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“I love you!” Sihtric insisted, stepping closer. “You can’t leave me! You can’t!”
Finan turned first and reached out to grab Uhtred, halting him before he could move. Uhtred practically whimpered beside him, his eyes on Sihtric, and Finan held him tightly as he looked in the younger boy’s general direction. He made sure not to look into his mismatched eyes and he breathed out. “I’m not leaving you.” He said softly. “Neither of us are.”
“You are!” Sihtric wailed and stepped closer.
Finan flinched back, pulling Uhtred with him. He pushed Uhtred behind him and held his hand up, trying to stop the younger boy. “Sihtric…”
“No!” Sihtric pressed closer, moving before Finan could stop him. He wrapped his arms around the older boy’s waist and held him tightly. He felt Uhtred step back and Sihtric grabbed a handful of his shirt and held onto him just as tightly. He tucked his head against Finan’s chest. “I love you, Fin! I’ll die without you!”
For a moment, Finan didn’t move, he hardly breathed. His eyes scanned the empty yard around them and they were still alone. The only other person there was Uhtred’s older brother, Ragnar, and the man was asleep inside the small house. It was early and still dark outside, which was exactly why Finan had chosen the hour, trying to sneak away and avoid this very moment with their youngest counterpart. But then Sihtric had shown up before he could get in his car and drive off. Finan sighed out and wrapped his arms around Sihtric. He hugged the boy tightly against him and tucked his head against his. “You won’t die without me.”
“I will!” Sihtric mumbled against him.
“Don’t worry, Sitty.” Uhtred pressed against Finan’s back and leaned around to look at the younger boy. He smiled and ran his hands through the boy’s hair. “I feel the same way.”
Finan laughed softly. “I’m only gonna be an hour away. I’ll be here on the weekends and holidays. And you can both call me whenever. I’ll answer when I’m not in class. I promise.”
Sihtric just seemed to hug him tighter. “It’s not fair!” He whined. It had only been a few months but he still felt like he would die without them.
Finan sighed as he detached Sihtric and pushed the boy back. He held Sihtric at arm’s length and the boy was biting his bottom lip as Finan met his eyes. And fuck everything, because at that moment, Finan wanted to drop his classes and quit college and never leave either of them. “Sihtric, I love you." He hadn't meant to say it, his brain didn't process it. The words just came out, as if his heart itself had made the declaration. But he found he didn't want to take the words back. "Uhtred?”
Uhtred nodded and stepped closer. He rested his chin on Finan’s shoulder and smiled at the boy. “I love you, too, Sitty. And I love you, Fin.”
Finan tore his gaze away from Sihtric and looked sideways at Uhtred. “Love you.” Uhtred smiled again and pressed a quick kiss to Finan’s lips.
Sihtric let out a whimper and they both looked back at him. “I love you, Uhtred. I love you both and I will die!”
They both just laughed and hugged him again.