The Promises in Silence( BL)

A Promise in Progress

After that heart-wrenching visit, Caleb made a vow to himself: he would build a better life—not just for himself, but for the boy he had promised to come back for. His little Preston deserved the world, and Caleb was determined to give it to him.

Since he couldn't afford to attend college while working full-time, he scoured the internet for online programs in game development and design. It was a field he was passionate about and skilled in, and he knew that advancing his expertise could open doors to better opportunities. The day he received the acceptance email was a turning point.

The notification popped up on his phone during a lunch break at work, and Caleb couldn't contain his excitement. He grinned so widely that Jason, his roommate, noticed.

"Good news?" Jason asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Great news," Caleb replied, laughing. "I got into an online game development program!"

"That's awesome, man! You're moving up." Jason clapped him on the back, and for the first time in weeks, Caleb felt a glimmer of hope.

That evening, Caleb decided to celebrate in a way that mattered most to him. He stopped by a nearby store, buying bags of candy, toys, and food for the kids at the orphanage. He even picked out a small gift for Preston—a notebook and a set of colored pencils, knowing how much the boy loved to draw.

When he arrived at the orphanage, Mother Charity was the first to greet him.

"Caleb! My boy, it's so good to see you," she said, pulling him into a warm hug.

"It's good to see you too, Mother," Caleb said, smiling. "I brought some things for the kids."

"You're too kind," she said, her eyes misting with gratitude. "They'll be so excited."

As Caleb stepped into the main hall, the children swarmed him, their laughter and cheers filling the room. But amid the joyful chaos, his eyes searched for one face—Preston's.

There he was, standing off to the side, his arms crossed and a small pout on his lips. Caleb smiled to himself, recognizing the familiar "angry" face Preston made when he was pretending to be upset.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite little boy," Caleb said, walking over to him.

Preston looked away, his pout deepening. "You haven't come to see me in weeks," he muttered.

Caleb crouched down to his level, a gentle smile on his face. "I know, and I'm sorry. Work has been crazy, but I've missed you so much, Pee. I thought about you every single day."

Preston glanced at him, his resolve breaking. "Really?"

"Really," Caleb said, ruffling his hair. "Now, are you going to stay mad at me, or can I get a hug?"

Preston's pout disappeared as he flung his arms around Caleb's neck, holding on tightly. "I missed you too, Cay," he whispered.

Later, Caleb found a quiet moment to sit with Preston alone. They talked about everything—how Preston was doing in school, whether he was eating well, and if he had made any friends.

"I've made a friend," Preston said, his face lighting up. "Her name's Annabel. She's really nice and smart. And pretty too!"

Caleb forced a smile, trying to ignore the pang of jealousy that shot through him. It's good that he's making friends, he told himself. It's normal.

"She sounds great," Caleb said, masking his emotions. "I'm glad you have someone to talk to."

Preston nodded enthusiastically, talking about how Annabel helped him with homework and played games with him during breaks. Caleb listened patiently, but deep down, a part of him wished Preston didn't sound so excited about her.

Before leaving, Caleb handed Preston the notebook and pencils he had bought. "I know you love to draw, so I thought you'd like this," he said.

Preston's face lit up. "Thanks, Cay! I'll draw something for you next time you come."

"You better," Caleb said, pulling him into another hug.

As he left the orphanage that evening, Caleb felt a mix of emotions. He was proud of Preston for adjusting and making friends, but his heart ached knowing he wasn't there to be the one supporting him every day. Still, he held on to his promise.