DAMIR
The house was quiet, soaked in midnight's hush. The cool air brushed against my skin as I stepped in through the side entrance, my jacket slung loosely over one shoulder, exhaustion sitting like bricks in my bones. I'd been away for nearly a week meetings, conferences, border business, too many damn things on my plate at once and even though it was close to midnight now, I still had unfinished work nagging at the back of my mind. But before I could even think about Eli, I needed to clear my head, get through some documents I'd pushed aside.
I made my way to the study. The soft click of the lamp echoed as I turned it on, bathing the room in warm light. My desk welcomed me like a loyal companion, cluttered with papers, my laptop blinking on standby. Just as I settled into the chair, rubbing the back of my neck, I heard the sudden burst of light footsteps.
"You're back!"
I barely had a second to react before Eli threw himself at me. Arms wrapped tight around my neck, his cheek pressing into mine, his warmth banishing the cold immediately. His hair smelled faintly of strawberries and his voice was a breathy mix of excitement and relief.
"Welcome back, Damir," he whispered, pulling back slightly to press a soft peck to my cheek. His eyes sparkled under the dim light. "I've missed you so much. You didn't even call me yesterday, meanie."
I chuckled, holding him gently against me. "I know, baby. I'm sorry. It's been chaos. I missed you more."
He giggled, but there was a twitch in his lips. Something not quite right. His fingers fidgeted with the collar of my shirt, and although he was smiling, the corners of his eyes drooped a little. It wasn't the usual light in his gaze. It was distant.
I cupped his cheek, tilting his face toward me. "What's going on? You're not really here, Eli. You're acting happy, but your eyes say something else."
His lips parted and closed again. His gaze dropped to the side.
He pulled away from my lap gently, sitting on the armrest instead, fingers now fidgeting with his bracelet.
"It's nothing. I mean… I'm probably just overthinking," he started slowly, his voice soft, hesitant.
I didn't push. I waited.
"Okay… earlier today," he finally began, "Lian went downstairs to get water. You know how lazy he is with the mini fridge, always says it's full of junk. Anyway, he took his phone and left. I was just waiting for him to come back but he didn't. So… I went to check."
I nodded slightly, watching him closely.
"And when I got downstairs, I saw him and my dad…" He swallowed. "They were in the kitchen. In a really weird position. Like, not really obvious, but like, it didn't feel… normal. They untangled quickly when I came in. Like… as if I wasn't supposed to see them like that."
My jaw tensed, but I kept my expression calm. "Did they say anything?"
"Lian joked it off, as usual. And I tried to laugh too, but it's been on my mind. I asked him if he liked my dad and he said no, that he has a boyfriend and would never do that. And I want to believe him. I do."
He looked up at me then, like he was searching my face for something, maybe assurance, maybe clarity.
I ran my fingers gently through his hair. "You're not crazy for noticing that. Your instinct picked up on something. But… people trip, bump into each other, situations get misread. You said it yourself, it could be coincidence."
"Yeah," he nodded, but he still looked unsure.
Something tugged at my memory. I frowned.
"You know," I said slowly, "there was this night… I came downstairs to take a call. It was just past one a.m. I could've stayed in my study but I felt restless. Wanted to walk around. The house was quiet, the maids asleep. The guards were outside. And as I passed the hallway to the guest wing, Juseon's door was open. The lights were on."
Eli looked at me with wide eyes.
"I didn't go in," I added quickly. "I don't like invading privacy. But I did hear voices. He was talking to someone. The voice sounded familiar. Could've been Lian. But I dismissed it. Didn't want to jump to conclusions."
Eli's face fell, and he looked away.
"Hey," I caught his chin gently. "Don't spiral, baby. It doesn't mean anything. Maybe they're just bonding. You said it yourself, Lian refused to go home, right? Maybe he's found comfort in talking to your dad. They both don't have many people."
He nodded again, slower this time, but his lips trembled.
"But what if… what if my dad is trying to get back at me? What if I took you away from him and now he wants to do the same? I mean, I don't own you, I know. But… I can't lose two people I love at once. I just can't."
His voice cracked.
I stood and pulled him into a tight hug, resting my chin on the top of his head. "No one's taking me away from you, Eli. Not now. Not ever. Your father and I… we have history, but what you and I have? It's different. And I believe your dad is healing, not retaliating."
Eli's arms snaked around my waist, holding me tighter. "You think so?"
"I know so. And I promise, if anything feels wrong, I'll always be honest with you. Always."
He sighed into my chest. "Okay… okay. I trust you. Just… I don't want to feel this ache again."
"You won't. Not if I can help it."
We stayed like that for a long while, wrapped up in each other, letting the silence soothe the storm. Eventually, his breathing calmed, and he nuzzled deeper into my chest, whispering, "I'm really glad you're back."
I smiled, kissed the top of his head, and whispered, "Me too, baby. Me too."