CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Urho glanced over his shoulder at Jason and Vale in the back seat. The roads from the train station in Virona weren’t paved, and the ruts had them all jolting all over the place. The old driver didn’t seem to mind, obviously accustomed to it.
“We should have told him when we were arriving,” Vale said. “He’ll be annoyed when we simply show up.”
“Xan won’t care at all,” Urho said. “He’ll just be excited to see us.” Especially me. I hope. As they got closer, ridiculous insecurities nagged at him.
“I didn’t mean Xan. I meant Caleb. As omega, he oversees the house. He’ll be embarrassed if they aren’t ready for us when we arrive.”
“They know it’s sometime today,” Jason soothed. “And we did try to reach them by phone, but the lines were busy.”
Vale shifted in the seat, his stomach distorting the lines of his clothes. Urho smiled to see Jason reach out and touch his shifting belly, a happy lift to his lips. “Is he traveling all right?” Jason asked. “He’s moving now, but it seems like he’s been awfully quiet today.”
“I think the motion of the train lulled him to sleep,” Vale said, putting a fond hand over top of Jason’s. “And now these potholes have woken him.” He hissed and squirmed. “Don’t stand on my bladder,” he muttered darkly at his stomach. “You’d better be cute when you come out.”
Jason laughed just as Zephyr screeched from the cat carrier at their feet. Vale had insisted on bringing her instead of sending her away to the cattery. Urho turned back to face the front, nodding at the beta driver, and remembering how Vale’s green eyes had filled with tears. “I can’t leave him there for months!” he’d wailed, and Jason had instantly caved, packing Zephyr into a travel case and suffering only half a dozen scratches and a single bite for his efforts.
“This here’s the place,” the beta driver said, entering the gates and going up the drive that led to a gorgeous, massive house at the top of the hill. The facade was faded, but newly planted winter flowers brightened the otherwise dismal-looking mansion.
“Lofton Estate,” the man said as he came to a stop, spitting some tobacco into a cup he carried between his thighs for that purpose. “They got servants what will help with the bags. So if you want to pay up now…”
Urho found the correct amount in his wallet and offered it plus a generous tip. No harm in getting on the good side of some of the locals early on in his stay. “That’s for avoiding the potholes when you could.”
“Got an expecting omega aboard,” the man said with a grin. “Can’t let any harm come to that wee one.”
Vale groaned as Jason helped him out of the car, and Urho hung back, staring up at the house and trying to place it into the puzzle of stories Xan had told him over the phone since arriving here. The dunes below in the back and the sea sweeping away from them in green-gray, white-capped waves, had played a role in many of Xan’s babblings about walks with Caleb, or time alone, but the windows at the front of the house didn’t offer up clues as to what lay beyond them.
The driver and Urho grabbed their luggage from the trunk and placed it beside the car. Urho shook the man’s hand and then he was off just as the front door opened and a beta servant was pushed aside by Xan, who darted out with his dark curls combed neatly, and his fashionable, casual suit impeccably fit.
“You’re here!” he cried, throwing himself into Urho’s arms and hugging him like they were long-lost brothers. Urho ducked his head to take in Xan’s unique scent. A warm, settled feeling passed over him, but then Xan pulled away and turned to Jason, embracing him as well, and—more cautiously—Vale. Urho had to fist his hands to keep from reaching out and hauling Xan back into his arms.
“You’re huge!” Xan said to Vale, eyes wide. “There’s only one in there, right?”
Vale narrowed his eyes, and Xan burst into laughter. “I’m kidding. You look amazing. Are you hungry? Caleb has a big lunch put aside for you, and a ton of other options, like fresh produce from the southern regions if you’re not in the mood for something heavy.”
He turned to the house, smiling in the direction of the door, where Caleb stood barefoot and yet regal with his blond head held high and a welcoming smile on his face. He met Urho’s gaze with a warmth that made every doubt and lingering guilt about Urho’s relationship with Xan melt away.
Ren, the beta servant Xan had nearly bowled over, began taking their luggage inside, and a second beta came out to help him. Urho nodded absently when Ren said, “I’ll take them up to your respective rooms, sir. If there’s a mix-up of any kind, we can sort it out later. Your rooms will all be along the same hall.”
Jason ruffled Xan’s hair, and the two of them grappled playfully in the front yard, kicking up dust and laughing like pups. They’d nearly fallen to wrestling when Vale said, “Darling, I’m feeling tired.” Instantly, Jason snapped back to attentiveness, and Xan, like any alpha dealing with a pregnant omega, was all solicitousness and help.
“Let’s get you inside.” Jason grabbed the cat carrier with Zephyr in it and Xan called out, “Caleb, Vale’s tired.”
Caleb wrapped his arm around Vale’s shoulder as soon as they reached the door. “Oh, sweet thing. Let’s get your feet up and a nice heating pad for your back. Do you want some fruit and cheese? Or would soup and a sandwich be better? We also have chicken, potatoes, and—”
“Soup and sandwich please.” Vale touched his dark head to Caleb’s blond one. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“I feel exactly the same,” Caleb said. “I know that we’re going to become great friends.”
Xan’s hand tentatively touching his brought Urho’s attention back to the boy beside him. Or young man. There was something in Xan’s face that looked ever so slightly more mature than when they’d last met. He looked more settled, perhaps. Urho didn’t know what it represented, but he slung an arm around Xan’s shoulder and said, “How careful do we need to be? Is your cousin home?”
Xan smiled and sidled closer. “He’s at his club right now. Ren and his people won’t talk. We’re safe enough.”
Jason stooped to open the cat carrier at the doorway and Zephyr took off out of it like a shot. “The cat pan is there,” Jason said to Ren, motioning to where it sat with the luggage. “Where should we put it? In our rooms?”
Ren called to a young beta boy. “Run to the village to find a few more cat pans and extra litter.” Then he said to Jason, “The house is quite big, Mr. Sabel. It’ll be best to offer the cat a few options.”
“Thank you so much. We really appreciate it. She’s a good cat, I promise.”
“Just don’t try to pet her,” Urho called out.
Jason cringed. “Uh, yeah. Probably don’t try to pet her.”
Ren smiled at him, and Jason clapped some money into his hand for his extra trouble.
Urho kept his arm around Xan as they crossed the threshold. Once the others had disappeared into the drawing room, Xan tugged Urho into a library, and then deeper into a small office attached to it. He closed the door behind them.
“Hello,” Xan said, a smile wreathing his face. “I can’t believe you’re really here.”
Urho touched Xan’s cheek, stroking the soft curve and the line where the razor left the skin smoother beneath his fingers. “I admit I’m not sure what to say. I’ve thought of almost nothing but getting to be with you again and now…”
Xan stepped closer. “You could kiss me.”
Urho took hold of his chin and dragged him close, wrapping his arm firmly around his back and taking his mouth roughly. Xan melted against him, his body going pliant in his arms. “Oh,” he whimpered when Urho released him, his blue eyes blinking dazedly. “Oh.”
Urho’s cock pressed against Xan’s stomach, and he rubbed it there, watching Xan react to his hardness. The way his cheeks flushed, his eyes dilated, and his breath quickened was a beautiful thing to see, and the scent of his arousal saturating Urho’s alpha senses was heavenly. Urho’s mouth flooded with saliva, and an irresistible urge claimed him.
“Get on your knees,” he muttered, helping Xan down when his legs buckled at the words. “That’s right.” Xan’s hands came up to Urho’s pants, but he batted them away. “Not yet. Look up at me.”
Xan dropped his hands to his side and did as ordered. His pulse beat visibly in his throat, and he licked his red, open lips with such a hungry expression in his eyes that Urho’s cock flexed. He ripped open his pants lest he mess up his underwear and exposed himself in the cool air of the small office.
Xan moaned softly and reached down to squeeze his own cock with shaking fingers. He leaned forward, mouth open, and tongue out.
“Not yet,” Urho said again, pressing his length against Xan’s cheek, smearing some pre-come on his skin. His heart felt full to bursting at seeing Xan on his knees. “Did you keep your promise?”
“Yes!”
“Your mouth, your hole…?”
“Yours.”
Urho’s balls drew up and he stroked himself, contemplating the sheer beauty of Xan on his knees with his eyes wide and desperate. It made him feel like he could fly, soar, and take Xan with him.
“Please,” Xan whispered. “I’ve waited so long. Let me.”
“Kiss it,” Urho said, gripping the base of his large, alpha cock and positioning the head in front of Xan’s mouth. “Mouth shut. Soft lips.”
Xan whimpered but pressed his mouth into a little pucker and leaned forward, kissing gently. When he pulled back, he licked the pre-come from his lips, and his eyes rolled back. He convulsed with pleasure.
“Like that?” Urho whispered, his balls throbbing.
“Yes.”
“Again.”
Xan kissed the sensitive head of his cock and then shuddered hard as he greedily licked the pre-come from his lips again.
“Good boy. That’s my alpha-shaped omega.”
Xan groaned and lunged forward, burying his head in Urho’s crotch, scenting his musk in his pubes and rubbing his face along the crease where his leg met his groin. Then he slipped down to nuzzle his balls. Urho placed his hand in Xan’s soft hair, gently fingering the curls, and held him steady as he wallowed in Urho’s scent.
“That’s it,” he grunted. “I want you to smell like me for the rest of the day.”
Xan shook, gripped with another spasm. He clenched the back of Urho’s thighs to steady himself, never allowing his face to leave Urho’s crotch. His breath, ticklish and hot, rushed over Urho’s balls, but he was a good boy and didn’t do more than breathe him in.
Urho stroked himself, staring down at Xan on his knees. They were both wearing too many clothes—which was so wrong, but unavoidable at the moment. He loved the way his boy trembled, and he gulped in the sweet scent of Xan’s dripping cock.
He gripped Xan’s hair and pulled him away, gaining his gaze again. “Tongue out,” he ordered.
Xan hastened to obey. His red tongue pressed forward for Urho to see.
He slid the tip of his cock over it and watched as the flavor hit Xan and his eyes rolled back in pleasure. Urho stroked his cock again, bringing another bubble of pre-come up, and rubbed it against Xan’s tongue, enjoying the way Xan squirmed on the floor in front of him, holding himself back, working against his own instincts in order to obey his alpha.
Perfection.
“Open wide,” Urho gritted out.
Xan stared up at him, swallowed once, and then showed Urho the full of his mouth. Staring at the white molars and beautiful tongue, Urho groaned and carefully took hold of Xan’s jaw, holding it steady, as he aimed his cock and then fed it into Xan’s hot, wet mouth.
Xan groaned. The vibration coursed up Urho’s cock and into his balls. He shuddered and released his cock as it nudged the back of Xan’s throat. He held steady, admiring Xan’s ability to take him deep, and then took hold of his hair again.
Gripping jaw and hair both, he fucked into Xan’s open mouth. The scent of Xan’s arousal filled his nose and escalated the intoxication that riveted him thoroughly. He tried hard to keep his eyes glued to Xan’s watering blue ones, but in the end he tipped his head back and groaned at the ceiling. The wet, gasping sounds of Xan’s throat wrapped around his dick made him feel wild, and his pulse throbbed in his body until he was only a sensitive, pounding heart—pumping with blood, and love, and life.
When Urho looked down at Xan again, he found him with his eyes rolled back and ecstasy on his face. His body had gone limp. Surrendering to Urho’s command, Xan was held up by Urho’s grip on his face and hair alone. Xan trembled all over, one hand gripping his cock through his pants, and the other twitching by his side.
Urho pulled out of Xan’s throat and silenced his cry of disappointment by tugging him up into a brutal kiss. His tongue sought out the remnants of his own taste in Xan’s mouth, and finding it there, mixed with Xan’s saliva and breath, made his heart sing. He gripped Xan close, got his boy’s pants open, and dropped to his knees.
Xan cried out as Urho engulfed his hard, thick alpha cock and took it inside. It brushed the back of Urho’s mouth and he gagged slightly, unable to take it as deep as Xan had. Even so, Xan writhed and bucked in pleasure. He finally collapsed over Urho’s head, supporting himself against Urho’s back and groaning as he came in harsh, wild, flavorful bursts.
Urho gobbled the spunk down, licking it from his lips, and then rose for another brutal kiss. Xan huffed against his lips, breathless and shaking like a leaf. Unable to wait another moment, Urho pushed Xan back to his knees. He stared down at his wrecked boy, eyes glazed, mouth open and panting. He took aim, pumping his hand over his cock twice and shot onto Xan’s tongue.
Xan closed his eyes, swallowing the load greedily, opening his mouth desperately for more as Urho shot another load, and another. The floor spattered with his come, and the scent of it exploded in the room. His muscles gripped and he grunted hard as Xan’s face and hair were striped by the proof of his pleasure.
Xan sagged against him with his face lifted up, eyes closed, and lashes sticky with Urho’s seed. He rubbed at his cock exposed from his open pants, still twitching and dribbling.
Urho tangled his fingers into Xan’s hair, swallowed around the thick taste of Xan’s spunk lingering his mouth, and praised him softly. “That’s my sweet omega. That’s my boy.”
Xan quivered as Urho swiped his fingers over Xan’s eyes, cleaning the come off and then feeding it to him. As Xan sucked his digits clean, Urho’s dick twitched and he groaned. “I want you still. How do you make me so wild for you? Just the scent of you in the air and I want to do nothing but roll around in it until I die.”
Xan moaned, speechless. Urho pulled a handkerchief from his pants pocket and wiped Xan’s face clean.
“Let me help you,” he said, pulling Xan up to standing. Xan’s legs trembled so hard Urho feared he’d fall. Xan blinked in seeming shock as Urho touched his sticky cheek. “We need to wash up.”
Xan nodded and his knees buckled again, but he grabbed Urho to steady himself. “This way. Upstairs.”
Beta servants were still taking luggage to the guest rooms, so Xan dragged Urho down a back hallway and up some back stairs. Zephyr streaked past them on their way with a yowl. They kept their heads down and a respectable distance between them, but Urho was under no illusions that the servants couldn’t gossip if they wanted to do so. He hoped Xan’s cousin Janus didn’t have any of the betas in his pay. He’d need to talk to Xan about that later.
“This is your room,” Xan said, motioning at an open door that led to a room with a view of the city below.
“Where’s yours?”
Xan waved toward the open seating area at the end of the hallway. Several sofas and chairs were clustered there, across from a bay of windows that looked out into the courtyard. “That way. On the opposite wing.”
A breeze floated in from the cracked windows all along the interior hallway wall overlooking the courtyard, ruffling their hair, and lending an ocean-scented freshness to the space.
“Show me.” Urho would need to know how to find it in the dead of the night when everyone else was sleeping. He refused to even pretend otherwise to himself.
Xan bit into his bottom lip, a filthy smile threatening to burst forth. “All right.”
Urho followed him past other guest rooms, only one of which was open and obviously intended for Jason and Vale, past the seating area, and across the east side of the house. The windows there looked out on gardens that had seen better days, but there were several beta servants down there even now putting in effort to bring it back to life. Jason would probably have some ideas on that front as well.
Then they took a right onto a wing that looked very similar to the one Urho’s room was on, only with fewer rooms. The interior wall featured windows onto the courtyard below, and he took a glance out to see that it was well-tended. He had no doubt that it hadn’t been when Xan and Caleb first arrived. Potted, green, winter-leafed trees and flowing fountains made for peaceful, almost private alcoves, so long as no one was watching from above.
Urho made note to himself not to seduce Xan out there.
Xan stopped outside the first closed door. “This is mine.” He gestured to the next one down the hall. “That’s Caleb’s.”
Urho nodded, catching the eye of a beta servant who bustled past and watched them with curious eyes.
“Ours are the only open bedrooms on this wing for now. There are several others that we hope to have occupants for one day. The room next to Caleb would make a good nursery. It’s plenty big and a carer could stay in with the baby if necessary. Though I think Caleb will want to be the one to do all of that.” Xan swallowed convulsively, ending his babbling stream of words. “Do you want to come in?”
Another beta servant passed with a stack of towels.
“I assume there’s a bathroom on my wing?” Urho asked. They were attracting attention and no wonder! They both looked a mess. Good thing the betas couldn’t smell them, though there’d been enough spunk, maybe they could!
“In your room, actually. There’s one in your room and one in the guest room we’ve given to Vale and Jason. The other rooms on that side would share a bath on the hall.” He took a long breath and darted a glance right and left. “I have a very large bathtub.”
Urho quivered, temptation rooting in him like a strong vine, rising up and ready to choke out his logic. “As wonderful as that sounds, we should probably part ways here.”
“Of course,” Xan agreed softly, though his eyes took on a dark glint of hurt and disappointment.
“I expect you to show me that bathtub later. Tonight, perhaps, when the house is quiet.”
Xan’s eyes brightened again. “Janus’s room is on the first floor. He chose it before we arrived. It’s technically supposed to be the housekeeper’s area, but Ren is content on the detached servant’s wing behind the kitchens.”
Urho smiled. “Why did he choose that, I wonder? If his job is to spy on you.”
“He doesn’t sleep well. He likes to walk the gardens at night and sometimes he heads down to the beach. Or so he says.”
“Ah.” That struck Urho as dangerous. “Will he notice if I…”
Xan shook his head. “I don’t think so. If we’re quiet and you leave before dawn.”
Urho hoped Xan was right, but even if he wasn’t, they’d deal with that when the time came. “I’ll meet you downstairs,” he said.
“Yes,” Xan agreed.
Urho wanted to let Xan open the door to his room and show him what they could do in that large bathtub. But they’d already made a spectacle of themselves. If they didn’t want to attract notice, then they needed to be more conscientious and less impulsive. Getting a handle on their libidos would be imperative.
Xan blinked up at him, his blue eyes so hopeful. Urho wanted to kiss the lids and then his mouth again. Instead, Urho said, “I’ll see you soon.”
“Yes. If you get turned around, one of the servants can show you the way.”
Urho reached out and then let his hand fall as another servant came rushing down the hallway with a litter pan. He wished Caleb and Xan didn’t employ so many. “Thank you for keeping your promise to me.”
Xan’s cheeks went dark red, and his smile went shy. “Always.”
Then he ducked into his room and shut the door behind him. Urho fought the urge to open it and follow his lover inside.
Stalking down the hallway, he barely held back a groan of frustration. Keeping his hands off Xan Heelies was going to be harder than he’d ever imagined.
Xan was still running the bath water when the door opened and Caleb stepped in.
“Vale is in their rooms resting, and Jason is with him, of course. Urho is apparently showering,” Caleb said sniffing delicately before rolling his eyes. “And I scent that it was sorely needed. You couldn’t keep yourselves apart long enough for at least a semblance of propriety?”
Xan slid into the water and moaned as the scent of Urho’s spunk washed away from his skin. He splashed his face, rubbing it with lavender and smoke-scented soap, washing away the remains of Urho there too.
Caleb pulled up the chair from the vanity and sat beside the tub. “Here, let me.” He took the soap and grabbed a cloth and a small wooden cup, and then proceeded to douse Xan’s hair thoroughly, until the curls straightened and stuck to the side of his face.
Xan leaned back as Caleb took the soap to his hair. Caleb’s hands were gentle and confident. Xan sighed. “Mmm, that’s nice.”
“So I take it he was worth the wait?”
“He’s so commanding,” Xan murmured. “He just tells me what to do and I do it.”
Caleb hummed softly and used a washcloth on Xan’s back.
Xan regretted that Urho’s scent was being washed away, but it wasn’t as if he could go down to dinner with Jason, Vale, and likely Janus, by that time, reeking of Urho and their combined sex fluids. It wasn’t even right to subject Caleb to it, though he’d barged in on Xan’s bath and taken on the task himself, so it wasn’t Xan’s fault exactly.
Caleb rinsed the soap away carefully, making sure to block Xan’s eyes from the run-off. “Your hair is so silky,” Caleb murmured. “I like how it curls around my fingers.”
“You’re so nice to me,” Xan said, excitement and bliss bubbling wildly in his veins, like he was running on champagne and barely banked arousal. He could still smell Urho in the house, and he wanted to seek him out again, though he knew they had to be sensible.
Caleb assured him, “I’m happy to see you so well-satisfied by someone who doesn’t hurt you.” He chuckled. “Or doesn’t hurt you more than you want.”
Xan splashed the bathwater idly, a smile blossoming uncontrolled over his face. “I loved it. He’s amazing. I admit I’ve been nervous. With all this time and distance, I thought maybe the intensity of the first time was a fluke, but no. It was just as good.” He groaned, flopping back in the water and accidentally splashing Caleb’s white shirt and pants. “I want him to fuck me.”
“I have a feeling he plans to do just that,” Caleb teased.
“I want him to fuck me forever,” Xan said vehemently. “I want to be his omega for real and grow slick and hot when he looks at me. I want to open for him like an omega would. I want to go into heat and take his knot, and I want to have his babies grow inside of me.”
Caleb sat back and pushed his blond hair behind his ear, gazing at him sympathetically. “I wish you could have all of that. If I could simply hand over my womb and everything that goes with it to you, I’d do that in a heartbeat, my love.”
The sadness in Caleb’s voice brought Xan out of his passionate revery. He frowned. “I’m sorry. I’m being selfish.”
“You’re being in love, and I don’t want you to feel badly about wanting what you want. I truly only wish I could solve the problem for you. For both of us.” Caleb smiled softly and slipped his fingers down the side of Xan’s cheek.
“What does a knot feel like?” Xan asked, after the moment had passed. He closed his eyes and tried to imagine it. Alpha cocks were already so large, and since his hole wasn’t as robust as an omega’s, and didn’t make slick like an omega’s, penetration could be painful for him. But glorious. The sensation of being stretched so wide, filled so very full, was unlike any other.
What would it feel like if something even larger pinned him in place? If he was held on his alpha’s knot and forced to submit to it for long swaths of time. He shivered. It sounded delicious.
But, unfortunately, knots only came in the presence of the pheromones of an omega in heat, so it was unlikely he’d ever be able to experience it for himself, even if he was physically capable of enduring it.
“Do you really want to know?”
“I do. Please tell me.” He wanted to be able to imagine it to the fullest whenever he finally had a chance to allow Urho to take him.
Caleb dipped his fingers into the warm tub and then brought them out, watching them drip onto the surface and make small ripples. “In the moment, while I’m being knotted, I adore it like nothing else,” Caleb said, with a strange note in his voice. “It fills me until I can’t think at all. I am nothing but sensation and pleasure. I feel…complete. I come. Over and over. It’s pure, intense, physical satisfaction.” His nose wrinkled and he shuddered. “But when it’s over I hate it. And I resent it. I loathe that I turn into a rutting animal with no mind, and that I beg for something that I can’t stand the thought of otherwise. Biology is a powerful thing.”
Xan frowned, his burgeoning rush of arousal draining away in the face of Caleb’s problems. “I never wanted you to feel that way about me.”
“Oh!” Caleb shook himself. “I was thinking of before. With other men.” He smiled, but his eyes still looked sad. “With you, the knot is made even better because I feel safe. And when it’s over, I feel more peaceful than anything else. And, of course, I feel hopeful.” His eyes took on a happy gleam. “I want so much for a babe to take root. I do very much look forward to my next heat for that reason, darling.” He smiled, love and excitement glowing forth. “I want a family so much, Xan. I know you’ll be a wonderful father, and I think—or hope—I’ll be a good pater.”
“You’ll be a wonderful pater,” Xan assured him. He sat up, taking hold of Caleb’s hand and stroking the fingers tenderly. “I can’t wait to see you with our babe in your arms, chestfeeding.”
“I look forward to that too.” He smiled a bit wistfully. “I do envy how much you want all the rest, though. And while I pity you that you can’t have it, I admit that at times I pity myself more for not wanting it at all.” Caleb sighed. “So maybe I’m the selfish one.”
“No. You’re perfect.”
Caleb grinned. “Oh, alpha mine. Of course you think so. And Urho thinks you’re perfect too.”
“I doubt that. I’m sure he wishes I could give him what his Riki could.”
Caleb’s brow went up. “Are you jealous of his lost omega?”
“No.” Xan shrugged. He wasn’t, not truly, anway. “He’s dead. Nothing can change that. I’m alive and that’s real.” He released Caleb’s hand and took up the sponge, feeling stronger. “You don’t have to baby me. I can finish up myself. I don’t know what came over me.”
“Exhaustion after the satisfaction of extreme lust?” Caleb asked, laughing. “I’ve never seen you like this—so weak with it. I can’t imagine what you’ll be like come tomorrow morning. Unable to leave the bed at all, I imagine.”
Xan splashed water on his face again and laughed. “And sore as wolf’s own hell, too.”
“Yes. Quite sore.” Caleb tossed the soap to Xan. “But promise me one thing. Do be sure to eventually take a break from fucking to get to know one another, all right? I think if there’s any future in this, that’s the direction it will lie.”
He dropped a kiss on the top of Xan’s head and left the bathroom. The steam from the water had fogged the mirror when Xan climbed out to dry off. He wiped it away and took look at himself.
For the first time in a long time, he thought he could grow to like the person looking back at him.