Forbidden ( a BxB Furry Romance )

Chapter 14

The morning sunlight filtered through the thin curtains, casting faint streaks of gold across the room. Kael stirred, his body curled under the blanket as he blinked sleepily. The warmth pressed against his side reminded him of the night before, of the way Silas had stayed with him, offering comfort he hadn't thought he deserved.

He glanced up to see Silas still beside him, his head tilted back against the couch, eyes closed in peaceful slumber. The faint rise and fall of Silas's chest was steady, calming. Kael let his gaze linger for a moment longer, the memory of Silas's quiet reassurances still fresh in his mind.

A soft knock at the door broke the stillness, and Kael tensed instinctively. But the muffled, familiar voice on the other side set him at ease.

"Morning! I brought muffins!" Ghost's cheerful tone was unmistakable.

Silas stirred, blinking his amber eyes open and glancing at Kael with a sleepy smile. "Ghost, of course," he muttered, his voice thick with grogginess. He sat up slowly, stretching his arms. "You feeling okay?" he asked Kael, his voice quieter, softer.

Kael nodded. "Better," he admitted, surprising himself with the honesty. He wasn't entirely okay—far from it—but the weight he'd been carrying didn't feel quite as unbearable.

Silas nodded in return, his smile widening slightly before he got up to open the door. Ghost bounded in, their usual whirlwind of energy, carrying a box of warm muffins. "Hope you're ready for breakfast, because I'm not taking no for an answer!"

Right behind them came Daniel, balancing a thermos and a bag slung over his shoulder. His dark hair was slightly disheveled, as if he'd hurried out the door. "Figured you guys could use some coffee," he said with a small smile, holding up the thermos.

Kael blinked in surprise. "Daniel? I didn't think you'd come over this early."

Daniel chuckled softly, setting the thermos down on the coffee table. "Ghost insisted. Plus, I wanted to check in on you." He offered Kael a glance that was both casual and full of unspoken care.

Kael felt a little overwhelmed by their combined presence, but it wasn't unpleasant. Instead, there was a strange sense of comfort in the way his friends had shown up for him.

As they all settled in, Ghost immediately launched into a story about a chaotic market trip involving a misplaced shopping list and a near-disaster with a fruit cart. Daniel chimed in occasionally with dry commentary, his quiet humor earning a few chuckles from Silas and even a small laugh from Kael.

Silas kept his gaze on Kael, a quiet pride flickering in his amber eyes whenever Kael engaged. The tension that had clung to Kael like a second skin seemed to ease slightly with every passing moment.

When the plates were empty and the conversation had lulled, Ghost leaned forward, resting their chin in their hands as they eyed Kael curiously. "So," they began, their tone surprisingly gentle, "what's the plan for today?"

Kael hesitated, glancing at Silas, then Daniel. The truth was, he hadn't thought that far ahead. The idea of venturing outside felt daunting, but staying cooped up wasn't appealing either.

Daniel broke the silence, his voice calm and measured. "Sometimes a change of scenery helps. We don't have to go far. Maybe just a quiet walk, somewhere peaceful."

Ghost nodded eagerly. "Or we could hit up that little café downtown! No pressure, though. I'm good with whatever."

Kael considered their suggestions, feeling a flicker of something unfamiliar—anticipation, maybe. He wasn't sure he was ready to face the world just yet, but the idea of doing something, anything, with the people who had been there for him was... comforting.