Epilogue 1

3 YEARS LATER

A child wailed loudly. It was the kind of cry that echoed through the entire mall and made heads turn and eyes narrow in irritation.

A man stood there, looking at it crying.

He stared down at the small, round face, scrunched up and red with distress, fat tears rolling down the child's cheeks.

What was he supposed to do in this situation? He blinked at the kid, waiting for someone to stop the crying machine.

The people around weren't helping. Instead, a few of them whispered, a few gave him judging looks to the man, and one old lady outright frowned at him as if he had kicked the kid.

His eyes twitched in frustration. It wasn't his fault! The brat had bumped into his leg and fallen. So why was he the villain here?

He crossed his arms, staring blankly at the small human crying at his feet. "Stop that."

The child looked at him in fear and only cried harder.

The man took a step back. Okay. That didn't work.

"Uh..." He glanced around awkwardly. Where was this kid's handler? Why was he abandoned? Was he abandoned? Should he take responsibility now? No, no. That was too much.

He already had someone to look after-himself. Because right now, he was lost too. He glanced around nervously to look for his boyfriend.

His fingers fidgeted the icy coldness of his skin more noticeable than ever in the bustling warmth of the mall. He had been standing here long enough for his hands to feel even colder than they usually are.

Just as he was about to walk away and leave the crying mess to fate, a woman rushed forward, flustered and breathless. "I'm so sorry!" she gasped, picking up the boy. "He's not usually like this."

The man simply stared. He highly doubted that.

The child buried his face in his mother's shoulder, peeking at him every few seconds with wide, tear-filled eyes.

With a sigh, the man turned away. He had been standing here long enough. Now, if only his own guardian would show up too and take him away. He shouldn't have wandered off. He should've listened when he was told to stay close.

His hands flexed at his sides. Cold. Too cold.

Then a familiar voice called out to him and he hurriedly turned around.

"Ryan!"

Before he could react, something bright red floated into his view....a balloon.

Ryan pushed it aside, and behind it was a familiar face, grinning from ear to ear.

His boyfriend's smile was brighter than the neon lights of the mall, holding a bunch of balloons in one hand and a soda in the other.

Ryan let out a slow breath, feeling warmth creep into his frozen chest again. His lips curved up automatically. He pouted, shoving the balloon towards his boyfriend. "I was looking everywhere for you!"

His handsome boyfriend flicked the balloon back to him. "I told you to stay near me, didn't I? Why did you run off?"

Before he could scold him further, Ryan lunged forward, wrapping his arms around his sweet boyfriend and squeezing him tight. "I was scared so don't scold me, Austin," he mumbled into his chest.

Austin sighed but hugged him back, his warm hands resting against Ryan's cold back. The temperature difference between them was always so obvious.

"Idiot," Austin muttered, rubbing slow circles into Ryan's back. Ryan grumbled something unintelligible but didn't pull away.

Then, without warning, Austin leaned down and pressed a quick peck to Ryan's lips making him shocked as a blush crept up his cheeks.

"W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

Austin laughed. "Kissing my boyfie, what else?"

"In the middle of the mall?!"

"It's normal," Austin said with a smirk, tucking his hands into his pockets. "Besides, who would dare say anything to you when I'm here?"

Ryan groaned and shyly buried his face in Austin's chest again.

Austin just chuckled, pressing his cold lips against Ryan's warm hair. "Come on, let's go home."

They couldn't even imagine that the life that used to be so cruel to them would be kind enough to give them a second chance.

And this time, they weren't wasting it.

In their small home tucked away from the chaos of the world, Austin and Ryan had created something precious...a world of their own. A world where the past didn't haunt them, where the sufferings didn't reach them, and where they were simply them, two people who loved each other more than anything.

And today, that world smelled like vanilla, melted chocolate, and a whole lot of disaster.

"Ryan, you're doing it wrong," Austin leaned against the counter, crossed his arms, and watched his boyfriend struggle with a bowl of batter.

Ryan frowned, aggressively stirring the thick mixture. "I know how to make cupcakes. I followed the recipe exactly."

Austin arched a brow seeing Ryan butchering everything. "Did you, though?"

Ryan narrowed his eyes offensively and shoved the paper at him. "See? Flour, sugar, eggs, butter-"

Austin's gaze slowly slid down the list before he let out a snort. "Baby, you doubled the baking powder."

Ryan froze. Then, ever so slowly, he looked down at the batter. Then back at Lia. Then back at the batter. "That's fine, right?"

Austin snickered at his naive babe. "Sure. If you want exploding cupcakes."

Ryan gasped in fright. "Oh my god, what if they really explode?!"

Austin let out a deep chuckle, stepping closer and wrapping his arms around Ryan's waist from behind. He pressed a kiss to the side of his neck. "Then at least it'll be a fun memory."

Ryan huffed in dread. "It's not funny. I wanted to bake for you like you always do for me. I'm so dumb, I can't even do that-"

"Hey! Shhh.." Austin suddenly spun him around and pecked his lips playfully. "You talk too much. Let's just bake them and see what happens."

Don't know about cupcakes but Ryan's cheeks definitely exploded in red. Catching his reaction, Austin smirked and kissed him again.

Ryan melted instantly, gripping onto Austin's shirt as their lips pressed together, warm ones against the cold. When Austin pulled back, Ryan was already dazed with his cheeks flushed.

"Let's bake, love," Austin murmured, kissing the tip of his nose.

Ryan sighed dramatically but smiled, pushing Austin away. "I was doing that before you distracted me. If my cupcakes really exploded I'll blame you."

Austin smirked and shook his head. The cupcakes didn't explode. Thankfully.

Now, hours later, they sat at their small dining table, bathed in soft candlelight, a simple yet cozy dinner laid out before them.

Austin made steak and Ryan made pasta. And they had both burnt the garlic bread.

Ryan scrunched his nose as he bit into the bread. "Crispy."

Austin laughed. "That's the fancy way of saying burnt."

Ryan huffed and threw a piece of bread at him. Austin caught it effortlessly and took a bite. "Still edible though," he said with a shrug.

Ryan rolled his eyes but smiled, reaching out to brush his fingers over Austin's hand. "You're so annoying."

Austin laced their fingers together. "Don't you love me the way I am?"

Ryan shook his head with a fond laugh before his expression softened. He squeezed Austin's hand and called out with a soft faze.

"Lia?"

Austin smiled widely hearing his baby calling his real name. "Yes, baby?"

Ryan smiled but there was something deep in his eyes as he whispered. "Thank you."

Austin blinked, setting down his glass. "For what, love?"

Ryan looked deep into his eyes with a racing heart and giddy chest. "For everything. For finding me, for not getting scared of an ugly monster like me, for not running away from me, for forgiving me for your brother's death...for not giving up on me and finding me again. And lastly...for loving me."

Austin stared at him for a moment, heart aching at the sincerity in Ryan's voice. Then, without a word, he stood up, walked around the table, and pulled Ryan into his arms.

"You fool," Austin whispered into Ryan's hair. "You were never a monster. I would have found you no matter what. No matter where you are. No matter how long it took. I would have always, always come back to you."

Ryan's eyes stung as he buried his face in Lia's chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. "Lia..."

Austin tilted his chin up, looking into those warm, love-filled eyes. He leaned forward to capture Ryan's icy lips between his, exchanging the warmth with him.

This is their world now. A small, warm, and perfect world. Because for the rest of the world, they were dead.

The old Lia and Alpha, the ones who had been broken, used, and tormented. They had died that day, bleeding out in each other's arms. But the new them? The ones who had been given a second chance?

They lived.

By the time the authorities arrived, the entire operation had crumbled. Wagnar's empire which was built on cruelty, fear, and blood was nothing but ashes. Everyone involved was caught, and their sins laid bare before the world. But Wagnar?

He had chosen his own end. His body was found in his office, slumped over his desk, a bullet through his skull. Beside him, a single note lay on the desk, written in his neat, precise handwriting:

"No one decides my end but me."

There was no satisfaction in his death, only a hollow emptiness. He escaped justice but he would never escape what he had done.

The students, the children Wagnar had experimented on, those who had suffered under his twisted hands were finally free. But freedom wasn't always easy.

They were sent to a special government organization, where they received the medical and psychological treatment they desperately needed. However, Some of them would never fully heal because their bodies and minds were too scared from the horrors they had endured. Some even lost their voices, their ability to trust, and their ability to keep living. So many passed away when they couldn't take the memories of their past.

But some found each other. Some clung to friendships forged in the darkest of places. And slowly, step by step, they learned how to live again.

The doctors who had aided Wagnar were arrested. They would spend the rest of their lives in prison, and some were given the death penalty for their crimes.

And River?

He was arrested at first on the accusation of working with Wagnar. But when the truth was revealed and when an intervention proved his innocence, he was released. And not just released, the government offered him a job.

He took it. Because if he could help even one person escape the hell he had been through, it would be worth it.

River was also the first one to find Lia and Alpha. For a moment, he thought they were already dead. But then he heard a faint breath and heard a weak heartbeat.

With Scout's help, they were rushed to the hospital. They were unconscious for so long that the world assumed they hadn't made it.

And Scout let them believe it.

After constant begging from River, Scout agreed to forge their death records. He stood in court and lied, claiming that neither of them had survived.

And just like that, Lia and Alpha were ghosts.

They were dead to the world. But alive for each other. They moved far away, changed their names, and built a quiet simple life.

To everyone else, they were just an ordinary couple. But between them, they would always be each other's Lia and Will.

But scars don't fade so easily.

Lia still woke up some nights from the nightmares of Jason, his uncle haunting him. But Will was always there for him, pulling him close and holding him right while whispering soft reassurances against his hair.

And for Will, he never fully recovered. The drugs Wagnar had used on him had done permanent damage. His body will be cold forever. No matter how many layers he wore, no matter how much time passed, he always felt that icy chill.

But Lia never let him suffer alone. On the coldest nights, when Will's body felt like ice, Lia would wrap himself around him, pressing their bodies together, and warming him up with his own heat.

Lia was lost in thought, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of his coffee cup when a familiar weight rested against his shoulder. A small, soft sigh followed it.

"What are you thinking about?"

Lia turned his gaze toward Will, whose head was now comfortably nuzzled against him. He looked up at Lia with those sharp yet innocent eyes, waiting for an answer.

Lia smiled and shook his head. He doesn't want to tell Will that he was thinking about the past and worries Will. So instead, Lia pinched Will's cheek, making him pout.

"Just thinking about where to take you on a date tonight."

As expected, Will's face lit up like a Christmas tree. "A date?!" Will's voice held that excitement Lia loved.

Lia nodded. Will hated going out. In the beginning, when they had first arrived in this country, Lia had tried his best to get Will to socialize, step outside, and breathe the fresh air. But after a few outings, it was clear that Will and the outside world just didn't mix.

When Lia took him to a cute little café for the first time in hopes that it was the perfect place to start. Quiet, cozy, no big crowds. What could possibly go wrong?

Everything.

The moment they stepped inside, a waiter accidentally brushed past Will's shoulder. And that was enough to enrage Will. That tiny little accidental touch.

Will turned around with eyes wide and clutched his shoulder like he had been stabbed.

"You...You touched me."

The poor waiter blinked in confusion and fear. "Uh... sir...I-"

SMACK.

Will, in pure reflex, slapped the tray out of the guy's hands. The sound of plates and cups crashing onto the floor echoed through the café. Everyone turned to stare at the scene.

Lia just stood there, wide eyes and dying inside.

Will, completely oblivious to the stares, crossed his arms. "I don't like people touching me."

They were banned from that cafe.

The next time, Lia convinced Will to go shopping with him. It was a mistake.

Lia told Will to wait in line at the counter while he grabbed something from another aisle.

Two minutes. That was all it took for Will to cause mayhem.

When Lia returned, he found Will standing in a battle stance, glaring at an old woman who was furiously shaking her walking stick at him.

"YOU RUDE BRAT!" she yelled.

"WHAT DID I DO?!" Will yelled back.

Lia sighed and stepped in. "What happened?"

The old woman huffed. "This boy refused to move when I asked him politely! I just wanted to go ahead!"

Will scoffed and defended himself with full force. "I was literally next in line. Why would I let someone cut in front of me? Lia, you told me to keep our place."

The old lady whacked Will's leg with her cane. Will kicked her cane away. The entire store gasped in horror.

They were banned from that store too.

The third time, Lia had the genius idea of taking Will to a movie theater. A dark room and minimal social interaction, it should have been safe.

Wrong.

It started fine. They got popcorn, found their seats and the movie began. Then, a guy behind them put his feet up on Will's seat.

Lia saw it happening, and before he could stop him...

Will turned around, grabbed the guy's ankle, and yanked his leg forward. The guy fell out of his seat. His popcorn went flying, landing on an innocent woman a few seats away. The woman screamed, the guy cursed, and Will just sat back like nothing happened.

"We're leaving, we're leaving! " Lia apologized to everyone while dragging Will out before security could arrive.

They were banned from that theater too.

The Aftermath

Now, Will officially hates going out in public.

But going on dates with Lia? That's different. He loves going on dates with Lia. Because Lia spoils him rotten.

So he can endure those humans.

Lia chuckled at the way Will's mood completely changed at the mention of their date.

"Okay, we can go. But if some idiot tries to touch me again, I'm fighting," Will declared.

Lia groaned like a tired parent. "Will no! You can't fight every single person who looks your way or accidentally touches me. Promise me, you won't cause trouble."

"No promises."

Lia sighed, then suddenly smirked. He leaned in, cupping Will's face.

"Then why don't we enjoy this time before our date?" he whispered, his fingers trailing down Will's cheek in a slow, teasing touch.

Will's breath hitched at his touch and his playful eyes darkened.

Lia chuckled, brushing his lips against Will's. "What's wrong, baby? Cat got your tongue?"

Will grabbed the front of Lia's shirt and yanked him forward, their lips crashing together in a rough kiss.

Will inhaled deeply, breathing in Lia's scent, as his fingers tightened their grip on his shirt. Their lips moved against each other in a fiery passion. Lia's fingers tangled in Will's hair, and Will felt like he was going to explode. His heart and body yearned for more.

"Bedroom?" Lia asked in a husky whisper, and Will shook his head frantically.

"No. Here is good."

Lia smirked and pecked his sweet lips. "You're always so impatient."

Will glared at him with a pout and pink cheeks. "Are you complaining?"

Lia grinned. "Never."

He pressed his lips against Will's, slipping his tongue into his mouth, and making Will's mind blank for a moment. There was only Lia, Lia, and Lia. Will's hand slipped under Lia's shirt, feeling his smooth and heated skin. Will wanted to tear off his clothes and touch him more. He wanted to feel his bare skin against his own. He wanted to feel every part of Lia rubbing and tangling against his own.

"Lia.." Will groaned, breaking the kiss and gasping for air. He bit his lip, his eyes glazed over with lust. "Take it off," he rightfully demanded.

Lia smirked, taking off his shirt and tossing it to the floor. Will's hands immediately ran over his abs and chest, his lips pressing against his neck and collarbone, and felt Lia stiffening under his soft and sensual kisses.

Lia shivered at the contact, his hands gripping Will's waist tightly. "Fuck, Will..."

Will pulled away, looking into Lia's eyes. They were filled with hunger and desire. Will knew his were the same. "Take off your clothes," he ordered.

Lia raised an eyebrow, but his lips curled into a smirk. "Yes, sir."

Will watched as Lia quickly stripped, tossing his clothes to the side. He licked his lips at the sight of Lia's toned body. He looked like a Greek god, and Will felt his pants tighten at the thought of what was going to happen next.

"Your turn," Lia whispered pulling Will closer. Will shuddered as Lia's hands roamed his body, his fingers teasingly dipping below his waistband. "Come on, baby, don't make me wait."

Will nodded, hastily removing his clothes. He felt self-conscious for a moment, but that thought was quickly wiped away as Lia pressed his body against his, kissing him hungrily.

Their naked bodies were pressed together, and Will couldn't get enough of it. The warmth he was consuming from Lia was nerve-wrenching. His senses were trembling feeling that pleasure. He was addicted to Lia.

Lia pushed Will onto the couch, his lips never leaving his. Will moaned into the kiss, his hips bucking upwards, desperately searching for friction.

"What do you want, baby?" Lia asked in his sultry and seductive voice, his lips trailing down Will's neck.

"I want you," Will breathed out in a whimper. "I want you inside me."

Lia smiled, his hand trailing downwards and stopping on Will's hips. "As you wish."

Will's eyes rolled back, his hands gripping the couch cushions tightly as Lia's fingers teased his entrance. "Lemme gets the lube," Lia muttered and Will whined.

"No, just do it," he begged, writhing desperately as he felt empty inside.

Lia shook his head. "You know I don't want to hurt you, baby."

Will sighed. He knew Lia was right, but he didn't care. He wanted Lia, and he wanted him now. Lia leaned over the edge of the couch, reaching for the lube that was tucked under the couch cushions. Will's eyes widened.

"Wait, you keep lube under the couch?"

Lia shrugged. "Never know when we might need it."

Will giggled. "You're so fucking prepared."

"Of course." Lia coated his fingers with the lube, pressing one finger into Will's entrance.

"Hmmngh!" Will bit his lip, his eyes fluttering shut as Lia slowly stretched him. "More...keep going.."

Lia obliged, adding another finger and stretching Will further. Will moaned, his hips bucking upwards. Lia smiled, pulling his fingers out. "Patience, baby."

Will whimpered in answer, his hands gripping the couch cushions tightly, eyes. He couldn't wait any longer.

"Come on, I'm ready," Will panted impatiently.

Lia coated his cock with the lube and pressed the tip against Will's entrance while slowly pushing in.

"Oh, fuck," Will let out a loud moan, his eyes rolling back as Lia filled him.

"Baby, you're so tight," Lia groaned, his hands gripping Will's hips tightly. "I just fucked you in the morning."

"Just fuck me already," Will pleaded with heavy gasps. Lia didn't torture him much, he pulled out slightly before slamming back in making Will shudder from the intense pleasure shooting in his entire body.

"You feel so good," Lia murmured, his thrusts getting faster. Will was lost in pleasure to answer, his mind was clouded by ecstasy. All he could think about was Lia. All he could feel was Lia. All he wanted was Lia.

"I'm...ah-Ah..close..."

"Come for me, baby," Lia growled, his fingers digging into Will's hips. That was all Will needed to push him over the edge. He came with a cry, his body shuddering as pleasure washed over him. "Fuck," Lia came at the same time, his hips stuttering as he came inside Will.

Will gasped, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. Lia collapsed on top of him and Will hugged him close, his heart still racing.

Lia chuckled, brushing a sweat-soaked lock of hair from Will's forehead. "Honey? You okay?"

Will smiled, his eyes half-lidded. "I'm amazing."

Lia placed a soft kiss on Will's cheek.

"So..." Will drawled. "How long till our date?"

"We've got some time. You wanna sleep first?"

Will nodded. "I'm sleepy."

Lia picked up a blanket from the floor and wrapped it around them. He held Will close, their bodies still sticky with sweat.

"Sleep, baby. I'll wake you when it's time to go."

Will's lips widened into a smile, he nuzzled his face against Lia's chest, his eyes fluttering shut. "I Love you," he sighed contentedly.

"I love you too, honey." Lia kissed his forehead, and Will fell asleep in the arms of his beloved boyfriend.

☺️☺️☺️

The world was alive with chatter, with the hum of passing cars, and the laughter of strangers...but for them, it was as if no one else existed.

Lia turned his head for a second...just one second-and when he looked back, Will wasn't there.

His heart dropped. His eyes darted around and he was about to run when he heard him.

"Lia."

Lia turned and saw Will standing just a few steps away, watching him with a small smile.

"God," Lia exhaled, stepping forward to him. "Don't do that again."

Will tilted his head. "Do what?"

"Disappear."

Will chuckled and grabbed his hand. "Even if I'm out of your sight for a few minutes, I won't disappear."

Lia stared at him, taking in every little detail. The way Will's breath formed tiny puffs in the cold air. The way his dark eyes held warmth despite their sharpness. The way his lips curled slightly, teasing, reassuring.

"I know that. But I'll still start looking for you even if I can't see you for a second."

Will's heart fluttered at his words. Lia smiled, reaching out and tugging Will closer by his scarf. "Even if you're just a step away, even if I know you're near-I'll always, always try to find you."

Will bit his lip to hide the way his face flushed.

"It's snowing!" Someone yelled.

Soft, white flakes began to fall on them. They giggled, running under the nearest shop's awning for cover. Will was shivering, his hands tucked into his coat pockets.

Lia noticed it but Will didn't complain. So Lia did what he always did, he warmed him up. He cupped Will's cold cheeks and kissed them-once, twice, thrice. A kiss on the tip of his frozen nose. A kiss on his eyelids, his forehead, his chin.

Will let out a breathy laugh. "You're just using this as an excuse to kiss me."

Lia smirked, pulling Will into his arms, and tucking him against his warmth. "You caught me."

Will melted into the embrace, his cold fingers gripping the fabric of Lia's coat. Their hearts beat in sync, warm and tender despite the winter.

Then, Lia pulled back slightly, his gaze deep and searching.

"I promised to meet you again. In memories, in death, in love, in clouds, in grief, in goodbyes, in shadows, in dreams, and to stay together..." Lia hesitated for a second before continuing. "Did I keep my promise?"

Will's eyes welled with tears, his own heart flattering. He shared one last kiss before smiling widely.

"Yes, you did."

And that was the truth.

Through pain and loss, through chaos and separation-Lia never stopped looking for him. No matter how many times the world tried to take Will away, no matter how many times the universe tried to break them apart-Lia always found him. Again and again.

And Will? Will always let himself be found.

Because this love, this warm, fluttering, aching love-was theirs.

It had survived the past. It had survived death itself.

It would survive everything else.

And maybe you will find your love again too.

No matter where they are. No matter how lost they seem.

Maybe, just like Lia, you'll find them again and again.

So, are you ready to find that love of yours?

________

Thank you for reading!❤️☺️ I hope you enjoyed my work, lovelies. Since I've put this free and didn't lock, if you'd like to support me, consider buying me a coffee:

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