"This will change everything," Yuki murmured under his breath.
Adrian was driving, the silence between them stretching too long—until Yuki broke it.
Adrian glanced at him. "What?"
Yuki lifted his head, his eyes glassy with unshed tears. "Everything will change… This will change everything." His voice trembled with every word.
Adrian immediately recognized the panic rising in Yuki's tone. Without a second thought, he slammed on the brakes, stopping the car right in the middle of the road. The sudden halt sent a ripple of honking - behind them, impatient drivers blaring their horns, but Adrian didn't care.
He reached over, cradling Yuki's face in both hands. "Babe, breathe. Look at me." His voice was low, steady trying to ground him.
Yuki's breath was uneven, his chest rising and falling too fast. Adrian leaned in closer, their foreheads almost touching. Just as Yuki's eyes fluttered shut, ready to surrender to the comfort of Adrian's presence—
A deafening honk shattered the moment.
Yuki jolted, panic flooding back into his veins. Without thinking, he pushed the door open and stumbled out of the car.
"Yuki!"
Adrian unbuckled his seatbelt and bolted after him.
Yuki staggered forward, mumbling the same words over and over. "This will change everything… This will change everything…"
Then—a sound.
A car horn.
From the left.
Yuki turned, his vision blurring. Two blinding headlights rushed toward him, the car speeding too fast to stop in time.
His breath hitched.
He barely had time to lift his hands—
A strong arm yanked him back.
In a split second, Yuki was pulled against a solid chest, held so tightly he could feel the rapid heartbeat against his own. The car whooshed past them, the wind whipping at their clothes.
For a moment, the world was silent.
Yuki could only hear their breathing, their hearts hammering in sync.
Then, a deep voice whispered against his ear. "No. It won't change anything. I won't let anything change. Do you hear me?"
Yuki didn't look up. He didn't need to. He knew.
"Adrian…" His voice cracked as his hands reached up, clutching at Adrian's jacket. The dam inside him broke, and he began to sob. "But—"
"No 'but'" Adrian interrupted, his grip tightening as he pulled back just enough to look into Yuki's eyes. "Nothing will change. Trust me."
Yuki searched his face. He could see the unshed tears in Adrian's eyes, the fear that mirrored his own. But there was something else—something stronger.
Truth.
This wasn't a lie. This wasn't a pretty promise. This was real.
With a shaky breath, Yuki melted into Adrian's embrace, his sobs quieting. His heartbeat, once erratic, began to steady.
Adrian pressed a lingering kiss to Yuki's hair, his hand rubbing slow, soothing circles on his back. "I've got you."