In a dimly-lit alley behind an old boxing gym. Kael’s sleeves are rolled, fists bloody. Shady guys on the floor groaning, others are already out cold.

Kael's wiping his lip, breathing steady “you thought touching him was an option?” That second shady guy was coughing saying "Didn’t even get close— i swear—!” Kael grabs his shirt, slams him against the wall “you try again, and i bury you.” He lets the guy drop. Cold, measured fury in his eyes. Kael uttered as he limps away “just stay out of his world. He’s mine.” Leaving them behind.

Later that night…

It’s late. Riven is pacing. The other two have finally left. He hears a soft knock. Riven opens the door— and freezes “Kael…”

Kael’s there. Bruised lip. Small cut near his eyebrow. Shirt messy. But eyes locked right on Riven.

Riven steps forward fast, voice cracking “what happened?! Are you—?!” Kael calmly uttered “i handled it. It’s done.”Riven grabs his wrist, eyes wide, voice small “you’re hurt…” Kael tilts his head, softly amused “you crying?” Riven is shaking slightly saying ..“shut up. You scared me…” Kael cups Riven’s cheek, thumb brushing gently. Kael gently whispers “i said i’d protect you. I meant it.”

Riven just leans forward, forehead touching kael. “you can’t protect me if you’re dead, dumbass…”and then, Kael kisses him. Soft. Slow. One hand behind Riven’s head, grounding him. The other bruised and tucked into his hoodie pocket. Riven melts, lips trembling.)

Riven pulling Kael gently into the room, shutting the door behind them. No more distractions. No more pretending they aren’t tangled up in something bigger than them both.

Both sat on the sofa. Riven’s dabbing alcohol on kael’s cut, perched on the edge of the bed. Kael’s shirt is off, revealing bruises and lean muscle. Riven’s fingers shake a little.

Riven's focused but flustered “you should’ve told me. I would've gone with you.” Kael smirking slightly. “and let you see me like this? Not a chance.” Riven sighed “i’ve seen worse. You’re not scary.” Kael leans closer. “no? Not even when i’ve got blood on my knuckles and the guy i like between my legs with alcohol and trembling hands? "

 Riven looks up fast, eyes locking onto Kael’s. Silence. Air thick. Riven softly responded “…I’m not between your legs.” Kael also responded with his low voice he chuckled with a smug face “not yet.” Riven drops the cotton ball. His hand rests on Kael’s chest now — over his heartbeat. Fast. Steady. Real.

Riven's face flushed, he looked away “i hate it when you talk like that.” Kael leans in, forehead brushing his “you hate it… Or it makes your knees weak?” Riiven didn't respond. His breath hitches. Kael’s hand slips behind his neck, gentle but possessive. Their lips hover. Then— slow. Deep. Riven kisses him first this time.

Fade into the bedroom, with tension, love in those bruises from a fight. Riven’s hoodie is peeled off. Kael’s hands roam cautiously — exploring, savoring. It’s not rushed. It’s not wild. It’s intentional. Every kiss says you’re safe now. Every whisper says you’re mine and i’ll bleed for you again.

Kael talked softly, into Riven’s neck “i hate hurting people.” Riven's hands in kael’s hair, “you didn’t hurt them. You protected me.” Kael’s eyes closed, murmuring “you make me want to be… Someone good.” Riven responded almost a whisper “you already are.” Kael kissed him like he doesn’t deserve those words. Riven kissed  him like he does.

[what's next? Maybe love]

They’re under the sheets now. Kael’s arm is wrapped around Riven’s waist. Riven’s head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat — steady, alive, still his. Kael was half-asleep “if anyone tries to take you from me, i’ll burn the whole damn world down.” Riven just quietly snuggled in and responded.  “you don’t have to… Just stay alive.” Kael just smiles tiredly “then don’t ever leave. ” First time — “i’m yours tonight” He added.

After the chaos, quiet has returned. The lights are dim. Kael’s injuries are cleaned. Riven stayed the night. " I'll go take a bath,  you can rest first" Kael said as he stands up patted riven's head, he smiled as a respond.

" Gonna take a bath first " He said while walking towards the bathroom.

A minute later…

Kael steps out off the bathroom, towel around his shoulders, tank top clinging to his bruised skin. Riven is on the bed, still in Kael’s shirt. He’s sitting cross-legged, clearly anxious but trying to act casual.

Kael was drying his hair “you’re still awake.” Riven's just watching him closely “couldn’t sleep.” Kael walks over, voice gentle “thinking?” Riven looked down, fidgeting his fingers, responded. “about you… Me… What this is.” Kael sits beside him, hand brushing lightly over Riven’s knee. Kael whispered gently, “then let me help you stop thinking.”

He leans in, kissed him, it was unhurried — searching, grounding. Riven breathes out a shaky sigh as kael’s hand finds his jaw, holding him like something delicate.

Then, their clothes fall away piece by piece — not ripped, not rushed. Kael pulls the shirt over Riven’s head like he’s unwrapping a gift. Riven’s hands tremble on Kael’s waistband. Their eyes meet. Riven's worried face saying “i’ve never… With someone i actually like.”Kael leans in, forehead to forehead “then i’ll make sure this is different.” Kael lays him down gently. Their bodies align — heat against heat, skin on skin. Kael kisses a trail down his chest, slow and reverent. Every touch is asking permission. Every breath is saying: You matter to me.

Fingers interlock. Riven arches slightly as Kael moves lower, coaxing out every shiver with practiced care — but no detachment. This isn’t just pleasure, it’s claiming. Kael murmuring “if you want me to stop—” Riven pulls him back in, breath hot “don’t. Please.” It was hot, romantic, as if it's only two of them. They move together — slow at first, shaky with tension. Riven’s nails leave light scratches on Kael’s back. Kael’s lips keep finding Riven’s — grounding him every time the waves get too high.

Kael grips Riven’s waist tighter as their rhythm deepens. Riven gasps, his voice breaking with pleasure, arms pulling Kael closer. Riven whispers “Kael…” Kael panting softly “i’ve got you. I’ve always got you.” The air is filled with soft moans, breathless whimpers, the sound of skin meeting skin. The kind of intimacy that leaves both bodies shaking and hearts wide open.

[sweet , comfortable, protected]

Kael pulls Riven into his arms, wrapping the blanket around them both. Riven curls into him, flushed and dazed. Kael kissed his temple “you okay?” Riven let out a quiet laugh “okay? I think i just lost my soul to you.” Kael chuckles low. “good. I wasn’t planning on giving mine back either.”

Early morning. Light peeks through the curtains. Kael’s wounds from the fight are still raw. Riven, still wrapped in the fog of last night, watches him move shirtless toward the bathroom, muscles stiff with pain. Riven just sitting up, asking with a soft voice. “you’re still hurting.”Kael shrugs, forcing a smirk “i’ve had worse."  

Riven whispers but heard “...let me help you."  Kael’s surprised, but doesn’t say no. Minutes later, water is running. Steam fills the small bathroom. Kael leans against the tiled wall, briefs low on his hips. Riven stands behind him, shirtless, hands hesitant. Riven's voice low “tell me if it hurts." Kael smirking faintly “i like a little pain.” Riven gently starts rubbing soap over his shoulders, fingers tracing the bruises down his back. His hands linger just a second too long, breathing shallow as the water beads down Kael’s skin.

Riven moves closer, their bodies brushing. Kael turns slightly — just enough to feel riven's breath on his neck. Kael: “you sure about this?” Riven murmurs, almost pained “you got hurt for me. I just… Want to take care of you.”

Kael catches Riven’s wrist and slowly pulls him around to face him. Now chest to chest, Riven’s eyes drop to Kael’s lips. Kael lifts his chin, offering. Riven takes it. Their mouths meet slowly — tongues tasting heat and steam. Riven’s hands press to Kael’s chest, sliding down his abs, lingering on the bruise along his ribs. Kael breaking the kiss, voice husky “if you keep touching me like that, i won’t be able to stop.” Riven whispers "I don’t want you to.” Kael growls low in his throat, then lifts Riven up against the wet wall, mouth hungry now. Water trickles down their bodies as the kiss deepens — messy, wet, real. Their hips grind, every bruise and scar kissed and worshipped. Riven gasps as Kael’s hands explore him boldly, yet with care . Kael muttered between breaths “you’re mine, Riven. Always.” Riven responded breathless "Only yours.”

They slide to the floor of the shower, tangled together in the warm water. Riven rests his head on Kael’s shoulder, hand on his heartbeat. “i hate seeing you hurt.” Riven uttered with a sad face, Kael kisses his wet hair “then stay close. Give me something worth surviving for.”

Kael and Riven are still in the bathroom, wrapped in towels — flushed, steam still rising off their bodies. Kael’s trying to look composed. Riven? Not even trying. Red ears, trembling lips, and limp from all that tension release.

Suddenly, the front door bursts open. Chaos enters the room  in the form of darian and jace. Darian was yelling without shame “yo kael! You alive or what? I brought pain meds—” Jace sniffs, nose wrinkling "...why does it smell like body wash and sin in here?” Before Kael can even shout, Darian pushes open the bedroom door… And stares. Kael and Riven freeze — both of them wearing nothing but towels, hair dripping, bruises still showing on Kael’s chest, and Riven’s lips visibly swollen.

Darian:

“…”

Jace:

“…”

Darian grins slow as hell “oh my god—” Jace was laughing, “y’all went full soap opera in the shower?? We were gone for one night.” Riven groans, buries face in Kael’s shoulder “please… Let me die.” Kael dryly told them while arms crossed over towel.  “get out before i throw you both out the window.” The teasing starts, darian fake a gasp“oh no! Not in front of your boyfriend, boss! He might get jealous!” Jace nudging Riven “don’t worry babe, next time we’ll knock. Or not. Depends on how nosy we feel.”Riven sputters, hiding behind kael “you two are demons—!”

Riven catches a glimpse of himself in the mirror. As Kael growls and chases them out of the room, riven catches a glimpse of himself in the mirror. Riven blinks “…My hair’s a mess.” Kael was leaning back in with a smirk, “still the prettiest thing in this whole damn apartment.” Riven turns crimson. Darian and Jace, eavesdropping in the hall, fake gag loudly “ wait! Kael has a bitemark and a hickey?” over acting, “ yep totally, we were right, he bites” both of them laughing. Kael throwed throwed the towel at them revealing his…still fighting. They were surprised, “ wtf , the Gangster boss is an *sshole. Darian shouting “y’all are disgusting and i love it! Group breakfast after this awkward tension wears off?” then they ran Kael just grnning to Riven, asked “you in?” Riven smiling awkwardly despite himself “yeah… I’m in.”

[flashback: The first time Kael really saw him]

Six months ago.

Riven was sitting at the back of a crammed university hallway, face hidden in his arms. Everyone else ignored him — just another broke kid with bad rumors and too much silence.

Kael? He wasn’t even supposed to be on campus. He was there collecting “payment” From someone. But he noticed something else entirely.

Kael's inner monologue

Most people look away from sadness.

But there he was. Trying so hard to disappear… And somehow standing out more than anyone.”

Flash of memory:

Riven’s hand shaking as he holding his old phone. He thought no one saw. But Kael did.

Kael remembered the soft tremor in Riven’s fingers — and how no one else bothered to help.

So Kael walked over, crouched down… Kael back then.

“you dropped this.” Riven startled, flinching  “…Thanks.” Kael noticed the bruise at the edge of his jaw. And the way Riven immediately tilted his head to hide it.  Kael thinking “shit. Someone hurt him. Not just life. Someone.” He stood up and turned around before he did anything reckless. That was the first time i wanted to beat someone up for a stranger.”

Back to present day…

Kael is sitting on the balcony now, hours after the teasing storm of Darian and Jace. The sky is painted with violet dusk. Riven’s asleep on the couch inside, curled like a cat, arms around a pillow Kael had just used. Kael watches him through the sliding glass door.

Then he smirks to himself. “let the world burn… Huh only for you"

He lets out a quiet laugh, no malice in it — just peace.  “i never smiled like this. Not once before you.” He leans his head back, watching the sky change.

“never wanted anything soft… Until you.”:

Riven’s chest rising and falling in sleep Kael outside, smiling like a man who’s ready to fight hell itself. And a silent promise in the air: "“i’ll protect this peace… Even if i have to bloody my hands again.