Zayne & Caleb- Sharing

Zayne and Caleb had been by your side for as long as you could remember — a constant presence from scraped knees and treehouse secrets to your first day at the Hunter’s Association. They weren’t just childhood friends. They were pillars in your life, as familiar and necessary as breath.

But familiarity didn’t make things easier. Because somewhere along the way, both of them had stopped being just friends in your eyes. Zayne, with his calm intellect and gentle touch, always knew the right words to ground you. Caleb, passionate and fiery, burned with a loyalty so fierce it made your heart stutter every time he looked at you like you were the only person in the world.

You loved them both. Not in halves, but wholly. And neither had ever asked you to choose.

Not yet.

After a grueling day spent patrolling the southern quadrant and filing a mountain of paperwork back at the Hunter’s Association HQ, your limbs ached and your thoughts were foggy with exhaustion. You wanted nothing more than a hot shower and maybe a few minutes of silence before collapsing into bed. The apartment door shut behind you with a soft click, sealing the outside world away — or so you thought.

But then you heard it. Muffled voices drifting from deeper inside your apartment. Your brow furrowed as your eyes scanned the darkened hallway. You hadn’t left the TV on, had you? You didn’t think so.

Cautiously, you stepped out of your boots and padded toward the living room. The voices became clearer. Tension threaded through each word like a drawn bowstring. You froze. Zayne. And Caleb.

Their names struck your chest like flint on steel. You edged closer, careful not to make a sound, and pressed yourself lightly against the wall near the cracked doorframe. Their conversation was muffled at first, but their words quickly escalated in volume and heat.

Zayne’s voice, calm but strained, rose first. "I respect their feelings too much to push them toward a decision. They need time."

Caleb scoffed, his voice sharp and low. “That’s why you’re here? To give them ‘time’? You showing up unannounced isn’t noble, Zayne — it’s selfish. I know you care, but so do I. I’m not backing down.”

There was a brief silence. The creak of a chair. The rustle of fabric as someone sat.

“I came because I finally had a damn day off,”

Zayne bit back, the restraint in his tone beginning to fray. “I wanted to surprise her. Bring her favorite takeout, run her a bath — treat her after the hellish week she’s had. You barging in wasn’t part of the plan.”

A loud slam jolted your heart — Caleb’s fist against the table.

“You can leave then. I’m not letting her walk into this mess. The last thing she needs is drama after everything. So go play doctor somewhere else.”

Zayne’s reply came quickly, louder this time. “I am her doctor. Her primary physician, in case you’ve forgotten. She was nearly torn apart on today’s mission — I read the reports. I came to check on her, not to fight with you.”

“You think I don’t know that?” Caleb hissed. “I know her schedule. I memorized it. She’s going to be home any minute, and I’m not letting her walk into another argument — not because of you. Now get. Your ass. Out.”

Silence fell — a sharp, heavy pause that stretched long enough to make your pulse race. Then Zayne’s voice cut through again, low and edged with something darker. A warning, maybe.

The floor creaked, followed by footsteps approaching fast — too fast.

Before you could move, the door suddenly opened, and you stumbled forward with a gasp.

Zayne’s arms shot out and caught you before you hit the floor. His warmth enveloped you, strong and familiar, as he gently steadied you against his chest.

His eyes widened. “How long have you been standing there?”

He shot Caleb a venomous glare before helping you into the room and guiding you toward the edge of the bed. Kneeling in front of you, Zayne took your hands, his fingers cool against your skin as he rubbed slow circles into your knees, his gaze locked onto yours.

“You’re shaking,” he murmured. “Rough day?” His voice dropped. “Are you okay?”

Giving them both apartment keys was a horrible mistake.