After Lucien had swiftly arranged for someone to handle the man who had tried to take advantage of Ethan, he carefully carried Ethan to his car. Cradling the unconscious man in his arms, he struggled to open the passenger door, finally managing to do so and settling Ethan inside.
As he gently pushed Ethan's hair away from his face, Lucien couldn't help but smile at how peaceful Ethan looked while asleep. For a few moments, he simply stared, a rare softness in his eyes.
Breaking from his reverie, Lucien attempted to strap Ethan in with the seat belt. As he fumbled with the straps, Ethan stirred, his eyes fluttering open. They were glossy and unfocused, but they locked onto Lucien's face.
"You're awake," Lucien said with a sigh of relief.
"I feel hot," Ethan murmured, his voice barely audible.
"What?" Lucien leaned in closer, bringing his ear near Ethan's lips.
"I feel hot," Ethan repeated, slightly louder this time.
Lucien's eyes widened in concern as he moved back. "Let me help," he said, his voice filled with worry.
He began to help Ethan remove his coat. The task proved difficult as Ethan was too weak to move on his own. Lucien's hands fumbled as he struggled to get the coat off without causing Ethan discomfort. Ethan groaned softly, his body slick with sweat.
Finally, Lucien managed to remove the coat, tossing it aside with an exasperated sigh. "Is it okay now?" he asked, his voice gentle yet strained.
"Still hot," Ethan whispered, beads of sweat trickling down his face and body.
Lucien's heart ached seeing Ethan in such a state. He felt a wave of protectiveness wash over him. Without hesitation,he opened a few of the buttons of Ethan's white long sleeved shirt , adjusting the the car's air conditioning and turned it up to cool the interior more rapidly.
"Just hang in there," Lucien said softly, his hand brushing against Ethan's cheek. "We'll get you home soon."
Ethan's eyes closed again, his breathing shallow and labored. Lucien bit his lip, a mix of frustration and concern bubbling up inside him. He knew he had to get Ethan somewhere safe and comfortable as quickly as possible.
.Finally securing Ethan's seat belt, Lucien hurried to the driver's side and jumped into the car. He started the engine and drove off, his gaze frequently shifting to Ethan, whose mouth hung open and eyes fluttered open and shut, as if he were in a daze. Lucien sighed, pressing down on the accelerator and driving faster than usual, worry etched on his face.
Lucien's mind raced as he maneuvered through the city streets. He couldn't help but feel a mixture of frustration and protectiveness. The sight of Ethan, so vulnerable and affected by the drug, stirred something deep within him. He needed to get Ethan somewhere safe, and quickly.
Pulling into the underground parking of his penthouse building, Lucien parked the car and swiftly got out. He opened the passenger door and carefully lifted Ethan into his arms, carrying him into the building. The elevator ride felt agonizingly slow, each second heightening Lucien's anxiety.
Once they reached his penthouse, Lucien pushed the door open with his foot and carried Ethan inside. He laid him gently on his bed, noting how Ethan's skin was slick with sweat. Ethan's eyes fluttered open slightly, and he murmured something inaudible.
Lucien bent closer to hear him. "Water," Ethan whispered, his voice weak and parched.
"Hang on," Lucien said, turning on the air conditioning to cool the room. He rushed to the kitchen, quickly grabbing a bottle of cold water from the fridge. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, but he focused on the task at hand, knowing Ethan needed to cool down and stay hydrated.
Returning to the bedroom, Lucien unscrewed the bottle cap and helped Ethan sit up slightly. He held the bottle to Ethan's lips, letting him sip the cold water slowly. Ethan drank greedily, his eyes closing in relief as the cool liquid soothed his parched throat.
"Thank you," Ethan mumbled, leaning back against the pillows, still looking flushed and vulnerable.
Lucien nodded, placing the water bottle on the nightstand. He started to leave the room, but before he could take a step, Ethan's hand shot out and grabbed his wrist. Lucien turned back, surprised by the sudden grip.
"Ethan?" Lucien asked, his voice filled with concern.
Ethan's eyes were glazed, but there was a look of determination in them. He tugged Lucien closer, and before Lucien could react, Ethan leaned in and pressed his lips against Lucien's in a sudden, drug-fueled kiss.
Lucien's eyes widened in shock. For a moment, he stood frozen, his mind unable to process what was happening. Ethan's kiss was urgent, desperate, driven by the remnants of the drug still coursing through his system. Lucien's heart pounded in his chest as he gently pulled away, looking down at Ethan with a mixture of confusion and concern.
"Ethan, you don't know what you're doing," Lucien said softly, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him.
Ethan's grip on Lucien's wrist tightened, his eyes pleading. "Don't leave," he whispered, his voice filled with a raw vulnerability that tugged at Lucien's heart.
Lucien hesitated, torn between his desire to protect Ethan and the unexpected feelings the kiss had stirred within him. He gently brushed a strand of hair away from Ethan's forehead, his touch lingering for a moment.
"I'm not going anywhere," Lucien finally said, his voice gentle but firm. "But you need to rest. We'll talk when you're feeling better."
Ethan's eyes fluttered shut, a faint smile playing on his lips as he drifted back into a fitful sleep. Lucien stayed by his side, watching over him with a mix of emotions he couldn't quite name. In that moment, he realized that his feelings for Ethan were far more complex than he had ever anticipated.
Lucien sat down in a chair beside the bed, his gaze fixed on Ethan's peaceful face. He couldn't deny the spark of something new, something tender, that had ignited within him. As the minutes ticked by, Lucien knew that their relationship had just shifted in a way neither of them could have predicted. And he couldn't help but wonder what the future held for them both.