{Whispers of Peace Part VI}
Rain tapped on the roof like a lullaby, gentle and constant. Outside, the forest was a watercolor of gray and green, mist curling between the trees. Inside, everything was warm. Safe. Golden.
Kai was curled on the couch, tucked beneath a thick blanket that smelled like Adrian leather, musk, and the faintest trace of danger. His fingers cradled a steaming mug of spiced tea, and his eyes followed the flames dancing in the fireplace.
Adrian entered barefoot, shirtless, damp from the shower, with a towel slung low on his hips completely unaware (or maybe fully aware, the smug bastard) of the way Kai's eyes dropped like magnets.
"You're dripping on the floor," Kai muttered, taking a sip to cover his flushed cheeks.
Adrian smirked, slow and wicked. "Guess you better warm me up, then."
Kai rolled his eyes, but the little smile that tugged at the corners of his lips betrayed him. "You're so annoying when you're smug."
"And yet," Adrian said, crouching beside the couch, "you keep loving me anyway."
He reached up, cupped Kai's jaw, and kissed him slow, like he had nowhere to be but here, like the storm outside had sealed them into their own little world. And Kai melted. Always did.
"I was thinking," Adrian murmured against his lips, "when we eventually have to go back to the city"
"We're not," Kai cut in, eyes sharp.
Adrian chuckled. "Okay, okay. When we never go back, maybe we should start planning."
Kai narrowed his eyes. "Planning what?"
Adrian's hand drifted down to his stomach, lingering. "Names."
Kai choked on his tea. "Excuse me?!"
Adrian just grinned, infuriating and gorgeous. "What? I'm not saying we are yet. But you never know. We've got peace now. We've got each other. You keep saying I cook better than you maybe it's time to pass those genes on."
Kai groaned and buried his face in the pillow. "If you suggest naming a child after a condiment, I'm leaving you in the storm."
"What about Wasabi?" Adrian teased.
Kai smacked him with the pillow, which turned into laughter, which turned into Adrian dragging him down onto the rug, blankets forgotten, tea spilled, lips pressed to skin like they were trying to memorize every part of each other.
Outside, thunder rumbled.
Inside, they made love with the storm for company hands clutching, mouths sighing, hearts tangled.
After, when the fire had died down to embers and the rain softened to a hush, they lay there, breathless and undone.
Kai traced lazy circles on Adrian's chest. "Promise me something?"
Adrian turned his head, his voice husky with sleep and sweetness. "Anything."
"Promise you'll be here. No matter what."
Adrian kissed his forehead, a vow sealed in silence. "Always."