Falling In Love, Again
Blurb
Xavier Whitman {DO}
All I wanted was to keep the promise I made in childhood
Xavier Whitman {DO}
Find them, and maybe find peace
Xavier Whitman {DO}
But then I met Xander Williamson
Xavier Whitman {DO}
A quiet genius, a walking contradiction, and the university’s most infuriating perfectionist
Xavier Whitman {DO}
We were forced to work together
Xavier Whitman {DO}
Oil and water, chaos and calm
Xavier Whitman {DO}
And somehow, between the arguments, the late-night study sessions, and the silences that lasted too long… he got under my skin
Xavier Whitman {DO}
He’s everything I never planned for
Xavier Whitman {DO}
And everything I can’t seem to walk away from
Xavier Whitman {DO}
I thought keeping my promise would be the hardest thing
Xavier Whitman {DO}
Turns out, falling for him is worse
Xander Williamson {DA}
Peace and control that’s all I ever wanted
Xander Williamson {DA}
And then Xavier walks into my world
Xander Williamson {DA}
Loud, chaotic, impossible
Xander Williamson {DA}
While I spend hours in library corners
Xander Williamson {DA}
He’s collecting chaos in detention halls like it’s a hobby
Xander Williamson {DA}
He tests my patience at every turn, but somewhere between the arguments and the moments I didn’t realize I noticed, he became a part of my world
Xander Williamson {DA}
And the more I resist, the harder it becomes to deny it
Xander Williamson {DA}
And now I can’t help but wonder if we were ever meant to be
Xander Williamson {DA}
Or just meant to cross paths
Naved
Helloooo my lovely people!
Naved
Your authy is back again with another story
Naved
This time, it’s about our cutiepie couple from “Reborn to Love My Prince Who Never Became a King”
Naved
Here’s their journey of becoming who they are now
Naved
A soft, sweet, and heartwarming short story just for you all
Naved
This story is a complete standalone, so even if you haven’t read Zane’s story, you can still dive right in and enjoy it!
Naved
Thank you so much for reading and supporting me always
Naved
it means the world 🫶
Naved
Happy reading ahead! 💫
Prologue
The park was warm with late afternoon sun, and the cherry blossoms had begun to fall, tiny pink petals catching in the grass like confetti.
Two children, no more than five, chased each other between the trees
Their laughter came easy, the kind that sounded like summer itself
Xavier stopped first, falling back onto the grass, chest rising with small, happy breaths
The other boy - Poppy - dropped beside him, hair full of blossoms like a crown nature had gifted without asking
They stayed like that for a while, staring up at the sky
Xavier (O)
Papa will call me soon…
Xavier (O)
If I don’t go, he’ll worry
The other boy pouted, his eyes round and earnest
Poppy
My father will shout, too
They both went quiet for a moment, in the way children do when they understand sadness but don’t yet know the name for it
Then Xavier straightened a little, very serious
Xavier (O)
If he shouts at you again, remember what I taught you
He lifted his tiny fists the way he had seen older kids do
Poppy tried to copy him but only looked softer, like a kitten trying to roar
Poppy
(quietly) I’m only brave when you’re with me…
Xavier’s expression changed
Xavier (O)
I’ll always be with you
Xavier (O)
We’ll always play together. Okay?
Poppy
Then… let’s get married when we grow up!
Poppy
Like the prince and princess in Disney
Poppy
They stay together forever
Xavier nodded, without hesitation without fear without knowing how heavy promises can become
Xavier (O)
Yes. Let’s marry when we grow up
He held out his pinky finger
The other child linked theirs, smiling wide, innocent, bright, believing
The cherry blossoms swirled around them, as if blessing something they didn’t yet understand
Xavier came home still smiling, petals tangled in his hair, the day’s laughter still warm on his cheeks
He was ready to tell Papa about everything the butterfly, the crowns, the promise.
But when he entered the house, the air felt different
There were bags near the door
Daniel sat quietly, holding one of his toy cars but not playing with it
Papa Elias and Dad Andrew were talking softly, voices slow and tired
Xavier stopped in the middle of the room, his smile fading a little
Elias turned toward him, trying to smile but it didn’t quite reach his eyes
Andrew bent down and lifted Xavier gently into his arms
Andrew Whitman {A}
we have to move to another city
Andrew Whitman {A}
Dad’s job… we have to leave very soon
Andrew Whitman {A}
Maybe tomorrow
Xavier’s small hands tightened on his father’s shirt
Xavier (O)
(He whispered, voice tiny and wobbly)
Xavier (O)
But Poppy will look for me…
Elias Whitman {O}
(Face softened)
Elias Whitman {O}
(He sat beside them, rubbing Xavier’s back slowly)
Elias Whitman {O}
We didn’t want to leave so fast
Elias Whitman {O}
We wanted more time too
Xavier’s tears began to fall slow, like when rain starts with only a few drops
Xavier (O)
I didn’t get to say bye…
Elias Whitman {O}
Then we’ll go
Elias Whitman {O}
Let’s go tell him
They walked to Poppy’s home a small house with white curtains and clay pots lined near the steps
Poppy was sitting on the front porch, swinging his feet, drawing shapes on the ground with a stick
He looked up when he heard footsteps and his face lit up the way only a child’s can
Xavier didn’t say anything he just ran to him and wrapped his arms around him tight.
Poppy froze for a second - confused - then hugged back, just as tight
Their cheeks were pressed together
Their hands clung like they were afraid to let go
Xavier (O)
(pulled back, eyes shiny and soft)
Xavier (O)
I have to go… tomorrow
And then his tears came too fast, this time
Poppy
But… we said we’ll play tomorrow…
Xavier (O)
(nodded, sniffling)
Poppy wiped his nose with the back of his hand, but it didn’t help much
Xavier held out his pinky just like earlier, just like always
Poppy’s hand shook a little. But he linked his pinky through Xavier’s tight
Cherry blossoms from the nearby tree drifted softly in the wind, as if the world was listening
Chapter 1
Morning light filtered lazily through the pale curtains of Xavier’s room, casting a golden haze over the mess of soft toys and sketchbooks scattered across the floor
His bed was an absolute fortress of pillows, blankets, and plushies as if he needed an army to protect his sleep
He always slept curled up in the middle of it, hair sticking up in every direction, lips puffed into a tiny pout
Daniel stepped inside on tiptoes. He was older by a few years, tall enough now that he had to duck a little under the dreamcatcher Xavier had insisted be hung above the door
His expression held that familiar big-brother mischief the kind that meant Xavier’s morning peace was already doomed
Cold water splashed directly onto Xavier’s face
Xavier bolted upright with a shocked breath and then
Xavier Whitman {DO}
DANIELLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!
The entire house heard it. Birds outside the window probably heard it
Downstairs, in the kitchen, Elias closed his eyes and took a slow breath
Elias Whitman {O}
They started again (he said with the kind of tired fondness only a parent could have)
Beside him, Andrew didn’t even pretend to hide his laugh. He leaned his hip against the counter, arms crossed, eyes soft
Andrew Whitman {A}
At least Xavier is awake. Kind of
Upstairs, chaos had already set in.
Daniel was halfway down the hallway, running, laughing, while Xavier - barefoot, hair dripping, blanket still half hanging off him like a cape - charged right after him
Xavier Whitman {DO}
YOU YOU RUINED MY SLEEP, YOU MENACE!
Daniel stopped just long enough to catch Xavier in a headlock, ruffling his hair until Xavier squeaked
Daniel Whitman {DA}
Get up, you little demon
Daniel Whitman {DA}
We have to go out
Xavier Whitman {DO}
I was having my beauty sleep!
Daniel Whitman {DA}
You sleep like a pig
Daniel Whitman {DA}
Pigs don’t need beauty
Xavier Whitman {DO}
(Offended gasp) 8 hours is a healthy sleep cycle!
Daniel Whitman {DA}
8 hours
Daniel Whitman {DA}
But not sleeping at 3 AM and waking up at noon
Xavier Whitman {DO}
(stomped)
Xavier Whitman {DO}
Dadddddd
Daniel Whitman {DA}
Paaaaaaa
From downstairs came the real voice of authority sweet, loving, but terrifying.
Elias Whitman {O}
(shouting) If both of you are not downstairs in 15 minutes, teeth brushed, hair combed
Elias Whitman {O}
NO breakfast AND NO lunch!
Two sets of footsteps froze
Daniel and Xavier looked at each other
Daniel Whitman {DA}
Run (Whispered)
Xavier repeated, and they took off again, but this time toward the bathroom.
Andrew leaned his head onto Elias’ shoulder, laughing softly.
Elias shook his head, exasperated but smiling with the same love that had shaped this home since before their children were born
Their house was loud. Messy. A little too chaotic at times.
Download NovelToon APP on App Store and Google Play
