The Carter mansion was unusually quiet that night.
Lucas walked slowly through the long hallway, his footsteps echoing softly against the polished marble floor. The soft golden lights on the walls created a calm and peaceful atmosphere, completely different from the tense business environment earlier in the day.
He sighed and loosened his tie.
"What a stressful day…"
The meeting with Harrison Group had drained him more than he expected.
Daniel Harrison's insults, Adrian's protective reaction, and the tense atmosphere in the conference room kept replaying in his mind.
Lucas rubbed his forehead.
"I need sleep."
He was mentally exhausted.
Not just from the business meeting.
But from Adrian.
Especially Adrian.
The way Adrian stood in front of him.
The way he grabbed Daniel's wrist.
The way he said don't touch him.
Lucas stopped walking.
His heartbeat suddenly felt strange.
"Why am I thinking about that again…"
He shook his head.
"This is bad."
He continued walking toward his room.
But halfway through the hallway, he noticed something.
The light in Adrian's study room was still on.
Lucas frowned slightly.
"Still working?"
It was already past midnight.
Lucas hesitated for a moment.
Then he walked toward the door and knocked lightly.
Knock.
No response.
Lucas knocked again.
Still nothing.
He slowly pushed the door open.
Inside, Adrian was sitting at his desk, surrounded by files and documents. The laptop screen glowed faintly in the dim room.
Adrian was asleep.
Lucas blinked.
"…Seriously?"
Adrian's head rested slightly against the chair, his eyes closed, his expression calm and tired.
Papers were scattered across the table.
Lucas walked inside quietly and closed the door.
"You worked yourself to sleep…"
He walked closer and looked at Adrian carefully.
This was the first time Lucas had seen him this relaxed.
Without the cold expression.
Without the sharp gaze.
Without the CEO-like pressure.
Adrian looked… human.
Lucas sighed softly.
"You're going to destroy your health at this rate."
He picked up some files and placed them neatly on the table.
Then he gently tapped Adrian's shoulder.
"Adrian."
No response.
Lucas tapped him again.
"Adrian, wake up."
Adrian moved slightly but didn't wake.
Lucas sighed.
"You're really tired."
He looked around the room.
Then he noticed the time on Adrian's laptop.
2:14 AM.
Lucas frowned.
"You worked until this late?"
He shook his head.
"This guy is crazy."
Lucas gently touched Adrian's shoulder again.
"Adrian, go sleep in your room."
Adrian slowly opened his eyes.
His gaze was slightly unfocused.
"…Lucas?"
His voice was low and sleepy.
Lucas nodded.
"Yeah. You fell asleep at your desk."
Adrian blinked slowly.
Then he sat up slightly.
"What time is it?"
"Past two."
Adrian frowned slightly.
"I see."
He tried to stand up, but his body swayed slightly.
Lucas immediately stepped forward and held his arm.
"Careful."
Adrian froze slightly.
Lucas was very close.
Too close.
Lucas didn't notice.
"You're exhausted," Lucas said.
Adrian looked at him quietly.
Their faces were only a few inches apart.
Lucas suddenly realized how close they were.
"…Uh."
He slowly released Adrian's arm.
"Sorry."
Adrian shook his head.
"It's fine."
Lucas looked away.
"You should sleep."
Adrian nodded slightly.
Lucas picked up some documents.
"I'll put these away."
Adrian watched him quietly.
Lucas moved around the room, organizing files and turning off unnecessary lights.
After a few minutes, Adrian spoke.
"Lucas."
Lucas turned.
"Yeah?"
Adrian looked at him.
"Why are you helping me?"
Lucas blinked.
"What kind of question is that?"
Adrian remained silent.
Lucas shrugged.
"You were working yourself to death."
Adrian stared at him.
Lucas scratched his head.
"And you protected me earlier."
The words slipped out naturally.
Adrian's eyes softened slightly.
Lucas looked away.
"So… I guess this is repayment."
Adrian stood up slowly.
"You don't need to repay me."
Lucas smiled faintly.
"Still."
He walked toward the door.
"Go sleep."
Adrian nodded.
They walked out of the study room together.
The hallway was quiet and dim.
Lucas yawned.
"I'm really tired."
Adrian glanced at him.
"Then sleep."
Lucas nodded.
"Yeah."
They reached Adrian's room first.
Lucas leaned against the wall slightly.
"I'll go to my room now."
But Adrian suddenly spoke.
"Lucas."
Lucas turned.
"What?"
Adrian opened the door.
"Come in."
Lucas frowned.
"…Why?"
Adrian spoke calmly.
"You look exhausted."
Lucas laughed.
"And?"
Adrian stepped inside.
"You might collapse before reaching your room."
Lucas sighed.
"I'm not that weak."
But his body was already tired.
Extremely tired.
Adrian placed a glass of water on the table.
"Drink this first."
Lucas walked in reluctantly.
"Fine."
He drank the water.
The cool liquid relaxed him slightly.
Adrian sat on the bed.
"You should rest for a few minutes."
Lucas sat on the sofa.
"Just five minutes."
Adrian nodded.
Lucas leaned back.
The soft sofa felt comfortable.
Very comfortable.
His eyes slowly closed.
He didn't even notice when sleep took over.
Adrian watched him quietly.
Lucas was sleeping.
Peacefully.
His breathing was slow and steady.
Adrian stood up and walked closer.
He looked at Lucas carefully.
Lucas looked different when he was asleep.
Relaxed.
Soft.
Harmless.
Not like the arrogant villain everyone believed him to be.
Adrian sighed quietly.
"You really are strange."
Lucas moved slightly in his sleep.
He looked uncomfortable on the sofa.
Adrian frowned.
"This position will hurt your neck."
He hesitated for a moment.
Then he gently lifted Lucas.
Lucas was lighter than expected.
Adrian placed him carefully on the bed.
Lucas moved slightly and turned.
Without thinking, he grabbed Adrian's shirt.
Adrian froze.
Lucas whispered softly in his sleep.
"…Stay."
Adrian's heartbeat suddenly increased.
Lucas pulled him slightly closer.
Still asleep.
Still unconscious.
Adrian slowly sat on the edge of the bed.
Lucas held his sleeve tightly.
Like a child afraid of being left alone.
Adrian sighed softly.
"You really don't let people go easily."
Lucas moved again.
Then suddenly—
He wrapped his arms around Adrian.
Adrian froze completely.
Lucas buried his face against Adrian's chest.
Sleeping peacefully.
Adrian's heart started beating faster.
Lucas was hugging him.
Unconsciously.
Comfortably.
Like it was natural.
Adrian slowly lay down beside him.
Lucas immediately moved closer.
Their bodies touched.
Close.
Warm.
Lucas's head rested on Adrian's chest.
His hand held Adrian's shirt tightly.
Adrian's hand hesitated for a moment.
Then he gently placed it on Lucas's back.
Lucas relaxed immediately.
Like he found comfort.
Adrian stared at the ceiling.
His heartbeat was loud.
Very loud.
He could feel Lucas's breathing.
Warm.
Soft.
Close.
Adrian spoke quietly.
"…You trust me too much."
Lucas didn't respond.
He was already deeply asleep.
Adrian gently brushed Lucas's hair away from his face.
Lucas moved closer unconsciously.
Adrian closed his eyes slowly.
"…Just for tonight."
He allowed Lucas to stay like this.
In his arms.
Close.
Safe.
And for the first time in a long time…
Adrian felt peaceful.
Like this warmth was something he didn't want to lose.
Lucas slept comfortably in his arms.
Completely unaware of what he was doing.
Completely unaware of how much his unconscious actions were affecting Adrian.
And that night…
They fell asleep in the same bed.
Holding each other.
Without realizing how much their hearts were already moving closer.