Morning sunlight slipped quietly through the curtains of Adrian's room, casting a soft golden glow across the bed.
Adrian woke up first.
His eyes opened slowly, his mind still heavy from sleep, but something immediately felt different.
Warm.
Soft.
Close.
He frowned slightly.
Then he looked down.
Lucas was in his arms.
Still sleeping peacefully.
His head rested against Adrian's chest, his hand gripping Adrian's shirt lightly, and his body pressed close like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Adrian froze.
For a moment, he didn't move.
He just stared at Lucas.
The memory of last night slowly returned.
Lucas falling asleep on the sofa.
Lucas holding his sleeve.
Lucas unconsciously hugging him.
Lucas pulling him onto the bed.
And then—
Sleeping like this.
Adrian exhaled slowly.
"…Lucas."
Lucas didn't move.
He was still deeply asleep.
His breathing was calm and steady, his face relaxed, his expression soft and defenseless.
Adrian felt his heartbeat increase slightly.
This was dangerous.
Not because of the situation.
But because of how he felt.
He looked at Lucas carefully.
Lucas's hair was slightly messy, falling gently over his forehead. His lips were slightly parted as he breathed quietly in his sleep.
He looked peaceful.
Comfortable.
Safe.
Adrian's hand moved unconsciously.
He gently brushed Lucas's hair away from his face.
Lucas shifted slightly and moved closer.
Adrian's breath stopped.
Lucas buried his face deeper against Adrian's chest, tightening his grip slightly.
Like he was seeking warmth.
Like he trusted him completely.
Adrian's heart started beating faster.
"…You really trust me."
Lucas murmured something softly in his sleep.
It was unclear.
But his grip tightened again.
Adrian closed his eyes for a moment.
Something inside him felt strange.
Warm.
Heavy.
Protective.
He had always been calm and rational.
Always controlled.
Always distant.
But with Lucas…
Everything felt different.
Adrian looked at him again.
The arrogant, careless Lucas Carter that everyone described didn't exist here.
This Lucas was different.
Kind.
Honest.
Soft.
And strangely warm.
Adrian spoke quietly.
"You're nothing like the rumors."
Lucas moved slightly but didn't wake.
Adrian sighed softly.
Then he realized something.
He didn't want to move.
He didn't want to push Lucas away.
He didn't want this moment to end.
That realization made him pause.
His fingers slowly tightened against the blanket.
"…This is bad."
Because he understood now.
Clearly.
Completely.
He liked Lucas.
Not as a colleague.
Not as responsibility.
Not as family.
But as a man.
Adrian stared at the ceiling silently.
He had never felt this way before.
Never.
Not for anyone.
But Lucas was different.
Lucas's smile.
Lucas's calm attitude.
Lucas's honesty.
Lucas's warmth.
Everything about him felt natural and comforting.
Adrian's chest tightened slightly.
"…So this is what it feels like."
He turned his head and looked at Lucas again.
Lucas was still sleeping peacefully.
Unaware of everything.
Unaware of how close they were.
Unaware of Adrian's thoughts.
Adrian's hand gently rested on Lucas's back.
Protective.
Careful.
Like he was holding something fragile.
Adrian spoke quietly.
"You're dangerous, Lucas."
Lucas murmured slightly.
Still asleep.
Adrian exhaled slowly.
He tried to think rationally.
He always made decisions based on logic.
So he analyzed the situation.
He liked Lucas.
That was a fact.
Lucas trusted him.
That was also a fact.
Lucas stayed close to him naturally.
Another fact.
Adrian's eyes darkened slightly.
If that was the case…
Then there was only one logical conclusion.
He would pursue Lucas.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Seriously.
Adrian's gaze softened.
"I won't let anyone take you."
Lucas moved slightly again and unconsciously wrapped his arm around Adrian's waist.
Adrian's breath paused again.
Lucas leaned closer in his sleep.
Comfortable.
Warm.
Adrian's hand gently held Lucas's back.
"…You're already this close."
Lucas trusted him.
Stayed with him.
Slept beside him.
Held him like this.
Adrian's eyes softened slightly.
"Then I won't step back."
His decision was made.
He would protect Lucas.
Stay beside him.
And slowly make Lucas his.
Not by force.
Not by pressure.
But by staying close.
By being someone Lucas could rely on.
Adrian looked at Lucas again.
And for the first time, his expression softened completely.
---
Lucas slowly woke up.
His head felt heavy.
Warm.
Comfortable.
Too comfortable.
He frowned slightly and moved.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
He felt warmth behind him.
Strong warmth.
And something was holding him.
Lucas's eyes slowly opened.
Then he froze.
He was lying on Adrian's bed.
In Adrian's arms.
Lucas's brain stopped working.
"…What?"
He blinked slowly.
His hand was holding Adrian's shirt.
His head was on Adrian's chest.
And Adrian's arm was around him.
Lucas's face turned red instantly.
WHAT IS THIS SITUATION?!
He slowly looked up.
Adrian was awake.
Watching him calmly.
Lucas's soul almost left his body.
"…Good morning," Adrian said quietly.
Lucas immediately moved back.
Too fast.
He almost fell off the bed.
Adrian grabbed his wrist quickly.
"Careful."
Lucas froze again.
Adrian was holding his wrist.
Lucas's heart started beating fast.
"L-let go."
Adrian released him calmly.
Lucas sat up quickly.
His face was still red.
"Why… why am I here?"
Adrian sat up slowly.
"You fell asleep."
Lucas scratched his head nervously.
"I remember the sofa…"
Adrian nodded.
"I brought you to the bed."
Lucas nodded slowly.
"That makes sense."
Then he paused.
"…Wait."
He looked at Adrian again.
"Why were you sleeping here too?"
Adrian looked at him calmly.
"You held me."
Lucas froze.
"…What?"
Adrian spoke casually.
"You grabbed my shirt and didn't let go."
Lucas's brain shut down again.
"I WHAT?!"
Adrian nodded.
"Yes."
Lucas covered his face.
"This is embarrassing."
Adrian watched him quietly.
Lucas groaned.
"I'm sorry."
Adrian shook his head.
"It's fine."
Lucas sighed.
"I caused trouble again."
Adrian looked at him carefully.
"No."
Lucas blinked.
Adrian spoke calmly.
"You didn't."
Lucas looked at him.
Adrian's voice softened slightly.
"I don't mind."
Lucas felt his heartbeat increase again.
"…You don't mind?"
Adrian nodded.
"Yes."
Lucas looked away.
"This is awkward."
Adrian stood up and walked closer.
Lucas immediately became nervous.
Adrian stopped in front of him.
Close.
Too close.
Lucas swallowed slightly.
Adrian spoke quietly.
"Lucas."
"…Yeah?"
Adrian looked directly into his eyes.
"You can come to my room anytime."
Lucas froze.
"…What?"
Adrian's voice remained calm.
"If you're tired or stressed."
Lucas stared at him.
Adrian continued.
"You can rest here."
Lucas's face became red again.
"That's not normal."
Adrian tilted his head slightly.
"Why?"
Lucas struggled to respond.
"Because… because this is your room."
Adrian stepped slightly closer.
"And you're Lucas."
Lucas's heart beat faster.
Adrian spoke softly.
"You're welcome here."
Lucas didn't know what to say.
Adrian's gaze softened.
"And I will always protect you."
Lucas's chest tightened slightly.
Adrian turned and walked toward the door.
"Get ready for breakfast."
Lucas sat there silently.
His heart was still racing.
"…What is happening?"
He touched his chest.
His heartbeat was fast.
Too fast.
And for some reason…
Adrian's words kept repeating in his mind.
You're welcome here.
I will always protect you.
Lucas buried his face in his hands.
"This is getting dangerous."
Meanwhile, outside the room, Adrian walked calmly down the hallway.
But his eyes were softer than before.
His decision was clear.
He would pursue Lucas.
Slowly.
Carefully.
And seriously.
Because Lucas Carter…
Was already becoming someone he didn't want to lose.