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FIFTY-THREE

FARRON

PISCES BABY

Day 568

The sound of the front door opening sets my nerves alight, like an electric current through my body. My heartbeat picks up speed, thudding loudly in my ears. Crouched low behind the kitchen island, I glance to the side. Adrian is right there beside me, his finger pressed to his lips in a silent reminder to stay quiet. His eyes twinkle with mischief, the same boyish grin pulling at his lips that always spells trouble. I bite back a laugh, but a small snort escapes anyway, breaking the tense silence.

Amaia, perched near the dining table with her hands lightly gripping a chair back, turns at the sound. Her face lights up with amusement, and she rolls her eyes playfully before winking at me. I clamp my hand over my mouth, shoulders shaking slightly with suppressed laughter.

The quiet tension in the house is absolutely comical as everyone challenges themselves to stay as silent as possible, even though there’s absolutely no need for it. Steps sound along the hardwood floors, echoing through the quiet house, accompanied only by the occasional creak of wood. Before I know it, the steps have drawn near and have paused just outside the kitchen.

My pulse spikes, and before I can fully brace myself, the steps cross the threshold. With a shared glance and an unspoken countdown, Adrian and I spring to our feet, and the rest of the room follows suit, a chorus of voices erupting all at once.

“Surprise!” Everyone yells out, their hands coming up to their faces to sign the motion.

Theo stumbles to a halt in the doorway, his wide eyes darting around the scene. For a moment, he looks genuinely stunned, frozen in place as if processing what’s happening. Then, the singing begins. For a moment, I can’t help the thought that stumbles through my mind; Theo’s lucky he can’t hear right now. Adrian, Todd, and Holden stand in a little group to my right, leading the charge. Adrian’s off-key warbling pierces my ears, while Todd brings his voice down to a deep baritone in an attempt to harmonize. Holden stands between the two of them, trying and failing to keep a straight face.

The little trio of demons is decked out in Paw Patrol birthday cone hats, that match the rest of the decor for this little party, including the birthday banner hanging behind us on the cabinets and the paper plates and napkins on the island. All, of course, courtesy of Adrian and Todd, who picked everything up on one of their last supply runs.

The rest of us jump in, singing along and signing in perfect unison. We spent days practicing the motions to make sure we’d all get it right and be able to sign the song in sync. Holden struggled the most, messing up his gestures and timing constantly—although I’m not sure if that was due to him really struggling with the movements or if it had more to do with Amaia constantly drawing his focus away.

The song comes to an end as everyone cheers, and Theo shakes his head as if trying to hide the grin creeping across his face. He steps forward cautiously, but the demon trio is already on the move. Todd and Holden flank him on either side, grinning like madmen, while Adrian stands directly in front of him. My jaw drops in disbelief as Todd and Holden each press a hard smooch to each of Theo’s cheeks, while Adrian gives him a big kiss on the lips. Theo sputters and pushes Adrian away, wiping his lips with his forearm before smacking Adrian upside the head. His hands move, asking Adrian what the hell is wrong with him, a scowl on his face—but I can see his eyes glittering with mirth.

A scoff sounds to my side, and I turn to find Kenji next to me. “They’re ridiculous,” he mutters, shaking his head. “I can’t believe we’re stuck with all three of them for the rest of our lives.”

“The rest of our lives, huh?” I ask him, nudging his arm with my shoulder.

Kenji looks down at me with a smirk, his dark eyes softening just a touch. “As if I’m ever letting you go, Princess.” His hand reaches up, and his fingers find one of my curls, absently twisting it around. “And, at the very least, you’re stuck dealing with them alongside me. You know, as a package deal.”

“Don’t forget about Jay,” I hum thoughtfully, my gaze drifting to the table where Jay sits with Pa, Amaia, and Daisy. His focus is entirely on Amaia, the two of them caught in a private bubble of conversation. Interesting.

“You’re right,” Kenji continues, drawing my attention back. His fingers still toy with my hair, his indulgent smile making my heart stutter. “We should pawn those idiots off on Jay. Let him deal with the aftermath.”

“Adrian would riot,” I tell him, glancing back at the ringleader of chaos himself. Adrian is animatedly signing and talking at the same time, his hands a blur of motion while Theo rolls his eyes. Holden nods along solemnly, as if genuinely invested, while Todd makes exaggerated gestures in the background for no apparent reason.

Theo catches my eye mid-conversation, his gaze softening as he signs something quick to the others and makes his way toward me. Balloons bounce gently in his wake as he weaves through the colorful mess. Kenji meets him halfway, pulling his brother in for a hug and signing something to him before continuing on toward the demon trio. Theo continues his journey over and stops right in front of me, causing me to tilt my head up to meet his eyes. A soft smile plays on his face, and his eyes are filled with love and warmth as he takes me in.

“Happy birthday, my love,” I sign to him. He gives me a toothy grin and pulls my body flush against his before bending down, his lips gently meeting mine. When we break apart, he rests his forehead against mine for a moment, and we simply stand there in each other’s arms, settling into the moment.

Eventually, Theo steps away from me. “It is a very happy birthday,” he tells me with a resolute nod. “I’m with my brothers, safe. I’m in an amazing community of people who have become family to me. Amaia is here. And most importantly, I have my Star. I cannot imagine a better birthday—not one without you by my side.” His words cause blood to rush to my cheeks, and his eyes crinkle at the corners as he notices.

“You deserve all of the happy days, Theo. Birthday or not,” I tell him. “You are my safe space. One of the most incredible men I’ve ever known. I can only hope to give you thousands of happy days moving forward, to keep this cute little dimpled smile on your face.”

It’s Theo’s turn to grow warm at my words, but he simply shakes his head at me. “I should be saying that to you,” he says, pulling me closer once again. “You are incredible. You’re everything.” His hands squeeze my hips, and he starts leaning down for another kiss, but before our lips are able to meet, we’re rudely interrupted by a body crashing into us.

“Cake!” Adrian exclaims, a goofy grin on his face. “It’s time for cake. T, prepare to be shocked at the masterpiece I created for you.”

Theo groans, his exasperation poorly masking his affection. He allows himself to be dragged away, but not before I catch his eye one last time. “I’ll give you your present when everyone leaves.” His eyes fill with heat, never leaving me, even as Adrian continues to pull him away.

As the sun begins to set, everyone starts making their way out of the house, wishing Theo one last happy birthday. This includes Pa, who has, for whatever reason, started spending more time away from the Hill house and at the Abel house instead. He claims he’s enjoying spending some time with Jay after everything that’s happened, but I’m not convinced. I’m not sure if it’s really that he’s having a hard time being here without Ma or if he’s just trying to give the guys and me some privacy now that I’ve moved back in. As embarrassing as it is, I’m hoping it’s the latter.

Daisy lingers, wrapping me in a firm hug that ends with her pulling back to shoot me a saucy wink, complete with waggling eyebrows. “Behave yourself,” she teases, her voice light and knowing. With a laugh, I shake my head as she links arms with Jasper and Peter, the trio heading back toward the Alden farm together. Watching them leave, I briefly question what possessed me to make friends as bold and irreverent as Daisy in the first place.

Shutting the door behind them, I turn and find all three of my men waiting in the entryway, their eyes fixed on me with unspoken intent. The moment feels charged and the air feels thick. I meet Kenji’s gaze first. He gives me a small, subtle nod, the kind that steadies my heart even as it races. Then my eyes drift to Adrian, whose ever-present grin only deepens as he turns to Theo. “Alright, T, you and I are on cleaning duty. Farron has some...preparations to make.” He doesn’t give Theo a chance to protest, grabbing his arm and all but dragging him toward the kitchen.

I laugh under my breath, the sound easing some of my nerves, and shift my focus back to Kenji. He’s already stepping forward, hand extended toward me. I reach out and take it, grounding myself in his touch. “You good, Princess?” he asks, his voice low.

I nod, though words feel hard to find. It’s not fear twisting in my stomach but anticipation as I think about what’s to come. A hope that this will work out the way I’ve been envisioning in my head for weeks now. I want this to be perfect for Theo. For us.

Kenji leads me to the bedroom we’ve claimed as ours on the first floor. It’s not the largest room in the house, but it’s the one that feels right. The master bedroom remains untouched, a space frozen in time, still filled with my parents’ presence. I’m not ready to change that—not yet, maybe not ever. The guys understand, never pushing, always insisting that I move at my own pace. It’s one of the many reasons I love them.

Inside, the soft glow of candles starts to fill the room as Kenji lights them one by one, their flickering flames casting shadows across the walls. I slip into the bathroom to freshen up, taking a moment to look at myself in the mirror. My curls are wild, spilling down my shoulders, and my cheeks are flushed with anticipation. My green eyes shine, brighter than they have in a long time. This happiness—it’s because of them, these men who’ve made me feel whole in a way I never thought possible.

When I return to the bedroom, Kenji is seated on the edge of the bed, coils of red rope already in his hands. He looks up as I approach, his gaze sweeping over me and leaving a trail of heat in its wake as he takes in my undressed body.

“You ready, baby?” he asks, but I’m already stepping forward with a soft smile on my face.

“How do you want me?”

He stands, the rope slipping through his fingers as he moves toward me, his movements slow and deliberate, a predator closing in on his prey. “Turn around,” he murmurs. I do, my pulse quickening as his hands come to rest on my hips, guiding me toward the bed.

He begins with my wrists, securing them together with practiced ease, tying them above my head. The rope is soft against my skin but firm in how he tightens it, yet still entirely without discomfort. From there, he works downward, creating intricate patterns that wind across my arms and shoulders, framing my breasts.

His fingers glide over my thighs, looping and weaving the rope. The patterns continue around my hips, accentuating every curve before wrapping under my glutes. Each knot feels intentional and careful, like a declaration of his love for me. The rope is tight against my body, and I feel so hazy from his slow and methodical movements, drunk off the trust and love filling me up.

Kenji steps back to admire his work, his eyes dark and appreciative as they rove over my bound form. “Perfect,” he murmurs, his voice like a caress. He moves closer again, his hands skimming over the patterns, testing the tension while sending shivers racing across my skin. The flicker of candlelight dances across his face, highlighting the sharp lines of his jaw and the softness in his eyes. “You’re beautiful, Farron,” he says quietly, the words wrapping around me as securely as the rope.

“Adrian!” he calls out, and my breath hitches at what’s to come. I feel hot and hazy already, but I swear the temperature in the room rackets up a few dozen degrees when Theo and Adrian finally step into the room.

“Holy shit,” Adrian mutters when his eyes land on me. “What a fucking gift. Can it be my birthday instead?”

Theo is still in the doorway of the room, completely immobile, except for his eyes, which don’t seem to know where to land. They trail from my bound hands down my body, lasering in on my chest and then my hips, before they repeat the same path. His mouth is open and his eyes are hooded as he takes me in, and I can see his Adam's apple bob in his throat as he swallows.

I try to picture myself from his perspective, tied up like a present and waiting for him in bed. His to touch and tease.

Kenji steps forward, drawing Theo’s attention away from me. “She’s all yours,” he tells Theo. “Yours to do with as you please, because that’s all our girl wants today—to please you.” His hands stop moving as his attention turns to me, and his next words are spoken entirely out loud. “Isn’t that right, baby?” Kenji asks, and I immediately bob my head in agreement, my chest rapidly rising and falling as I wait for Theo to say something, to do something.

He steps closer, and his fingers start trailing up my skin and over the rope, his touch featherlight. I can’t help but squirm, wanting nothing more than for him to just take me and use me, to make me his. His fingers make their way to the apex of my thighs, ghosting over me, taunting me. He steps back, a smile on his face.

“I think my Star wants to please all of us today,” he finally says, tilting his head to the side while his teeth find purchase in his lower lip. “Don’t you, Star?”