Alex was a little taken back when Hope started to freak out at the mention of Alex meeting Rexus.  Alex has been able to handle himself very well for a long time and a piece of shit like Rexus was no big deal to him.  Rexus could not do the same thing to Alex that he had done to Hope because Alex was not as weak as Hope was.  Hope would have done anything to protect his mother.  “Relax Hope.”  Alex said as he placed his own arms around the young man. “I do not plan on letting that man get anywhere near me.”<br/><br/>Alex was trying his best to get Hope to calm down and relax about what could happen to Alex.  He could tell right then and there the extent of Hope’s feelings for him.  Then with everything that Hope was telling him Alex was just amazed that this young man had such strong feeling and it had nothing to do with the fact that Alex was helping him.  Hope was right about the way Alex felt because it was true.  Every time he found something he cared about they always disappeared, which was part of the problem with his relationship with his parents.  It was there, but yet a little distant.  But for some reason his parents seemed to understand and were always there for him.<br/><br/>Alex was a little surprised when Hope rolled on top of him, but he had to admit to himself Hope felt like he belonged there.  Alex instinctively placed his own arms around Hope as the man snuggled into his chest.  Alex could not help but smile at the young man’s comments, “Never knew that sunshine had a smell to it.”  Alex said with a shrug.  When Hope asked how he knew where his mother was Alex was too proud to tell him that he did it, he didn’t want more praise from the young man for doing something and decent person should have done.  He was trying to think of some way to distract the man, so with the position they were in Alex took his finger and lifted the young man’s head and kissed him.   “I am not used to people having so much faith in me.  Or saying such sweet things.”<br/><br/>Alex was still thinking about the things that had transpired in the bedroom before they left.  Alex was thinking of the way his body had responded to the feel of Hope on top of him.  He was not suppose to be having these feelings for this young man, that was not his intentions when he brought him home but it looked like the fates had other plans.  He was discovering that it really was not bothering with the idea and he was going to quit fighting it and just let it flow.<br/><br/>It was not until Hope rubbed his thumb against his hand that he had even realized that he had been holding it.  But once again he found it was not bothering him.  They got out of the car and once again Alex had no problem holding Hope’s hand as they stood over the grave.  As he was reading the markings on the headstone it was not until the moment how true those words really were.  “When I had this commissioned I had no idea her child’s name was Hope.”  Alex admitted out loud for the first time.  “We can spend as much time as you need.”  Alex said as he leaned over and kissed Hope’s cheek and let go of his hand and made his way over to the bench to sit down.