Chasing Shadows

Chapter Eighty-Three: "Just Us"

The apartment was quiet, the world outside nothing more than a distant hum as the soft afternoon light filtered through the curtains. For once, there were no missions to prepare for, no villainous schemes hanging over their heads. It was just Ethan and Zane, locked away in the sanctuary of their shared space, where no one else could touch them.

After the tumultuous events of the last few days-Asher's harsh words, the looming uncertainty of their future together, and the weight of Ethan being benched as a sidekick-the two of them had come to an unspoken agreement: they needed time. Time to just be together. To exist without the chaos of their double lives getting in the way.

Zane had taken charge of the day, gently pushing Ethan to relax, even if his mind was still buzzing with everything that had happened. It was rare for Zane to take such a caring role, but Ethan needed it, and Zane could see the exhaustion etched on his lover's face.

The sound of soft music played in the background as Zane moved around the kitchen, preparing something simple but warm for lunch. He is a great chef-- he was determined to put in the effort today. Anything to make Ethan feel just a little bit better.

Ethan sat on the couch, his knees drawn up to his chest, Rascal curled beside him, occasionally nudging his hand for a pet. He appreciated the quiet moments but couldn't quite shake the weight that hung over him. He wasn't sure how to feel anymore-his heart was torn between loyalty to Asher and his growing feelings for Zane. Asher had made it clear that his relationship with Zane was a problem, and now Ethan had no choice but to step back from his hero work.

He sighed deeply, his hand resting on Rascal's fur, his mind miles away.

"You okay over there?" Zane's voice called from the kitchen, his tone soft but with that familiar edge of teasing.

Ethan looked up, trying to muster a small smile but falling short. "Yeah... I'm fine. Just thinking."

Zane wiped his hands on a dish towel and walked over to the couch, sitting beside Ethan and gently nudging his shoulder. "Come on, don't lie to me. I know you better than that."

Ethan leaned his head back, his eyes meeting Zane's. "I just... I don't know how to feel. It's weird not being able to go out with Asher, to patrol, to... be part of the hero stuff."

Zane's expression softened as he reached out, brushing a few strands of hair away from Ethan's face. "I know it sucks right now, but you'll get back to it. Asher's just being overprotective. He'll realize eventually that you're not a kid and that you can make your own choices."

Ethan huffed, shaking his head. "Maybe. But what if he doesn't? What if I've ruined everything?"

Zane leaned in closer, his voice low and comforting. "You haven't ruined anything, okay? You stood up for yourself, for us. And that takes guts. Asher's just gonna need time to figure out that he's wrong."

Ethan looked away, his chest tight with uncertainty. He wanted to believe Zane, to trust that things would get better, but it felt like too much had changed too quickly. He was lost in thought when he felt Zane's hand slide down to gently hold his.

"Look," Zane continued, his voice soft, "today, it's just us. No Asher, no missions, no villains. Just you and me. And I'm gonna make sure you take a break from all that crap, alright? You deserve it."

Ethan finally met Zane's eyes again, and the sincerity he saw there made something inside him relax. He nodded, grateful that Zane was here, that he didn't have to carry this weight alone.

Zane smirked, leaning forward and pressing a soft kiss to Ethan's forehead. "Good. Now, come on, food's almost ready. I'm no five-star chef, but I promise it won't poison you."

Ethan couldn't help the small laugh that escaped him. It was the first genuine laugh he'd had in days, and Zane grinned, satisfied that he'd managed to lift Ethan's spirits, even if only for a moment.

They ate in comfortable silence, the food simple but warm, just like Zane had promised. Afterward, Zane cleared the plates, refusing to let Ethan help with anything. Instead, he pushed him back toward the couch, insisting he relax.

Once the dishes were done, Zane returned, a small mischievous smile tugging at his lips. "You know what we need?"

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"Movies. Something cheesy, something ridiculous, and definitely something with explosions."

Ethan blinked, then a slow smile crept onto his face. "You're such a dork."

Zane flopped down beside him, grabbing the remote. "I know. But I'm your dork."

They ended up watching some over-the-top action movie, the kind with wild stunts and unbelievable plots. Zane made sarcastic commentary the entire time, occasionally pausing the movie to point out something ridiculous and earning a few chuckles from Ethan.

But after a while, the lightheartedness faded, and the weight of everything settled back into Ethan's chest. Zane must have noticed, because he suddenly reached over, gently tugging Ethan closer to him. Without a word, Ethan let himself be pulled into Zane's arms, resting his head on his chest. He could hear the steady rhythm of Zane's heartbeat, the sound grounding him in a way nothing else could.

They stayed like that for a long time, the movie forgotten in the background. Zane's hand rested on Ethan's back, his touch soothing as he gently traced small circles. It was moments like this that made Ethan feel like everything might be okay-that as long as he had Zane, he could handle whatever came next.

After a while, Zane broke the silence, his voice a soft murmur. "You're not alone in this, you know."

Ethan tilted his head slightly to look up at him. "I know."

"I mean it," Zane continued, his tone serious. "I don't care what happens with Asher or anyone else. You're not going through this on your own. I've got you, okay?"

Ethan felt a lump form in his throat, and he nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "Okay."

They stayed like that for what felt like hours, the world outside their apartment forgotten. It was just them, together, in their own little bubble of peace.

Later that evening, after the sun had set and the apartment was bathed in the warm glow of soft lamps, they found themselves on the balcony. It had become their routine-Zane with his cigarette, Ethan leaning on the railing, watching the city lights flicker in the distance.

Zane took a slow drag, exhaling the smoke into the night air. "You're staring again," he teased, glancing at Ethan from the corner of his eye.

Ethan blushed, looking away quickly. "I wasn't."

Zane chuckled, his smirk playful as he flicked the ash from his cigarette. "Sure, you weren't. It's okay, I'm used to it. I mean, I am pretty irresistible."

Ethan rolled his eyes, trying to suppress a smile. "You're insufferable."

"And yet, here you are," Zane said, stepping closer, his voice low as he leaned in. "You can't resist me."

Ethan opened his mouth to protest, but the words caught in his throat as Zane's lips brushed against his, soft and teasing. Zane pulled back slightly, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "See? Told you."

Ethan's heart skipped a beat, his cheeks flushing. "You're impossible."

Zane smiled, a softer, more genuine smile this time. "But I'm your impossible."

Ethan couldn't argue with that. Instead, he leaned into Zane, resting his head on his shoulder, feeling the warmth of his body against his own. They stood there for a long time, the quiet night surrounding them, the weight of the world kept at bay for just a little while longer.

Zane pressed a kiss to the top of Ethan's head, his arms wrapping around him in a protective embrace. "We'll figure this out," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "You and me. We'll get through it."

Ethan closed his eyes, letting himself believe it, if only for a moment. In Zane's arms, with the city lights flickering below them, it felt like anything was possible.

And for now, that was enough.