This is a continuation of "The bad way" (.net/s/7152550/). This story has minor references to the previous fic, but can be read independently.

WARNING: Explicit maleXmale sex.

Dawn had come again, but no sign of it could be seen through the thick cloak of grey clouds. Rain pattered rhythmically against the windows, muffling the sounds of the waking city. The room was lazily drinking from the light outside, and the only sound that could be heard besides the raindrops was the relaxed breathing of his young lover.

He looked at him in silence. The boy was sleeping facedown, like every morning. No matter in which position he went to sleep in, he always ended up the same way. He moved a lot in his dreams. His smooth brown hair seemed a nest, with tangles everywhere. But even then, his boy was beautiful.

That morning, though, not even that beauty made him smile. His mood was as dark as that day's sky. He knew he had to make a decision, and that there would be no turning back. Well, in fact, he had made a decision, but he hadn't told the boy yet. He knew he wouldn't like it, and didn't want to make him angry. He was such a child when he was annoyed...

He got up slowly, silently, trying not to wake him.

"Where do you think you're going?" a sleepy voice said at his back. He felt a hand caressing his own, grabbing it gently, and turned around.

"It is very early, go back to sleep" he answered in a low voice, kissing the boy gently.

"If it's so early, come back to bed."

He wasn't planning to go back to sleep, but the sweet voice of his boy was enough to convince him. He snuggled up at his side, softly embracing him. He could feel the sweet smell of the boy's hair, the warmth of his skin, the softness of his hands as they ran up and down his back, slowly. His breath tickled him in the chest as he listened to the rain's lullaby.

In those long, calm moments, no words were needed. He felt complete, happy, at peace.

Without realising he fell asleep again, with Luke in his arms. He had forgotten the difficult situation ahead, the decision that might cost him those very moments.

Later that day, sooner than he would've wanted, he explained his decision to Luke. The boy just stared at him in silence from the other side of the kitchen table. Finally, he said:

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I have thought about it a long time, and I feel I must do it."

"But why?"

"Because I owe him."

"You owe him nothing, Professor. You'll be putting yourself in danger."

"You may be right. I might be putting you in danger as well, but..." he didn't know what else to say.

"And what about us?"

"I will only be six months. A year at most."

"So, let me see if I got it. You are going to bring home a madman who almost destroyed this city. You want me to act like our relationship doesn't exist. I'm not able to touch you outside these walls, and now I won't be able to do it here either. Is that it?"

He nodded.

"This... This is just crazy, Professor!" Luke said, almost shouting.

"I know this is going to be difficult for both of us, but... I also think this will be an opportunity for you."

"An opportunity? For what?"

"For you to, let's say, get away from me. Maybe, if we cannot live the way we have been living thus far, you will be more open to new people and..."

"And what? Find someone else? You... You are just so stupid sometimes! I don't want someone else! Even if this guy stayed here all his life, I wouldn't want someone else! I love you!"

"I know, but..."

"Why can't you understand it?"

It is you who do not understand it. I will be an old man soon, and you? You will still be a bright young man. You do not know this yet, but the day will come when you will want to leave me, and I am sure that, if we continue like this much longer, you will not be able to do it. You will pity me, feel sorry for me, and stay by my side for those feelings, not for love. I do not want you to ruin your life for me, my boy. I would rather die alone.

The professor sighed. "I have made my mind. Clive will come".

"Alright. Fine, just bring the madman."

"Try to be nice to him. I have told you: they will release him, but they do not know if he will be able to adapt to society again. That is why I have agreed to have his custody for a while. He has no family, no friends... Only us."

"Only us, the ones who got him in jail. I don't think this will work."

"It will work. We will make it work".

And I will give him back his life. A good life. The life that kid should have had.