if I breathe deep enough—
You return.
At 5 a.m. the next day, Adrian’s alarm clock chimed softly, and he instinctively reached out to silence it before it could disturb the peaceful stillness of the cabin. The room was still cloaked in the blue-gray hues of dawn, and the soft rhythm of Logan’s breathing filled the space, grounding Adrian in a moment he would soon have to step away from. He turned his head, his gaze lingering on Logan’s sleeping form—his sandy hair tousled, his face serene, the faintest hint of a snore escaping his parted lips. Logan had Adrian entirely at his mercy, and Adrian couldn’t imagine a place he’d rather be.
Reluctantly, he untangled himself from the warmth of Logan’s naked body, careful not to wake him. The absence of their shared heat sent a brief shiver through him, but the anticipation bubbling in his chest quickly replaced it. He allowed himself one last lingering glance before slipping into the bathroom, where he splashed cold water on his face and brushed his teeth, his mind already racing through the list of things he needed to do.
Throwing on a t-shirt and a pair of jeans, Adrian quietly slipped out of the cabin. The crisp morning air greeted him as he stepped onto the street, his steps light and quick, propelled by the giddy excitement that had been building for weeks. This day had been planned down to the last detail—a culmination of countless hours spent crafting, researching, and dreaming of a perfect birthday for Logan.
The first stop was the car rental office, where Adrian picked up the vehicle he had reserved weeks in advance. From there, Adrian moved on to the next stop, collecting the gift he had ordered and paid for long ago. The shopkeeper handed it to him with a warm smile, making small talk as helooked at it with giddiness after planning it for so long. He handed it back to her to finalize the wrapping and thanked her profoundly as he left.
By the time the clock struck 7 a.m., Adrian was back at the cabin. He quietly slipped inside, carrying with him their travel cups filled with steaming coffee, two almond croissants from a nearby bakery that Logan adored, and two breakfast sandwiches wrapped neatly in wax paper.
Logan remained cocooned beneath the blankets, his face a picture of peace, the faintest rise and fall of his chest marking the rhythm of his dreams. Adrian moved quietly, placing the food and coffee on the small table near the bed, their comforting scents wafting gently through the cabin. With the utmost caution and care, he placed the gift in his duffel bag and then tucked it away in the closet to keep Logan’s gift hidden until the perfect moment.
Returning to the bedside, Adrian knelt down, his heart swelling as he watched Logan sleep. His hair was a wild mess, spilling across the pillow in soft waves, and Adrian couldn’t resist the pull of affection that brought his hand to Logan’s face. He brushed a stray lock of hair from his forehead, his touch light and reverent, as if Logan were made of something more delicate than stardust.
Adrian’s lips curved into a smile as he took in the quiet beauty of this moment. “Logan,” he murmured, his voice soft, barely louder than a whisper. “Time to wake up, ahuv sheli.”
There was no immediate response, just a faint sigh as Logan shifted slightly, burying his face further into the pillow. Adrian chuckled under his breath, leaning closer, his voice warm with teasing affection.
“No running today,” Logan mumbled groggily into the pillow. His words were muffled but laced with his usual teasing tone. “And come back to bed. It’s cold.”
Adrian smiled, brushing another lock of hair from Logan’s forehead. “No running, but you do need to wake up,” he said, pressing a soft kiss to Logan’s temple. “I have a surprise for you.”
“Surprise?” That word was enough to draw Logan’s attention, his eyes cracking open just enough to show a glimmer of curiosity. Then, as if a switch had flipped, a wicked grin spread across his face. “Is that what we’re calling a morning quickie now?” he teased, biting his lip.
Adrian threw his head back, laughing. “No, you impossible creature. Maybe later, but no.” He tugged at the sheets playfully, revealing more of Logan’s sun-warmed skin. “It’s your birthday.”
Logan groaned, stretching lazily under the covers, revealing more skin that made all of Adrian’s blood run south. “My birthday is tomorrow.”
“No,” Adrian corrected, a shy smile tugging at his lips. “It’s tonight, and we’re starting the celebration early. I have reservations, so you need to get up and pack a bag.”
Logan’s brow arched, his curiosity piqued. “Reservations? Where?”
“Surprise,” Adrian replied simply, grinning at Logan’s still-sleepy expression.
Logan sniffed the air, his grin softening into something fonder. “Do I smell almond croissants?”
Adrian nodded, arms crossed as he leaned against the dresser. “Yes. And coffee. And breakfast sandwiches. So get up already before it gets cold.”
Logan groaned, but the sound melted into a chuckle as he finally sat up, raking a hand through his messy hair. He rubbed his eyes, then stood,stretching lazily, muscles shifting beneath sun-warmed skin. Towering over Adrian, he grinned.
Adrian tilted his head up at him, lips twitching. “You are too damn tall…” he muttered under his breath, half in complaint, half in adoration.
Logan smirked, slipping his arms around Adrian’s waist, pulling him in. “Don’t be jealous, babe.” His voice was still heavy with sleep, warm and teasing. “I love how compact you are.”
Adrian scoffed. “Fuck yo—”
But Logan was faster, catching Adrian’s lips in a kiss that swallowed the rest of his words. It was slow, deep, the kind of kiss that left no room for anything else.
When they parted, Logan exhaled against Adrian’s lips, eyes still half-lidded. “Good morning.”
Adrian let out a shaky breath, dazed. “Good morning.”
Logan chuckled, tapping Adrian’s chin before turning toward the bathroom. “And thanks for breakfast,” he added, voice husky, disappearing behind the door.
Adrian stayed where he was, watching Logan’s naked form retreat across the room. His gaze trailed over the strong lines of Logan’s back, the curve of his ass, and his long, muscular legs.
