Hadeezah Jubril21:50 (0 minutes ago)to me
Darren tilted his head, letting his gaze linger on Caleb's eyes. A sudden rush of sweetness mixed with nervousness shot down his spine. Caleb's stare was unreadable, half confusion, half longing. Does he want to kiss me? Does he want me to kiss him? Does he… love me too? Darren's thoughts tangled as his eyes unconsciously dropped to Caleb's lips.
He bit his lower lip, trying to steady himself, but when he turned back, Caleb's face was already inches away. Warm breath brushed across Darren's skin, tickling his cheeks, making him flush crimson. Caleb blinked, startled by his own boldness, and quickly leaned back.
"I'm sorry, Darren," Caleb muttered, rubbing the back of his neck, "I didn't know what came over me."
Darren smirked, though his heart hammered in his chest. "What do you think would happen if we kissed right here, right now?"
Caleb's lips curved faintly. "I think it would cause a riot."
"Well, you know me…" Darren leaned closer, his voice low, teasing. "Causing a riot is what I do best."
Tentatively, he pressed his thumb against Caleb's lips, testing his resistance. Caleb didn't pull away, he leaned in instead, eyes fluttering shut. Darren's throat tightened as his lips brushed against Caleb's, soft and trembling, like butterfly wings. Warmth and electricity shot through him, brief but unforgettable.
And then—
A strangled sound broke the air. Caleb's body stiffened. His hand twitched violently, his legs jerking as tremors seized him.
Darren shot up, eyes wide with terror, just as John burst into the room, already shouting for the doctor.
"He's having a seizure!" the doctor barked, rushing in with nurses. "Don't hold him down. Put him on his side, quickly, now!"
Darren froze, his heart thundering, but John gripped his arm and pulled him into action. Together they shifted Caleb gently onto his right side, making sure his airway stayed clear. The convulsions rattled through Caleb's fragile body, his face pale, lips trembling.
Darren's vision blurred with panic. What did I do? Did the kiss… trigger this? Did I push him too far?
After a minute that felt like an eternity, Caleb's movements stopped. His body went limp. Everyone exhaled a breath they didn't know they were holding.
"Monitor him closely, heart rate, pulse, blood pressure, every hour," the doctor ordered firmly. "It's a surge of brain activity, nothing more. He'll recover."
But Darren barely heard him. His knees gave out, and he sank to the floor, trembling harder than Caleb had. John crouched beside him, steadying his shoulder.
"What happened in the dream, Darren?" John asked gently.
Darren's voice shook as he confessed, "H-he was walking. On his own. I—I thought it was safe. I didn't know it would hurt him."
John's expression softened with understanding. "You didn't mean harm. But don't rush him. He's been lying in that bed for three and a half years. You can't make him run before he learns to stand."
Darren lowered his head, guilt suffocating him. If anything ever happens to you, Caleb… I'll never forgive myself.
He stepped outside for fresh air, replaying the dream. Caleb hadn't moved his eyes, so Darren thought it was okay to kiss him. His skin had been as soft as porcelain, his lips warm and sweet. The taste still lingered.
Shaking his head, Darren went back to the room, shame tightening his chest. "I… I kissed Caleb," he admitted, embarrassed.
"I know," John replied.
Darren's knees buckled, and he dropped to the floor. "How did you know?"
"When his ankle improved, he didn't show seizure symptoms," John explained.
Darren groaned. "Aiish… It was my mistake. I crossed the line. I'm sorry."
John chuckled. "Bring him back to reality and continue your shenanigans."
Darren managed a shy smile.
Two days passed without Darren entering Caleb's dreams. As much as he longed to, he couldn't risk his life again. But eventually, he found Caleb sitting on the porch of the dream cabin, a frown on his face.
"I'm sorry I haven't been here," Darren said, sitting beside him. "My girlfriend came to visit me. She made me promise not to wander in my sleep, and I've been keeping that promise for two years." He swallowed hard, terrified Caleb would hear his racing heartbeat.
A flicker of hurt crossed Caleb's eyes. A single tear slipped down his cheek, shattering Darren's heart.
Caleb let out a dry chuckle, followed only by a low hum. Once, the silence between them had been comforting. Now it felt heavy, unbearable. Darren hated himself for lying.
They sat together for what felt like forever before Darren spoke again. "How are your injuries? Are you getting better?"
"Hmmm. I walked around the compound today," Caleb replied flatly.
Darren's chest swelled with excitement. He wanted to throw himself into Caleb's arms, to kiss him, to celebrate, but he restrained himself and only grinned.
"How about your head? Do you still have headaches?"
"No," Caleb said simply.
Darren's heart soared. He was overjoyed.
"You can leave now. I want to rest," Caleb added.
The words hit Darren like a blade. His chest constricted as though he were drowning. His thoughts spiraled, and he woke abruptly from the dream.
…
Sarah leaned back in her seat with a smug smile. "Whew! It's been a while, but I've missed New York. Jack, drop me at the Dean mansion. I should pay them a condolence visit. I'm sure that brat didn't survive."
Jack frowned. "Why don't you call first? See if she's home."
Sarah hummed. "Good idea." She dialed the number.
"Hello, Mrs. Dean? Good afternoon."
"Good afternoon, Sarah."
"I just landed from Malibu. Are you at home? I'd like to come see you."
"Go home and rest, Sarah. Come tomorrow. We're still at the hospital."
"Oh, okay ma'am. I'll come tomorrow." She ended the call, her lips curling in disgust.
"That bastard is still in the hospital," she hissed, glaring at Jack. I'm not returning the credit card.