Something In The Way-SYLUS X MC X ZAYNE

Chapter 25 "THE END OF THE BEGINNING"

The quiet stretched between us as I stood at the mirror, fastening the last button on my jacket. I could feel his eyes on me, intense and unrelenting, watching my every move. He lay there, sprawled across the bed, making no effort to hide that he wanted me to stay. It had been a week lost to him, a week filled with moments I'd kept myself from indulging in for so long—moments I knew I could get lost in too easily. But reality was calling me back, whispering of responsibilities I'd worked so hard to build, of the life I had outside his shadow.

"Stay," he said quietly, his voice wrapping around me like a tether. "I don't mind if you live off of me."

A small laugh escaped me, but I forced it to sound light. "As if," I teased, rolling my eyes, but his gaze didn't waver. He was serious. I could see it in the way he watched me, something deeper flickering beneath his steady expression.

He leaned forward, his face unreadable. "I'm not joking. Don't leave."

I turned to face him fully, meeting his gaze with a steadiness I didn't quite feel. "I'm not leaving you," I said, my tone softer than I intended. His eyes lingered on mine, a shadow of doubt there, almost like he didn't believe me, like he feared I'd slip away the moment I walked out that door.

But I couldn't let myself drown in that look. Not now. I took a breath, brushing off the weight of the moment, and said with a smirk, "Besides, I think I've stressed my boss out enough. I have responsibilities, an apartment gathering dust..." I let out a laugh, rubbing the ache in my shoulder. "And if we're being honest, I could use a break. You haven't exactly let me rest."

His eyes glinted, catching on to my teasing. "You're the one who can't keep your hands off me," he murmured, pushing himself up and moving behind me. He leaned down, pressing a kiss to my shoulder, then trailing up to my neck, making it hard to hold on to any thoughts of leaving.

I inhaled, feeling his warmth seep into me, but I forced myself to shrug him off gently. "I really need to go before it gets too late."

He groaned, pulling back slightly. "It's already night. Just stay one more night."

"If I do, I'll never make it to work," I said, shaking my head, trying to sound firm even as my resolve wavered under the weight of his touch.

Then, my phone rang, breaking the moment. He reached over, grabbing it off the table and handing it to me. I glanced down, seeing the name on the screen: Greyson. My brow furrowed as I answered, my voice steady. "Hey, Greyson. What's up?"

There was a shaky hesitation on the other end, and then his voice broke through, tense and uncertain. "I... I have bad news."

A chill crept down my spine. "What's wrong?"

Greyson's words tumbled out, barely controlled. "It's... it's him. He's hurt. Badly. A Wanderer attacked him. He's in critical condition."

Time seemed to stop, the world slowing to a blur as the words sank in. Hurt? Badly? The image of him lying in a hospital bed, broken and fragile, was something I never thought I'd have to face. I had always seen him as unbreakable, as someone who would always be there. But now...

Greyson continued, his voice softer. "He's in surgery right now. I thought... I thought you'd want to know. I didn't know who else to call. He's always been close to you."

My vision blurred as tears pricked my eyes. "I'll be there right away."

I ended the call, my heart pounding, and quickly began gathering my things, my mind in a thousand places all at once. I didn't look up at him. I couldn't. Not yet. Finally, I forced myself to turn and face him, the words coming out choked. "It's him... he's badly hurt."