Night_Dream_Ben

Beneath the Same Roof
A BL Novel by: Night_Dream_Ben

Kael Reyes just wanted peace. Scarred by a past he keeps buried and haunted by people he tried to outrun, all he needed was a quiet roof over his head and no one digging too deep. But peace is a fragile thing.

Enter Riven Sato—sharp-tongued, effortlessly magnetic, and completely off-limits. What starts as a reluctant cohabitation under the watchful eye of Riven's aunt, Ms. Sato, slowly unravels into something much deeper, messier, and dangerously intimate.

Between rushed mornings, late-night bickering, and moments of unexpected softness, the line between friendship and something more begins to blur. But when ghosts from Riven’s past—especially one ex who doesn’t know how to let go—come crashing into their fragile haven, Kael and Riven are forced to confront the truth:

Love isn’t always gentle. It’s raw, it’s real—and sometimes, it burns.

As secrets surface and hearts collide, Kael and Riven must learn whether love born beneath the same roof can survive the storms that threaten to tear it all down.

"Beneath the Same Roof"

The moment Aeron left, slamming the door with a smirk Kael wanted to punch off his face, Riven walked into their shared room and shut the door behind him—quietly. No yelling. No passive-aggressive sarcasm.

He followed, shutting the door behind himself. "Riven…"

Riven sat on the edge of his bed, elbows on knees, staring at the floor like it held answers.

Kael stepped closer, voice softer. "Say something."

Riven didn't look up. "I'm not mad at you. Not really."

"No, Kael. I'm not mad. I'm hurt."

That landed harder than any punch.

"You let him touch you," Riven whispered. "Let him smile at you like he still had a fucking chance."

Kael dropped to his knees in front of him. "I didn't let him do anything. I was just—caught off guard."

Riven finally looked at him. His eyes were glassy, like he was holding back something deeper than anger. "You don't get it. I've never had something like this before. Someone who looks at me like I'm worth staying for. Then suddenly, there's this guy who knew you before I did. Who touched you. Who might still mean something."

Kael's chest ached. "You think I want him? After this? After us?"

"I don't know," Riven snapped. "I've been alone my whole damn life, Kael. I don't know how to trust someone not to leave."

Kael gently cupped Riven's jaw. "Then let me teach you."

"I don't know what the hell this is either," Kael continued. "But I know I can't fucking breathe right when you're hurting. I can't sleep without thinking about your hands on me. I wake up missing your warmth even when you're lying right next to me."

Riven grabbed his wrists, grounding himself. "Then show me. Show me I'm not dreaming."

Kael leaned in slowly, forehead against his. "I'm not going anywhere."

Riven kissed him—not like before. No fire. No rush.

This one was slow. Gentle. Devastating.

It was the kind of kiss that said please don't break me and I might already be yours.

When they pulled back, Riven was shaking slightly. "You ruin me, Kael."

Kael smiled, tears prickling behind his eyes. "Then we're both fucked. Because you've ruined me too."

They didn't sleep apart that night.

But they held each other like it was the only thing keeping them from falling apart.

Because maybe, just maybe, love didn't have to be loud.

Sometimes, it just had to be real.

Ch. 13: You Ruin Me Softly