Chapter 14:Keller stayed

The room was dimly lit by a single bedside lamp, its warm amber glow casting elongated shadows across the walls and blankets.

Aiden leaned against the headboard, his hair tousled, eyes hazy, and voice carrying a hint of playful pleading.

"Keller, don't be so cold. Stay here tonight and take care of me, okay?"

Keller stood by the bed, silent, simply looking at Aiden. His clear, sharp eyes held a trace of hesitation, but eventually, he said nothing, as if silently agreeing.

Aiden smirked faintly, looking smug as he shifted slightly under the covers, patting the empty space beside him.

"Here, I saved you a spot."

But Keller didn't respond. Instead, he turned toward the wardrobe, pulled out a thick blanket, and said flatly, "I'll sleep on the couch in the living room."

Just as he was about to leave, Aiden's smile vanished. He reached out and clutched the blanket tightly, his fingers gripping the fabric like it was his last lifeline.

"You're not leaving." Aiden's voice was low but firm, tinged with stubbornness and something almost childlike.

Keller frowned slightly, leaning down to pull the blanket free from Aiden's grip. But Aiden seized the moment, using all his strength to yank Keller off balance.

"Thud—"

The wooden bed creaked loudly under their combined weight, and the room fell into sudden silence.

Aiden was now on top of Keller, his arms locking tightly around Keller's shoulders like iron clamps. Their faces were so close Keller could feel the faint warmth of Aiden's breath against his cheek.

Aiden's gray-blue eyes shimmered with something intense and unreadable, like deep waters with secrets lurking just beneath the surface. They carried a faint trace of redness, reflecting exhaustion and something more—something Keller couldn't quite name.

"Stop it, Aiden," Keller said softly, his voice laced with resignation.

But Aiden didn't move. He let his forehead drop onto Keller's shoulder, his voice muffled against the fabric.

"I can't get up anymore."

Keller froze, feeling Aiden's tense grip slowly loosen, the weight of his exhaustion settling into the space between them.

After a brief silence, Keller sighed, wriggling out from under Aiden's grasp and sitting at the edge of the bed. He wrapped the blanket around himself, his expression unreadable.

Aiden flopped back onto the mattress, a crooked smile playing at the corner of his mouth.

"Don't move around too much," Keller muttered, but he stayed.

The night deepened. Outside, the wind gently tapped against the windowpane, and faint moonlight spilled across the floor through thin curtains. Keller had drifted into a deep sleep, his body curled tightly in the blanket like a small cocoon. His breathing was even, and the faint moonlight softened his sharp features.

Aiden, however, was only half-asleep.

He opened his eyes, shivering slightly from the coldcreeping over his exposed shoulders. He glanced to his side and saw that Keller had practically cocooned himself in the blanket, leaving Aiden with nothing but a corner.

With a resigned sigh, Aiden reached out to tug the blanket back. But Keller instinctively curled tighter, pulling the fabric further away.

Aiden's brow twitched. He smirked faintly, then reached over with one arm and smoothly pulled Keller into his embrace.

"Let's see you steal it now."

Keller didn't stir. His breath remained steady, soft puffs of air brushing against Aiden's collarbone. His face was relaxed, and the faintest trace of a smile lingered on his lips, as though he were lost in a pleasant dream.

Aiden stared at Keller's sleeping face, frozen in place.

His eyes traced Keller's features—eyelashes casting shadows on pale cheeks, slightly parted lips, the gentle rise and fall of his chest.

Before he realized it, Aiden reached out with one finger, lightly brushing Keller's cheek.

The warmth of Keller's skin jolted through his fingertip like a spark, and Aiden immediately withdrew his hand, staring at it as though it had burned him.

"What the hell am I doing messing around with a guy in the middle of the night?"

Aiden let out a small, self-deprecating laugh, shook his head, and finally closed his eyes. This time, he let himself drift into sleep, one arm still loosely wrapped around Keller.

The Next Morning

Sunlight poured gently through the curtains, filling the room with soft golden light. The chill of the night had faded, replaced by the comfortable warmth of morning.

Keller stirred first, blinking sleepily as he began to sit up—only to realize he couldn't move.

Aiden's arm was still draped securely around him, holding him close.

Keller froze, his breath caught in his throat. Slowly, he turned his head to see Aiden, whose gray-blue eyes were now open, gazing back at him with an unreadable expression.

They stared at each other for a long, tense moment.

"Aiden… can you let go now?" Keller's voice was soft but firm.

Aiden blinked, and then—like it was the most natural thing in the world—he smirked. His voice was low and teasing, still carrying the rasp of early morning.

"In such a hurry to leave? You weren't complaining last night."

Keller's ears turned red instantly, and he pushed lightly against Aiden's arm.

"You—!"