Jake could very well have suffered an emotional breakdown thanks to that little Kazakh who had him completely delirious. Every movement of Aibek's, every gesture, every time their gazes met, was a direct blow to his self-control. He felt genuinely happy to have his attention, to feel that, little by little, the barriers the boy always put up were crumbling in his presence. However, he had to be cautious; he was driving, and the road, though clear, demanded his absolute attention. He had to take care of Aibek more than ever; he didn't want to cause him another bad moment, especially now that the accident in the forest had occurred just an hour ago and both their nerves were still raw.
"Beky... do you feel okay?" Jake asked, breaking the silence with a voice that tried to be firm but betrayed its own softness. He hoped for a positive response; he almost needed it. He didn't want to see him unwell, he didn't want him to suffer anymore, whether from the physical pain of the fall or that weight of sadness that sometimes seemed to cloud the younger boy's beautiful dark eyes. That was why his words were always chosen with almost surgical delicacy.
"I'm fine, thanks to Jake... you're very sweet," the black-haired youth commented without thinking. Those words struck the Canadian's chest like a direct hit. Aibek, oblivious to the effect he had just caused, looked out the window. Outside stretched a vast forested landscape, a panorama that, under the afternoon light, seemed taken from a storybook. The beauty of the surroundings was such that Aibek didn't hesitate to take out his notebook. With surprising fluidity, his fingers began to dance across the paper, capturing not just the forest, but the sense of peace that was beginning to sprout within him.
"I'm so glad, Beky... sweet Beky," Jake whispered, trying to normalize his heartbeat. The car moved smoothly along the winding road. Jake took advantage of a straightaway to stretch his right hand out and caress, with an almost ethereal touch, the back of the younger boy's hand that held the notebook. Aibek reacted by looking up, meeting blue eyes that reflected a devotion which, although he tried to hide, was evident.
"We can stop if you want... the scenery is much better if you can see it without the glass in the way," he proposed calmly, awaiting the acceptance of his little companion.
"Can we?" he asked with a spark of joy that lit up his face. He was fascinated. It was like being at the edge of the world; the forest opened up to reveal hills dancing under a violet-tinged sky, and a few kilometers away, the sparkle of the sea indicated the proximity of the beach where they had been just a day earlier.
Jake pulled the vehicle over slowly. As soon as the engine died, the silence of the forest enveloped them. He took Beky by the hands, helping him descend with a protectiveness the Kazakh accepted without hesitation. Being out of the car allowed them to appreciate the magnitude of nature.
"It's beautiful..." Aibek whispered, settling in to draw. Now nothing could interrupt his strokes, no jerky movements or vibrations. However, before he could sink into his art, he felt a warm weight on his shoulders. It was Jake, placing a thick, knitted scarf around his neck, ensuring the biting cold that lashed the area wouldn't cause him the slightest discomfort.
"Oh... Thanks, Jake... that's very kind of you," Aibek said with a smile that reached his eyes. He let out a tender giggle, a sound that to Jake was worth more than any gold medal. He felt happy that the Canadian had such pure, selfless attentions.
They remained like that for a long while: the Kazakh sheltered under Jake's protective arm while the Canadian became his shield against the wind. Aibek drew wonderfully, losing himself in the details of the landscape, while a light snow began to fall, transforming the forest into a monochromatic painting. They had to return soon; the snow on the road could be dangerous.
"Beky... it's time to go back, little one, come on..." Jake mentioned with an overflowing happiness. He took the younger boy gently, guiding him toward the car. As they walked, Jake felt so relaxed, so full of that warmth only Aibek could give him, that his mind began to wander. Suddenly, his gaze was lost in space, imagining a shared life, a cabin of their own, afternoons like this but in a permanent home; he even imagined small details, like the sound of children's laughter mixing with the environment.
"Oh, yes! Yes! But... Jake?" Aibek asked when he felt them stop suddenly and felt Jake wrap him in his arms, pressing him against his chest. It was such a warm sensation that the younger boy blushed deeply, hiding his face in the older man's jacket. Although he loved the sensation, he worried that the Canadian might be going through a bad moment or some dark thought.
"Jake?" he repeated, receiving only silence.
Jake's mind was miles away, in that daydream where his reality was a family. He was so immersed in the visualization of those "movie moments" that he didn't hear the wind, nor the cold, nor the younger boy's call. He was in his perfect bubble.
Suddenly, a dry tap on his cheek snapped him out of his reverie. Aibek, feeling ignored and shivering from the cold while waiting, had given him a little slap.
"Ah! What happened?" Jake exclaimed, bringing his hand to his cheek, totally disoriented. Aibek, seeing the reaction, groaned at the annoyance of being out there, exposed to the elements just because Jake had decided to get distracted.
"Shouldn't we be in the car?" he reproached, pulling out of the hug with a gesture of childish indignation. He got into the car immediately, crossing his arms and looking out the window with a pout that, far from bothering Jake, he found incredibly tender.
"Oh, no... I hope Beky isn't too angry..." Jake thought aloud while getting into the car, feeling like a complete idiot for losing track of time. He started the engine and drove in silence for several minutes, while the snow thickened outside.
"Jake..." The voice, previously soft, now had that hint of annoyance that tried to hide a genuine concern. "What happened to you? Why did you stay like that?"
Surprise reached Aibek's purple eyes. Jake looked at him for a second; the Canadian realized his own cheekbones were flushed, and not just from the cold. He knew he had to be honest, even if only halfway.
"I... nothing... I was just daydreaming... sorry for getting distracted," he ventured to say.
"And what were you dreaming about?" Aibek asked, softening his tone. His curiosity was genuine; he wanted to know what his companion liked so he could talk more about it.
"About... lions! Yes, I dreamed about lions..." Jake lied, letting out a forced laugh. It was evident that the dream of a family was a secret he had to guard at all costs until the moment was right.
"I sometimes dream about bears! Very cute bears! I like them! Don't you?" Aibek turned completely in his seat, his eyes shining with a renewed spark. He was happy and calm, thinking Jake had been totally sincere.
"Bears? They're beautiful! Big and handsome, very cute, fluffy, and brown," Jake began to describe the bears with a passion that made Aibek feel even more excited. The Kazakh listened to every word as if it were music.
"They're beautiful! Very big! Loving! Very cute!" The previous anger had vanished completely. Now, the cabin was filled with radiant energy.
"I know! I'll take you to the zoo tomorrow! We'll go see the bears! And if we can, we'll spend time with the bear cubs!" The promise floated in the air, sealed by the excitement of both.
"Yes! Let's go! I already want to be with the bears!" Aibek raised his arms, celebrating, and went back to his notebook. Now, instead of landscapes, he began to trace the figure of a bear and its cubs with an affection that made Jake's heart jump with joy.
They talked during the entire ride back. They imagined what would happen if one day they decided to live together, how they would decorate their home, what kind of bears they would have in their dreams, and how they would complement each other in every aspect of life. The complicity was total, an electric current that kept them united.
Suddenly, the urban landscape began to appear. Aibek didn't realize they had already reached the apartment complex. When the car stopped, he sat for a moment, laughing happily at the memory of the promise to see the bears tomorrow. It was such a pretty idea, so full of promises, that he got lost in it. He felt for the first time that the future wasn't something to fear, but something to be excited about. Jake, seeing him so absorbed in his happiness, smiled with a peace he had never known before, knowing that, regardless of the obstacles—whether Zinov or any other stone in the way—he would always be there to take care of his little, brilliant queen.