you'll get sick of dealing with someone fucked up like me."

Knight rolled, taking Royal with him. On their sides, facing each other, Knight scooted as closely as possible. He tossed his leg across Royal's, pinning him in place and cuddling him. "You're not fucked up."

That confused Royal. "I'm not?"

Knight shook his head. "You're learning your worth and that's okay. We're doing it together."

Royal's body relaxed. "I love you." Even Royal heard the surety in his voice.

Knight's smile made everything better. "I love you too." He looked unsure for a second. "Do you think we should get dressed and join the rest of the family? I hate to seem unsociable or ungrateful for this trip."

Royal laughed. "Nah. I guarantee nearly everyone else is doing exactly what we are right now."

Knight's confusion didn't clear. "I could see that with Snow and Quentin and Adam and Pink. That leaves…" He counted on his fingers while silently mouthing each name. "Eleven more people."

Another loud laugh burst from Royal. "Yeah, and they're all sleeping together."

Knight's eyes widened. "All of them? That's not an even number."

Royal's face hurt from smiling as he fell into a long litany of things he had witnessed since living with Quentin. He wasn't a joiner, but he was an observer. Royal noticed all the nuances between everyone that lived under Quentin's roof. It was nice sharing gossip with Knight. In fact, it was the best day of his life.