Chapter 25

Arjun was still curled up in Elias’s arms when he felt the weight of the older man’s body shift in his sleep. The pressure on him became unbearable as Elias shifted again, and instinctively, Arjun kicked his leg, attempting to free himself from the discomfort. But instead of the intended freedom, he felt Elias’s body lurch away from him, followed by a loud thud.

The sound of Elias crashing to the floor woke Arjun with a start. His eyes flew open, and he scrambled to sit up, panic flooding him as he saw Elias lying sprawled on the floor.

“Oh my God, Elias!” Arjun gasped, immediately leaning over the side of the bed to check on him.

Elias groaned but sat up, rubbing the back of his head with a chuckle. “Well, this is a first,” he murmured, trying to hide his laughter despite the small wince on his face.

Arjun’s face flushed with embarrassment as he helped Elias to his feet. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to—”

Elias shook his head, still grinning. “It’s fine, Roo. At least you’re strong enough to kick me out of your bed.” He winked, a teasing note in his voice.

“Roo?” Arjun blinked, still half-dazed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Elias settled back onto the bed, pulling Arjun down next to him. “Well, you’re like a baby kangaroo. You cling to me in your sleep, always jumping around and your  kicks too so I figured I’d nickname you that.”

Arjun, still feeling the heat rise in his cheeks, couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re ridiculous.”

Elias leaned in and kissed Arjun’s forehead softly. “You love it,” he teased, before pulling Arjun into a tight hug, holding him close.

The moment was tender and soft, and the connection between them felt almost overwhelming. For once, Arjun didn’t feel the weight of his past—he didn’t feel the need to fight or hide. It was just them, in this little world they had created.

Later that evening, as the room dimmed with the golden light of sunset, Arjun turned to Elias, a thoughtful expression settling on his face. Elias, sensing the shift in mood, raised an eyebrow.

“What’s on your mind, ?”

Arjun hesitated before speaking, his fingers tracing the edge of the blanket between them. “I think… I think we should keep this—us—a secret. At least for a while,” he said quietly, his voice filled with uncertainty.

Elias frowned slightly, his brow furrowing. “A secret?” he repeated. “Why? You know I don’t care what anyone thinks about us.”

Arjun bit his lip, his voice growing soft. “It’s not that, Elias. It’s just... this is new for me, and I don’t want the pressure from everyone else. I need time to figure things out, to understand how I feel. I want to be sure, before the whole world knows.”

Elias studied Arjun, his gaze softening. “I understand,” he said after a moment, his voice sincere. “But know this—no matter how long it takes, I’ll be here. I’m not going anywhere.”

Arjun smiled, his heart swelling with affection. “Thank you, Elias.”

Elias’s lips twitched into a grin, but there was a quiet understanding in his eyes. “You know what? We’ll keep this between us. Just you and me. But don’t think you’re going to keep sneaking around forever.” He chuckled, his teasing nature returning.

“I’ll figure out how to manage it,” Arjun said, half-joking. “But... there’s something I want to ask.”

Elias leaned forward, his interest piqued. “What is it?”

Arjun hesitated before speaking, his voice hesitant. “How are we going to spend time together if we have to keep things a secret?”

Elias didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he stood up, a small glint of mischief in his eyes. “I’ve got an idea,” he said, walking toward the wall behind the bed.

Arjun watched with curiosity as Elias moved the large wardrobe aside, revealing a hidden door in the wall. It was expertly concealed, blending perfectly with the surrounding decor.

“This,” Elias said with a proud smile, “is the answer to our little secret.”

Arjun’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You’ve been planning this all along?”

Elias shrugged, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Well, you didn’t think I was just going to leave us in a position where we couldn’t be together, did you?”

Arjun was speechless for a moment, then broke into a grin. “You’re unbelievable.”

Elias laughed, his hand resting on Arjun’s shoulder as he stepped closer. “It’s our little secret now, Roo. No one else knows about this door—only you.”

Arjun’s heart skipped a beat. “So, you wanted me to stay here, next door, all along?”

Elias nodded. “Exactly. This way, no one can interfere. We can spend time together without anyone knowing. It’s safe.” His tone was filled with affection and care. “I wanted you close, Arjun.”

Arjun felt a surge of warmth at Elias’s words. He smiled, his eyes softening. “You really are a cheeky man, Elias.”

Elias leaned in, brushing his lips against Arjun’s forehead. “And you love it,” he whispered, before showering Arjun with light, playful kisses.

The laughter between them filled the room, both men relaxed and at ease in each other’s presence. As they lay back on the bed, Arjun nestled into Elias’s arms, a sense of peace washing over him.

“I never thought I’d be here, like this,” Arjun murmured, his voice soft but full of emotion.

Elias kissed his temple gently, holding him even tighter. “You’re exactly where you belong, Roo. Right here with me.”

They lay there for a long time, the world outside forgotten as they simply enjoyed each other’s company. The secret door, their secret, would keep them close. For now, it was all they needed.

Didnt wanna keep u Guys waiting

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