Chapter 128 Quiet Conversations

Chapter 128 Quiet Conversations
The quiet click-clack of small wheels echoes down the long hallway of the apartment. Leo is leaning forward, his knees bent awkwardly as he tries to glide across the smooth floor in his brand-new blue roller skates. He wears his red helmet tightly buckled under his chin, his tongue sticking out slightly as he focuses on keeping his balance.

"Slow down, buddy," I say, leaning against the hallway wall with my arms folded across my chest. "You don't need to break a speed record on your first day."

"Look at me, Liam! I'm not falling!" Leo calls out, throwing his hands up in the air for two seconds before wobbling hard to the left.

I step forward quickly, catching him under his arms before his knees hit the rug. He bursts into a bright, breathless giggle, hanging off my grip like a sack of potatoes.

"See? I told you," I chuckle, setting him back on his feet. "You're getting better, but you still need practice."

"Klaus said he’d take me to the park on Saturday to try real asphalt," Leo says, adjusting the strap on his helmet. "Is he back from his meeting yet?"

"He should be home any minute," I tell him, tapping the top of his helmet gently. "Why don't you take those off and get your hands washed for lunch?"

"Okay!" Leo says, sitting right down on the rug to unbuckle the plastic straps.

As if on cue, the front door unlocks, and Klaus steps into the entryway. He sets his car keys on the small table near the door, looking noticeably tired. His broad shoulders look a little tight under his dark jacket, and there are faint shadows under his eyes.

When Leo sees him, his face lights up. "Klaus! I glided ten feet without holding the wall!"

Klaus's sharp face instantly relaxes into a warm, genuine smile. He walks over, crouching down to ruffle Leo's hair. "Ten feet? That’s impressive, kiddo. Did you keep your knees bent like I showed you?"

"Yep! Liam had to catch me once, but I mostly did it myself."

"Good boy," Klaus says softly, standing back up and meeting my eyes. He steps closer to me, reaching out to press a brief, warm kiss against my temple. "How was your morning?"

"Quiet," I answer, looking up at him. I can feel the subtle tension radiating off his frame, the same lingering air he brought home from the dinner with Vance two nights ago. "How was the facility?"

Klaus pauses for a fraction of a second, his dark eyes shifting slightly before he speaks. "Just administrative stuff. Checking in with the training staff about the summer schedule."

I nod, though a small feeling of curiosity stirs in my chest. I know he is holding something back, but I decide not to press him right now. I have something heavy sitting on my own heart that I need to talk to him about.

"Leo, head into the kitchen and grab your juice box," I say over my shoulder. "I need to talk to Klaus for a few minutes."

"Okay!" Leo scrambles up, padded socks sliding slightly on the floor as he pads down the hall toward the kitchen.

I take Klaus by the wrist, leading him into the quiet space of our bedroom and closing the door behind us. The afternoon sun streams through the window, painting long streaks of warm light across the floor.

Klaus sits down on the edge of the bed, looking up at me with a quiet, patient gaze. "What's on your mind, Liam?"

I walk over to the small desk, picking up my laptop and walking it over to the bed. I sit down right beside him, setting the open computer across our knees. The screen lights up, displaying the formal offer letter from the Global Sports Media Group.

"This came in late after the parade," I say softly, pointing at the blue logo at the top of the email. "I haven't responded to them yet."

Klaus leans forward, his eyes scanning the lines of text. As he reads down the page—taking in the words Lead Staff Photographer, International Tournament Tour, and eight different countries over nine months—his whole body grows still. The small smile on his face fades, replaced by a quiet, heavy focus.

The room falls completely silent except for the faint sound of our breathing.

I watch his profile closely, my chest tightening with every second that passes. "They want an answer by Friday," I add quietly, breaking the silence. "I wanted to know your honest thoughts on it before I say anything to them."

Klaus doesn't look up right away. He stares at the glowing screen, his broad hand resting flat against his knee.

Inside his mind, a sharp, agonizing war breaks out.

Part of him wants to tell me to close the laptop and throw the offer away. Behind closed doors at the arena, Arthur Conti and the board are pushing an aggressive trade deal to send Klaus across the country to a rival Western team. His future with the Kraken is standing on shaky ground, and the thought of me being thousands of miles away in another country while his life gets pulled apart terrifies him. He wants me here. He needs me by his side to keep him grounded through the coming fight.

But as he looks at my name printed at the top of that prestigious contract, he sees my dream sitting right in front of us. He knows how hard I fought, how many cold nights I spent shooting minor league games for tiny checks, and how much soul I poured into every single shot. He loves me too much to stand in the way of what I've built.

Klaus lets out a long, slow breath, finally turning his head to look into my eyes. His dark gaze is filled with a deep, silent warmth that makes my heart ache.

"It's an incredible offer, Liam," Klaus says, his voice low, rough, and entirely sincere. "You're being recognized by the best agency in the world. You earned this."

"It's nine months, Klaus," I say softly, reaching out to touch his knee. "Eight countries. I would be on a plane every two weeks. I would miss your offseason, I would miss Leo's first youth hockey practices... I would miss us."

Klaus reaches up, taking my face in his large, warm hand. His thumb gently brushes against my cheek, his touch so tender it makes my breath hitch.

"If this is your dream, Liam, you shouldn't throw it away just because you're worried about leaving us," Klaus says quietly, his voice thick with real emotion. "Leo and I are going to be right here. We aren't going anywhere."

I look into his eyes, searching his face. I can see the deep love in his gaze, but under it, I can still sense that hidden layer of pain.

"Are you sure?" I whisper, leaning my face into his hand. "Would you really be okay if I took it?"

Klaus squeezes his fingers gently against my skin, offering me a soft, unshakable smile that carries all the strength he has to give.