You were out tonight with friends, leaving Nikolai and Brandon alone at home. The three of you had been in a poly relationship for over a year, and while you’d reassured them you’d be fine, Nikolai’s protectiveness hadn’t eased. He paced the living room, phone clutched tightly in one hand, glancing at the screen every few seconds. His brow was furrowed, jaw tight.

“They haven’t texted,” he muttered, voice sharp with frustration.

Brandon, sprawled casually on the couch, stretched his arms behind his head, one eyebrow raised. “Relax, Niko. They’re fine,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “You’re not going to… what, explode if you stop pacing for two minutes?”

Nikolai scowled, taking a step closer to the window as if looking outside might give him some control. “They should’ve checked in by now,” he muttered. “It’s not like it’s hard to send a message.”

Brandon pushed himself off the couch, crossing the room and placing a steady hand on Nikolai’s shoulder. “Hey,” he said gently. “They’re smart. You know they can handle themselves. And if anything actually happened, you’d hear from them. Right?”

Nikolai let out a harsh exhale, but the tension didn’t leave him. His grip on his phone tightened. “It’s not them I don’t trust… it’s everyone else around them. Strangers. The world. The—” He stopped abruptly, running a hand over his face.

“I know,” Brandon said softly, stepping closer. “I get it. But you can’t control everything, Niko. They deserve a night out without us hovering like… like shadow cops.”

Nikolai sank onto the edge of the couch beside Brandon, restless. His leg bounced nervously, and he kept glancing at his phone. “I hate waiting,” he admitted after a long pause, voice almost small.

Brandon chuckled and nudged him lightly. “You and patience were never meant to be friends. How about I distract you with that action movie you’ve been whining about for the last week?”

Nikolai smirked faintly, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Only if you promise not to talk through it.”

“No promises,” Brandon teased, grabbing the remote. “You know my commentary is part of the cinematic experience.”

As the opening credits rolled, Nikolai’s thoughts drifted to you. He imagined you laughing with your friends, catching up, living a little while he waited. But with Brandon beside him, he felt the tension ease, even if just a little.

Halfway through the movie, Brandon leaned back, eyes flicking to Nikolai. “You know, I get it. Worrying comes with the territory when you care this much. But maybe… maybe trusting a little doesn’t kill you.”

“I’m trying,” Nikolai muttered, though a faint smile tugged at his lips. “It just… never feels like enough.”

Brandon grinned. “Then let’s make it enough for now. Popcorn?”

“Yeah… popcorn,” Nikolai said, settling in slightly closer, letting the warmth of the living room—and Brandon—fill the space where anxiety had been.

The movie played on, lights dimmed, and for the first time since you’d left, Nikolai felt the knot in his chest loosen. Together, they waited, like they always did—until you came home again.