Eric's POV
I left the room after that. I needed to give them some time alone. Next thing I know we're all in black tuxes at a grave. Oliver, Ryder, Nhemo, Lenny, Van and I were all there.
"Why is daddy crying?" Nhemo asked frowning as I held his hand and glanced at Lenny who was being held by Van. I didn't know how to answer him.
"He's just upset. He'll be okay." I glanced at Oliver who said these words.
Nhemo nodded frowning and Oliver ruffled his hair making Nhemo giggle. Ryder took Nhemo away from me.
"Let's get some ice cream fishy." Ryder said Nhemo pouted as Oliver glared at him.
"Yeah, that's a good idea. Hey!" I said to get Lenny and Van's attention who turned towards me. "Wanna go out for ice cream?" I asked and Van glanced at Lenny who sniffled but nodded.
We all headed to the ice cream place. Ryder stole Nhemo's cherry off his ice cream and soon we all forgot about what happened before. We we're all laughing with Nhemo's reaction.
"You didn't ask! Gimme it back!" Nhemo said hitting his chest but Ryder only smirked as we laughed.
"Your punches are weak and it's in my stomach." Ryder said.
"Oh yeah?!" Nhemo hit his face and Ryder held his nose glaring as we gasped only to laugh harder.
"Oops." Nhemo said and slipped down under the table appearing on Lenny's lap to get away from Ryder.
"I'll get you later." Ryder said running his nose and Nhemo stuck out his tongue before licking his ice cream.
"Leave the poor boy alone." Oliver said as his phone vibrated next to me.
He pulled it out answering and I guess accidentally putting it on speaker since we all heard Wyatt yell.
"Be right back they say!" Wyatt yelled and huffed.
"Actually Oliver said that." Ryder said before eating his ice cream.
"I thought Oliver answered?" Wyatt said.
"Your on speaker." I laughed and it was silent for a while.
"Hiiii." Nhemo said leaning over to yell then Wyatt hung up making us laugh as Nhemo pouted. "That's just rude." he grumbled.
****
I took Ryder and Oliver back to their dorm. Wyatt was long gone which I'm sure Oliver was probably feeling a bit guilty. I kissed him goodbye and made my way home.
Before I knew it I woke up to my phone playing a birthday song. Which meant only one thing, it was Oliver's birthday. A smile crept it's way on my lips and I opened my eyes to see Sammie glaring down at me holding up my phone. I chuckled taking it and started to get ready.
Oliver never told me what he wanted for his birthday. Every time I asked he'd change the topic or pretend like I didn't say anything.
I headed to his house since I knew he'd be over there for his birthday. He's turning nineteen so this is special, like sweet sixteen special but different. He's more of an adult pretty much.
"Hey." I said grinning and Oliver blushed as I held roses up. "Happy birthday." I said leaning in to kiss his head only for him to open the door all the way to show his mother making me clear my throat standing straight.
I said hello to his mom and walked in. I was surprised their wasn't other people here. Guess it will be later on though. Mrs. Prince told me all about how today was planned and that I had to make sure to protect Oliver.
"Mom I don't even know these people." Oliver whined making me chuckle as he pointed at the guest list his mother made but she only waved him off.
The whole time I helped her mostly only having a few moments to spend with Oliver secretly or with Ryder around. A kiss or two was snuck here and there. Soon the place was filled including what they called a backyard which I would call a football field.
"Eric." I heard a voice whisper and I turned to look on my left seeing Oliver and glances at Mrs. Prince before quickly going to him.
"I missed you." I said wrapping my arms around his waist he blushed smiling as I leaned in to kiss him.
"You guys just saw each other." Ryder said rolling his eyes.
"That was eighteen minutes ago." Oliver pouted as I chuckled pulling him close making him blush as he leaned in also. When we kissed Ryder gagged walking away then ran when the doorbell rang.
"Wyatt probably." Oliver said rolling his eyes after we pulled away.
"Probably." I chuckled and glanced down at him.
His gray eyes looked slightly more green now. He glanced up at me noticing I was staring.
"Hm?" he said with his cheeks slightly pink.
"Your eyes are a different color." I said and he blushed more rubbing the back of his head.
"Yeah, that's because spring is almost here. My eyes are green in spring and slightly darker in the summer then starts going back to gray when fall comes." he said and I nodded slightly amazed.
Eventually his mother had a microphone in her hand as Oliver was chatting with Wyatt, and I stood next to them commenting once in a while.
"Attention ladies and gentlemen... today is a special day. My one and only son and child has just turned nineteen today." she began and people turned to Oliver making him blush. "I love you son." she said and he smiled slightly blushing and I ruffled his hair making him huff blushing. "Your cousin has something he'd like to say also." she said and Ryder came out from a crowd of people taking the microphone.
"Hey people, I just wanna say. I pushed your face in the mud once Oliver.... really it was dog shit..... but that's the past." Ryder said and Oliver glared at him. "But I've always made sure to protect you from anyone else.... I know I'm not Levin Spence... but I'm here for you. Happy birthday little cousin." he said and Oliver's eyes widen at the name which I was guessing as his dad's name.
Ryder cleared his throat and passed the microphone to me. I swallowed nervously then grinned as Oliver raised an eyebrow.
"I haven't been your bodyguard that long but it's been long enough to say that it's been fun so far. And we'll I guess I can't call you kid anymore- sike." I said and Oliver rolled his eyes but smiled. "I don't have that much to say which is kinda a shame but I'm not good at things like this.... soooo happy birthday." I said and he giggled.
"But also because I'm special;" I said winking and he blushed. "I get to give you my gift first." I said reaching in my back pocket.
Oliver raised an eyebrow curiosity taking over his features. I pulled out the necklace and put it on him gently. He blushed before looking down at it.
He smiled up at me. I almost wanted to kiss him right on the spot then and there but remembered I couldn't. People cheered and eventually started giving him their presents which he opened and people would gush and take pictures. Was this how family is like? I smiled softly, I found that when I met Sammie, Vincent, and Lenny then the others.
But I noticed Oliver didn't seem comfortable at all at his party. Every time he had a chance to get away he would sneak away with Wyatt and Ryder. And I would follow of course, that was my job anyways.
"Ollie when will this be over?" Wyatt whined.
"I don't know." Oliver mumbled.
"Hopefully soon because I want to go home." Ryder said rolling his eyes.
"Your not enjoying yourself?" I asked walking in his room we're they were having this little conference at. Oliver jumped slightly then relaxed.
"No, it's not what I want. I don't even know those people. Their all just rich people that mom calls friends." Oliver grumbled.
"Well what do you want?" I asked and Oliver pressed his lips together with his cheeks slightly pink before a few tears fell down them.
"I don't want this..... I want dad." he said softly and Wyatt jumped up with Ryder to hug him.
"It's okay Oliver." Ryder said rubbing his back as Wyatt was hugging him close frowning.
I sighed and walked up to them. Wyatt pulled away and so did Ryder. Oliver stared at the floor wiping his eyes.
"I can't give you that but I can give you something else that you want." I said and he looked up at me with glassy eyes making me frown. "What would you like?"
"To...." Oliver looks down again and Wyatt pat his back.
"Come on, just say it already." Ryder said making me furrow my eyebrows.
"I want to move in with you." Oliver said blushing and I raised an eyebrow.
"Do you think your mom will n okay with that?" I asked.
"She doesn't have to know. All she needs to know is that I'm going to have a roommate."
"What if she wants to visit?"
"I can always make excuses."
"You are good at that." I said and he nodded smiling a bit making me groan. "Fine."
"Your saying that like you don't want him at your place." Ryder laughed.
"Never said that." I said muttering.
"Do you not want me to?" Oliver asked frowning.
"No no it's just I...."
****
"Your home is dirty." Ryder said and I glared.
"And small." Wyatt giggled and I now glared at him making him gulp.
"Well sorry when Sammie and Vincent lived here it was clean." I said as Oliver looked around, the only one who hadn't spoken yet.
"We can clean it together, I still want to live with you." Oliver said slightly catching me off guard and I smiled.
"Alright, welp Ryder will help us clean including Wyatt." I said making Wyatt gasp with Ryder.
"Why me?!" They both yelled.
"Because friends and family should help one another." I said and shut them up.
Oliver left back to his party with Wyatt as Ryder stayed back to help me clean. Which he told me he was only going to help clean the living room. Oliver called me telling me to come back over with Ryder. We stopped cleaning and I drove us over there. Oliver and Wyatt had boxes in their hands but also pushing some with their feet. I raise an eyebrow.
"He's been planning this for a while now." Ryder said smirking as Oliver and Wyatt out the boxes in my trunk.
"How'd your mom take it?" I asked when Wyatt closed the trunk and Oliver got in then Wyatt.
"Terrible but she said she'd visit and I just said okay." Oliver said putting on his seatbelt as I shook my head smiling.
We all got buckled up and I drove back to my place. Oliver, Wyatt and I cleaned my room while Ryder went out to get food. By the time Ryder was back we were cleaning the rest of the living room.
"Break time!" Wyatt cheered dropping the broom on my head making me glare up at him. "Oops." he said and flopped down on the couch by Ryder getting some food.
Oliver rolled his eyes smiling as I stood up then put my hand out. He blushed taking it and I helped him up.
We all started eating and watching TV. Eventually the other two went home. Oliver and I were watching TV cuddled up against each other. It's been so long since I've had this feeling.
"Oliver."
"Hm?"
"Welcome home." I kissed his head and he blushed.