The early light crept through the half-closed blinds, casting soft stripes across the rumpled sheets where Daniel lay, face flushed and hair in wild disarray. The room smelled faintly of sweat and something else, something warm, something safe. Ethan was still beside him, chest rising and falling in slow, steady breaths, his arm draped lazily over Daniel's waist.
Daniel blinked against the brightness, the remnants of last night's haze still clinging to his mind and body.
His limbs felt heavy, every muscle aching in a way that was unfamiliar and yet strangely comforting. The exhaustion was more than physical, it was the kind of deep weariness that came from letting go, from breaking through walls built up for so long they had nearly become part of his skin.
For a moment, Daniel just stared at the ceiling, the silence between them as heavy as the sheets.
Ethan stirred beside him, eyes fluttering open, catching Daniel's gaze immediately.
"Morning," Ethan whispered, voice thick with sleep but soft and warm.
Daniel blinked again, managing a half-smile. "Morning."
There was a pause, the kind that feels like the world is holding its breath, waiting for something unsaid to find its way out.
Ethan's fingers brushed lightly against Daniel's arm, the touch hesitant, like testing if the moment was real.
"So," Ethan said, a teasing lilt creeping into his voice, "how are you feeling? Apart from completely wrecked, I mean."
Daniel's eyes flicked down to where Ethan's hand rested, warmth spreading through him.
"I'm... tired," Daniel admitted, voice low.
Ethan chuckled, shifting closer so their knees bumped beneath the sheets. "Understatement of the year."
Daniel groaned softly. "I don't even think I can stand up."
Ethan grinned, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Sounds like you had a good night."
Daniel rolled onto his back, staring at Ethan with an expression that was half amused, half exasperated.
"Good? More like I got completely destroyed."
Ethan laughed again, a deep, satisfied sound.
"You asked for it," he said with a smirk.
Daniel tried to glare, but the weight of last night softened his expression. Instead, he sighed.
"Yeah... I guess I did."
....
Why did I let him do that to me? Daniel thought, eyes closing briefly. I'm supposed to be the one in control. The untouchable one. But last night... I don't even recognize myself. He remembered the sharp moans he couldn't hold back, the way his body trembled with every movement, how he'd kissed Ethan so fiercely, almost desperately. That wasn't me. Or maybe it was, but it's not who I wanted to be. His fingers curled into the sheet as a strange vulnerability washed over him. But I didn't want it to stop either. Not really.
Ethan watched Daniel quietly, his gaze softening. He's so much more than that cold, untouchable facade he wears like armor, Ethan thought. Last night, I saw it crack open. I saw who he really is and I want to be the one to hold those pieces together. He brushed a stray lock of hair from Daniel's forehead, careful not to wake him. He's hiding so much. But maybe, just maybe, he's starting to trust me.
Daniel finally shifted, turning his head to face Ethan more fully. "Did you sleep?" he asked, voice hoarse but curious.
"Kind of," Ethan said with a lazy grin. "Not as well as I'd like. You kept moving around too much."
Daniel snorted. "Sorry, I was... adjusting to having you so close."
Ethan's eyes flicked down to Daniel's flushed cheeks, then back up, lips twitching with amusement. "Well, I'm not going anywhere," he said, voice low and serious.
Daniel felt a warmth spreading in his chest. "Good," he murmured.
After a long, quiet moment, Daniel sat up slowly, rubbing at his face. "I'm supposed to go to class today," he said, voice dragging. "But... I don't think I can."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, watching him carefully. "You're skipping?"
Daniel gave a tired shrug, reluctant to admit how much he really needed a break. "For once, yeah. I don't have the energy to get out of bed. Thanks to someone." He shot Ethan a pointed look.
Ethan laughed, nudging him gently. "Hey, I'm worth it."
Daniel smiled, shaking his head. "I need a day off. Just to... recover."
Ethan's grin softened, and he reached out, taking Daniel's hand in his. "Sounds like a plan. I'll keep you company."
Daniel's heart skipped.
Later, as he lay back down wrapped in Ethan's hoodie, his phone buzzed quietly on the nightstand. Ethan glanced at the screen and grinned. "Your phone's blowing up," he teased.
Daniel reached over, squinting at the messages—mostly classmates checking if he was coming to lectures. He typed a quick reply: Not feeling great today. Taking a sick day.
Ethan leaned over, peeking at the screen. "See? They're probably jealous."
Daniel chuckled, shaking his head. "Or relieved," he muttered.
Ethan grinned, then pulled him into a gentle hug. "You should've done this sooner."
Daniel relaxed against Ethan's chest, breathing in the steady warmth. I never thought I'd let myself be this vulnerable, he thought. Skipping class, staying in bed, letting someone else take care of me... But maybe that's what I need. Maybe I don't always have to be the cold, untouchable Daniel. Maybe it's okay to break sometimes.
Ethan studied him with quiet amusement. He's still got that stubborn streak, he thought. But I'm glad he's letting me in. This—whatever this is—it's just getting started.
Daniel nudged him playfully. "Don't get cocky."
Ethan grinned. "Too late."
Daniel rolled his eyes but smiled. For the first time in a long time, he didn't feel the need to hide behind his cold mask. He felt... something else. Something warmer. Something real.