Tony's POV
"Tanya, you're choking me!" I gasped as her arms clamped tighter around my neck.
She immediately let go, flustered. "Oh god, I'm sorry! I just got... too emotional."
"What are you getting all sappy over a gift for?" I chuckled, rubbing my neck.
"I don't have that many people who shower me with gifts," she said quietly, clutching the packages like they were something sacred.
"What? Why not?" I asked, genuinely surprised.
"Well…" She dragged the word out, clearly dodging the question, before abruptly pivoting. "You've got the morning shift tomorrow, right?"
I caught the evasion but didn't press. "Yeah. I don't want to leave Samuel hanging, especially with Jenny so far along."
"Ah, makes sense." Tanya smiled faintly, then after a small pause, asked, "Then... would you and Twen be free to join me for a birthday dinner tomorrow night?"
"Why not?" I smiled warmly.
She hesitated, eyes glinting with mischief. "You can bring the CEO too... if you want."
"Tanya!" I sighed, my face instantly heating up. "I—I'll ask him, but I can't promise anything."
Her eyes practically sparkled. "Didn't know Tony could be this cute," she teased, laughing as my ears turned crimson.
I wanted to bury my face in my hands.
"Come on, stop being so shy. He's your bonded alpha. You've got a kid with him. What's there to be embarrassed about?" she teased again before changing the topic, "By the way, do you think Mr. D'Souza would mind joining?"
"Fred?" I blinked at her, surprised. "I can ask, but are you sure? He's an unbonded alpha, unlike Robbie. If he agrees to come, you have to be—"
"I know. I know. He's your friend, and from the last time I saw him, he seemed like a really good guy. It's not every day you meet an alpha with that kind of warmth."
She wasn't wrong. Fred was different. When I met him at sixteen, he already had a maturity that most full-grown men lacked. Where other alphas flaunted aggression and dominance, he carried calm strength. If anything, I admired that about him deeply.
"Alright, I'll bring him," I said, just as both our phones began to ring.
Tanya looked at her screen and winced. "Crap… it's Dad. He's probably having a meltdown."
She mouthed goodnight before rushing off toward the parking lot, phone already at her ear.
Mine showed Sam's name. I picked up as I opened my car door.
"Tony, are you alright?" Sam's voice was full of concern. "Mr. Walker's been asking about you. Did something happen? Twen was really upset that you didn't pick him up."
"No, nothing serious. I got held up at the resort. The Chairman suddenly demanded a private event. It was total chaos. I couldn't even check my phone. Sorry for being so late."
"Chairman?" Sam repeated, then cursed. "No wonder Robbie was losing his shit. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, really. I'll be there in fifteen."
"Fuckin' higher-ups. No regard for people doing the actual goddamn work," Sam grumbled.
"Language," I heard Jenny scold in the background, her voice sharp and sleepy. "You'll wake Twen."
"Relax, Jenny," I said, chuckling lightly. "You both take care. I'll be there soon."
"Alright. Drive safe," Sam said before hanging up.
—
By the time I got to Sam's place, it was nearly 2 AM. Twen had fallen asleep, curled up on the sofa with a blanket over him. Sam had wanted me to stay the night, but I had to get back. My shift started in a few hours, and I needed to catch at least some sleep.
When I unlocked the door to my quarter, I wasn't surprised to see Robbie sprawled across my couch like he owned the place. He had a key ever since his confrontation with his father, just in case. I half-expected him to overuse it, but ever since our falling out, this was the first time he'd let himself in.
I moved quietly, placed Twen in bed, changed, and washed up. Just as I reached for the light switch—
Two arms wrapped tightly around my waist.
"You're so late," Robbie murmured groggily against my neck. "I almost fell asleep waiting."
My ears turned hot. "You knew I'd be late. We literally spoke after the event."
He hummed in response, pressing his forehead to the back of my shoulder, breath warm on my skin.
"Let me go. I'm exhausted and have to wake up early," I said softly, trying to wriggle free.
"Then sleep with me," he said, scooping me up princess-style.
"Rob—! It's a single bed," I blurted, startled.
"Even better," he grinned, "you'll be closer to me."
"Shameless," I muttered, face flaming. "The lights—"
Before I could finish, he carried me effortlessly to the switch and flicked it off with his elbow. "Handled."
Darkness settled in. Robbie tucked us both into the tiny bed, wrapping around me like he belonged there. His head rested on my chest, arms secured around me.
"Your heart's beating fast," he whispered, a smile in his voice. "I like the sound of it. It calms me."
I didn't respond. The quiet wrapped around us like a blanket. No chaos, just our breathing, the beat of my heart, and his warmth.
"Robbie?" I whispered after a few minutes.
"Hm?" he mumbled sleepily.
"Today's Tanya's birthday. She invited me, Twen, and you to her dinner. Will you come?"
"I'll try. If I finish work early, I'll join," he murmured against my chest. "Is it just us?"
"No. She'll probably invite some friends from her previous job. Also, she wants to invite Fred."
There was a pause.
"Fred?" His tone sharpened instantly. "Why?"
"She likes his personality. Thinks he's decent," I replied, sensing the tension radiating off him.
"The 'personality' of that boor?" he muttered.
I smacked his arm. "Be nice. He's been a good friend."
He let out an irritated huff before declaring, "Fine. I'm going. Call me after your shift."
"Wait, I thought you weren't—"
"I am," he cut in. "I can at least do this much for you."
He snuggled closer, raising his head just enough to kiss my forehead before murmuring,
"Goodnight."
Two and a half months ago, I wouldn't have wanted to be in the same room as this man. Now, his presence somehow made me feel safe. Between all the anger, misunderstanding, heartbreak, and fights, something new had taken root. Something old, yet reborn.
A fragile bond or the beginning of something true.