His fingers moved slowly, nervously, to Thaddeus's shirt. One button at a time, he loosened it, his touch uncertain yet filled with longing. Thaddeus didn't rush him; he only watched, letting Kayden set the pace.
Soon, their hesitation melted into passion. The two of them gave in, their intimacy deep and unrestrained. Thaddeus poured himself into Kayden, giving him everything, welcoming him home not with words but through closeness.
When it was over, Kayden lay draped across Thaddeus's chest, his breathing soft and even, while Thaddeus held him tightly as if he would never let him go. Wrapped in his warmth, they both drifted into sleep.
Morning light crept into the room, brighter and gentler than the night before. Darren, still resting upstairs, asked Ariz to bring his phone up from downstairs. When Ariz returned and handed it to him, Darren's eyes widened at the flood of missed calls, most of them from Kayden. His chest tightened. Quickly, he pressed to dial Kayden's number.
