Chasing Shadows

Chapter Seventy-Five: Late-Night Revelations

The light of the moon streamed through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. Ethan lay sprawled across his bed, one arm hanging off the edge, the other wrapped protectively around a dozing Rascal. The apartment was silent except for the occasional snuffling sound from the tiny dog, his tiny body rising and falling with each peaceful breath.

It was one of those rare nights where Ethan felt completely at ease. No villains to chase, no missions to review, and—most importantly—no chaotic interruptions. Just him, his bed, and the warmth of his dog curled against his chest.

He was deep in that blissful state between dreams when the front door slammed open, the noise echoing through the apartment like a gunshot.

“What the f—” Ethan jolted upright, his heart pounding as he struggled to blink away the haze of sleep. His eyes darted to the doorway, where Zane stood silhouetted against the darkness, his chest heaving slightly as if he’d run the whole way here.

“Zane?” Ethan groaned, rubbing at his eyes. “What the hell—”

Zane grinned, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he strode into the room, kicking the door shut behind him with a loud bang. “Ethan, you will not believe what just happened!”

Rascal, startled by the noise, leapt out of Ethan’s arms and skittered to the foot of the bed, barking shrilly at Zane as if scolding him for the rude awakening.

“Yeah, same, Rascal,” Ethan muttered, collapsing back onto his pillow with a groan. “Zane, it’s like… two in the morning. What are you doing here?”

“I know, I know, but listen!” Zane practically bounced onto the bed beside him, his knee digging uncomfortably into Ethan’s side as he leaned over him. “You remember how Rhea was being a total hard-ass about us, right?”

“Uh-huh.” Ethan squinted up at him, barely able to focus. “Wait—what?”

“Rhea!” Zane repeated, waving his hands animatedly. “You know, the one who’s been giving me grief about you? Well, she’s finally—” He paused, his grin widening. “She’s finally okay with it! She said she’s going to support us!”

Ethan stared at him blankly, trying to process the barrage of words coming at him. “That’s… nice?”

“Nice?” Zane scoffed, his voice pitching higher with excitement. “It’s amazing! Do you know how long I’ve been trying to get her to back off? And tonight, out of nowhere, she comes to me and asks how you’re doing. Like, genuinely asking!”

Ethan blinked, struggling to keep his eyes open. “Uh-huh.”

“And then she starts talking about wanting to understand us better,” Zane continued, barely pausing to breathe. “She’s willing to listen, Ethan! I think she finally realizes that I—”

“Zane,” Ethan interrupted softly, his voice slurred with exhaustion. “that beautiful… now close your eyes and your mouth and fucking sleep.”

Zane stopped mid-sentence, blinking down at Ethan in surprise. “What?”

“Just… shut up for five seconds, will you?” Ethan mumbled, his eyelids drooping again. “I’m happy for you, really, but can we talk about it when it’s not the middle of the night?”

“But—”

“Zane,” Ethan growled, his voice muffled by the pillow. “I swear, if you keep talking, I’ll throw you out of the window.”

Zane’s mouth opened, but the words died in his throat. For a moment, he just stared at Ethan, his expression caught somewhere between disbelief and amusement. Then, slowly, a smile crept across his lips.

“Wow. Didn’t realize you’d get so feisty when you’re half-asleep,” he murmured, his voice dropping to a softer tone. “It’s kinda cute.”

Ethan grunted in response, turning onto his side and pulling the covers over his head. “Go away.”

Zane chuckled, shifting closer until his chest was pressed against Ethan’s back. “No can do, darling. I’m too hyped to leave now.”

“Of course you are,” Ethan muttered, but he didn’t move away as Zane’s arm wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer.

They lay there in silence for a few moments, Zane’s fingers tracing idle patterns on Ethan’s stomach. Rascal, seemingly accepting that the commotion was over, curled back up at the end of the bed, his tiny snores filling the quiet once more.

“So… you’re really not interested in hearing more?” Zane whispered, his lips brushing against the back of Ethan’s neck.

“Zane…”

“Right, right. Shutting up now.” But he didn’t pull away, his thumb continuing its slow, soothing motion. “Just wanted to say… I’m really happy, you know? That she’s finally coming around. I know it’s not perfect, but… it’s a start.”

Ethan’s heart softened at the genuine emotion in Zane’s voice. Even through the fog of sleep, he could hear the hope and relief lacing his words. With a sigh, Ethan turned in Zane’s arms, burying his face against his chest.

“Yeah,” he mumbled, his voice barely audible. “I’m glad too. Now sleep.”

Zane’s smile was almost tangible in the darkness as he pressed a soft kiss to Ethan’s forehead. “Alright, alright. I’ll try.”

But even as he settled in, his body relaxing against Ethan’s, he couldn’t resist one last comment.

“Rhea’s probably still pissed that I didn’t ditch you for that guy at the bar, though. She’s never gonna let that go.”

Ethan let out a sleepy chuckle, his hand lazily patting Zane’s chest. “You’ll live.”

“Yeah, I will.” Zane’s voice was a murmur, his hand tightening slightly on Ethan’s waist. “As long as you’re around, I’ll be just fine.”

Ethan smiled faintly, his breath evening out as sleep began to pull him under again. “You talk too much…”

“And you love it.”

“Mm-hmm. Sure, Zane. Now shut up.”

Zane chuckled, his own eyes drifting closed as he nestled closer. “Night, darling.”

“Night…” Ethan’s voice was a whisper, fading into the darkness.

For the first time in a long while, Zane felt at peace. As he lay there, listening to the steady rhythm of Ethan’s breathing and the soft snores of Rascal, he realized that maybe, just maybe, things were finally starting to fall into place.

And with that comforting thought, he allowed himself to drift into sleep, his arms wrapped tightly around the one person who made everything else fade away.