the next day early morning

The sun hadn’t risen yet the house was still, shadows casting long across the marble floors. Riven stirred in bed, alone — the warm spot beside him already growing cold. He sat up slowly, aches dull but manageable now. The blanket slipped from his shoulders as he blinked, adjusting to the dim light.then, he heard it. Kael’s voice — quiet, low, from the hallway. The bedroom door wasn’t fully closed. Riven swung his legs over the edge, padded silently toward the sound.

in the hallway…

a conversation not meant to be heard…

Kael stood at the far end, phone to his ear, back turned. His voice was cold. Lethal. Not the soft version Riven had come to know last night — this was the Kael people feared.

 “i don’t care if they’re under the Magnum Cartel. I don’t care if it draws heat.”

 “i want their names. I want addresses. I want them dragged out of their homes if needed.”

His jaw clenched.

 “they touched what’s mine. I don’t give a shit if it causes a war.”Riven froze, hidden just beyond the hallway’s edge. His heart pounded.

“i’ll set the city on fire if i have to. You hear me?” Kael’s voice cracked—not with fear, but fury.

“for him? I’ll burn every bridge, i’ll tear down every alliance. Even if it’s the last thing i ever do.”

Silence. Kael ended the call. He stood there, hand trembling just slightly, breathing heavy. Then… He leaned on the wall. As if the weight of it all was catching up to him.

Riven stepped back, pressing his palm to his mouth. Tears welled up in his eyes—soft, stunned, shattering. He wasn’t supposed to hear that. He wasn’t supposed to matter this much. No one had ever fought for him before. No one had ever wanted him enough to face war for his sake. Not his parents. Not his so-called friends. Not even himself. But Kael… Kael would destroy the world just to protect him. And that realization crushed something in Riven’s chest. The dam broke — tears slipping quietly down his cheeks, his hand still over his mouth to stifle the sounds. Not from pain this time. But from being seen. Chosen. Fought for. Loved.

a moment later...

“Riven?” Kael’s voice suddenly cut through. Riven flinched, wiped his eyes fast — too late. Kael had already seen. He stepped forward. “you heard that…?” Riven nodded, eyes still shimmering. “i wasn’t trying to—i just…” His voice broke. “why?” Kael stepped close, hands gently cupping his face. “because you’re mine,” He said, raw and soft now. “because you matter. And because no one—no one—hurts the person i love and walks away.” Riven let out a shaky breath, tears falling again. He didn’t speak—just stepped forward and buried his face in Kael’s chest, arms wrapping tightly around him. Kael held him. Held him like he’d never let him go again. And maybe… He wouldn’t.

That afternoon ...

House, front door

Ding dong.

Kael opened the door, already knowing who it was — jace and darian, arms overflowing with grocery bags, a fruit basket, and a soft blanket awkwardly stuffed under one arm. “yo,” Jace said with a sheepish grin. “we, uh… Brought a whole-ass farmer’s market.” Kael raised an eyebrow but stepped aside. “come in.” Darian entered quietly, holding a small bag of meds and vitamins. “how is he?” Kael’s face softened. “resting. Had a rough night. They set the bags on the kitchen counter. The silence that followed wasn’t awkward—it was heavy, filled with things unspoken.

In the living room...

Once everything was set down, kael leaned on the counter, arms crossed. Jace flopped into the armchair. Darian stood near the balcony, looking out. “we got info,” Jace said finally. “your boys weren’t lying. The ones who took riven? Loan shark types, but not small-time. They’re tied to a bigger syndicate.” Darian chimed in. “and someone tipped them off. About riven. About his debts.” Kael’s eyes darkened. “you think it was planned?” “not random,” Jace said. “it was punishment. Message-sending shit.” Kael’s jaw clenched. “to who?” Jace hesitated. “you.” Kael went still. Darian turned. “they knew you were getting close to someone. That Riven meant something.” Kael’s voice dropped. “and they used him to get to me.” Darian nodded, lips tight. “it was a warning.” The air turned cold. “i’m not the kind of man you warn,” Kael said quietly. “i’m the kind you beg for mercy.”

Riven enters...

A soft reunion

From down the hall, quiet steps. A hesitant presence. They turned—Riven, standing there, hoodie draped over his frail frame, eyes still tired but open. He clutched the doorframe with one hand. “i… Heard voices,” He said softly. All three of them froze. Jace stood first, awkwardly. “hey, man…” Riven gave a tiny smile. “hey.” Then darian walked toward him. Carefully. Slowly. “you look like shit.” Riven laughed—actually laughed, even if it was weak. “nice to see you too.”

Then suddenly, Darian pulled him into a careful hug, wrapping arms around him like something precious. Riven froze for a second… Then melted into it. Jace joined a moment later, wrapping one arm around both of them. “we were worried, you idiot.” “i know,” Riven whispered, eyes wet. “i was too.” They stayed like that for a beat. No words needed. Then Kael, still leaning on the counter, smirked faintly. “glad you guys finally stopped acting like strangers.” Jace smirked back. “we had to. Your boyfriend’s too soft to hate.” Darian added, “we’re your friends, riven. And not just when things are easy.” Riven looked between them, eyes wide and overwhelmed. “...i thought you hated me.” “we were dumb,” Darian said simply. “but we’re here now.”