HIS ROOMMATE

STUBBORN!

CHAPTER 20

ADRIAN'S POV

Ash raised an eyebrow, a smirk still playing on his lips. "Whoa, calm down, Adrian. I just asked a question."

I shook my head, trying to clear the confusion. "Sorry, it's just... Valerie's my girlfriend. I've been with her for three years. Kai's... Kai's just a friend."

Ash nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. "Okay, okay. I just wanted to make sure."

We stood there in silence for a moment before I spoke up. "Why did you even ask that, Ash?"

He shrugged, his smile returning. "I don't know, man. You've been spending a lot of time with Kai lately. I just wanted to make sure you're not... you know."

I rolled my eyes. "Ash, come on. I'm not that guy."

He chuckled. "Alright, alright. I got it."

We headed back inside, the tension dissipating. But as I looked at Kai, sleeping peacefully on the couch, I couldn't help but wonder if Ash had seen something I hadn't.

ADRIAN'S POV

After a while Ash left. I decided to stay, to make sure Kai was okay.

I sat next to her small figure on the bed, staring at her. She looked so peaceful in her sleep. All the tension from earlier gone from her face. No frown, no flinching at every sound. Just Kai, finally resting.

I couldn't help but slowly and gently move her bangs from her face. Her skin was cold, outside was pretty cold. I pulled the blanket up higher around her shoulders instead.

A small smile grazed my lips as I stared at her. "Stubborn," I said with a light chuckle, keeping my voice low so I wouldn't wake her.

Why are you so stubborn? Why do you keep acting all tough when you're not?

The Kai I saw in that club shaking when Edward drugged her, tears on her face... that wasn't the Kai who snapped at me last months ago for being overprotective. That wasn't the Kai who told Ash she didn't need anyone to save her.

She was always building walls. Tough words, sharp edges. Probably because life never gave her a choice. Mom dying, Edward, then Williams. She learned early that if she didn't protect herself, no one would.

I leaned back in the chair beside her bed. I wasn't going anywhere. Valerie. I will explain things to her tomorrow.

Kai mumbled something in her sleep and curled tighter under the blanket. I reached out, adjusting it again without thinking.

"I've got you," I whispered, even though I knew she couldn't hear me. "No one's hurting you again. Not while I'm here."

The door creaked. I turned, expecting Ash. But it was just the wind. I exhaled and looked back at her.

She was safe. For now.

But Williams was still out there. And if he came back... he wouldn't get a second chance.

I opened my eyes slowly. My gaze landed on the window, and it was already dark outside. Did I sleep for that long?

I sighed and was about to climb down from the bed when I noticed Adrian. He was sleeping so uncomfortably on my chair, neck tilted at a weird angle, one arm hanging off. He stayed here. All night.

I felt guilty for always bothering him with my problems. Again.

I grabbed the blanket from my bed and walked over quietly. I draped it over him gently, careful not to wake him. His brow twitched but he didn’t stir. For a second I just watched him breathe. He looked... younger, when he wasn’t frowning or glaring at the world.

I slipped out of the room without a sound.

I’m a terrible cook, so I ordered in like always. The delivery guy came fast. By the time I walked back in with the package, Adrian was coming out of the room, yawning and stretching. His shirt was wrinkled and his hair was a mess.

“Slept well?” I asked with a small smile, setting the food on the counter.

He rubbed his eyes. “I guess. Are you okay?”

The question hit different this time. Not “did he hurt you” or “are you hurt”. Just... “are you okay”. Like he actually wanted the real answer.

I hesitated, pulling out the plates. “I’m... I’m okay. Thanks to you. And Ash.”

He walked over, pulled out a chair, and sat. But his eyes didn’t leave me. “Kai. You don’t have to be okay for my sake. You can say it if you’re not.”

I busied myself opening the takeout containers. The smell of the food filled the kitchen. My hands shook a little.

“I don’t know how to answer that,” I admitted quietly. “Few hours ago I thought I could handle Williams on my own. But right now... I’m glad you were there.”

Adrian nodded. He didn’t push. He just reached over and grabbed a fork, waiting.

For once, the silence wasn’t heavy. It was just... there. Safe.

We ate silently, no unwanted tension. Just the sound of forks against plates and the fridge humming in the background. He didn’t ask questions. I didn’t have to explain. It was... nice.

After that we decided to have a movie marathon. He wasn’t leaving, not tonight. He was going to sleep over after all.

As much as I want to, I can’t kick him out so late after everything he has done for me. He stayed in that chair, watched me fall asleep, made sure Williams couldn’t get to me again. Kicking him out now would be ungrateful. Cruel, even.

But you cannot blame me for wanting to kick him out. I just don’t want any more problems with Valerie. She already thinks I’m “too close” to Adrian. If she finds out he slept on my couch? She’ll spiral. And I don’t need that drama on top of everything with Williams.

I grabbed two blankets from the closet and tossed one at him. “Couch,” I said, pointing. “And before you argue - it’s a big couch. You’ll survive.”

He caught the blanket, smirking. “You kicking me out of the bed already? Cold, Kai.”

I rolled my eyes and popped in a movie. Some dumb action flick he picked. “Don’t make me regret letting you stay.”

He sat down, leaving a careful space between us. Not too close. Respecting the line. “Deal. No arguing. Just movies and... whatever this is.”

“Peace?” I offered.

“Peace,” he agreed.

Halfway through the second movie, I caught him stifling a yawn. He was trying to stay awake for me. Again.

“Adrian,” I said without looking away from the screen. “You can actually sleep, you know. I’m not going anywhere.”

He glanced at me, then at the door like he was expecting Williams to kick it in. “Old habits.”

I pulled my blanket tighter. “I get it. But I’m safe here. With the locks, with you on the couch, with my phone right here. Okay?”

He was quiet for a long moment. Then he nodded once and leaned his head back.

The movie played. The room was warm. And for the first time in days, I didn’t feel like I had to watch every shadow.

ADRIAN'S POV

After the movie, Kai went to bed. I stayed on the couch, pretending I could actually sleep. But my ears were tuned to every sound from her room. The house was quiet. Too quiet.

Then I heard it. A sharp gasp. Thrashing. Her voice, muffled but panicked.

I was off the couch before I even thought about it. Her door was half-open. I pushed it wider.

“Kai,” I said softly, stepping in. She was tangled in the sheets, her whole body jerking like she was trying to fight something I couldn’t see. Sweat on her forehead. Williams’ name slipping from her lips.

“Kai, hey. You’re safe. Wake up.”

She didn’t wake. Not fully. So I did the only thing I could. I sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her into a hug. No hesitation. No thinking about lines or Valerie or what this looked like. Just Kai, drowning in a nightmare.

“Shh. I’ve got you. It’s me, Adrian. You’re here. You’re safe,” I whispered against her hair.

Even though she was still asleep, her thrashing stopped. Her fists unclenched. She let out a shaky breath and snuggled closer to me like she was a kid clinging on her mother after she had bad dreams. Her breathing evened out. Slow. Steady.

I held her close. One hand rubbing slow circles on her back. The other keeping the blanket over both of us.

I told myself I’d just stay till she settled. Till the nightmares passed.

But exhaustion caught up to me. The chair, the tension, the fear of losing her again... it all hit at once.

TBC