LOGINThe nightmare left Kai restless for the rest of the night. He woke up a few more times, breathing fast, but Damien stayed right there each time. He spoke softly, rubbed Kai’s back in slow circles, and reminded him he was safe. By morning, Kai looked tired but calmer. The sun came through the windows, turning the bedroom walls a soft gold. Damien lay beside him, one hand resting lightly on Kai’s arm.“You slept a little,” Damien said quietly. “How do you feel now?”Kai turned toward him. His eyes were still heavy. “Better than last night. The dream keeps coming back, but your voice helps. It pulls me out. Thank you for staying with me.”Damien brushed hair from Kai’s forehead. “I’ll always stay. No matter how many nights it takes. Today I have something planned. I’m going to see a therapist myself. Just for an hour. I want to learn bette
The morning light came soft through the bedroom windows. Damien woke up with Kai still curled against his chest. The night had been quiet after their gentle time together. No nightmares. Just steady breathing and the warmth of being close. Damien stayed still for a few minutes, listening to Kai’s even breaths, feeling grateful for the small peace they had found. He kissed Kai’s shoulder lightly and slipped out of bed.In the kitchen, Kaicen was already up, making coffee. He looked more settled than the day before.“Morning,” Damien said. “Big day today. Board meeting about the first major reform. Kai’s coming with me for support. You okay here?”Kaicen nodded and handed him a mug. “I’ll be fine. I have more apartment listings to look at. Maybe I’ll go see one later. How are you feeling about the meeting?”Damien took a si
The morning light came through the windows soft and steady. Damien woke up first again. He lay still, feeling Kai’s warm body curled against him. The night before had been good slow, safe, full of quiet words and gentle touches. Damien kissed Kai’s shoulder lightly before getting up. He pulled on comfortable clothes and walked to the kitchen. Kaicen was already there, making toast.“Morning,” Damien said. “Sleep okay?”Kaicen nodded. “Better. I’ve been thinking. I should start looking for my own place soon. I don’t want to overstay. You and Kai need your space.”Damien poured coffee for both of them. “Take your time. You’re not in the way. But if you feel ready, we can help you look. No rush though.”Kai walked in a few minutes later. He looked rested. He came over and hugged Damien from behind for a moment, then sat down. The three of them ate breakfast together. Toast, fruit, quiet conversation. It felt almost normal now.Then Kai’s phone buzzed. He picked it up and frowned. “It’s L
The dinner plates were cleared and the kitchen lights turned low. The three of them had talked quietly over the meal, small pieces of the day shared without pushing too hard. Kaicen helped wash the last few dishes, then said goodnight and headed down the hall to the guest room. Kai watched his brother go with a soft look in his eyes before turning back to Damien.“Today was good,” Kai said. “Hard, but good. Spending time with Kaicen felt right. Like we’re starting to figure out what being brothers means.”Damien nodded and took Kai’s hand. His grip was light, careful. “I’m glad. You both needed that. I stayed here and tried to give you the space. It wasn’t always easy, but I did it. For you.”Kai stepped closer and rested his forehead against Damien’s. “I know. And I felt it. Thank you. I think I need you tonight. Not in a big way. Just… close. Safe. Can we go to bed?”Damien kissed his forehead. “Yes. Whatever you need. Slow. Gentle. I’ll check in the whole time. You tell me if anyth
Damien woke up first the next morning. He lay still for a while, feeling Kai’s steady breathing against his chest. The comfort from the night before still lingered. He kissed Kai’s forehead gently and slipped out of bed without waking him. In the kitchen, he started coffee and thought about the day ahead. The board meeting had taken a lot out of him, but he felt clearer now. His focus had truly shifted. Protecting Kai’s peace mattered more than anything.Kaicen came out of the guest room a few minutes later. He looked rested but still a little lost in his own thoughts.“Morning,” Damien said. “Coffee’s almost ready. How did you sleep?”Kaicen sat at the counter. “Better than I expected. The bed is comfortable. Thanks again for letting me stay.”Damien poured two cups. “You’re family now. No thanks needed. Actually, I was thinking maybe you and Kai could spend the day together. Just the
The morning light filled the bedroom slowly. Damien lay awake for a while, feeling Kai’s steady breathing against his chest. The night had been gentle, full of quiet touches and soft words. He kissed the top of Kai’s head before carefully slipping out of bed. Kai stirred but didn’t wake fully. Damien pulled on a fresh shirt and pants, then walked to the kitchen to make coffee.Kaicen was already there, sitting at the counter with a mug in his hands. He looked up when Damien entered.“Morning,” Kaicen said. “Couldn’t sleep much. Kept thinking about everything.”Damien poured himself a cup. “Same here. But we’re moving forward. I have a board meeting today at ValeTech. First big one since the changes. Kai wants to come with me for support. You okay staying here alone for a few hours?”Kaicen nodded. “I’ll be fine. I might call my old job, see if they need anything. Or just sit with my tho







