When they finally went downstairs with their shower taken and hair combed, breakfast was already on the table; eggs, bacon, coffee, and juice. Something simple, but that they rarely had time to do. Why didn't they? Ah, now he remembered. Having to run from Will or explain to his father why he didn't want to spend time at the company had indeed taken up all his time and Aura 's as well, who ran from William as much or more than he himself did. But here? In the quietness without people chasing them was heaven, like a weight had finally lifted off their shoulders. It probably wouldn't last long, unfortunately. That’s why Luca wanted to take it slow, and maybe that way, he’d have more time to organize his mind and decide what to do from this moment on.

"All good?” Elijah said in the hallway, as they left the room, heading towards the stairs to reach the first floor. “You've been quiet since we got in the bath.”

“It’s nothing.” Was he that obvious or was Elijah just paying attention? "I was thinking…”

"In what?”

“I… I just want to finish high school without the drama, you know? Graduate and try to make something useful out of life.”

"Is this about us?"

“I meant it when I said I didn't want a boyfriend. But I want my bestfriend back.”

"Allright.” Elijah nodded, all serious, though Elijah had his hands on Luca's shoulders as they walked down the stairs, too close, to be honest. But it was a closeness Luca liked, even if he knew it made things more complicated. "Are you going to stop talking to me or is it about the sex?"

"I…" It was another good question. Did he want to get away from Elijah? Especially when the night before had been far better than Luca could ever have imagined?

“So there's no reason to put labels on what we are. It's just a name. I’ll never ask for something that you are not interested in giving.”

Luca knew all of this. Elijah had never done something like that before and it wasn't now that his friend would start forcing him into something. In fact, Elijah had been so patient that he'd been mistaking care for disinterest all these years. Now, he understood. Well, he understood because of yesterday. It was revealing. For real. Or maybe it was he who didn't want to believe it, even though the truth had always been plastered all over his face.

"Elijah, look--”

“I understand more than anyone, but that doesn't change anything between us. I'm not in a hurry and I'm not going anywhere.”

"You promise?”

"I promise. I'm the same old Elijah and you are my sweet little Luca. Nothing’s going to change.”

Luca blinked slowly and found himself lost in Elijah's eyes, caught in every word and every whisper uttered. He knew all of this and hated how sexual the nickname now sounded, ‘my little Luca’ or ‘my sweet Luca’ spilling from Elijah's lips in a tone so possessive and hot he should have run far away while he still could. He knew he should, and that was the problem, the urge and compulsion to get close to Elijah was greater than any rationalization he could’ve had. When he realized what was happening, he found himself pressed against the wall at the bottom of the stairs, Elijah right next to him, hands on his ass, their hips grinding against each other, and Elijah's fingers pulling him by his hair in that kind of kiss meant for the privacy of a bedroom bed.

He didn't remember Elijah being this intense. Was all of this really because he'd been away for two years? The boy he knew was sweet, kind, and selfless. Now, most of the time, he could barely control himself when Elijah decided that talking wasn't what they were supposed to do. Like in that moment, feeling Elijah's hips grinding against his, almost making him come in his pants like a teenager, something he'd never been before.

Gathering strength he didn't even know he had, Luca dragged his lips away from Elijah's and took a deep breath and then pushed him away, just enough to disentangle their bodies, holding Elijah by the shoulders at a safe distance.

"You can’t do that. You said you wouldn't force me.”

“I'm not forcing you.” Then Elijah thought again and added, “I’m sorry. I won't do it again.”

Luca wasn't sure he believed it. Those green eyes on him, so intense they seemed to burn wherever they landed and the quick, gasping breaths told him something else, told him that if it was up to Elijah they wouldn't be standing in the middle of the stairs.

"Elijah, I don't think this is going to work."

“I said I'm sorry. I had to wait a long time. I'm not a monster, no matter what people say.”

“Nobody says anything.” Well, not since he went abroad. He remembered how Lou and Alabaster had hinted that Elijah was waiting for the right moment to strike. And, all he had thought at the time was, “So what if Elijah was? Were they jealous?” In the end, he'd walked away with a broken heart and another trauma for the collection.

“Hm, beautiful.” Elijah smiled and this time Luca was paying attention. Elijah took a step forward and contrary to what he expected, Elijah didn't try to kiss him, I mean, not on the lips. Elijah took his hands and brought them to his lips, kissing each finger separately. "I would never do anything that could hurt you. I hope you know that.”

"I know this.” Luca thought he knew, but he had discovered that good people could do bad things and after his last relationship, he wasn't sure of anything. “Just… let's take it slow, shall we?”

"Sure, Luca.”

Elijah smiled once more and let both hands fall apart only to hold them in a comforting grip as they both looked down at their clasped hands. It was a scene he had never let himself visualize before, in his vision he could see him and Elijah, in a quiet place, nature around them, maybe some chairs stretched out in the sun and the two of them together, holding each other's hand as they watched the sun go down. Maybe… maybe if he was lucky enough. In a not too distant future. Maybe if they could--

“Here you are. How long will you whisper in the dark?

It was Aura. Who else could it be?