When things go wrong.

Lanet's plans had taken a nosedive. First, an uninvited stranger had trespassed on private property and interrupted his carefully planned picnic with Beau. Then, Ronald Hue had the audacity to threaten them after Beau publicly humiliated him at the restaurant.

As Hue's broad frame disappeared through the restaurant doors, Lanet fisted his hands. He knew better than to dismiss the man's words—Hue never made empty threats. There was a heaviness in his chest, the kind that came with knowing he might have dragged Beau into something far messier than either of them could handle.

By the time they returned to Lanet's house, things were awkward and tense. Beau moved quietly, changing into more comfortable clothes before packing his belongings for the drive back to his town. Lanet leaned against the doorframe, helplessly watching as Beau zipped his bag shut.

It felt like watching something slip away, and it cut too deep.

"Beau?" Lanet called softly, trying to get Beau's attention.

Beau didn't look at him, his movements were sharp as he shoved the last of his clothes into the bag. "Look, I get it, okay? I'll get out of your hair."

Lanet's stomach twisted. "What? No, I don't want that."

"Then what do you want?!" Beau's voice broke as he dropped the bag to the floor and collapsed into the chair nearby. His hands raked through his hair. "I tried, Lanet. I smiled, laughed, made stupid jokes, tried to cheer you up, to get your attention, but you just—ignored me. I was simping all night, and you didn't even notice."

Each word was true. Beau wasn't wrong. Lanet had been so consumed by Hue's threat and how everything he had down today went to shits that he'd shut out everything else, including Beau. The realization made his chest ache.

I neglected him. Lanet thought to himself.

"Seriously, nothing to say?" Beau's voice cut through the silence. He pushed himself out of the chair, grabbed his bag, and walked out of the bedroom.

Panic surged through Lanet. This wasn't what he wanted. Not even close.

For a few seconds, he searched his trying to figure out what he could do to make the day better. Then he scrambled to his feet, his heart pounding as he hurried after Beau, hoping he hadn't already left the house.

Relief washed over him when he saw Beau at the front door, hand on the doorknob ready to leave.

"Beau, please wait."

Beau froze but didn't turn around.

"I'm sorry," Lanet said.

"Sorry for what, Lanet?" Beau replied tiredly. "For being an ass? For ignoring me during the rest of dinner? During the car ride?"

Lanet rushed down the stairs, stopping just behind Beau. His stomach twisted as he realized how deeply he'd hurt him.

"I'm sorry for being stupid," Lanet admitted. "I know it's no excuse, but I felt like I couldn't do anything right today. I let it get to me, and I took it out on you."

Beau didn't move, he said nothing.

"Beau," Lanet pleaded, "please look at me."

When Beau finally turned around, Lanet saw the sadness in his eyes. He looked so tired, so defeated, and it was all Lanet's fault.

"I don't understand," Beau said, his voice quieter now, but no less pained. "I tried. I laughed, I joked, I showed you I was happy to be here with you, even after everything. Why couldn't you see that?"

Lanet stepped closer, desperation bleeding into his voice. "Because I'm a stupid bastard. I was so wrapped up in my own feelings that I didn't stop to think about yours. I was inconsiderate, and I'm really, really sorry."

Beau sighed, his gaze dropping to the floor.

"Please," Lanet continued, his tone softening. "Stay the night. Let's talk about this. Let me make it right."

Beau chewed on his lower lip, his eyes distant as he considered Lanet's words. Finally, he let out a resigned sigh and dropped his bag at Lanet's feet.

"I'm too lazy to carry it back up to the room," Beau said flatly, though the corners of his lips twitched ever so slightly.

Relief flooded Lanet's chest. He picked up the bag, a small smile creeping onto his face. "Fair enough."

For now, Beau was staying, and that was enough.

He hesitated for a moment before taking Beau's hand, lacing their fingers together. With a gentle tug, he led him back upstairs to his bedroom.

The walk was quiet, neither of them saying a word. It wasn't the kind of silence that felt awkward, nor was it particularly comforting. It was a silence borne out of exhaustion—physical, emotional, and everything in between.

When they reached the bedroom, Lanet spoke as he handed Beau a pair of pajamas. "Thank you," he said. "This really means a lot to me."

Beau glanced at him. "If you do that again, I might have to strangle you."

Lanet chuckled nervously, unsure if Beau was joking or serious. "Why?"

Beau didn't answer immediately. Instead, he finished changing and climbed into bed, pulling Lanet close as they settled under the covers. The warmth of Beau's arms around him was grounding, but his next words made Lanet pause.

"Because you know too much."

Lanet pulled back slightly, looking up at him with confusion. "What?"

Beau's lips stretched into a wide grin, his laughter breaking the tension like a burst of sunlight through storm clouds. "I'm joking," he said with a chuckle. "Just needed to clear the tension. Maybe the humour was a bit too dark."

Lanet relaxed against him, letting out a soft laugh of his own. "Or maybe you're just that crazy," A mischievous grin tugged at his lips.

The heaviness that had settled between them seemed to lift.

"So," Beau continued, "was it that old wet ass that got to you?"

Lanet shook his head. "It wasn't him exactly—it was what he said before he left. You should never take that man's threats lightly." He relaxed into Beau's embrace, resting his face against the crook of Beau's neck and letting his warmth seep into him.

"You know," Beau said thoughtfully, his fingers tracing idle patterns on Lanet's back, "seeing the kind of person he is, I think we can use that to our advantage."

Lanet looked up at him curiously. "What do you mean?"

"Well, you heard the whispers in the restaurant. Most of those people hated him."

"I'm not following," Lanet admitted.

"Give me some time to do some research. I think I can figure out a way to expose his corrupt ways. If the law won't take him down, maybe the people will."

Lanet's heart swelled at Beau's words. It wasn't a grand gesture, but it meant everything to see Beau willing to step into his world, to understand it. Their agreement had always been to meet each other halfway, and this moment felt like proof of that.

"Have these rich folks suddenly grown on you?" Lanet teased, his lips quirking into a playful smile.

"Well," Beau laughed softly, "just a tiny bit."

"Anyway, let's forget about all that. Me being here is all about us."