“Adriel, stop,” I said, firm but gentle. “There was nothing you could do. She made her own choices.”
His brows furrowed together and he shut his eyes. “I know that logically. But in my heart, I can hardly believe it.”
I brought him closer in my embrace. There was nothing else I could do except offer him comfort. Thankfully, Adriel didn’t push me away - instead, he completely folded up in my arms. My heart ached. He looked small and vulnerable, like an injured wolf.
Then, his frame went taut and shuddered. I didn’t realize what was happening until I heard the muffled sound of sobs. My heart broke.
“Oh, Adriel. It’s okay,” I murmured, stroking Adriel’s hair as he cried.
We stayed curled up against each other for a long time. It pained me to see him so upset, but I knew this was a breakdown he needed to have. He spent so much energy bottling up his emotions and refusing to deal with them that it was inevitable to lose control eventually. I whispered comfort in his ear and stroked his back in circles. The shivers wracking Adriel’s frame slowly quieted down until his breathing became smooth and rhythmic.
Finally, he sat upright. The rims of his eyes were still wet with tears.
“I’m sorry you had to see that,” he murmured. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and glanced away as he wiped his face. “I don’t know what came over me.”
“Don’t worry,” I said. “I think you needed that.”
“You may be right,” he mumbled. “I can’t even remember the last time I cried. It might have been before you were even born.”
I linked our arms together. His skin felt uncharacteristically warm. “Don’t feel bad, Adriel. We’re boyfriends now, right? You don’t have to feel embarrassed about this sort of thing with me.”
He nodded weakly. “Yes. It’s just hard to keep that in mind when I’ve been on my own for so long.”
“You can tell me anything,” I insisted. “It’s fine if you need time to yourself, but don’t forget that I’m here for you.”
Adriel looked into my eyes. The cold calmness that usually glinted on the surface had shattered, revealing the raw vulnerability beneath. It was so tenderly exposed that I had to force myself not to glance away.
“I’ve realized something,” Adriel said quietly.
Continuing to hold his hand, I asked, “What’s that?”
“I never told you that I love you.”
My heart leapt into my throat. That wasn’t what I was expecting to hear in this moment at all. “Oh.”
“So I suppose now is a good a time as ever,” Adriel murmured. “I love you, Caleb.” With a shy sideways glance, he added, “And I’m sorry for not saying it sooner.”
“That’s okay!” I blurted out. “I love you too!”
Adriel smiled, wide and genuine. He embraced me, and I never wanted him to let go. I was so proud of him for finally being honest with his own emotions, and with me. I realized this was the type of affirmation I needed to prove that this relationship could really work out.
And I couldn’t deny that hearing him say he loved me - and saying itfirst- made butterflies explode in my chest.
“I think I need to rest,” Adriel admitted. “This took a harder toll on me than I expected.”
“Good idea,” I said.
Adriel paused. “Do you have a shift tonight?”
“Shit, I totally forgot,” I said with a groan. “I’m scheduled to work tonight.”
With an exhausted expression, Adriel nodded. “Then I’ll come with you.”
“No, Adriel. You look terrible. No offense,” I added. “You need to rest.”
“None taken, but I would be a poor excuse for a vampire and a boyfriend if I didn’t protect you, regardless of my own health.”
As soon as he said it, my chest did a strange flip. “But - wait. What are you protecting me from now?”
