HOME IS WHERE YOU ARE, PART 1.

ORION.

Orion paced the opulent marble floor of his hotel room, his phone grasped tightly in his hands like a lifeline to sanity. The city outside pulsed with vibrant energy, a stark contrast to the emptiness he felt after getting off the phone with Harro. The request from Athena's parents to meet before his departure from Paris lingered in his mind, a distant hum that struggled to penetrate the all-consuming thoughts of the man he was missing dearly.

Each tick of the clock on the wall echoed through his mind like a countdown to reunion. Time seemed to stretch and warp, transforming the past two days into an eternity of longing. Orion couldn't help but wonder how he had existed before Harro burst into his life, bringing with him a radiance that illuminated every dark corner.

In a bid to calm his restless mind, Orion decided to take a stroll around the hotel. His feet led him to the grand ballroom, where he was immediately struck by its breathtaking splendor. The room buzzed with activity as people scurried about, preparing for an upcoming event. Yet, instead of feeling invigorated by the excitement, Orion's emotions remained muted, overshadowed by the ache of separation from Harro.

His lover, his partner, the man he was irrevocably in love with – and yet, the one he was forced to hide from the world. The weight of secrecy settled upon Orion like a shroud, intensifying his longing for the freedom to love openly, and to be reunited with the one who made his heart whole.

The soft voice of a young blonde woman pierced Orion's reverie, snapping him back to reality. "Excuse me, Sir, are you with us?" she asked, her curiosity evident in her raised eyebrows. Orion blinked rapidly, forcing himself to focus on his surroundings and how he had ended up in the grand ballroom.

"Yeah, no, sorry," he replied, his voice slightly unsteady. "I'm just passing by." He attempted to redirect his thoughts, trying to devise a discreet exit strategy without drawing attention to himself. A polite smile spread across his face as he addressed the young woman.

"Oh, that's okay!" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious. "I just wanted to confirm if you're with our team." Her gaze darted around the room, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "A lot of new faces here today, it's hard to keep tabs." She jotted down some notes, her pen scratching against the paper with a soothing rhythm.

Orion nodded in understanding, his smile deepening. "Absolutely, carry on. I should get out of your hair," he said politely, acknowledging the importance of attention to detail in event planning – a lesson he had learned from his own experiences.

As he walked away from the ballroom, Orion felt a fleeting sense of gratitude for the brief distraction. However, the moment the opulent chandeliers and bustling activity faded into the distance, his thoughts drifted back to Harro. A sigh escaped his lips, and he ran a hand through his hair, the weight of his longing settling upon him once more.

Athena's parents arrived at his hotel room, their presence as a harbinger of the conversation Orion knew was inevitable. The absence of Athena herself was a telling sign that this meeting would be about one thing: the expectation of a union between him and their daughter.

Orion had already bid Athena farewell at the after-party for the perfume launch the previous night, and his plan had been to catch the earliest flight out of Paris. But then Athena's father had called, requesting a meeting before his departure, and Orion had reluctantly agreed, booking a later flight as a result.

As Athena's parents spoke, Orion's mind wandered, his thoughts consumed by the weight of their expectations. His eyes, however, remained fixed on them, a polite mask hiding his inner turmoil. The conversation was a familiar one – the usual hints at marriage between him and Athena – but this time, they were pushing for concrete plans, wanting to start preparing for a wedding.

Orion's heart felt like it had been shattered into a million pieces. He managed to maintain a facade of calm, agreeing to discuss the matter with Athena and decide on a date. But beneath the surface, he was seething with frustration and anxiety. The sickness churning in his stomach was a constant reminder that he lacked the courage to reveal the truth: that he and Athena were never meant to be, and that his heart belonged to Harro, the love of his life.

Orion stepped out onto the balcony, seeking refuge in the fresh air as the afternoon sun blazed like a wildfire across the sky. The cityscape stretched out before him, a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds that seemed to fade into the background as his thoughts turned to Harro.

His heart ached with a deep longing, knowing that Harro was waiting for him, tucked away in his penthouse, a place he'd refused to leave since Orion traveled. It was like a secret love hidden from the world. Orion was aware that Harro yearned to be with him publicly, to walk hand in hand, and to bask in the warmth of their love without fear of reprisal. But Orion's own fears held him back, his reluctance to announce their relationship a heavy weight that pressed upon his chest.

The pain of secrecy had become a constant companion, a nagging voice that whispered in his ear. He was tired of the stolen kisses, the furtive glances, and the late-night trysts that ended with hurried goodbyes at dawn. The weight of societal expectations and his father's threats to seize control of his company still lingered, a constant reminder of the risks that came with revealing their love to the world.

"God, Harro, I miss you so fucking much!" Orion whispered to the breeze that caressed the balcony, his voice trembling with longing. He had never felt this depth of yearning for anyone before, not even after the loss of his beloved mother. It was as if his very soul was crying out for Harro's presence, for the comfort of his touch, the warmth of his kisses, and the sparkle of mischief in his eyes.

The distance between them felt like an insurmountable chasm, a constant reminder that he was missing out on the simple joys of life with the person he loved. Just then, his phone buzzed against the marble balcony railing, the screen flickering to life with an incoming message. Orion's heart skipped a beat as he saw Harro's name flash across the screen, a rush of excitement coursing through his veins.

Harro's message was a gentle inquiry, a soothing balm for Orion's nerves: "Hey baby. How did the meeting with Athena's parents go? Are they gone? I hope they weren't mean to you?"

Orion's face softened into a warm smile as he read Harro's message, the familiar tone and words weaving a sense of comfort and security around him. His fingers danced across the screen, typing out a swift response.

Orion: "Hey love. The meeting went exactly as I predicted. They just left. No, they weren't mean, just very persuasive – if it were up to them, Athena and I would be tying the knot this weekend." He added a hint of teasing to his words, but beneath the surface, his message was sincere.

Harro's response was immediate, his words dripping with possessiveness and adoration. Harro: "They're just going to have to give up that dream because you're mine. Just promise me you'll only marry me if you ever have to fake it with anyone, okay? I'm glad that's done now, please hurry back – I need my baby back."

A soft, husky chuckle escaped Orion's lips as he read Harro's message, the warmth and playfulness in the words stirring a deep affection within him. It was moments like these that reminded him why he missed Harro so desperately – his easygoing nature, his quick wit, and his incredible presence all combined to make him an amazing man to be around.

"A few more hours," Orion whispered to himself, his voice barely audible over the sound of his own heartbeat. He felt a surge of anticipation, his mind already racing ahead to the moment when he would be reunited with Harro. "A few more hours, and I'll be back where I belong," he assured himself, a gentle smile spreading across his face.

His gaze drifted to the wallpaper on his phone, a photo of Harro that never failed to make his heart skip a beat. He smiled at the image, feeling a deep sense of longing and connection to the man who had captured his heart.