The city outside hummed faintly—distant traffic, the occasional siren—but in the penthouse it was only them, wrapped in the quiet weight of each other.
Liam's lips moved against Alex's with desperation, almost feverish, as if kissing him hard enough could banish the storm gnawing at his chest. His hands trembled against Alex's waist, pulling him closer, clinging.
Alex melted into it at first, smiling faintly into the kiss despite Liam's intensity. But then he tasted it—salt. And something wet slid against his own lips that wasn't just the warmth of Liam's mouth.
He stilled. Slowly, carefully, he pulled back.
"Liam…" Alex's voice was soft, questioning. His gaze locked onto Liam's face, and his heart lurched.
Tears.
Droplets clung to Liam's lashes, slipped down his sharp cheekbones, fell in trails that caught the faint light of the room. He looked broken in a way Alex had never seen before—his usual control stripped away, leaving only raw, shaking fear.
