Kayden lay quietly on Thaddeus' chest, his fingers gently curled against the fabric of his shirt. The room was calm, wrapped in a stillness that only followed moments of deep vulnerability. He tilted his face slightly, eyes fluttering open with a soft plea.
"You should go to the event," he whispered, his voice laced with exhaustion. "I'll be fine, I promise."
Thaddeus looked down at him, one hand stroking the back of his head slowly. "No," he said gently but firmly. "I'm not going anywhere. I'd rather stay here and take care of you."
Kayden didn't argue further. He closed his eyes again, finding comfort in Thaddeus' warmth. Just as Thaddeus was about to tell him that Rassel had arrived earlier, his phone buzzed against the nightstand.
It was a video call from Ryland.
Thaddeus glanced at the screen, then at Kayden, who had fallen asleep again against his chest. He didn't answer.
Moments later, a message popped up from Ryland:
