Lucas remained still, his body sore and his mind clouded by the recent events. Yet, Dimitri's presence beside him was a strange comfort. For someone who prided himself on not needing anyone, the realization that he found solace in Dimitri's touch gnawed at him. But for now, he chose to ignore that discomfort, to let himself be taken care of, even if only for a fleeting moment.
Dimitri shifted beside him, propping himself up on one elbow as he reached for a cloth on the nightstand. Lucas watched as Dimitri dipped it in a bowl of water that Lucas was sure wasn't there before ,before gently pressing it to Lucas's swollen eye. The coolness of the cloth was a welcome relief, easing some of the ache that had settled there.
Lucas winced slightly but didn't pull away. Instead, he found himself leaning into Dimitri's touch, the gentle care he was being shown so foreign that it was almost disorienting.He felt himself outwardly pretending that the bruise hurt more than it did ,just to see the concerned face of Dimitri.
As Dimitri carefully dabbed at the bruise, Lucas found his thoughts drifting to the man who had brought him to this point—Kane. The chaotic intensity of their relationship had left him battered, both physically and mentally. But now, lying here with Dimitri, Lucas couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to leave that behind, to let go of the danger and the violence, and to embrace something... softer.
His gaze traveled back to Dimitri, who was now focused on cleaning the cuts along Lucas's jaw. The tenderness in Dimitri's movements, the way his eyes lingered on each wound as if committing them to memory, made Lucas's chest tighten with an unfamiliar emotion.
"Why do you do this?" Lucas asked suddenly, his voice breaking the silence that had settled between them. "Why do you care about what happens to me?"
Dimitri paused, his hand hovering just above Lucas's skin. His eyes met Lucas's, and for a moment, he seemed at a loss for words. But then, with a quiet sigh, he replied, "Because I want to."
Lucas frowned slightly, his confusion evident. "But why?" he pressed, his tone carrying an edge of desperation that he hadn't intended. "I've hurt you and I know I'll hurt you again. I've pushed you away. Why do you keep coming back?"
Dimitri's expression softened, and he set the cloth aside, his hand instead resting lightly on Lucas's shoulder. "Because I see you for you," Dimitri said softly. "Although I am scared of you at times ,there is something more than just the anger and the violence. I see someone who's hurting, someone who's trying so hard to keep everyone at a distance because he's afraid of what might happen if he lets them in."
Lucas swallowed hard, the words striking a chord deep within him. He wanted to argue, to deny it, to push Dimitri away like he always did. But the look in Dimitri's eyes, the quiet understanding and compassion, made it impossible.
"I don't deserve this," Lucas whispered, his voice barely audible. "I don't deserve any of this."
"You're right," Dimitri agreed quietly, his thumb brushing against Lucas's bruised cheek. "But that doesn't mean you can't have it."
Lucas closed his eyes, letting the warmth of Dimitri's hand seep into his skin. It was an odd sensation, this mixture of guilt and relief, of wanting to push Dimitri away and pull him closer at the same time.
"Do you want Kane gone?" Dimitri's voice was soft, but the question hit Lucas like a physical blow. His eyes snapped open, meeting Dimitri's gaze. There was no judgment there, only a quiet patience, as if Dimitri would accept whatever answer Lucas gave him.
Lucas hesitated, his mind racing. Kane had been a constant in his life for so long, a dark presence that had brought a new thrill to his life. But now, in this moment, with Dimitri's hand on his face and remembering Kane's destructive tendencies, he found himself wondering if he truly wanted that anymore.
Dimitri didn't push him, didn't demand an answer. He simply waited, his eyes never leaving Lucas's face, his touch steady and reassuring.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Lucas spoke. "Yes," he whispered, the word carrying more weight than he had ever imagined. "I want him gone."
Dimitri's eyes softened further, and he nodded slowly. "Okay," he said simply, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "I'll take care of it."
Lucas's breath caught in his throat. The ease with which Dimitri had accepted his decision, the lack of hesitation or doubt, made something inside him shift. He felt a strange pull toward Dimitri, something deeper than he had ever felt before.
Before he could second-guess himself, Lucas reached out, his hand trembling slightly as it came to rest on Dimitri's cheek. The touch was tentative, unsure, but when Dimitri leaned into it, his eyes closing briefly in response, Lucas felt a surge of something unfamiliar—.
"Why are you doing this for me?" Lucas asked again, his voice barely more than a whisper.
Dimitri opened his eyes, and for a moment, Lucas was lost in the depth of those beautiful brown eyes. "Because I care about you," Dimitri said softly, his voice filled with a sincerity that made Lucas's heart ache. "And because I think you deserve more than what you've been given."
The words were simple, but they carried a weight that Lucas could feel in every fiber of his being. He didn't know what to say, how to respond to the kindness that Dimitri was offering him. All he knew was that, for the first time in a long time, he didn't want to be alone.
Dimitri remained silent, his expression a mixture of concern and something deeper as he gently pushed Lucas's hair back from his forehead. His touch was careful, as if he feared breaking something fragile within Lucas. The quiet between them stretched, filled only by the soft sounds of their breathing and the faint rustle of the sheets as Dimitri shifted slightly, adjusting himself to better see Lucas's battered face.
With a soft sigh, Dimitri reached for a damp cloth he had placed nearby. "Let me clean you up," he whispered, almost as if asking for permission. Lucas didn't respond, but he didn't resist either. He simply closed his good eye and rested his head back against the pillow, his body sinking into the mattress.
Dimitri dipped the cloth in a basin of water and began to wipe the grime and sweat from Lucas's skin. The cloth was cool against Lucas's fevered flesh, soothing the heat that radiated from him.Every stroke was tender, almost as if he was worshipping a god.
Lucas shuddered slightly when the cloth touched a particularly sensitive spot on his chest, but he didn't flinch away. Instead, he found himself leaning into the touch, seeking the comfort that Dimitri offered so freely.
As Dimitri worked his way down Lucas's body, the tension in the air grew thicker. Lucas's breathing hitched when Dimitri's hand hovered just above his hips, the cloth poised to continue its journey. His heart began to race, and he instinctively pressed his face into Dimitri's stomach, trying to hide the flush that spread across his cheeks.
"Lucas," Dimitri whispered softly, his voice a gentle caress. He seemed to sense Lucas's hesitation, his hand stilling as he waited for some sign of what to do next.
For a long moment, Lucas didn't move, his face still buried against Dimitri's torso, his breath coming in shallow, uneven bursts. The warmth of Dimitri's body was intoxicating, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat a soothing balm to Lucas's frayed nerves. But as the cloth brushed dangerously close to his groin, Lucas felt a surge of panic.
Before Dimitri could go any further, Lucas's hand shot out, grabbing Dimitri's wrist with a firm but trembling grip. "Don't," he breathed, embarrassed. He couldn't bear the thought of Dimitri seeing him like this, so exposed and vulnerable. The mere idea of it made his heart race with shame.
Dimitri froze, his gaze locking onto Lucas's face. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the only sound the ragged breathing that filled the room. Then, slowly, Dimitri nodded, his expression softening with understanding. "Okay," he murmured, his voice gentle, almost as if he were speaking to a wounded animal. He carefully pulled his hand away, setting the cloth aside.
Lucas finally lifted his head, his face still flushed but now tinged with something more—a deep, almost painful blush that spread across his cheeks and down his neck.
Lucas shifted on the bed, his body protesting the movement as he tried to sit up. The pain was still there, a constant reminder of what had happened, but he pushed it aside, focusing on something else—anything else. He needed to regain control, to distance himself from the vulnerability he had shown.
"I'm ready to go," Lucas said, his voice stronger now, though it still carried the rough edge of exhaustion. He avoided Dimitri's gaze as he swung his legs weakly over the side of the bed, his bare feet touching the cold floor.
Dimitri, who had been lying beside him, slowly sat up as well. He watched Lucas carefully, his eyes full of concern, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he stood and walked over to where Lucas's clothes had been discarded, picking up the pants that lay crumpled on the floor.
Without a word, Dimitri brought the pants over to Lucas, holding them out for him to take. Lucas hesitated for a moment, feeling the weight of Dimitri's gaze on him. There was an intensity in Dimitri's eyes that made Lucas's chest tighten, but he forced himself to meet that gaze, if only for a second.
"Thanks," Lucas muttered, taking the pants from Dimitri's outstretched hand. Their fingers brushed briefly, the contact sending a jolt through Lucas that he tried to ignore. He quickly pulled away, turning his focus to getting dressed.
As he stood, his movements were slow and deliberate, each action a careful attempt to hide the lingering pain. He slipped one leg into the pants, then the other, his hands trembling slightly as he pulled them up over his hips. The fabric was rough against his sore skin, but he ignored the discomfort, focusing on the task at hand.
Dimitri remained silent, his eyes never leaving Lucas. He watched every movement, his expression unreadable but his gaze intense. Lucas could feel the weight of it, the way Dimitri seemed to be studying him, as if trying to decipher something hidden beneath the surface.
The room was quiet, the air thick with unspoken words. Lucas could feel Dimitri's presence behind him, close but not close enough to touch. It was as if Dimitri was giving him space while still wanting to be near, a silent offering of support that Lucas didn't know how to accept—or if he even wanted to.
Finally, Lucas finished dressing, the pants sitting low on his hips, his torso still bare. He stood there for a moment, his back to Dimitri, trying to gather himself. His body was still aching, but the sharpness of the pain had dulled, replaced by a heavy weariness that settled deep in his bones.
Taking a deep breath, Lucas turned to face Dimitri. Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, neither of them spoke. The silence between them was heavy, charged with something neither of them could fully understand.
"I'm ready," Lucas repeated, his voice quieter this time, almost as if he were reassuring himself more than Dimitri.
As Lucas moved toward the door and out the wrecked house with a few passed out people .Dimitri followed a step behind, close enough to be there if needed but not so close as to invade Lucas's space.
He paused on the front steps, his eyes narrowing as they settled on the sleek, expensive car parked at the curb. It was a model he recognized, one that reeked of wealth and status.
"It's yours, right?" Lucas asked ,wanting to make sure.
Dimitri's lips curved into a small, reassuring smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yes, it's mine," he replied softly. "I made sure it would be here when we were ready."
Lucas nodded, the tension in his shoulders easing just a bit. He trusted Dimitri—more than he wanted to admit—but that didn't stop the unease from bubbling up inside him at the sight of something so polished, so out of place in their broken world.
With a quick glance around to ensure there was no immediate threat, Lucas began to move toward the car, Dimitri falling into step beside him. As they approached, the driver in the front seat, a man dressed in a crisp suit, turned his head slightly to acknowledge their presence. He didn't get out of the car or say a word, simply waiting for them to make the next move.
Lucas reached for the door handle exhaling before opening it.
The interior of the car was just as luxurious as the exterior, a stark contrast to the gritty world outside. He hesitated only for a moment before sliding into the back seat, feeling the soft leather against his skin.
Dimitri joined him, closing the door behind them with a quiet click. The driver glanced at them in the rearview mirror, waiting for the signal to go. Lucas leaned back in the seat, his eyes flicking to Dimitri, who sat close beside him.
At the subtle nod from Dimitri, the driver started the car, the engine purring to life as they pulled away from the house.