Chapter 42 42

Chapter 42 42
Azxel slipped back into the shared room hours later, his body still humming from the shower, he limbs were so loose and heavy, and his skin was flushed, the faint ache between his legs a constant reminder of Sky’s fingers.

The overhead light was off; only the dim glow from the hallway strip lit the space. Jaelen was asleep on his bed, curled on his side facing the wall, blanket pulled up to his shoulders. His breathing was slow and even, dark hair tousled across the pillow.

Azxel shut the door softly behind him as he entered the room leaning against it for a moment. The room felt too quiet after Sky’s intensity. His gaze drifted to Jaelen, and he couldn’t stop himself from moving closer.

He sat carefully on the edge of Jaelen’s mattress, his knees drawn up, just watching. Jaelen looked… peaceful. Sharp jaw softened in sleep, lips slightly parted, long lashes casting faint shadows on his cheeks. Azxel’s fingers twitched.

He reached out slowly, brushing a stray strand of hair from Jaelen’s forehead, then tracing the line of his brow, down the bridge of his nose, over the curve of his cheekbone. The skin was warm and smooth. Azxel’s thumb lingered at the corner of Jaelen’s mouth, pressing lightly, remembering how those lips had felt against his own gentler than Sky’s, but no less hungry.

Jaelen stirred. His eyes snapped open suddenly, a startled squeak escaping him as he jerked back an inch, hand flying up instinctively.

Then he saw it was Azxel. The tension left his body in a rush. A slow, sleepy smile curved his mouth. “Jesus, you scared the shit out of me,” he murmured, his voice rough. He didn’t move away from the touch. “Thought someone broke in.”

Azxel’s hand stayed on his face, his thumb still stroking softly along his jaw. “Sorry,” he whispered, but he didn’t sound sorry at all.

Jaelen’s gaze sharpened, taking in Azxel’s flushed cheeks, the damp hair at his temples, the way he was biting his lip. “How about Sky?” he asked quietly, like he already knew the answer but needed to hear it.

Azxel’s fingers paused. He dropped his gaze to the blanket, shoulders hunching slightly. “He… told me I need a break for four days. No seeing him, no talking to him and nothing.” His voice was small, almost ashamed. “If I’m good… I mean if I’m good and —if I stay away— he’ll reward me when he comes back.”

Jaelen’s smile faded. Something dark and bitter flickered across his face. He let out a low, humorless chuckle. “Of course. Sky.” He pushed himself up on one elbow, the blanket falling to his waist. “So… you came back here because of Sky. Fuck, should’ve known.”

Azxel flinched, but didn’t deny it. Jaelen studied him for a long moment, his eyes tracing the faint bruises on Azxel’s throat, the swollen nipples visible under the thin garment of azxel’s shirt and the way Azxel’s thighs pressed together like he was still aching.

Then Jaelen reached out, wrapping his fingers gently around Azxel’s wrist—the one still hovering near his face. Azxel didn’t pull away. He let Jaelen guide his hand down, let him hold it.

Jaelen’s thumb began moving in slow, soothing circles over the inside of Azxel’s wrist, right over the pulse point. The touch was deliberately soft, nothing like Sky’s bruising grip, but steady in a way that made Azxel’s breath catch.

“You’re shaking,” Jaelen said quietly. His voice wasn’t angry anymore. Just tired and resigned, maybe.

Azxel hadn’t realized he was. He looked down at their joined hands, then back up. “I don’t know how to do this,” he admitted, barely audible. “Four days. I don’t… I don’t know how to be without him, i.. i.. i…don’t trust myself.”

Jaelen’s thumb kept circling, slow and rhythmic. His other hand came up, cupping Azxel’s cheek, tilting his face so their eyes met. “You don’t have to be alone,” he said. “Not tonight.”

Azxel’s lips parted, a soft sound escaping his lips , half relief, half guilt. He leaned into the touch without thinking, his eyes fluttering shut.

Jaelen shifted closer, blanket rustling. He didn’t kiss him yet. Just kept stroking, letting his thumb on wrist, fingers along jaw, grounding him. “Let me take care of you,” he whispered. “Just for now, no games and no rewards you have to earn.”
Azxel’s breath hitched. He nodded, small and helpless, already leaning forward into Jaelen’s space.

Jaelen met him halfway with a slow, gentle press of lips, nothing demanding. Just warmth and safety. A contrast so sharp it made Azxel’s chest ache.

And for the first time in days, Azxel let himself sink into something that didn’t hurt.

“How about you stay with me for the four days, so you don’t get lonely.” Jaelen said and Azxel smiled at him already liking the idea, of course he liked it.