A Misunderstanding

Beau lay on his bed, face buried in his pillow, his thoughts spiralling in endless loops. Zane's words pressed heavily on his chest, a relentless echo he couldn't escape. He barely registered the sound of the door creaking open until soft footsteps approached.

"I knocked, but you didn't respond," came Lanet's voice.

Beau didn't lift his head. "Didn't hear you over Zane's words. They're still ringing in my head."

The footsteps drew closer, each one measured, almost hesitant. The bed dipped slightly as Lanet sat down beside him.

"I'm sorry, Beau," Lanet began. "I have a feeling I've lost your trust, but I want you to know I didn't mean for things to turn out this way."

Beau kept his face down, refusing to look at him. Or maybe he was just afraid that if he did, he'd forgive Lanet too easily.

He felt the subtle shift of weight as Lanet kicked off his shoes. A moment later, the warmth of his body was closer, close enough for Beau to feel his breath skim over his ear, though Lanet still kept a respectful distance.

"Beau, please. Look at me," Lanet pleaded softly.

With a reluctant sigh, Beau turned his head, his gaze meeting Lanet's.

"How can I make things right?"

Beau let out a heavy breath. "Why did you tell him?"

Lanet hesitated, his lips pressing into a thin line before he finally spoke. "I didn't say much. He showed me the plan and mentioned he needed to prove Hue stole it," he admitted. "So I said he could ask you. I thought it might help you learn something too—since the holographic map is, well, confusing."

Beau's anger wavered as he absorbed Lanet's explanation. He realized how quick he'd been to lash out.

"I guess if I'd warned you first, none of this would've happened," Lanet added quietly.

"At least I did learn something," Beau conceded, his voice softening. He shifted closer, wrapping an arm around Lanet's waist and nuzzling into his chest. The warmth of the contact soothed the ache in his heart. "But I kind of hate him now. I hate him so much."

Lanet let out a low chuckle, the sound rumbling against Beau's cheek. "Knowing Zane, he's probably already regretting everything. He's likely figuring out a way to crawl back into your heart."

Beau gave a quiet huff of amusement. "Anyway, I hope you didn't leave him alone with my sister."

"He apologized," Lanet replied, a sly grin tugging at his lip. "And he's currently paying for his sins."

Ariel had a reputation for punishing anyone who stepped out of line. It didn't matter if you were young or old—cross her, and you'd pay the price.

"Can you believe she's making him take her clothes to the dry cleaners?" 

Beau chuckled softly. That was Ariel for you. She could forgive easily, but she loved putting on a tough act and handing out punishments was her way of keeping that image intact.

Lanet's arm draped lazily around Beau's waist. "It really hurt me to see how angry you were with me," Lanet admitted. "I'd rather you make me do stuff like your sister does."

Beau glanced up at him, his brow quirking in curiosity. "Oh? Stuff like what?"

Lanet's smile turned playful. "I don't know. Stuff that makes me feel close to you. Like tightening jar lids so you have to ask me to open them—assuming I'm strong enough—or, I don't know, leaving the toilet seat up so you'd make me clean it."

Beau burst into laughter at the absurdity of Lanet's ideas. He tilted his head back, meeting Lanet's gaze, their eyes locking.

"I was hurting too," Beau said, his voice quieter now. "My friends won't admit it, but I know they're half-expecting you to betray us. And about an hour ago, I was starting to think they were right."

Lanet didn't respond immediately. Instead, he leaned down and placed a series of soft, deliberate kisses across Beau's face. "I'm really sorry, Beau," he murmured.

Beau exhaled slowly, his body relaxing against Lanet's. "It's okay. I'm sorry too—for being so quick to think you told him."

Lanet's lips curled into a small, reassuring smile. "Hey, we're learning to trust each other, remember? Maybe this was just one of those tests."

Beau nodded, the corners of his mouth lifting into a faint smile of his own. 

Beau leaned in and gave Lanet a quick peck on the lips, a small gesture accompanied by a wide yawn.

"Bedtime?" Lanet asked.

Beau nodded, his eyelids already feeling heavy. "Can you stay until I fall asleep? Just… don't leave until then, please?"

He knew Lanet had to leave eventually—he'd come with Zane, after all—but for now, the thought of having him close was comforting.

"Of course," Lanet replied without hesitation.

Beau drifted in and out of sleep at first, the sensation of Lanet's presence anchoring him. But eventually, the pull of exhaustion won, and he surrendered to the comfortable darkness.

Somewhere on the edge of consciousness, he thought he heard Lanet's voice, a whisper so gentle it almost blended into his dreams. "Is it too soon to say I'm falling in love with you?" Lanet murmured. "I…"

Beau wanted to respond, but sleep wrapped around him too tightly, dragging him under before he could hear the rest.

The next morning, Beau woke up to the pale light of dawn streaming through his window. He stretched, the cool emptiness of the bed beside him reminding him that Lanet had left.

Of course, he left.

Reaching blindly for the nightstand, Beau searched for his clock but found his phone instead. He must've left it there yesterday. He unlocked it and scrolled through his messages and voicemails, his grogginess quickly fading when he saw a new text from Lanet.

'Good morning. I left at midnight and tried to put you into your pyjamas without waking you, so don't be surprised if you wake up half-naked.'

A smile tugged at Beau's lips, the faint traces of last night's emotions lingering in his chest.