The sun was just rising, golden light spilling through the window like a warm secret neither of them were ready to share.
Pete was already awake.
He lay on his side, watching Mek sleep. The boy looked so peaceful now—bare shoulders exposed, lips slightly parted, his body tangled in the sheets like he belonged there. Like he'd always belonged.
Pete reached out, brushing a thumb across Mek's cheek.
"You're gonna be the death of me," he whispered.
But Mek stirred.
His eyes blinked open, hazy and soft. Then widened, just a little, as if realizing last night wasn't a dream.
Pete smiled, cocky and tender at the same time. "Morning."
Mek didn't say anything. He just turned his face into the pillow, groaning. "Don't look at me."
"Too late, babe. I've seen everything."
Mek threw a pillow at him.
Pete caught it with a laugh, grabbed Mek by the waist, and pulled him in until their bodies pressed together again, chest to chest, skin to skin.
And Mek didn't fight it.
He sighed, resting his forehead against Pete's collarbone.
"I don't know what this is," Mek murmured. "But it scares the hell out of me."
Pete didn't hesitate. "Then let it scare you. I'll be right here while it does."
Silence.
Then Mek looked up at him—vulnerable, exposed. "You're not gonna leave?"
Pete leaned down and kissed him—slow and deep. Like a promise made with lips instead of words.
"Only if you tell me to," Pete said. "And even then… I might ignore you."
Mek chuckled, soft and broken. "You're impossible."
"And you're mine."
They kissed again. This time slower, more deliberate. The passion still simmering underneath, but now with something deeper — tenderness. Trust. A little crack of light breaking through Mek's walls.
Hands wandered again.
Bodies moved again.
This time wasn't about heat. It was about claiming.
About saying I'm here without speaking.
And just when it felt perfect—
knock knock knock
They froze.
Mek sat up immediately, yanking the sheets over himself. "What the hell—?"
Pete cursed, pulling on sweatpants as he headed to the door, muttering, "If it's the delivery guy, I swear—"
He opened the door.
And froze.
A guy stood there. Tall, good-looking, wearing a leather jacket and an expression like he owned the world.
His eyes zeroed in on Pete.
Then his voice dropped.
"I'm looking for Mek."
Pete's heart sank.
The guy smirked. "Tell him Khaos is here."