Chapter 102 102: Rainbow & Stone
The mention of Saint's name was like a physical blow. Baby's head snapped up, his eyes narrowing. "What is that supposed to mean?"
Oliver watched a leaf drift onto the surface of the pond. "I've seen the way you two look at each other when the cameras aren't supposed to be watching. I've seen the way Saint's entire posture changes when you walk into a room—and the way he looks like he's dying today because you won't look at him."
He turned his head, meeting Baby's shocked gaze with a steady, knowing smile.
"I know about you two. Not the 'Unified' brand. Not the rivalry. The real thing. I know you were together."
Baby felt the world tilt. His first instinct was to deny it, to bark a laugh and walk away, but the weight of the secret had become too heavy to carry alone. He just sat there, his heart hammering against his ribs.
"Relax," Oliver said, sensing the panic. "I'm not a journalist. I'm not Sloane. Your secret is safe with me. I'm not going to tell anyone."
Baby exhaled a shaky breath, his fingers digging into the wood of the bench. "Why are you telling me this?"
"Because you look like you're drowning, and you're trying to use me as a life raft," Oliver replied honestly. He reached out not to touch Baby's knee this time but just gestured toward him. "I like you, Baby. I've liked you for a long time. And yeah, I want to be the person who finally makes you feel 'seen.' But I'm not an idiot."
Oliver stood up, stretching his arms. "You're still in love with a man who is currently trying to turn himself into stone to survive you. So, for now? Let's just be friends. I'll be the guy you can talk to when the 'Unified' mask gets too heavy. No pressure. No expectations."
He looked down at Baby, his expression unreadable. "Just... friends. For now."
Oliver sighed and gestured toward the car, "I know you wish to be alone, so... I'll wait in the car."
Baby sat in the silence of the willows long after Oliver started walking back toward the car. He felt exposed, stripped bare by the realization that his "perfect" secret wasn't as invisible as he thought.
Had Oliver noticed because he was interested, or were they really not that discreet?
Who else knew? How obvious were they?
He gritted his teeth and sighed. He must be overthinking it.
After a while, he decided to leave. The silence wasn't helping. It only gave way to the loud voices in his head.
Oliver saw Baby approaching and went to open the passenger door for him without saying a word.
The ride was a quiet one, Baby no longer had to hide his emotional stress. He let Oliver drive his car back to the apartment while he rested his head on the window, his eyes closed.
On the other side, Oliver glanced at Baby from time to time, hating that he couldn't lift Baby's spirit or be the man he wanted.
They soon approached the campus, and Oliver could no longer hold his curiousity.
"I know it's not my place to ask or know. And don't get me wrong, I hate that you're hurting, but I'm happy things didn't work out with Saint... I just want to ask why?" Oliver asked calmly.
Baby stared at the streetlights as their car left, then behind in a blur. He closed his eyes, sighing.
Saint had asked the sane question: Why?
And, what haf he answered? He had lied.
Ge had told Saint that he hated him and wanted nothing with him. He had reached into Saint's chest, gripped his chest, and squeezed it until it burst... that's what he did.
But he wasn't going to lie to Oliver. He was going to be honest... he had to lt it out, or the weight of guilt might kill him.
"I'm a coward. A scared coward," Baby muttered.
Oliver chuckled, "Bad fir him, good for me," he winked.
"Seriously though..." Oliver started, driving the car I to the garage, "I understand why you did it, and I respect that. But, I think Saint is just as cowardly... if not worse–"
"You don't know him–"
"Oh, I do, Baby," Oliver said, killing the engine.
Baby frowned, "What do you mean?" He questioned.
Oliver turned and faced Baby, his eyes slowly raking Baby's body in a way no 'friend' would look at someone.
"He might act hurt, but I believe he was also looking for an out. He might have loved you, but I know he loved his legacy more. I saw the interview, and he looked like a man who was proud to be just what his family moulded him to be," Oliver explained.
"Stop blaming yourself, Baby, if Saint wanted to be wirh you, he'd have fucked the senses out of you the moment you mentioned a breakup... that's what I'd do. Just saying," Oliver sighed, chuckling, "Forgive my thoughts, Baby. But if I dated you..." he paused, locking his eyes with Baby's.
"You'd gave no reason to ask for a break up. I'd love you openly, and I'll show you that your family and my beautiful aunt Sloane will be just fine after a while. The world woukd go one as usual and nit burn down, your career would be fine, people will fucking move on," he smiled, gently taking Baby's habd in his.
"I'm not a shadow's man, Danvers. I'm bright, I'm colorful fucking rainbow, and the world has no fucking objection on who I chose to love. I'm the man who would hold your hand through the scandal era, and even after scandal dies down, I'd still be your man, Baby." He lifted Baby's habd to his lips, placing a feather-like kiss on the back.
Baby inhaled shakily, "Everything sounds so good, until it starts happening." He murmured, taking his hand back.
"Thank you for the walk, and the ride," Baby said, opening his door.
Oliver sighed and stepped out of the car as well. He rounded the car and gave placed Baby's key into hus hand, "Relax, Baby. I haven't started my pursuit, was just giving you an overall insight and trying my best to paint Saint black." He chuckled.
Baby managed a smile, "Thanks, Oliver. I know."
"If you feel like the cold war is getting tough, call me, ill cime crash at your place. That'll show him," Oliver waved, slowly backing away.
Baby waved back, "That won't be necessary... I already showed him last night." He murmured to himself.
Oliver’s words played on a loop in his mind, a seductive, dangerous melody: Saint was also looking for an out... he loved his legacy more.
Was it true? Had Saint accepted the break up so easily because it was a relief? Because being the perfect Kross heir was easier than being the secret lover of a scandal-prone Danvers?
Baby closed his eyes. Oliver made it sound so simple. A "scandal era" that would pass. A world that wouldn't burn down. But Oliver didn't have a father who measured his worth in championships and bloodlines. Oliver didn't have a legacy that was a cage, or... he did, he just chose not to give a fuck about those things.
Baby wished he was more like Oliver, but, unfortunately, he still had that little child in him, that neglected little child that craved his parents attention, and to get it, he needed to be exactly what they wanted him to be.