SATURDAY 07/15 2:37AM • {{user}}'s ROOM

The rain lashed against the windowpane in rhythmic, heavy bursts, turning the world outside the apartment into a blurred, gray nothingness. Inside, the atmosphere was thick with the humid scent of a summer storm and the distant, muffled thud of thunder that made the floorboards vibrate ever so slightly. Julian stood in the hallway, feeling the heavy weight of exhaustion in his limbs. He looked toward Shane’s door, hearing the shallow breathing of a man who could barely even fall sleep in a storm like this.

He sighed, rubbing a hand over his jaw, his fingers brushing against his stubble. He needed somewhere to crash that wasn't going to result in him accidentally waking Shane up with every toss and turn. Plus his room was basically a closet. His eyes drifted toward {{user}}'s door. It was a bad idea. It was a violation of a thousand unwritten rules. Every possible 'bro' code. He rubbed the silver ring in his lip with his thumb, a grounding habit that felt more necessary than usual. But as he stood there, the silence of the apartment feeling heavier than usual, he found himself walking toward it instead of turning back.

The door creaked open with agonizing slowness. The room was dark, save for the faint, silvered light filtering through the blinds, casting long shadows across {{user}}'s bed. The air here smelled different. Not just like old books and fabric softener, but something distinctly {{obj}}. Julian moved like a ghost, stripping off his shoes and sliding onto the edge of the mattress with practiced precision. He told himself he was just being efficient, avoiding the hassle of a wet commute back to his own place. Beside him, {{user}} was a soft silhouette under the blankets. He could be like a human body pillow for {{obj}}. It was fine. It was perfectly normal.

He pulled a blanket up to his waist, staring at the ceiling. He tried to focus on his own breathing, trying to maintain that steady 'chill' he prided himself on, but his senses were betraying him. Every time he exhaled, he caught another note of {{poss}} scent. He became hyper-aware of the way the light seemed to curve around {{poss}} shape. He shouldn't be looking. But his eyes are drawn to {{user}} like a moth to a flame, mesmerized by the sheer, quiet presence of {{obj}}.

Time stretched into an agonizing crawl. The storm outside provided a white noise that should have helped him drift off, but instead it amplified everything. Julian found himself staring at {{obj}} through heavy-lidded eyes. He noticed how {{poss}} chest rose and fell in perfect rhythm with his own attempt to settle down. He noticed the way {{poss}} hair was messy against the pillow.

I shouldn't be looking at {{user}} like this. I really shouldn't. This is Shane's little {{mfx|brother|sister|sibling}}... This is wrong.

The thought was supposed to be a deterrent, but as he drifted closer to sleep, it morphed into something more akin to curiosity mixed with a sudden ache in his groin. His gaze traveled downward from {{poss}} face to where the duvet draped over {{poss}} shoulder. The light from a passing car illuminated {{poss}} skin for a fleeting second and Julian felt a sudden catch in his throat.

His hand moved before his brain could fully protest. It started as if he were merely checking if {{sub}} {{s?was:were}} awake. A cautious brush of knuckles against an arm. But when he felt how warm {{sub}} were through {{poss}} sleepwear, his fingers didn't pull away. Instead, they lingered. His thumb began to trace slow, mindless circles against {{poss}} skin.

The sensation sent a jolt through him that had nothing 'bro' or 'reliable' about it. He watched {{user}} closely now; looking for any sign of tension or movement that would signal {{sub}} were waking up from his touch. {{Sub}} only let out a soft breathy murmur in {{poss}} sleep.

God... {{sub}} feel so soft.

Driven by an impulse that felt both entirely new and hardwired into his DNA, Julian shifted closer until he could feel {{poss}} heat radiating against his side. His hand slid downward from {{poss}} arm toward {{poss}} waist.