He hesitated, then nodded. “If… yes, Sir.” There was a flicker of a smile, small, tired, but real.
I kept drying his hair, careful not to tug, getting as much water as I could without rushing him.
“Adrian’s waiting in the room,” I said, hearing the soft shuffle of feet and the occasional clink of something being set down. “He’ll help you dress before he heads out with his Alpha.”
Charlie nodded again, slower this time. His energy was fading fast. But he was still here.
Once again, I helped Charlie move out of the bathroom, one step at a time. He leaned on me more than he had before, his warmth soaking into my arm.
I stayed near the doorway, towel still damp in my hands, watching as Adrian moved around the room with quiet purpose, Charlie leaning against me before taking the first step away, unattended without me.
He didn’t speak at first, just laid out clothes on the edge of the bed, soft cotton, nothing that would irritate the healing skin.
Charlie sat on the mattress, shoulders slumped, eyes half-lidded with exhaustion.
Adrian knelt beside him, not touching yet. Just waiting.
I saw the hesitation in Charlie’s posture, the way his fingers curled into the blanket like he needed something to hold onto.
Adrian didn’t rush him. He simply said, “Can I help?”
Charlie nodded, barely. And Adrian moved slowly, narrating each step, lifting the shirt, guiding his arms through the sleeves, smoothing the fabric down with care.
For a moment, I didn’t feel the need to intervene.
Charlie didn’t flinch. Didn’t brace. He let Adrian help. And I stood there, watching the smallest kind of healing unfold in front of me.
It was a start.
Adrian pressed a kiss to Charlie’s head before tucking him into bed. Charlie, looking so small and lost in the world, curled up on the side that would be forever his, blanket pulled up to his chin, and breathed in deep.
“I’ll be back tomorrow. Moore says I can stay while he’s at work. We can make a day of it. Lots of movies to watch. Maybe some time outside.”
“Okay.” Charlie’s eyes fought to stay open, but there was life there. Hope, even.
A huge improvement to the lifeless look he had the last few days.
“We’ll have the best lazy day ever.” Adrian shot me a look over his shoulder that was harder to read than normal.
“Just don’t overwhelm him.” I wanted my Omega to rest; to heal. I could share, at least for a lazy day around the house.
Chapter 26
Charlie
I wasn’t sure if I was more amused or concerned as I sat on the bed, legs crossed, watching Adrian pace around the room.
True to his words, he showed up way too early this morning. Well, technically, it wasn’t early but I was still asleep.
I needed to get back on my sleeping schedule, now that I was feeling better. I was still sore, and any type of pressure against my back caused me agony. But I could get back to my duties. If only my onlydutyfor the day was to hang out with Adrian.
Did Alpha Harr- Vincent – know how difficult that was going to be? I never just hung out with anyone. I was to be useful, ready to do whatever needed to be done.
Surely the Alpha of the house would want me to clean, cook, or….something, anything, for him. Not just sit around watching my friend try to figure out how to use the TV.
I was no help. TVs weren’t something I touched. At Lockswell, the small TV in the public space was on at certain times, preprogrammed to play only certain shows or movies. We were never allowed to turn the volume or change the show.
“Darn it.” Adrian huffed, almost stomping his foot. “I didn’t want to bother Vincent.”
