Knot me on ice, Captain(BL)-Chapter 174: Mr. & Mrs. Reid

Miller

"It’s big on me," Leo pouted, looking down at himself. He was wearing my black hoodie and the jeans he’d arrived in last night.

I’d washed and dried them while he was still asleep.

The sleeves swallowed his hands, and the hem fell almost to mid-thigh.

"I look so small in this," he complained, lifting his hands.

"I know," I said, stepping closer to adjust the collar. "I like it. It looks good on you. Makes me feel like you’re really mine."

He scoffed.

"Come on, babe." I leaned down and kissed him. "You look cute. Very, very cute."

He rolled his eyes and folded his arms, pretending to be mad.

"Come on, babe, we’re going to be late," I said, then slapped his ass on the way out.

"Miller!" he yelled.

I chuckled as I rushed out of the house.

We left together, taking my Aston Martin out of the garage.

The city streets were still wet from the rain, the remains glistening under the morning sun.

Leo sat quietly in the passenger seat beside me, his fingers occasionally tugging at the too-long sleeves of my hoodie.

Throughout the ride, he didn’t stop complaining about it, and each time, I just watched him without saying anything. But deep down, all I could think about was how lucky I was to have someone like him in my life.

A few minutes later, we left the main road and headed toward the hill on the outskirts of Oak City.

Leo noticed the change immediately. He glanced behind us, then back at me. "Where are we going?"

"You’ll see," I replied, taking my eyes off the road for a moment to smile at him.

The drive took another five minutes before we reached our destination.

"A cemetery?"

I nodded. "Yeah. I want you to meet my parents."

I parked near the entrance and led him along the winding path until we reached a simple double headstone beneath an old oak tree. We stopped in front of it.

My parents’ names were still clearly etched into the stone.

Eleanor & Thomas Reid.

"Mum... Dad..." I muttered, taking Leo’s hand in mine. "This is Leo. Dr. Leo Ackerman. He’s my boyfriend—the man I’m going to spend the rest of my life with."

"The rest of your... your life?" Leo stuttered.

"You heard me," I said softly. "I’m going to spend the rest of my life with you, because I love you so much, Leo."

Leo looked up at me, then stepped forward and wrapped his arms tightly around me. "Oh, Miller," he whispered.

I held him just as tightly, breathing in his familiar scent mixed with my hoodie.

After a long moment, he asked quietly, "I hope this doesn’t sound insensitive, but... how did your parents die?"

I swallowed hard, clenching my free hand. "It was on my birthday. They were driving to the party venue when a truck ran a red light and hit them head-on. Neither of them survived. They died on the spot, before the ambulance could arrive."

Leo’s arms tightened around me. "I’m so sorry. That must have been devastating for you."

I nodded, staring at the headstone. "I miss them so much. They would have loved you if they were alive."

"I’m sure they would," Leo said, stepping forward toward the headstone, still holding my hand.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Reid." He cleared his throat before speaking. "My name is Leo Ackerman. I am currently in a committed romantic relationship with your son, Miller Reid. Statistically, relationships that prioritize open communication and emotional vulnerability have a significantly higher chance of long-term success. I intend to apply these principles consistently. I will also ensure Miller maintains proper hydration levels and regular neurological check-ups, as he has shown a concerning tendency to neglect both, and—"

I couldn’t hold back the laugh that burst out of me. It echoed softly across the quiet cemetery.

"Jesus, Leo... they wouldn’t have understood a single word of that. You just gave my dead parents a full medical briefing on our relationship."

I laughed again.

Leo shot me a dry look, though the corner of his mouth twitched upward. "It was a logical and respectful introduction."

"You told them I don’t drink enough water," I said, still chuckling as I pulled him back against my chest. "Only you would do something like that. Then again... you are Leo."

He relaxed into the hug, resting his cheek against my shoulder.

"I wanted them to know I take care of you. Even if they can’t hear it."

"Right. You could’ve tried that in simple English, but I’m sure they heard you," I teased.

Leo chuckled.

We stayed a little longer. As I stared at the headstone, I started telling him stories about my parents—the ones I still remembered.

How my mom used to blast music and dance in the kitchen while she cooked. How my dad taught me to skate when I was barely four and laughed every time I fell.

Leo listened carefully, only asking questions when he needed to.

By the time we finally left the cemetery, it was late afternoon. We’d spent nearly two hours under the oak tree, talking about our childhoods and embarrassing memories.

Instead of heading home, I drove us straight to the oldest bridge in Oak City. It overlooked the river and the skyline, making it one of the most beautiful spots in the city.

I parked near the pedestrian path, and we walked hand in hand until we reached the railing.

For a few seconds, we just stood there, staring at the river below.

Then I turned to him, cupping his face gently with both hands.

"Thank you for coming last night," I said softly. "Thank you for not giving up on us... even when I almost did."

Leo leaned into my touch, his warm eyes meeting mine. "I should have never let you. I let my fear get in the way for too long, and it affected us."

I shook my head and leaned in, kissing him slowly right there on the bridge, the wind tugging at our clothes.

The kiss started gentle, then deepened. Leo’s hands slid up around my neck, pulling me closer like he never wanted to let go.

When we finally broke apart, our faces were still close, foreheads touching.

"I love you," I whispered against his lips.

Leo smiled before replying, "I love you too, Miller. Even if you get on my nerves most of the time. Even when you’re being an overly dramatic alpha who runs off to another city without answering his phone."

I laughed softly and kissed him again—slower this time, savoring the moment like we had the entire world to ourselves.