As the afternoon settled in, I stood up from my office chair and stared out the back window deep in thoughts.

Soon enough Agnus and Landon would compile all information I needed on the Silver Strangler and then I would finally get the whole picture. I needed every single little detail on him. The only way to catch a stealthy predator was to analyse them, observe them, learn their methods of attacking, their behavior when stalking their prey, what made them tick, what they preferred. Once I got into his mind. It would be only a matter of time before he's buried six feet under. If there's even a body left after I'm done with him that is.

Grabbing the curtains to let the afternoon glow come in even more, I paused.

What the hell is Elysium doing?

The little menace was climbing a god damn tree without even using a ladder, cheeks flushed, dark hair a wind tossed mess all to reach his kite that was stuck in the tree.

I left the office immediately rushing down the stairs before he injured himself.

"What on earth do you think you're doing? Get down from there, Little lion"I stared up at him the moment I reached the tree in the back garden.

He had the bloody nerve to grin at me from above in response. That reckless bright eyed grin that never failed to give me grey hair since his early childhood.

"What? You told me we couldn't go out today so I came here to fly my kite but it got stuck in here so I obviously had to climb the tree to get it"Elysium said in a matter of fact.

Obviously.

"Right. It is perfectly normal to climb such a tall and huge tree without asking me or your mom for help. You also could have used a ladder, Elysium. Roberto,our housekeeper would have given it to you if you needed one"I chided staring at him sternly.

"Come on. It's not that high." Elysium said stubbornly climbing higher until he gets his hands on the kite. Only then he starts coming down.

"It is. Get down carefully" I said, staring at him protectively. I swear this boy will be the death of me.

"Calm down, old man. Jesus I'm getting down." Elysium grumbled.

"Do you realise you could have slipped and broken your leg?"I asked the moment he got down.

"I'm fine, Cas. Look I'm not hurt" Elysium said showing me his arms.

I gave him a very unimpressed look which only made him groan.

"Alright, I won't do it again. Next time I'll ask Roberto for a ladder"Elysium mumbled.

"Good. I catch you doing something reckless like that again and you're grounded" I said firmly.

"I got it, Cas. I won't."Elysium huffed as he started flying his kite again.

I inclined my head satisfied with his response.

"Say... Can I decorate your face with stickers?"Elysium asked, making me narrow my eyes.

"That's your way of getting back at me for scolding you?"I asked, not buying the innocent look he immediately gave me.

"What? Moi?(Me in French)Of course not. It's just been a while since my stickers last graced your face"Elysium grinned cheekily.

I sighed. "You enjoy this too much"

"I do." He responded without even any ounce of hesitation.

"You're lucky I see you as my son" I muttered walking back inside only to stop when I realised what I said.

I stilled, turning to look at him. He stopped flying his kite, staring at me instead with such a soft vulnerable look, it made me want to keep him safely cradled in my arms like when he was little.

But he is growing up. I won't always be able to hold him in my arms even if I wanted to. I would still be there though. Every step of the way.

"You mean that?"Elysium asked in a barely audible voice.

"I do. I have always seen you as my son." I responded sincerely.

He looked away for a few seconds before staring back up at me. "You know I always wanted to call you Papá(Dad in Spanish)but I wasn't sure if you would like it or if you saw me as such. So I settled with Cas."

My eyes softened unbearably as I approached him and kneeled in the soft grass so we would be eye to eye. "I have always wanted to call you my son. To become your adoptive father. There was never a day where I didn't see you as my son"

"Then why didn't you marry Mamá (Mom)? It's clear you love her dearly. We would have been together all those years. Whenever you came to my sports events and my friends would ask me if you were my dad, I wanted to say yes so badly. But you didn't make a move.. So I thought.. Maybe you didn't want to marry mom because she already has me.."His sniffle made me pull him into my arms, heart breaking that he ever thought that.

"Forgive me, my little lion. I never meant to make you feel this way. The reason why I never made a move and married your mom like I wanted is because.. My parents, my family.. They are traditionalist and there are rules that don't allow me to marry your mom but I promise you. Now more than ever, I'll find a way. You're my child. I cradled you as a child, read you bedtime stories, held your hand whenever you stumbled, taught you how to ride a bicycle, I could never not want to marry your mom because of you. You're not a burden. You're my precious boy. You hear me? When you're ready and you want to, you can call me Papá, I would be honoured to be called your dad, my child"I rubbed soothing circles on his back.

Elysium nodded, clinging to me tighter. "Mamá will be fine, right? That guy who hurt her, you won't let him get to us again?"

"No. Not even close. As long as I'm breathing, I will never let him get to you both"I responded, holding him protectively.

"Also, since you confessed to Mamá.. I have a few rules for you"Elysium said, pulling away and wiping his tears quickly. His face now serious and stern.

"Alright, I'm listening"I responded wondering what's on his mind.

"If you ever marry mom. You can't make her sad. Ever. You can't hurt her, make her cry or deny her something if that makes her feel happy. If you do, I will call child services." Elysium said, looking so much like a younger version of me that I had to bite back my smile.

"Your message has been received loud and clear," I responded.

"Good, come on, let's decorate that grumpy face of yours. It might make you look less like a grinch" Elysium said walking inside the house like a sarcastic little tyrant.

I shook my head at him. He's always been like that since he was little. Whenever we discussed something emotional, he would soon cover up his true reaction and feelings with sarcasm and humour. But I think it was his way of protecting his heart. I see it now. He simply didn't want to bare his heart to someone and get crushed.

So he leveled up the sarcasm to deflect how much the little things I did mattered to him. It made sense. He simply didn't want to get too attached in case I ever left. And I never would. I would erase every flicker of doubt in his mind moving forward. And one day we would have that family life he wanted together.

Walking back inside, I settled on a nearby stool while Elysium brought stacks of stickers from Dinosaurs, Space, Pirates to Animals, Monsters, Rainbows, Food, and Vehicles ones.

Here we go again. I don't even know why I keep buying them for him at this point.

I still didn't move as he meticulously arranged the stickers and started sticking my face with the space ones first.

"You know you almost look less emotionally constipated now" Elysium mused just as Celine walked downstairs.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "I'm not emotionally constipated"

"You are not but you look like it with that poker face you wear all the time when outside. Even with the maids you talk like a robot. A very emotionless one who might be plotting murder before bedtime"Elysium said, sticking a damn rainbow on my left cheek.

Celine's laughter echoed around us as she pulled out her phone to take pictures. "He's right."

"Not you too. Little Flame" I grumbled.

"Hold still. I'm going to add the pirate boat on your forehead."Elysium chided, concentrating as if this was a very important task.

I grunted in response, remaining still while Celine's laughter filled the living room further, making this safe house feel more alive than it has ever felt. And with all honesty, I wouldn't change it for anything.