My Stepbrother, My Enemy {BL}-Chapter 169: Two Kinds Of Safety

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That afternoon, the living room felt like a cozy little retreat, with soft light pouring in from the tall windows and the quiet hum of a movie playing on the big screen that had quietly lowered from the ceiling. Ethan and I were snuggled up on opposite ends of the plush sectional, keeping a comfortable distance between us that felt more comforting than awkward.

He was sipping his tea, watching the steam rise in lazy swirls from his mug, while I pretended to pay attention to the film, even though my thoughts kept drifting back to the hallway upstairs...specifically, to Adrien’s confession, the heat of his lips on mine, and how everything in my life had shifted in an instant.

God, I couldn’t even describe just I guilty I felt about it even if it was Adrien who kissed me and not the other way around.

Then my phone buzzed on the table, snapping me out of my daydream. I reached for it without thinking, and saw Gigi’s name lighting up with an excited string of texts.

Gigi💅🏾: How’s the party going?? I need ALL the scoop right now dude!!!

Then, with a bit more concern: "

Gigi💅🏾: I had trouble sleeping last night for some reason... hope everything’s okay over there??

Reading her words tightened my chest. I could easily picture her, with those wide brown eyes narrowing in suspicion if I didn’t give her the whole truth, her curls bouncing as she leaned forward, ready to defend me against the world.

Gigi has always been my fierce protector, glaring down anyone who dared to look at me the wrong way. But she had enough on her plate already. Her parents had turned their backs on her the moment she came out, she was struggling on school work too.

The last thing she needed was to know what almost happened last night, about the hands that grabbed me in the dark and how close I was to something truly terrifying. It would break her heart. She would lose sleep, hover over me even more, and blame herself for not being there. I couldn’t do that to her, not now. Maybe not ever.

I let out a quiet sigh, fingers hovering over the keyboard before I typed back something simple:

Me: everything’s fine, the party was chill, just recovering today.

I hit send and powered the phone off right away, knowing Gigi would raise an eyebrow at such a vague reply and probably ask a million questions as soon as I turned it back on. But for the moment, the screen went dark, and the room settled back into a soft quiet.

An hour slipped by like that, the movie’s dialogue blending into a low murmur that neither of us really followed. Eventually, Ethan stretched, setting his empty mug down with a soft clink before running a hand through his dark hair.

"I hate to do this," he said, his voice low and genuinely regretful as he looked down at me. "But I really have to get going. My uncle’s expecting me...um, we have some work stuff that I just can’t skip, no matter how much I’d rather stay here.

A warm blend of disappointment settled in my chest because being around Ethan felt like a breath of fresh air after being underwater for too long. His presence was steady and kind, wrapping around me like a blanket I hadn’t realized I needed, just like Adrien’s had become in its complicated, intense way.

Both of them made the world feel a bit softer, a bit safer, and the thought of the house returning to its quiet state once he left made me ache in a way I couldn’t put into words.

Not me being so dependent on them to not spiral into insanity, but ok.

I stood up too, smoothing down my oversized sweater as I walked him to the door. "I get it," I said softly, managing a small smile even though it felt fragile. "Thanks for coming over. It really meant a lot to me."

He paused at the door, turning to face me, his expression gentle and searching. The late afternoon light filtered through the windows, catching in his eyes and warming them to a deeper shade of brown. "You don’t have to thank me, pretty boy."

He raised a hand slowly, fingers brushing lightly along my jaw as he leaned in, hesitating just inches away, close enough that I could feel the warmth of his breath on my skin.

"Is this okay?" he asked quietly, concern lacing his voice. "After everything from last night... I don’t want to push if you’re not—"

A soft laugh escaped me unexpectedly, sounding light and free in contrast to the heaviness lingering inside. "I’m okay," I whispered, tilting my face up toward his. "Really. Just kiss me."

Relief flickered across his face, his expression soft and grateful, and then his lips met mine in a kiss that felt like coming home after a storm. It started off gentle, careful, and reassuring, his mouth moving slowly against mine as if he was reminding me that good things still existed.

One hand cradled my face while the other rested lightly at my waist, just holding me there in the quiet safety of the moment. I leaned into him, shutting my eyes as his warmth chased away some of the lingering shadows, my fingers curling into the soft fabric of his jacket.

When we finally pulled apart, our foreheads rested together for a few lingering seconds, our breaths mingling in the small space between us.

"Text me later?" he murmured, his thumb tracing a gentle line along my cheekbone. "Even if it’s just to say you’re okay."

"I will," I promised, my voice barely above a whisper.

He smiled then, small and genuine, before pressing one last quick kiss to my forehead and stepping out into the crisp afternoon air. The door closed softly behind him, and the house fell into a deeper silence than before, leaving me standing there with the ghost of his kiss still tingling on my lips and the memory of Adrien burning in my chest.

They were two different kinds of safety, two impossible choices, and no idea how to navigate the tangled space between them.

Shit, I’m too dumb to have to deal with this drama. Was it too late to lock myself in my room and never come out like I usually did when things got hard?