Chapter 9

Adrian’s POV

As the morning light slowly filtered through the curtains, I woke gradually, still half-lost in sleep. My arms were wrapped tightly—almost possessively—around Ethan’s warm body, and for a moment I simply stayed there, breathing him in. The memories of the night before lingered in the quiet room, soft and intimate, and a small smile curved on my lips.

Then Ethan shifted slightly in my arms.

A faint wince crossed his face, and the smile on mine faded at once. I loosened my hold immediately, careful not to hurt him, and pushed myself up on one elbow so I could look down at him properly.

“Hey,” I murmured softly, brushing my thumb over his shoulder. “How are you feeling this morning?”

Ethan blinked his eyes open slowly. He gave me a weak but affectionate smile, the kind that made my chest tighten.

“Sore,” he admitted, voice quiet and a little shy. Then his smile softened even more. “But… a good sore.”

I nodded, understanding instantly and gave a soft smile. My hand lingered on his arm for a moment before I carefully slipped out of bed.

“Stay right there,” I said gently, pulling on a pair of sweatpants. “I’ll be right back.”

In the bathroom, I turned on the tap and let the tub fill with warm water, testing it with my hand until it felt just right. I added a few drops of lavender oil, watching the scent rise softly with the steam.

When I went back to the bedroom, Ethan was still lying there, looking tired but peaceful. I slid one arm beneath his back and the other under his knees, lifting him carefully.

He wrapped his arms around my neck instinctively, pressing his face against my chest. The warmth of his skin against mine made my heart ache in the best way.

“I’ve got you,” I whispered softly, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. “Just relax.”

I lowered him slowly into the bath, watching the tension leave his body the moment the warm water touched him. He let out a quiet sigh, his shoulders finally relaxing.

I knelt beside the tub and gently began washing him, slow and careful, my touch soft wherever I knew he might be sore. I ran my hands along his shoulders, his back, his arms.

“Adrian,” Ethan murmured after a moment, looking up at me with relaxed eyes. “Thank you”.

I smiled, leaning down to kiss his forehead gently. “Of course,” I said quietly. “You deserve to be cherished. Every part of you.”

When the bath was finished, I helped him out slowly, wrapping a towel around him and drying him carefully like he was something fragile and precious. I dressed him in sweatpants and one of my loose t-shirts, noticing the way he still winced slightly when he moved.

“Sit here,” I told him gently, pressing a soft kiss to his lips before heading to the kitchen.

Breakfast didn’t take long—scrambled eggs, toast, and fresh fruit. I also grabbed a bottle of painkillers and an anti-inflammatory cream before heading back to him.

He was sitting on the edge of the bed when I returned, looking tired but calm.

“Here,” I said softly, handing him two pills and a glass of water. “Take these. They’ll help.”

He nodded and swallowed them, then looked up at me again with that soft expression that always made my chest feel too full.

I sat beside him and gently pulled him into my lap, wrapping my arms around him. He leaned into me immediately, resting his head on my shoulder like it was the safest place in the world. I picked up the plate and began feeding him slowly, alternating bites between the two of us.

“You know,” I murmured quietly, brushing a strand of hair away from his face, “I never thought I’d be the type to take care of someone like this. But with you… it just feels natural. Like it’s exactly where I’m supposed to be.”

Ethan lifted his head slightly, his eyes shining in that soft morning light.

“I never thought I’d find someone who would care about me this much,” he whispered. “You make me feel safe, Adrian. Loved.”

My heart tightened at the words. I pulled him closer, pressing a slow, gentle kiss to his lips.

“I do love you,” I whispered against his mouth, holding him just a little tighter. “More than anything in this world.”

Ethan’s POV

The sunlight streaming through the windows felt softer than I remembered, almost like it was diffused just for us. My hair was still damp from the bath Adrian had helped me with, and I was wearing one of his oversized t-shirts and soft sweatpants. I felt… light, comfortable and seen in a way I hadn’t been for a long time.

Adrian was moving around the kitchen, humming quietly, making tea and lunch like it was the most ordinary thing in the world. Ordinary, but perfect. I watched him for a moment, leaning against the doorframe, and realized how at home I felt here—even though I wasn’t home, not really.

“Hey,” Adrian called softly, glancing back at me. “Want some tea? Or coffee?”

“Tea sounds perfect,” I said, smiling. The words felt strange on my tongue, almost too simple for how I felt inside, but I said them anyway.

He poured the tea and handed it to me, the warmth filling my hands. “Here,” he said, and I felt my chest tighten again. Just a look, a handoff of a cup, and I felt… cherished.

I carried it over to the sofa and settled in, letting him sit beside me. Our knees touched, then shuffled closer until our thighs pressed together lightly. I couldn’t stop glancing at him. The way his hair caught the sunlight, the curve of his jaw, the way his eyes softened whenever he looked at me…

“You know,” I murmured, “I’ve never felt this calm around anyone before. Not like… like I can just… be.”

Adrian reached out and brushed a thumb along my cheek. “I know exactly what you mean,” he said softly. “I feel the same. I can let my guard down with you, and it’s… freeing. Like I can breathe.”

I leaned into him instinctively, pressing my forehead to his shoulder. “I don’t want this to end,” I whispered.

“Then it won’t,” he said quietly, pulling me closer. “Not if I have anything to say about it.”

For a few minutes, we just stayed there, quiet, holding onto each other. The city outside could have burned down, and I wouldn’t have noticed.

“Hey,” I said suddenly, sitting up a little. “Bet you can’t catch me.”

Before he could react, I darted down the hallway toward the room, laughing loudly. My heart was full of warmth, and I couldn’t resist teasing him a little.

Can’t catch me.”

Adrian groaned dramatically. “Ethan! You’re cheating! That’s not fair!”

I peeked back at him over my shoulder, grinning. “All’s fair in love and play, Adrian.”

He lunged after me, and suddenly we were both laughing, dodging around furniture. He caught me eventually, his arms wrapping around my waist and lifting me just slightly off the floor.

“Gotcha,” he said, his breath warm against my neck.

I squirmed playfully, trying to push him away, but he held me firm. “Adrian!” I laughed, my cheeks red from exertion and laughter.

“You love it,” he whispered with a grin.

I froze for a second, realizing he was right. I did. I loved this. Loved the way he could make me laugh even when my chest still felt full from last night. Loved the way he could make me feel safe while also making my heart race.

After the laughter died down, we settled back onto the sofa, tangled together again. I rested my head on his shoulder and watched him sip his tea, the little furrow in his brow as he thought about something else, maybe plans for the day, maybe nothing at all.

“I want to ask you something,” I said after a few minutes, hesitant.

He turned toward me. “Anything.”

“What… what do you see us as? I mean… after this?”

Adrian took a deep breath, as if the question deserved thought, and then his eyes softened in a way that made me melt.

“I see us together,” he said quietly. “Not just moments like last night, not just mornings like this. I see a future where we can trust each other completely. Where we can laugh, argue, care, and love… and just be ourselves.”

My chest tightened in a way I hadn’t expected. “I… I want that too,” I whispered. “More than anything. I’ve never… felt this with anyone before.”

He smiled, brushing his fingers through my hair gently. “Then we’ll figure it out,” he murmured. “Together.”

The rest of the day passed in quiet, soft intimacy. We cooked together, laughed over tiny mistakes in the kitchen, teased each other, and stole quiet kisses in between. I tried to take in everything—the way his hand fit over mine, the way his laughter made my stomach ache, the way the sunlight seemed to linger on him just a little longer.

By the time afternoon rolled around, I realized something important: it wasn’t just the night, or the show, or the playfulness. It was him. Adrian. The way he made me feel safe, cherished, and alive all at once.

And I didn’t ever want to let that go.