The apartment was quiet in a way that felt different from before.
Not tense.
Not suffocating.
Just… quiet.
Zane sat at the table, fingers loosely wrapped around his fork, staring down at the food Adrien had reheated for them—the meal his mother had cooked earlier before he left. It was simple, warm, comforting in a way that hit deeper than it should have.
Adrien sat across from him, one leg crossed over the other, posture relaxed but eyes observant.
He was watching him.
Zane noticed.
He always noticed.
"…You're not eating," Adrien said finally, tilting his head slightly.
Zane blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. "I am."
"You've been stabbing the same piece of food for a full minute."
Zane let out a small breath that almost resembled a laugh and shook his head. "Yeah… sorry."
He took a bite, chewing slowly.
Adrien didn't push.
Didn't rush him.
They ate like that for a while—quiet, but not uncomfortable.
Zane's voice, when he finally spoke again, was softer than usual. "I have a commercial next week."
Adrien looked up immediately, something bright flickering in his eyes. "Another one?"
Zane nodded. "Yeah. The smartwatch thing. With the collaboration."
Adrien's lips curved faintly. "That's big."
Zane shrugged, but there was a hint of pride beneath it. "I guess."
"You're doing well," Adrien added, more seriously now.
That made Zane pause.
His grip tightened slightly on his fork.
"…Thanks."
His voice still trembled.
Just a little.
Adrien noticed.
Of course he did.
But instead of pointing it out, he simply leaned back slightly in his chair, letting the conversation breathe.
After a few more minutes, they finished eating.
Zane stood up automatically, gathering the plates before Adrien could even move.
"I'll wash them."
Adrien didn't argue.
He simply stood and moved to the kitchen, hopping up onto the counter with practiced ease, watching Zane as he worked.
The sound of running water filled the space.
Zane focused on it.
On the rhythm.
On something simple.
Something normal.
But he could feel Adrien's gaze on him.
Steady.
Present.
When he finished, he dried his hands and turned—
Adrien lifted a finger slightly.
A silent gesture.
Come here.
Zane didn't hesitate.
He stepped forward, instinctively positioning himself between Adrien's slightly parted legs.
For a second, neither of them moved.
Then Adrien reached out.
His arms slid around Zane's neck, pulling him closer.
And kissed him.
Soft at first.
Then deeper.
Zane exhaled into it, tension melting out of his body like something heavy finally being lifted. His hands found Adrien's waist, gripping gently as he leaned in.
When Adrien pulled back just slightly, Zane chased his lips instinctively.
Adrien laughed softly against his mouth.
"Greedy."
Zane didn't even deny it.
He just kissed him again.
This time slower.
Deeper.
Adrien's fingers curled into his shirt as he shifted, wrapping his legs loosely around Zane's waist.
Zane froze for half a second.
Then instinct took over.
He lifted him.
Adrien let out a small surprised sound, tightening his grip immediately. "Zane—put me down—"
Zane shut him up with another kiss.
And didn't.
Instead, he carried him down the short hallway, steps slightly unsteady but determined.
They reached the bedroom.
Fell onto the bed in a tangle of limbs and quiet laughter.
The world outside faded.
Everything else became distant.
Unimportant.
Zane paused for a moment.
Just looking at him.
Adrien's hair slightly messy.
Lips flushed.
Eyes half-lidded but watching him.
Something in Zane's chest tightened.
Not desire.
Not only that.
Something deeper.
He reached out, brushing his fingers lightly along Adrien's jaw before leaning down again.
This time, slower.
Softer.
They stayed like that for a while—close, tangled together, talking in murmurs, laughing quietly between kisses, letting the night stretch without pressure.
Eventually, exhaustion crept in.
Adrien shifted, settling more comfortably against the pillows.
Zane lay beside him, then slowly moved, resting his head against Adrien's chest.
The steady rhythm of his heartbeat filled his ears.
Grounded him.
Anchored him.
His breathing evened out.
And sometime before midnight—
He fell asleep.
The next morning came too fast.
Zane woke up alone.
The bed was still warm.
But empty.
He blinked slowly, sitting up and running a hand through his hair.
Adrien had already left.
Of course he had.
School.
Schedules.
Life.
Zane let out a quiet breath, staring at the spot where Adrien had been.
Then shook his head lightly.
He couldn't stay like this.
Not now.
Not with the semi-finals only a week away.
He got up.
Got ready.
And went to the gym.
Training was brutal.
Exactly what he needed.
He pushed himself harder than usual—faster, stronger, sharper. Sweat soaked through his shirt, his muscles burning with every movement.
But his focus kept slipping.
Every now and then, his hand would reach for his phone.
A quick message.
A short reply.
Adrien.
Always Adrien.
By the time evening rolled around, his body ached in a satisfying way.
At 6 PM, he finally left.
Instead of taking his car, he decided to walk.
The air was cooler now.
The city quieter.
His mind clearer.
Or so he thought.
Because halfway down the street—
He saw them.
A bike parked under a streetlight.
A figure sitting on it.
Another standing close.
Too close.
Zane slowed his steps.
Recognizing one of them instantly.
Riven.
The other…
Helmet.
Piercings glinting faintly.
Kael.
Zane hesitated.
Then walked over anyway.
Riven noticed him first, pulling back slightly, eyes narrowing before recognition set in.
"Oh. You."
Zane gave a small, awkward wave. "Hey."
Kael tilted his head, then removed his helmet, shaking his hair loose. His gaze flicked over Zane briefly.
"What's up?"
Zane shifted his weight.
Suddenly unsure why he had even come over.
"…Uh. Are you guys… dating?"
A pause.
Then Kael nodded once. "Yeah."
Riven smirked slightly. "Problem?"
Zane shook his head quickly. "No—no, just… asking."
Silence lingered for a second.
Awkward.
Heavy.
Then Zane cleared his throat. "Alright. I'll… go."
Neither of them stopped him.
He walked away, shoving his hands into his pockets.
That was… weird.
He didn't think about it for long.
Because his feet were already taking him somewhere else.
Somewhere familiar.
Somewhere he wanted to be.
Adrien opened the door.
Zane didn't even say anything.
He just stepped forward and hugged him.
Tightly.
"…About yesterday…" he muttered against his shoulder.
Adrien stiffened slightly.
Then pulled back just enough to look at him.
Something shifted in his expression.
Serious now.
Quiet.
He stepped aside. "Come in."
Zane did.
Adrien led him to the couch, gesturing for him to sit before heading to the kitchen.
He returned with a cup of coffee, placing it in Zane's hands.
Then sat across from him.
Leaning forward slightly.
"I'm listening."
Zane stared at the coffee.
Steam rising.
His hands tightened around the cup.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then—
"…My dad was abusive."
The words came out flat.
Simple.
But heavy.
Adrien didn't interrupt.
Didn't react.
Just… listened.
Zane exhaled slowly.
"…I used to think it was normal," he continued, voice quieter now. "The yelling. The hitting. The way my mom would just… take it."
His grip tightened.
"…That night… wasn't the first time."
He swallowed hard.
"I just… couldn't take it anymore."
His voice shook.
But he kept going.
"I hit him."
A pause.
"With a hammer."
Adrien's fingers tightened slightly against his own knee.
But he didn't speak.
Zane's gaze dropped.
"When my mom came upstairs… I was just… standing there. There was blood everywhere. I didn't even realize what I'd done until I started throwing up."
His voice cracked.
"…She didn't yell at me."
A small, broken laugh escaped him.
"She just… hugged me."
Silence filled the room.
Heavy.
Zane continued, quieter now.
"The cops came. She had called them before everything got worse. They dragged him out. And the ambulance took us to the hospital."
He rubbed his hands together slowly.
"My uncle… my mom's brother… he paid for everything. Took us in. Let us stay with his family."
He glanced up briefly.
"…He's the one who kept us going."
Adrien didn't move.
Didn't look away.
Zane exhaled shakily.
"My mom… she took every job she could. Maid. Server. Anything. Until my uncle helped her get a proper job again. Accounting. What she studied before…"
His jaw tightened slightly.
"…Before my dad made sure she never used it."
A bitter edge slipped into his voice.
"But she did it anyway."
He looked down again.
"…We moved out. Started over. Small place at first. Then… better."
His shoulders lifted slightly.
"And now… we're here."
Silence.
Long.
Heavy.
Real.
Then—
A tear slipped down Adrien's cheek.
Zane froze.
"…Hey—"
Adrien shook his head slightly, wiping it away quickly.
"I'm fine."
But his voice said otherwise.
Zane stared at him.
Something twisting in his chest.
"…I didn't expect you to cry," he admitted quietly.
Adrien let out a small breath.
"I didn't expect that either."
They sat there for a moment.
Just… looking at each other.
Then Adrien leaned forward.
Slowly.
And pulled him into another hug.
Tighter this time.
Stronger.
Zane didn't hesitate.
He held on.
And for the first time—
Telling it didn't feel like breaking.
It felt like… letting go.