A week after their accidental confession, Kael realized something important.
Dating Adrian was exhausting.
Not emotionally.
Physically.
Because Adrian apparently believed personal space was a government conspiracy.
“You’re doing it again,” Kael muttered.
Adrian looked up from where he was half-lying across Kael’s bed, scrolling through his phone like he paid rent there. “Doing what?”
“Using me as furniture.”
“I’m not using you as furniture.” Adrian shifted slightly, resting his head more comfortably on Kael’s lap. “Furniture doesn’t complain this much.”
Kael stared at him in disbelief.
“You have your own apartment.”
“And yet I’m here.”
“That wasn’t an invitation.”
Adrian grinned without looking away from his phone. “Your door was unlocked. That sounds like fate.”
Kael wanted to stay annoyed.
Unfortunately, Adrian smelled like rain and expensive detergent, and his dark hair was soft beneath Kael’s fingers.
Which was another problem.
Because Kael had started touching him without thinking.
Little things.
Fixing Adrian’s collar.
Brushing hair out of his eyes.
Absentmindedly playing with his fingers during movies.
Every time he realized he was doing it, he’d immediately pull away like he’d touched fire.
Adrian noticed every single time.
“You know,” Adrian said casually, “normal boyfriends usually kiss each other occasionally.”
Kael nearly choked on air. “Who said we’re normal?”
“Fair point.”
Silence settled between them.
Outside, rain tapped softly against the apartment windows. The room glowed warm under dim yellow lights, quiet and comfortable in a way Kael still wasn’t used to.
Adrian suddenly tilted his head back to look at him.
“You’re thinking too loudly again.”
Kael frowned. “That doesn’t even make sense.”
“It does when it’s you.”
Kael looked away first.
That also kept happening.
“…I’m just not good at this,” he admitted quietly.
Adrian’s expression softened immediately.
“At what?”
“This.” Kael gestured vaguely between them. “Us.”
For once, Adrian didn’t joke.
He sat up slowly until they were face to face, knees touching.
“Kael,” he said softly, “you act like you need to become someone else before you’re allowed to be loved.”
Kael froze.
Because that—
that hit too close.
Adrian reached over, gently hooking his finger through Kael’s sleeve.
“But I like you exactly like this.” His voice dropped quieter. “Even when you overthink every single thing.”
Kael felt his chest tighten painfully.
“You make everything sound easy.”
Adrian smiled a little.
“No,” he said. “You just make me want to stay.”
