Chapter Text
Robert doesn't really know what has gotten into him when he first signs for the custody. Maybe he's drunk or maybe he's possessed by some spiritual spirits (tho he doesn't believe in that, mind you). Nevertheless, here he is, sitting on some Law Firm after signing the agreement for adoption. Marco will surely laugh at him when the blonde knows this.
"Thank you Mr. Lewandowski," says the attorney in front of him, Mats Hummels, if he recalls the name correctly.
Robert does a thorough look of the man once again. Marco's type, Robert thinks. If only the blonde is here, no, wait, if the blonde is here, Robert sure he will be a laughing stock. Good thing he decides to come alone.
"Very well, Mr. Lewandowski." The attorney has done checking up all the files. He holds a button on the intercom while saying, "Sarah, please bring the boy in now." Mats then smiles back to Robert and it makes the latter wonders if Mats actually loves to smile or it's just a business smile.
Robert smiles back though. He keeps fiddling with his fingers, a gesture of nervous. "You'll do fine, Mr. Lewandowski. I could see from your record you're a good and responsible man," Mats speaks up with a soothing voice, somehow it calms Robert a little. Just a little, because he still can hear his heartbeat.
There is a knocking before Mats tells the person to get in. Robert turns around and there he finally meets the source of all his anxiousness. A boy, a seventeen years old teenage boy (yeah he has already checked the boy's information thoroughly), stands in front of the door with a woman next to him, probably Sarah. The woman tells the boy something that makes him finally lifts up his head and meets Robert's eyes. The boy quickly glances to other sides, avoiding Robert and does he just blush?
Mats coughs. "Sarah, you could leave Erik here and get back to work."
The woman named Sarah doesn't say much. She only nods after gives a push for the boy to get closer to both Robert and Mats. The latter decides to stand up and walks to youngest of the three, "Erik, this is Mr. Lewandowski and he will be the one responsible of you."
Robert knows it's his cue to introduce himself. He extends his hand for a hand shake. The boy, Erik, stares warily before Robert coughs, "My name is Robert, just call me Lewy, I insist. Your parents and I are best friend. I'm sorry to hear what happened to them."
Somehow, mentioning Erik's parents has made the boy sad. Not that it's confusing. Well, who wouldn't be sad when their parents just died? Then after about a week or so, someone claimed to be their best friend and wanted to take care of him. That is exactly what Robert is doing, adopting Erik into his wings. "Erik, right?" Robert asks again, hoping to gain the boy's attention.
Erik startles a bit. He looks at Mats, who nods, and with a gulp, shakes Robert's hand. "Yes, my name is Erik Durm. Nice to meet you, Sir, I mean Lewy."
Robert gives a satisfied smile and he swears the blush on Erik's face is even more obvious. Maybe his decision is not bad at all.
-x-
"So, how is this adoption thing going on?"
Being friend with Marco for a long time, Robert has gotten used to the random remark from the blonde. They are inside Robert's office. More like, Robert is inside his office when Marco decides to barge in and interrupt his work. Fortunately, this is his corporation, so he doesn't have to worry to get mad, but still.
"I think this is still a working hour, Marco," he answers while still staring to the computer screen, typing.
Marco grins. He sits on the desk. "I see someone's trying to avoid the subject. You know I'm surprised when I heard that Robert Lewandowski has a son. I thought you said you're careful."
Robert groans. He stops typing and looks to Marco who has a huge smirk. The blonde has got him apparently. "I am careful," he hissed. "You know I owe a lot to Durm family, that's why."
"Ah, yes, yes, the story of how they helped you in the past." Marco blabbers and Robert just sighs. "Seriously, you could just give him money and education, not adopting him to be your son."
"Your problem?" Robert squints his eyes.
"Have you told Anna about this?"
“Yeah, I have.”
“What did she say about this whole adoption thing?” Marco raises his eyes, implying that he wants to know more than just a ‘good or alright’ thing.
“She said it’s fine,” Robert shrugs his shoulders. “It’s not like we’re together anymore, you know.”
To that statement, Marco shoots from Robert’s desk to stare at his boss directly. “You mean, you’re not together as in together? Why didn’t I know this?”
“Because,” Robert trails his answers. “It is none of your business. Besides, for public purpose, we are technically still together.” Marco looks deeply to Robert, wants to more than just that but seeing the latter’s expression, he knows it’s his sign to stop. “So, if you have nothing to say, please go back to your work. I believe you have some journals to finish by the end of your shift.”
“Well, speaking of journal, I heard that the lawyer you’ve met yesterday is handsome, is he not?”
Robert just shakes his head. He knows how Marco would play the game, he just doesn’t want to be involved. He also does not need to know where the hell Marco knows about Mats, but he is sure for one thing, Marco always has his way. “How about Mario? You guys are still together right?”
To the mention of Mario’s name, Marco just shrugs. “Nah, we broke up, not really broke up, you know. We don’t even have anything, just friends with benefit or stuff. Now, tell me more about this Mats.”
Marco is gay, Robert has known this ever since the first time they met and the former tried to hit on him. It was to no avail, of course for Robert was straight and hence, they are friends now. Okay, yeah, sometimes they do jerk off together, but it’s just that. Marco has – had – Mario and Robert has – had – Anna.
Don’t forget Erik.
He shakes his head. Why would he think of the boy in his care now? For heaven’s sake, he’s not even legal yet. Robert shakes his head. Nah. He is just taking care of the boy like how the Durm family has taken care of him once. Well, yeah. Only that.
-x-
When he gets home from work, he does not expect a smell – something delicious – from the kitchen nor does he anticipate to see Anna – his (ex) girlfriend – with Erik, sitting on the dining room, laughing (or at least Eric smiles and Anna does the laughing). When Anna sees Robert, she grins (somehow evilishly in Robert’s opinion). “Ah Robert! Finally you’ve decided to join us, come here.”
Upon hearing Robert’s name, Erik turns around and it is obvious that somehow the boy doesn’t expect him to get home this early. Well, thanks to Marco who tells him to get home (he wonders who the boss actually is, Marco or him). “Anna, to what do I owe this surprise?” asks Robert nonchalantly.
Anna stands up from her chair when Robert’s close to her and gives a peck to his lips. On the corner of his eyes, he notices that once again, Erik has turns away. Anna then moves to the stove to finish whatever she’s cooking just now.
“So,” Robert coughs. “How’s your day at school?”
Erik nods. “Good, everything’s normal.”
“Ah, that’s good then. How’s your moving?”
“Just a little bit for the unpacking.”
Robert nods and both of them are back to silence. The boy continues to eat while Robert, though he doesn’t want to admit, watches the boy in front of him intensely. “You know you are making him even more nervous, Lewy,” whispers Anna suddenly.
Robert jumps a little bit cause of that and Anna just winks. “Here’s your dinner, big boy. Guess I have to take my leave now. See you.” Before Robert could even protest, Anna has kissed him on his lips a little bit longer than necessary. When they are apart, Anna grins before she takes her purse and walks out to the front door. Of course, act as courtesy, Robert walks her to the door.
There, he hisses. “What are you doing?”
Anna smirks. “Just checking on you, who knows you’ve found yourself a little pet already, cute if I may even add.”
Groaning, Robert says, “Gosh, you hang out with Marco a lot.” The woman just cackles.
“Well dear, you’re the one who’s friend with Marco, not me. Anyway, I shall go now before it’s too dark. Enjoy your dinner, if you know what I mean.” Again, Anna winks. “See you later, big boy.”
When the doors finally closed, Robert just shakes his head. He wonders why everyone around him has gotten lunatic or it’s just him.
“Erm…Uncle Lewy?” Hearing his name being mentioned by the boy, Robert turns around abruptly and finds Erik has stood up in front of him.
“Yes?” He smiles softly. “And by the way, Lewy is fine. Uncle makes me look so old.”
Erik chuckles a little to that. “You are older than me though,” he murmurs.
“But not that old,” Robert teases. Erik somehow blushes to that and Robert just couldn’t stop grinning. Guess he knows a little about how Marco feels when the blonde teases him then. “So, what is it you want to ask?”
“I… is it okay for me to live here?” The boy turns his head away, avoiding Robert eyes again.
Robert sighs. He manages to lead Erik to sit on the sofa in the living room, taking both Erik’s hands with his left. “Yes, who says anything about I’m not okay?”
Erik bites his lips, one habit to show his nervous, Robert supposes. “It just that… I am afraid of imposing you. I mean –“
“Ssh,” Robert interrupts the boy. “Do not worry, okay? I want to do this, so think of me imposing your life and not the other way around.” He put a wide smile on his face. At first Erik doesn’t look convinced enough, but after Robert squeezed his hands for reassurance and the smile on the older man’s face, finally, for the first time, Robert could see the boy smile incandescently.
And Robert tries to ignore this stupid heartbeat he has out of nowhere.
-x-
For almost two months they are together, everything is fine. Erik is a good boy and if anything, the boy is a good cook either. Robert has made sure to get home before dinner to have one with the boy and then he’ll do the dishes after. Of course, Erik offers but one could only ask so much. In the morning, breakfast is simple, either breads with jam or milk and cereals. Robert is fine with anything. He’s not get used to that luxury yet though.
There is this one night that is different though. He does not know if Erik still remembers but seeing as how the things between them changes a little bit, Robert’s sure that the boy also could not forget about that night.
It happened one week after Erik moved to Robert’s place. After he has finished with the dishes and anything, Robert goes to take a shower and finishes his work. It is a little to midnight when he heard a whining sound – from Erik’s room. Curious, he stopped typing and walked to the boy’s room. Slowly not to make a sound, he opened the door to take a peak. He saw that Erik kept tossing around, left and right.
Nightmare. Robert guessed.
“Unghh,” Erik whined. “Mom, dad,” murmurs the boy many times.
Robert couldn’t take it so he allowed himself to get inside the room and moved to the bedside. “Hey,” he whispered while shaking Erik’s body, trying to wake up the boy. “Hey, Erik, hey.”
The boy woke up, eyes-wide, mouth gasping for air. Robert could hear the breathing sounds coming from the boy and it tore him apart. “Easy, easy, you’re fine. Relax. I’m here. You’re not alone.” Robert should have learnt more on how to comfort people because he didn’t know if he had done a good job with it or not. The next thing he knew though was Erik’s warm body pressed against him. The boy hugged him around the waist tightly. Robert was hesitated at first, but slowly he replied the hug and pats the boy’s back. “Ssh, you’re fine. You’re fine. It’s okay now, it’s okay.”
When he felt something wet on his shirt, he realized that the boy was crying. It was evident from the trembles coming from the boy’s body. Robert didn’t speak anything. He didn’t offer himself nor the boy asked him to, but he knew that he couldn’t leave the boy alone for the night. So he did what he had to. He helped the boy to lie back down and he himself lies beside the boy. They hugged for the rest of the night. No one said a thing, just enjoying the warmth from each other. When he was certain that Erik had gone to sleep, Robert did something unexpectedly. He kissed Erik’s forehead and slowly, he himself joined Erik to sleep.
-x-
“Well, I see someone has been happy.” Marco teases Robert on one afternoon when they are out in a café for what Marco would call as a tea time. Whatever it is, Robert is fine with that because he needs the rest. With Erik around and the deadline projects piling up, Robert could use some time for himself. “Wow, you’ve got to see this.”
At first, Robert doesn’t care but because Marco keeps bugging him, he finally decides to look up to where Marco is pointing. There, at the tip of Marco’s point finger, stood Erik with someone he knows as Mats Hummels. Marco knows Erik’s face because the blonde had once come to his apartment just to so called visiting. “So the lawyer has thing with your little pet, I suppose.”
“His name’s Erik and you guys should stop calling him as my pet cause he’s not.”
Marco grins. “Oh sure, they’re looking here.” Robert turns his head back to where Erik and Mats are standing. Erik’s expression looks surprised and in horror while Mats just, well, Mats, smiling all along. A few minutes later they come inside the café and sits in their table because Marco insists. “So, what are you guys doing?” asks Marco. Robert knows that the blonde is trying to somehow woo Mats, hopefully he doesn’t bark at the wrong tree. Well, if Marco does, he knows sooner or later his friend will find his way.
“Just doing my job,” Mats answers while sipping his coffee oh-so-gently and Robert could see that Marco’s licking his lips seductively. He shakes his head. “Ah, to know if my friend here is capable of taking care of Erik or not, is it?”
“Something like that.” The lawyer nods. “However I’m assured that I have nothing to worry about.”
“Oh, don’t worry. My friend here is kind and will make sure that Erik will get everything he needs.”
“I’m sure about that,” Mats replies. This time, he turns his head to face Marco and Robert knows by then it’s his cue to somehow drag Erik out because it seems like Marco has not barked at the wrong tree this time.
He permits himself and Erik to go home because – just because. On their road to the home, no one talks a thing with Robert’s driving and Erik seems to be in deep thoughts. When he stops on the red light, Robert turns to look at Erik. “Are you okay? What were you talking with Mats before?”
Erik mutters, “He – he just asked me how I am and if I am being treated good.”
“Ah, I see. You seem close to Mats though.” The grip on the wheel is tighter and somehow there’s this anger inside Robert’s tone that he’s trying to suppress.
“Well, Mats has been like a big brother to me, so yeah. It just. I – I am asking for his advice.”
“Advice?” Robert raises his eyebrows, looking to Erik who has somehow turns to his direction too. They are now staring at each other. Robert’s blue eyes filled with wonders while the kid’s light green eyes somehow with anxiousness. The horns sound from behind them makes Robert to turn his attention back to the road. Apparently the light has turned green and he is stopping the traffic. He curses and quickly drives back to his apartment. He has to solve this quickly before it bothers him more than it should be. They don’t talk anymore for the rest of their way home.
-x-
Robert is certain that Erik is hiding something and he demands an answer. After they have arrived to the apartment, Erik quickly runs to the room, hides himself there until it’s dinner time. While Robert, he is just too lazy to get back to work and he couldn’t concentrate with what has happened. Besides, Marco is probably doing something with the lawyer right now and he doesn’t want to get back to the office and jumps into whatever it is.
Their dinner is even more awkward. Nobody talks and since Erik just gets out when dinner time, Robert has ordered a take out for the night. Erik offers to do the dishes and since Robert is tired, he doesn’t object. He leaves Erik to sit on the sofa, turning on the television showing some soap opera. Erik, who has finished the dishes, joins him later on. The boy doesn’t speak anything and sits beside him. Robert doesn’t complain though. What he doesn’t expect is when the boy hugs him tightly like at that night.
“Erik?”
“Please don’t leave me. Please don’t cast me. I will be a good kid,”
“Whoa, easy. Why do you say that out of nowhere?” Robert’s confused. Why would the boy think that Robert will cast him away? If anything, Robert intends to keep the boy under his wings as long as he could.
“I heard you ask Mats what would happen if I turn eighteen, that if I have been legal enough that means you don’t have to take care of me anymore.” Erik shakes his head on Robert’s chest, hugs the man even tighter. “I don’t want to live alone, I want to be with you.”
That statement meant nothing, Robert knew but somehow it chokes him. The boy is just too innocent for his own good. Sighs. Robert pulls a bit, breaking the contact they have. He lifts Erik’s face up and he smiles. “Hey, I asked that because I need to know all the conditions. Besides, if you’re old enough, you might want to live alone, by yourself than with an old man like me.”
Erik shakes his head. “No! I won’t leave you, I want to stay with you.”
“Well, then that makes us two. I will take care of you until you’re tired of this old man, I suppose.” Robert chuckles and initiates the hug. He pats the boy’s back like what he did once when the boy had nightmare. Erik doesn’t say anything and leans on Robert’s chest. With their position right now, they are so close, Robert could even smell the shampoo the boy used and it intoxicates him somehow. He groans a little. Guess he should ask Marco for a help after this.
Erik yawns. Of course, it’s midnight and the younger of them has to take his rest already. Silly, Robert thought. How that awkward atmosphere before has finally gone to something else. He takes Erik in bridal style, because the boy’s such a heavy sleeper, to the bedroom. He lays Erik on the bed and tucks the latter.
Somehow, whatever it is, Robert has managed to lean closer and closer until he is an inch away from Erik’s mouth. However, instead of putting their lips together, he chose to kiss the forehead instead and whispered, “Good night.” He turns of the lamp and walked out from the bedroom.
Little did he know though, Erik is awake. He opens his eyes just the moment the sound of the door closed is heard. Erik touches his forehead slowly. A timid smile is plastered on his face as his hand trails to his lips, which could almost touch Robert’s one just now.
And he whispers to the darkness.
“Why wouldn’t he?”
-x-