34. Ares

34

ARES

H ow the fuck did he become a father to a bunch of adult man-children? Somehow, over the past two months, he had become a babysitter and father to a bunch of out-of-control, horny little shits who were apparently allergic to clothes and didn't like hearing the word no !

Take Isaac, for instance. Last week, he had the nerve to ask Ares if he could cosign for a Lamborghini with him, claiming that he needed it as an emotional support vehicle. Once Ares stopped laughing his ass off, he explained to the little shit that there were other ways for Isaac to carry all of his emotional baggage besides driving it around in a hundred-thousand-euro car.

The boy muttered something under his breath about "Daddy M being a much better parent," but Ares didn't care enough to ask the little shit to speak up.

Now here Ares was, hosting strippers guild breakfast for Matteo's band of misfit boys.

Daddy M , as the boys like to call him, had to go away for a few days to take care of some urgent business, so he asked Ares to stay over and keep an eye on the kids.

Boys?

Guys?

Jesus, what do you call twenty-something full-grown beings who choose to act like children?

Well, some of them.

Like the big muscly one from the army who keeps going for jogs with a boner. Seriously. That guy needs to get his testosterone levels checked because that shit's not normal.

Even when Ares was a horny-as-fuck teenager, he never got boners every time he went for a jog.

That boy has some major problems.

"Mornin', Daddy A," the one with the purple eyes announced as he plopped himself into the chair next to Ares.

"Don't call me that," Ares growled, passing the kid a plate and then pointing toward the coffee.

"What?"

"Don't call me Daddy A ."

"But Daddy A's the one giving it to Daddy M. If we call you both Daddy, how will you ever know who we are talking to?" the blue-haired one asked before taking a seat across the table from Mr. Purple Eyes.

Jesus. Perhaps he should start trying to learn their names.

But there were so many of them.

All running around, sticky, dancing on poles, and shaking their…

"I'm not your daddy," Ares finally responded, passing… Isaac?… a plate as well.

Both boys grinned at him.

Fuck. Maybe he was a daddy.

"Morning, Daddy A," Chase announced, planting a kiss on the purple-eyed one before taking a seat next to him.

Levi! His name was Levi.

Maybe he should get them dog collars? Have their names printed on them and everything.

Ares's lip turned upward in a half smirk.

"Uh-oh, someone's having an inappropriate Daddy M sex thought," Isaac blurted next to him.

"I was just thinking about all the chores you boys need to do before… Daddy M gets home."

All of the chuckling around the table suddenly stopped.

"But…" Levi began before looking over at his best friend across the table. "You were right. Daddy A is the mean one."

Little shits.

Ares smiled to himself.

One by one, the rest of the strippers guild traipsed in, joining them all for breakfast. The twins, the Spaniard, the guy who talks to his tattoo. Even the little traitor from Spain moseyed on in.

Matteo had taken the kid in, forcing him to attend school during the day, and then assisting in the kitchens at night. Apparently, the kid enjoyed cooking, and Matteo hoped that he might learn a thing or two from Chef while working in the kitchen.

Ares watched the group of young men sitting around the table, each of them shoveling food in their mouths as they chatted and joked. All around the table, people laughed and made faces at one another.

Watching them all, Ares finally realized what Matteo had seen all along. These boys were family. They stood by one another, they took care of one another, and when in trouble, they went to war with one another.

Lost in the sound of laughter, Ares's thoughts drifted to his own brother. It had been years since he heard the sweet sound of laughter coming from his voice. It had been ages since the two of them sat down and hung out together. Worst of all, it had been years since he told his brother that he loved him.

Rubbing the soreness in his chest, Ares hoped that one day Matteo would find it in his heart to forgive Abel. Only then would Ares consider allowing his brother to come home.

Matteo was Ares's future now. He loved the man with all his heart and would never do anything to betray that love. One day, hopefully soon, Ares would make the ultimate commitment to the man whom he had loved since forever.

Now, that thought made him happy.

"Ares?" a timid voice called from across the room.

Ares's hand began to shake as his breath caught in his chest. Slowly, his gaze turned toward the man standing in the doorway of the elegant dining room.

"Abel?" Ares managed to get out, his voice choking as he struggled to breathe.

Sensing something deep was going down, everyone around the table stopped talking and watched.

"It's good to see you, brother."

"Did he just say, brother?" someone whispered across the table.

"Yes, shut up," someone else responded.

"I didn't even know he had a brother?" Isaac added.

"Why would anyone ever tell you that to begin with?" Jared responded, tossing a breakfast roll at his boyfriend.

"Wh–what are you doing here?" Ares finally managed to say. His eyes drifted to the man standing next to his brother.

"I checked him out," Matteo answered, placing his hand on Abel's shoulder and giving it a tiny squeeze.

"But, Matté," Ares began before Matteo jumped in.

"Look. I'll never forgive your brother for what he did to me and my parents. But he's your brother. And I can see how much it pains you not to have him in your life. So, I've decided to move forward with our lives. Your brother can't continue living in that nightmare of a facility. Whether he stays here with us or with you at your place, it's totally up to you."

Ares stood from the table and took a few steps toward Matteo and his brother.

"But… what my brother did to you… I…"

Matteo stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Ares's trembling shoulders, giving him a warm hug.

"I love you, you big sack of shit. I want you to always be happy, and that can only happen if you are reunited with your brother."

"Every time I think I can't possibly love you any more, you do something as sweet as this," Ares whispered into Matteo's chest.

"Don't tell others I'm a softy. I wouldn't want to ruin my reputation."

Ares chuckled into Matteo's warm embrace.

He felt the man he loved pull away.

Ares was now standing face to face with his brother.

Abel's eyes were dark and puffy like he hadn't seen light in ages. His body had lost most of the muscle mass he'd once had when they were both in their early twenties—which wasn't surprising given that physical fitness was not something that the Don Kiev Asylum prioritizes with their patients. They were lucky if they got fed every day.

No longer in control of his body, Ares found himself walking toward the man who tried to have him murdered so many years ago.

Large, sad eyes stared longingly up at Ares as he approached. He could see the hope and fear and love all swirling around in an array of raw emotions.

He couldn't hold back any longer.

"Brother," Ares managed to say before lunging into a hug with the man.

Ares wasn't sure how long they stood there, squeezing one another, tears dripping down both of their faces. It wasn't until they heard someone whisper…

"How long do you think we have to sit here and wait? I'm starving."

Ares began to chuckle and released his brother, who was also smiling.

"You're just in time for breakfast," Ares welcomed, throwing his arm over his brother's shoulders and leading him toward the long table.

Reaching across the table, Matteo slid his hand over Ares's.

"Thank you," Ares whispered, giving his partner's hand a gentle squeeze.

"Anything for you, babe," Matteo said with a loving smile.

Ares felt his heart expand just a little bit more. He fucking loved the guy.

Leaning over, Ares grabbed Matteo by the shirt and pulled him in for a kiss.

All around them, people groaned. That was the level of maturity present at the table.

"I love you, Matté."

"I love you, too, babe."

"Can we eat now?" someone asked from across the table.

Ares and Matteo chuckled before turning to face the sea of hungry young men, all waiting for their fathers to stop making out so that they could enjoy their breakfast in peace.

"Eat up, boys. I hear you all have chores to do when you're done," Matteo said, taking Ares's hand in his once again.

Apparently, holding hands was their newest thing. Ares couldn't wait to see what else would become their next newest thing.