As Adrian rushed around the room, Matteo watched his every move. The truth was, he had already been trying to get over the hurt from their conversation that morning. Adrian had apologized, and that should have been enough.

But seeing him go to such lengths to make it up to him?

That was new.

A faint flicker of amusement stirred beneath Matteo’s carefully controlled expression. Usually, he was the one spoiling Adrian, coaxing him, and bending over backward to make him smile. Seeing their roles reversed was unexpectedly entertaining.

So Matteo kept his face blank and said nothing, curious to see just how far his stubborn partner was willing to go.

Meanwhile, Adrian finally spotted the hair dryer and snatched it up in triumph.

"Got you!"

Clutching it like a prize, he hurried toward the nearest outlet. But in his rush, his foot slid across the sleek hardwood floor.

His eyes widened.

"Ah—!"

The world tilted beneath him as he completely lost his balance.

Before he could hit the floor, Matteo’s powerful arm shot out and wrapped around his waist, pulling him flush against his chest.

"Watch it," Matteo growled softly, staring down at him.

He kept his arm around Adrian, holding him there for a long moment. His expression remained stern and unreadable, giving away nothing.

But beneath that carefully maintained poker face, Matteo was fighting back a smile. Watching Adrian scramble around trying so desperately to make him happy was far more entertaining than he would ever admit.

Adrian finally steadied himself, his pulse still racing from the near fall. Looking up at Matteo, he immediately leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek.

"Thank you, baby. Thank you for catching me."

Only then did Matteo release him.

Adrian plugged in the hair dryer and climbed back onto the bed. Sitting close, he carefully guided the warm air through Matteo’s damp hair.

"I don’t want my baby getting sick," Adrian murmured sweetly.

The soft hum of the dryer filled the room. Every few moments, Adrian would lean down and steal another kiss, one on Matteo’s forehead, another on his cheeks, then one along his jaw.

As if kisses were just as important as drying his hair.

Once his hair was completely dry, Adrian bounced over to the closet. He bypassed the formal wear and selected a comfortable, household outfit: a pair of soft gray sweatpants and a clean white T-shirt.

After choosing Matteo’s clothes, Adrian grabbed the skincare bottles from the vanity. He rubbed the lotion between his palms and began smoothing it over Matteo’s face.

He tried to stay serious, but his playful nature completely took over.

His hands wandered down his chest, his fingers teasingly brushing against Matteo’s nipple. "Oh, my pink nipple, I love it," Adrian played, his voice dripping with affection as he leaned down to plant a soft kiss right on Matteo’s nipple.

Matteo’s jaw clenched, his breathing hitching instantly. He quickly took over the skincare routine himself, moving Adrian’s hands away because he knew if he let the teasing continue for even another second, he would completely lose his composure.

Adrian giggled, completely unbothered. Grabbing a comb, he carefully styled Matteo’s hair into a neat but relaxed look.

Once he was satisfied, he reached for Matteo’s favorite cologne. After spraying a generous amount on Matteo, he mischievously sprayed some on himself as well.

"There," Adrian declared proudly.

He took a deep breath and smiled.

"Now I smell exactly like my baby."

With that, he wrapped his arms around Matteo’s neck again and leaned against him.

"I love him way too much," Adrian hummed happily, sounding not the least bit ashamed of it.

Matteo’s chest swelled at the words, a genuine smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He quickly fought it back, determined to maintain his serious expression.

"Alright, everything is perfect," Adrian declared, grabbing Matteo’s hand and tugging him toward the bedroom door. "Come on. Let’s go feed your stomach, my big baby."

Adrian walked a step ahead, leading the way downstairs while keeping a firm hold on Matteo’s hand.

Following behind him, Matteo finally gave up on hiding it. A wide, fond smile spread across his face as he watched Adrian fuss over him, acting exactly like a guilty child determined to make things right with the person he loved most.

Suddenly, Adrian turned around.

The moment their eyes met, Matteo quickly wiped the smile from his face and slipped back into his usual serious expression.

"Baby," Adrian said, still holding his hand, "after dinner, when we’re both relaxed, I have something important to tell you, okay?"

Matteo studied him for a moment before giving a small nod.

"Okay."

Satisfied, Adrian flashed him a bright smile and turned back around.

Hand in hand, they continued down the stairs together.

But the moment they stepped into the dining room, before they could even take their seats at the grand table, Adrian suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Thinking about all the energy he had just spent trying to please his boyfriend, Adrian let out a dramatic scoff.

Seriously. With all the effort I’ve put in today, if I apologize properly later and he still gives me the silent treatment, I’m done.

In his mind, an imaginary scene immediately played out.

Fine. I’ll wait until he falls asleep, chain both of his hands to the headboard, smack him on the head, and kick his ass.

Adrian turned slightly and absentmindedly threw a few dramatic punches and kicks at the empty air as he continued the ridiculous fantasy in his head.

No, no. First I’ll make sure his hands are tied tightly together for my own safety. Then boom. One hit here. One kick there.

That’ll teach him not to take all my hard work for granted.

Matteo watched the ridiculous display, raising an eyebrow in pure disbelief. "What are you doing?"

Adrian froze mid-kick.

His eyes widened. Oh no.

Had he been acting out his thoughts this entire time?

Slowly lowering his foot, he looked at Matteo and forced out an innocent smile.

"Nothing."

Matteo stared.

Adrian’s smile widened. "Absolutely nothing."

Without wasting another second, he hurried to Matteo’s side and pulled out one of the heavy dining chairs with exaggerated politeness.

"Please, have a seat, baby."

Before Matteo could question him further, Adrian spun toward the doorway.

"Dinner!" he called out loudly. "Please serve dinner!"

The staff immediately moved into action while Adrian pretended nothing unusual had happened at all.

Matteo took his seat, his intense gaze following Adrian as he walked around the table and slid into the chair right beside him.

Adrian glanced at Matteo’s still-stoic expression and narrowed his eyes.

You better forgive me tonight, big head.

The insult echoed in his mind.

After everything I’ve done today, you’re still wearing that face?

Matteo caught the look Adrian was giving him and raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

Adrian immediately looked away. "Nothing."

Adrian’s lips pressed into a small pout.

So stubborn.

Matteo picked up his utensils and began eating.

Across from him, Adrian rested his chin on his hand and smiled sweetly. "Sweetheart, are you enjoying your meal? Do you want me to feed you?"

Matteo paused and looked at him for a long moment. "Cut the act," he said flatly. "Tell me what’s going on in that head of yours."

Adrian let out a dramatic sigh, his shoulders slumping. "That’s my baby. Always so smart... I love you." He reached over and gently patted Matteo’s hand. "Don’t worry about it right now. Enjoy your dinner first. The conversation can wait until we’re done."

Matteo held his gaze for another second before nodding. "Alright then. Focus on your meal and stop staring at me like you’re already planning my funeral."

"Alright, then focus on your own meal and stop staring at me like you’re already planning my funeral."

Adrian flashed a bright, innocent smile, but internally, his mind was racing. How the hell did he know? Keeping his inner thoughts completely hidden, he nodded quickly.

"Alright, Daddy. I will focus entirely on my food right now."

"Good. Stop talking already," Matteo said.

Finally, they turned their attention to dinner.

Every now and then, Adrian would place a piece of food onto Matteo’s plate. Before long, he was sneaking bites directly into Matteo’s mouth as well, unable to stop fussing over him even while eating.

Matteo pretended to be annoyed by it...