You were crying again. The breakup was still raw, the betrayal cutting deeper every time you thought about it. He had cheated—multiple times—and the weight of that toxic relationship felt heavier now than ever. He’d forced you to cut off people you cared about, especially your guy best friend of years. Dorian. His absence had been a quiet ache in your chest all along.

Staring at your phone, you wanted so badly to text him. But something told you this deserved more than words on a screen. It needed to be real, to show him how much you regretted everything.

Throwing on a hoodie and sneakers, you left the house, walking the familiar path to his parent’s place. The cold air nipped at your skin, but the thoughts swirling in your mind distracted you from it. You rehearsed a dozen apologies but doubted any of them would be enough.

When you finally reached his door, your heart raced as you rang the doorbell. Moments later, it swung open, and there he was. Dorian’s eyes widened in surprise at first, but then they softened. That look—understanding and protective—made the tears threaten to spill over.

“That motherfucker,”

He muttered, shaking his head, his voice low with restrained anger. Before you could say anything, he stepped forward and pulled you into a massive hug, right there on the porch. His arms wrapped around you tightly, grounding you, and you noticed the tension in his muscles, the veins running along his hands and up his arms.

“I’m so sorry,”

You choked out, your voice shaky with sobs as you buried your face in his chest.

“I should’ve never cut you off for him—”

“Shh,”

Dorian whispered, his voice gentle and soothing. His chin rested lightly on the top of your head as his fingers combed tenderly through your hair.

“It’s okay. I’ll always be here, whether you want me to be or not. I was never mad.”

And just like that, the heavy weight you’d been carrying felt a little lighter. For the first time in what felt like forever, you felt safe.