Ethan sat across from Lucien at the dining table, barely picking at his food. The day had been grueling, leaving him feeling more drained than ever. His mind wandered as he pushed the food around on his plate, thoughts swirling about the events that had led him to this moment.
Lucien watched him carefully, noticing the exhaustion etched on Ethan's face. "You're not eating much," he said, his voice tinged with concern. "Is everything okay?"
Ethan looked up, forcing a small smile. "Yeah, just tired, that's all."
Lucien nodded, understandingly. "It's been a long day for both of us. How about we take it easy tonight? Maybe watch a movie or something?"
Ethan's eyes flickered with interest, a slight spark of life returning to them. "That sounds nice," he agreed, his voice soft.
They moved to the living room, where Lucien grabbed a blanket and threw it over the back of the couch. He selected a light-hearted comedy, hoping it would help lift Ethan's spirits. As the movie began, they settled in, the warmth of the blanket adding a layer of comfort.
Ethan leaned against Lucien, feeling the tension in his body begin to melt away. Lucien's presence had a calming effect on him, something he had grown to appreciate more and more. As the movie played, Ethan found himself laughing at parts he normally wouldn't, the humor working its magic on his frazzled nerves.
Lucien glanced down at Ethan, pleased to see the hint of a smile on his face. "Feeling a bit better?" he asked, gently nudging him with his elbow.
Ethan nodded, eyes still glued to the screen. "Yeah, this is nice. Thanks for suggesting it."
Lucien smiled, wrapping an arm around Ethan's shoulders. "Anytime. You need to take care of yourself, too."
As the movie continued, Ethan's eyelids grew heavier. He fought to stay awake, not wanting the moment of peace to end, but eventually, his exhaustion won out. His head drooped, coming to rest on Lucien's shoulder.
Lucien felt Ethan's breathing even out, signaling that he had fallen asleep. He looked down at the sleeping man, a fond smile playing on his lips. Carefully, he shifted, lifting Ethan into his arms with ease. Ethan murmured something unintelligible but didn't wake up as Lucien carried him to the bedroom.
Gently laying Ethan on the bed, Lucien hesitated. He didn't want to leave him alone tonight. After a moment of internal debate, he decided to wake Ethan.
"Ethan," he called softly, shaking him lightly. "Ethan, wake up."
Ethan stirred, blinking blearily at Lucien. "Hmm? What's going on?"
"Do you want me to sleep with you on your bed tonight?" Lucien asked, his tone casual. "It's more comfortable here."
Ethan, still half-asleep, nodded. "Okay."
They both slipped under the covers, the initial awkwardness palpable. Ethan turned to face Lucien, their noses almost touching in the dark.
"Thanks for letting me stay here," Ethan whispered, his voice barely audible.
Lucien smiled, though Ethan couldn't see it. "You're always welcome here, Ethan."
The silence between them grew comfortable, broken only by their soft breathing. Lucien reached out, finding Ethan's hand and squeezing it gently.
"You're safe with me," Lucien murmured, his thumb brushing over Ethan's knuckles.
Ethan squeezed back, his eyes closing as he finally allowed himself to relax. "I know"
Lucien watched as Ethan drifted off to sleep, his features softening into a peaceful expression. He felt a surge of protectiveness and something deeper, something he wasn't quite ready to name. With a contented sigh, Lucien closed his eyes and let sleep claim him as well.
The next morning, Lucien woke up first, his gaze immediately drifting to the still-sleeping Ethan beside him. He couldn't help but smile at how peaceful Ethan looked. For a moment, he simply watched him, taking in the serenity of the scene.
Eventually, Ethan began to stir, his eyes fluttering open to meet Lucien's. He blushed, realizing how close they were.
"Morning," Ethan mumbled, rubbing sleep from his eyes.
"Morning," Lucien replied, his voice soft. "Sleep well?"
Ethan nodded, a shy smile creeping onto his face. "Yeah, surprisingly well."
Lucien chuckled. "Good. I'm glad."
They got up and made their way to the kitchen, where Lucien started making breakfast. The smell of coffee and bacon soon filled the air, making Ethan's stomach growl.
"Smells amazing," Ethan said, taking a seat at the counter.
"Thanks," Lucien replied, flipping the bacon with practiced ease. "Figured we could use a good breakfast after last night."
As they ate, the conversation flowed naturally, covering everything from work to their favorite movies. The connection between them deepened, each moment together reinforcing the bond that had been steadily growing.
After breakfast, Ethan felt a wave of gratitude wash over him. He looked at Lucien, his eyes full of sincerity. "Thanks for everything, Lucien. I really mean it."
Lucien smiled warmly. "You don't have to thank me, Ethan. I enjoy having you here."
Ethan's heart swelled with emotion, but he kept his feelings in check, even though he knew Lucien had manipulated the situation to get him kicked out of his apartment.
To be honest, he felt more comfortable here than in his own place. Sharing his mornings with someone made him smile.
Lucien noticed the smile on Ethan's face but chose not to question his intentions.
Lucien leaned back in his chair, studying Ethan thoughtfully. "You know, it's a beautiful Sunday," he said casually. "How about we go out somewhere? Just the two of us."
Ethan looked up, surprise flashing in his eyes. "But it's Sunday," he replied, not quite understanding.
Lucien chuckled. "Exactly. It's the perfect day to relax and have some fun. We could use a break from everything."
Ethan hesitated for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Okay. Where are we going?"
A mischievous grin spread across Lucien's face. "You'll see. Just trust me."
They finished tidying up the kitchen, and Ethan quickly changed into something more suitable for going out. Lucien, ever the epitome of casual elegance, was ready in no time. As they stepped outside, Ethan felt a wave of anticipation.
Lucien led him to his sleek black car, opening the door for him with a flourish. "After you," he said with a wink.
Ethan slid into the passenger seat, still curious about where they were headed. "You're not going to give me any hints, are you?"
Lucien shook his head, laughing as he started the engine. "Nope. It's a surprise."
They drove through the city, the morning sun casting a warm glow on everything. Ethan found himself relaxing more and more, the tension of the past days melting away. He watched the cityscape pass by, wondering what Lucien had planned.