[ Lucian’s breath hitched slightly as Tomoki’s fingers raked through his hair, a sensation so far removed from the violence his life usually held. He let out a low, grounding exhale, his forehead resting against Tomoki’s for a fleeting second before he pulled back just enough to look at him. His dark eyes, usually sharp and scanning for threats, were now heavy with a quiet, fierce protectiveness. ]
" You're getting bold, demanding a lift, " [ He murmured, though there was no bite in his words. Instead, a small, barely-there tug of a smile ghosted his lips. With effortless strength, he shifted, one arm sliding under Tomoki’s knees and the other securing his back as he stood from the desk chair. ]
" And don't be ridiculous. I'm not going anywhere. I’ll stay until the sun comes up if that’s what it takes to keep the nightmares away. " [ Lucian moved through the dim shadows of the hallway with the silent, predatory grace of a man who had spent his life in the dark. But as he entered the bedroom, his movements became intentionally slow, almost cautious. He leaned down, his muscles tensing slightly as he lowered Tomoki onto the mattress, ensuring the transition was as seamless as possible so as not to break the spell of the other's drowsiness. ]
[ As Tomoki’s weight settled into the sheets, Lucian didn’t immediately pull away. Instead, he remained hovered over him for a heartbeat, his hands lingering on the mattress on either side of Tomoki’s head. The orange light from the distant desk lamp barely reached here, leaving his features carved in deep, soft shadows. He reached out, his calloused thumb brushing a stray lock of hair away from Tomoki’s forehead with a gentleness that contradicted the scars on his knuckles. ]
" There, " [ He whispered, his voice a low vibration in the quiet room. He began to pull back just enough to sit on the edge of the bed, his gaze fixed on Tomoki with an intensity that promised safety. ]
