CHAPTER THIRTEEN

ADRIAN

Adrian sat in his car, parked just outside his apartment building. The street was quiet, the only movement coming from the soft sway of trees in the late evening breeze.

He leaned forward, resting his forearms on the steering wheel, and let out a long, uneven breath. The city lights cast a dull glow over his dashboard, but they couldn't soften the tight ache settling behind his eyes.

He wiped his hands over his face—once, then again—as if trying to erase the weight of everything that had happened just hours ago.

His phone rested in the passenger seat, screen lit, Maxen's name at the top of a contact list he'd stared at for too long.

He hovered his thumb over the call button.

Don't burden him.

He's probably busy.

He'll ask what's wrong. What will you say?

He pressed it anyway.

The line rang once.

Then—

"Hello?"

Adrian swallowed. "Hey, Max."

"Adrian. Hey."

A beat. Adrian glanced out the window again, eyes unfocused.

"I... I know it's a bit late," he said, voice lower than usual, "but are you busy right now?"

Maxen didn't hesitate. "No, what's wrong?"

"I just... I just want to see you."

There was a pause on the other end. Then a soft answer.

"Okay. Come to the café."

Adrian started the engine and pulled away from the curb, the lights of the city passing by like quiet ghosts in his peripheral vision.

---

Adrian pushed open the café door, the soft chime above barely audible over the quiet hum of the empty space. He nearly collided with Lena, who was heading out with her bag slung over her shoulder.

She blinked at him, surprised. "Adrian? What are you doing here this late? Don't tell me you came for coffee."

From behind the counter, Maxen's voice carried over with casual warmth, "Lena, it's fine. I've got him."

Lena's eyes flicked between them, pausing knowingly on the way Max was already rounding the counter. She offered a small smile, something close to understanding, then nodded. "Alright. I'll see you tomorrow, Max. Adrian." She gave a gentle wave as she left.

The moment the door shut behind her, Maxen met Adrian halfway and pulled him into a hug without hesitation—tight and grounding. Adrian's breath hitched at the familiar warmth. Max's scent—spiced citrus and something uniquely him—wrapped around Adrian like safety.

"Rian," Max whispered, his lips brushing against the side of Adrian's head. "I've missed you so much."

Adrian's hands gripped the back of Max's shirt. "I missed you too." He leaned in, breathing in deeper. "God, I love your scent."

Max chuckled softly, resting his forehead briefly against Adrian's. When they pulled back, Adrian looked around. "Are all the workers gone? Is it just you now?"

Max nodded. "We closed an hour ago. Lena was the last. Just you and me now."

He disappeared into the kitchen for a few minutes, returning with Adrian's favorite coffee blend and a small plate of warm cookies.

They sat in the stillness of the café, the world quieting around them. Neither spoke much, but the silence didn't feel empty. It felt earned—two hearts sitting in mutual understanding, simply being. Every glance and shared breath did the talking.

Max picked up his phone and sent a quick message to his mom:

Staying at the café tonight. Don't worry.

He turned back to Adrian and gently brushed a thumb across his knuckles. "You look like you've had the kind of day that needs more than coffee. Come upstairs with me. There's an apartment above—"

Adrian hesitated. His body ached from tension. He wasn't sure he could handle more talking, but he didn't want to leave Max's side either. I need this. I need him.

"Are you sure?" he asked softly. "I can head home. Seeing you… that helped more than you know."

Maxen tilted his head, a playful glint in his eye. "You really think I'm letting you leave in this state? Please. Unless you thought I was suggesting something different?" His voice dipped teasingly.

Adrian's cheeks flushed, but he smiled. "Okay… show me the way."

---

MAXEN

He led Adrian up the narrow staircase tucked beside the stockroom, unlocking the door to a cozy studio apartment bathed in warm light.

"So this is my apartment," Max said, letting Adrian take in the space.

Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Wait—your apartment? I thought you worked here. Like, staff?"

Max grinned. "I used to. Back in the day. But now? I'm the owner."

Adrian blinked, stunned. "No way. Uncle Colm always said he'd never sell the place unless he found someone who really understood it. You're telling me you're that person?"

Max nodded. "Yeah. He's been a friend of my mom's forever. I started working here during high school, then went off to college in Seattle. When I came back, the timing was right… he trusted me."

Adrian smiled, clearly impressed. "Wow. That's… huge. And kind of poetic."

But as soon as Adrian mentioned college, Maxen's thoughts flicked—briefly and involuntarily—to Ryan's unexpected visit earlier that day. His jaw tensed. Not tonight. Tonight was about Adrian.

He turned quickly to the wardrobe and pulled out a clean T-shirt and joggers for Adrian. "Here—take a hot shower. Relax."

He started the shower, adjusted the water temperature, and handed Adrian a towel. "I'll be right out here."

Twenty minutes passed.

Maxen knocked gently. "Adrian?"

No answer.

He knocked again, a little firmer. "You okay in there?"

Still silence.

Concern rising, he cracked the bathroom door open—and stopped.

Adrian was fast asleep, curled into himself under the warm spray of water, his expression soft but clearly worn out from the weight of the day.

Maxen's heart clenched. Quietly, he stepped inside, turned off the water, and gently helped Adrian out. He dried him off with careful hands, dressed him in the spare clothes, and guided him to the bed with the kind of tenderness that could only come from deep care.

By the time he lay beside him, Adrian was already half-asleep again. Max pulled the covers over them both and wrapped an arm around him.

"Sleep well, Rian," he whispered, pressing a kiss to Adrian's forehead.

Adrian made a soft, sleepy hum in response. "Good night…"

Just for tonight, the world outside could wait.

Here, in the stillness of shared exhaustion, they found something rare—peace.

WEEKEND TEA

Hey, Muse.

Yeah, you—the one holding our story in your hands.

We just wanted to say... thank you. For reading. For staying. For believing in us.

Today has been—a lot. Some days feel heavier than others, and sometimes you don't even realize how much you've been carrying until you're finally held by someone who just gets you. We had one of those nights. And maybe, just maybe, you've had a few of those too.

So, here's our little reminder to you: It's okay to reach out when you need comfort. It's okay to fall apart in safe arms. It's okay to be held—even when you're usually the one holding others up.

We found peace in a quiet café after hours, under warm lights and even warmer arms. Maybe your peace looks different. Maybe it's a song, a book, a long shower, or just sitting still. But we hope you find it. You deserve to.

And hey, don't worry—we'll be okay. The world might be messy, but right now... we have each other. And we're not letting go anytime soon.

Take care of your heart this weekend. We're rooting for you, always.

With all our love,

ADRIAN 💜 MAXEN

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TO BE CONTINUED...

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