Chapter 1

Tom nervously paced up and down the expansive lounge. When was Nikolei going to get home? The letter sat on the coffee table. Its envelope was white and it looked important.

No one could even guess how important it felt to Tom. This was a make it or break it moment and he was not going to do it without Nikolei.

Someone rang the doorbell. A ding-dong resonated around the big house. Tom eyes narrowed. He grabbed the butter knife sitting next to his half-finished pizza. Who ever came to the house?

As far as Tom knew, everyone who was anyone who needed them just called. He slid past the tactically arranged furniture.

The bell rang again.

"I'M COMING," Tom yelled at the top of his voice. So much for being discrete and quiet.

The knife was pressed so it lied flat on his left arm. The door opened with a tiny click. Nikolei walked in as calm as the plants in the nursery he worked at.

Tom rolled his eyes as a bunch of lilies was placed in the waiting flower vase. The flowers of mourning. Tom concluded that he did stand a very good chance of mourning today.

"So open it," Tom urged not willing to touch the envelope.

Nikolei ignored his partner in favour of arranging the lilies. A slice of pizza found its way into his fingers.

"You are going to have to open it Tom," Nikolei reasoned.

Tom sent one last glare before he grabbed the envelope. His hand shook. Nikolei pushed the letter open into the boy's hand.

With a shaky hand, Tom opened the letter. Time seemed to freeze just for that letter. With quick eyes he scan read the letter. Then let out a yelp for joy.

"Good news, I presume?" Nikolei questioned placing his body behind Tom's. The older man proceeded to read the letter over Tom's shoulder.

"I told you I'd get into Cambridge," Tom said cracking a smile.

Nikolei shared Tom's sentiments. It had been three years since he had plucked Tom from the street.

Three years ago, Tom had been another scared, frail teen. Only in appearance did the boy seem meek. Inside was fire with scorching flames. That and an iron will to carry on. Those qualities are what attracted Nikolei to Tom.

Nikolei would have loved to think that he was the one who had fixed Tom. Fixed? No, that was not the right word. He merely had helped Tom.

He showed young Tom what he was worth. No, he didn't think of Tom as a lover. More like the younger brother he was never allowed to have. Nikolei enveloped Tom into a hug which lasted longer than a brotherly hug should have.

Not that either man cared for that notion. Nikolei's hand's itched higher and he cupped Tom's face between his hands. Cold, rough hands that Tom loved to feel against his skin. He leaned in as Nikolei gently pressed a kiss onto his forehead.

In Nikolei's care Tom knew he had nothing to worry about. It was them against the world. Two brothers joined in everything but blood. Nikolei hissed as he took a seat back into his chair. The new wound would not disappear overnight.

Tom just smiled and grabbed a well-worn first-aid kit from under the leather sofa. Although Nikolei's jobs paid well there was certain risks involved. And all of them included a physical risk. More than once had Nikolei come home this year with battle wounds circling the tanned torso of the man.

Nikolei looked like any other man who owned a nursery this side of Asia. People over here were crazy about their plants. The more unusual the better. Tom had learnt so much from his weekends and from running the store when Nikolei could not. His favourite flowers though had to be carnations. The simple elegancy of the flower is what drew him to the shop in the first place.

Like any other guy once the fascination drew Tom in nothing could take it away from him. Soon he was breeding wilder, more dangerous versions of different plants. Plants were Mother Nature's sweet gifts to society.

Slowly Tom unbuttoned Nikolei's shirt. Nikolei took in another gasp. This recent assassination might have been the most difficult of them all. It had been a long mission and his bones were tired. He was getting too old for this.

"Do you remember your mission Tom?" Nikolei questioned suddenly frightened for the new mission his brother was about to take up.

"Yes, but protecting Alex is something I'd gladly lay down my life for."

"Don't talk like that! You are not going to die," Nikolei argued back fiercely.

"I won't I learnt from the best, Gentleman," Tom said reassuring Nikolei.

The nights leading up to Tom's departure would be some of the most stressful nights of Nikolei's life. There was so much more he wanted to do with Tom. Not all of them bad and not all of them innocent.

A/N: Sorry for the long wait but I had a very valid excuse. I wrote this story down in a notebook which is now in a dump somewhere. After feeling discouraged and saddened I thought I would just quit but now I realise I don't want to quit this story. Thank you for all those who took time to review, favourite and follow. I love every single person who took the time to read.