Kael’s Penthouse. The others left an hour ago. The laughter faded. Now it’s quiet — just Kael and Riven, sitting on the couch.

Kael noticing the shift "You’ve been quiet since they left.” Riven tries to shrug it off “it’s nothing.” Kael leans forward slightly “you know i hate that word when it comes from you.” Silence. Riven fiddles with the hem of his oversized hoodie — one of Kael’s, actually. Riven softly “why do they think i’m strong? I didn’t even fight back then. I just… Let it happen. Like i deserved it.” Kael slowly moves closer, voice low and even “you didn’t. You never did.” Riven finally looks up at him — eyes rimmed red, lips tight “i wanted to say something. But no one would've believed me. I wasn’t important enough to believe in.” Kael leans in hand brushing Riven’s wrist gently.

“you’re important to me.” Riven blinks at him. Like he’s not sure he heard that right. Kael keeps going — softly, fiercely. Kael continued “i don't care what your past looks like, or what they said. You didn’t ruin anything. You’ve been surviving alone for too long, Riven. You don’t have to anymore.” Silence again — not heavy, but charged. Riven’s lip trembles just a little. His voice is barely there. Riven responded “i don’t know how to not be scared.” Kael cups his cheek, thumb brushing under his eye — not to wipe a tear, but just to feel him, steady him. Kael smiled a little “then be scared. I’m not going anywhere.”

 Kael leans forward slowly — giving Riven every second to pull back. He doesn’t. Their foreheads touch first. Then lips. Soft. Sure. Like they’ve both been waiting for the world to stop turning just long enough to breathe.

It’s not rushed. It’s not rough. It’s everything riven thought he didn’t deserve.

And Kael gives it to him anyway. Kael barely a whisper, after they part.  “you’re mine now. Let them come.” Riven leans in again, this time on his own) “then stay mine too.”

The next morning…

In Kael’s bed room. The sun is peeking through half-closed blinds. Riven stirs awake under a thick blanket. Kael’s already up, shirtless, hair messy, leaning against the doorframe sipping black coffee.

Riven’s voice still scratchy from sleep “you’re staring again.” Kael smirks, doesn’t deny it “you look calm. Thought i’d enjoy the rare sight.” Riven groans and hides under the blanket “gross.” Kael walks over, sets coffee down, kneels on the bed beside him “mm. Still alive. Still snarky. Guess the world didn’t end after last night.” Riven peeking out “…You mean the kiss?” Kael gently brushes a strand of hair from Riven’s face “i meant the part where you let me hold you.”

They pause, eyes locked. The moment’s warm, but short-lived — because Kael’s phone starts buzzing non-stop on the desk. He grabs it, reads the screen. His smile fades.

Kael cold tone now “i need to meet someone.” Riven frowning “someone as in… ‘loan shark danger’ someone?” Kael shrugs on his jacket, slipping into boss mode“someone who knows who’s been asking questions about you.” Riven sits up fully “wait, what? What do you mean me?” Kael leans in, pressing a kiss to Riven’s temple “they should’ve left you alone the second i said you were mine.” Riven grabs his wrist gently, worried “Kael… Don’t go alone. Please.” Kael smiles, but it’s a little too calm — like a storm’s coming “don’t worry. I’ll bring back breakfast.”

[coffee and gossip]

Darian to Jace, sipping iced coffee “i swear, Kael’s more intense when he likes someone.” Jace nods “he’s gonna go full mafia boyfriend mode.” Darian grinning “Riven’s doomed.”

In an off-campus café. Darian and Jace are lounging in their usual corner booth, iced drinks and half-eaten pastries in front of them. They're both watching the rain trickle down the window, but their minds are clearly somewhere else…

Jace elbows Darian lightly “you think they’ve done it yet?” Darian chokes on his drink “god, Jace! We’re in public!” Jace grinning, totally unbothered “i’m just saying… Kael’s been looking at Riven like he wants to eat him since day one.”  Darian “he always looks like that. It’s his face.” Jace respond saying “sure, but now it’s personal. And consensual. With feelings. You know Kael’s a possessive bastard.” Darian snorts “i bet he has a playlist titled ‘songs to break a man’s back to’ and Riven is the reason.”Jace laughing “do you think Riven moans or bites?” Darian grinning and mocking faced “oh, he definitely bites. Look at that quiet rage, unlike me y’know.” Jace spat out the coffee and laughed before wiping his face with a napkin. Their dark, chaotic laughter continues until Jace’s phone buzzes. He glances down and freezes slightly.

 Text from Kael saying ..

"Keep Riven distracted. Someone’s sniffing around him again. Don’t let him know yet — i’ll handle it."

Jace straightens up “…Okay. Fun’s over. Boss just gave us a side quest.” Darian looked serious now “Riven can’t know?” Jace uttered “yup. Kael’s worried he’ll spiral. Wants us to keep him busy.” Darian already pulling out his phone “alright. Operation ‘annoy the shy boy’ is a go.”

[here comes the distractors]

Knock knock knock. A knock on the door is heard.

Riven was half-asleep as he opens the door “…What the hell do you two want?” Jace grinning, holding up a bag “brunch. Gossip. And forcing you to be emotionally available.” Darian sliding past him into the room “also, we’re playing cards and watching a movie. Your tragic backstory can rest for the day.” Riven narrowing his eyes, suspicious “you’re being nice. That’s suspicious.” Jace winks “Kael would be very upset if we let his favorite boy wallow.” Riven mutters “he’s not that soft.” Darian plops onto the beanbag “sure he’s not. That’s why he looks at you like you invented oxygen.” Riven rolls his eyes, but there’s a blush creeping in as he hides behind his hair.

[shady]

Abandoned lot, meeting a shady contact. Rain starting to fall. Tension thick. Kael lights a cigarette, eyes narrowed. Kael coldly said, “you were supposed to make this go away.” Shady guy responded with a smug look on his face “i did. But someone else picked up the scent. They’re not asking about you, Kael. They’re asking about the boy.” Kael's voice turns icy “then someone’s about to lose their teeth."

[gay of cards]

In the living room . Jace is flipping through random anime, Darian is shuffling uno cards like he’s in a casino. Riven is on the floor, trapped between them both. Riven looks exhausted, and muttered, "I don’t even like card games.” Jace throws a pillow at him “you’re playing. It’s therapy.” Darian was grinning “loser has to answer a very personal question. I’ve got a list.” Riven annoyingly said “…I hate you both.” Jace teased  “that’s the spirit."

Time passes. Riven loses. A lot. Darian leaning in “alright. Next question. When did you realize you were into Kael?” Riven was visibly overheating “i wasn’t— i’m not—” Jace gasps, hands over his mouth “oh my god he’s blushing. I repeat, the gangster’s boyfriend is blushing.”

“shut up! You’re just trying to distract me from something.” He pauses, suspicious. Eyes flick toward the window. Riven asked with a worried face  “…Where is he, anyway?”Jace said, too fast“out. Grocery run.” Darian also too fast “emergency… Meatballs.” Riven squints. Deep sigh. He doesn’t press. They win this round.