Chapter 167 LOVERS

Chapter 167 LOVERS
It was well past midnight when Anton walked into Julian's office. Most of the building had gone quiet hours ago. The lights in the corridor were dim, and the city beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows had become a sea of distant lights.

Julian was still working. Or, at least, he had been. Now he sat behind his desk with a tablet in his hand, staring intently at a collection of ring designs.

Anton stopped in the doorway. He looked at the tablet, then at Julian, then back at the tablet.

“Already planning the wedding, I see.”

Julian glanced up. “Yes. I'm picking our rings.”

Anton walked closer, and Julian turned the tablet toward him.

“Want to take a look?”

Anton hesitated. “I'm not sure I should.”

Julian frowned. “Why?”

Anton shoved his hands into his pockets. “A wedding ring is important.” He looked away. “So it should be picked by the husband, not—”

“That's why I'm asking for your opinion.”

Anton stopped. “What?”

Julian set the tablet down and stood. “You plan on leaving after you said you love me?”

Anton immediately shook his head. “No. I didn't say—”

“Eli loves you too.” Julian stepped closer. “You want to break his heart?”

“I…” Anton took a step back. “I don't—I mean, I—”

The words wouldn't come.

Julian watched him quietly. Then he picked up the tablet again.

“The designs I'm looking at are for throuples.”

Anton stared at him. “Throuples?”

“I read about polyamorous relationships.” Julian swiped through the designs. “I want six rings.”

Anton blinked. “Six?”

“Yes, for three people.” Julian looked at him as though the arrangement was perfectly obvious. “So we can all give each other one.”

He pointed at the screen.

“Eli wears mine and yours. I wear Eli's and yours. You wear Eli's and mine.”

Anton stared at the designs… then slowly looked up. “You really want that?”

Julian's brow furrowed. “Yes.”

“Or are you doing it because of Eli?”

Julian went still. “You don't believe I could love you?”

Anton swallowed. “I don't know.” His voice was barely above a whisper. “You tell me if you do.”

Julian lowered the tablet. For once, there was no immediate answer. He thought about it, really thought about it.

Then he looked directly into Anton's eyes.

“I thought about it.” Julian took a slow breath. “And everything that was preventing me from letting you in…” he shook his head. “It's all weightless compared to how much I want you near me.”

Anton’s eyes began to glisten.

Julian continued. “I remember that night when we told Eli there was nothing wrong with desire.” His voice softened. “I don't know why it took me so long to understand that I had to tell myself the same thing.”

He stepped closer.

“There is nothing wrong with desire.”

Anton said nothing.

“Being together doesn't make any of us less of a man.” Julian's expression trembled. “You've always been braver than me.”

Anton almost smiled. “Julian—”

“No.” Julian shook his head. “Let me say this.”

Anton fell silent.

Julian's eyes stayed on his. “I often become a coward when emotions are involved.”:He gave a small, almost embarrassed smile. “But you didn't. You looked me in the eyes and confessed your feelings. You said them even when you didn't know what I would do with them.”

Julian's voice cracked slightly.

“And right now…” he swallowed. “...I want to do the same.”

Anton's eyes filled completely.

“You've always been my strength.” Julian reached for his hand. “Especially in the places where my own emotions make me weak.”

He intertwined their fingers.

“You've been part of my life for so long that I selfishly thought it was my right to have you without giving anything in return. Tonight, I want to give you a place in my heart.”

Julian's thumb brushed over Anton's knuckles.

“I want to be with you.” His voice became barely more than a whisper. “I love you, Alexander.”

Anton's eyes closed. A tear slipped down his cheek. “You said you don't like that name.”

Julian gave a small chuckle, “I was lying. I like your name, and I love you.”

Anton closed the distance between them. He pulled Julian into his arms and kissed him.

There was no hesitation this time. No uncertainty, no question about what they were supposed to be. They simply held each other. Tighter. As though all the years they’d spent standing beside each other had suddenly become insufficient.

When they finally pulled apart, Anton rested his forehead against Julian's.

“You're anything but a coward.”

Julian smiled faintly.

Anton cupped the side of his face.

“You're the strongest, bravest person I know.”

Julian's eyes softened.

“You saved my life again and again and again.” Anton's voice trembled. “Without you, I wouldn't be me.”

He smiled through his tears.

“I love you, Julian.”

Julian closed his eyes. For once, he didn't need to analyze what the feeling meant, he didn't need to find a name for it, he simply held Anton closer.

And somewhere between the fear, the confusion, the years of pretending, and the love they'd both been too afraid to name...

They finally understood. There was nothing wrong with them; nothing wrong with loving the same man, nothing wrong with loving each other too.

And neither of them needed to become anything less of a man for the other to belong beside him.