(Arwin's my OC. Change the name if wanted by editing.)

The Doren mansion, with all its towering walls and polished marble floors, still felt like a home—not because of its grandeur, but because Ray was there. And because Arwin made sure it stayed that way.

Ray sat curled up on the giant couch in the living room, a thick blanket draped over him like a protective cocoon. The rain pattered gently against the windows. One of the housekeepers had just brought in a tray with sliced apples and a warm herbal tea recommended by his doctor. Nurse Liana was close by, quietly reading a book, her eyes flicking to Ray every now and then.

He looked small, delicate—his cheeks pale today, though his eyes still held that familiar spark. His textbooks were open, pages filled with neat notes. Even though his body often betrayed him, his mind soared. Ray was brilliant. He always had been.

Just then, the front door clicked open.

"Arwin!" Ray’s eyes lit up, the first true beam of sunshine on his face that day.

Arwin stepped in, tall and composed as always, his suit still crisp despite the long day. The moment he saw Ray, though, the cold edge he usually wore melted.

"You’re supposed to be resting, sunshine," Arwin said, setting his briefcase down and walking over to ruffle Ray’s hair.

"I was studying,” Ray said with a playful pout, “I’ll rest after. I promise."

Arwin chuckled, kneeling in front of him and gently pulling the blanket tighter around Ray’s shoulders.

“You always say that,” he said, glancing at the untouched apples, “Did you eat?”

Ray looked away guiltily.

Arwin sighed, but he didn’t scold. He never did. Instead, he picked up a slice of apple and held it out. “Bite.”

Ray rolled his eyes but leaned in anyway.

“Happy now?” he mumbled around the bite.

“Very,” Arwin said with a small smile.

The rain fell harder, thunder rolling in the distance. The cozy quiet was only broken by the occasional page turn or a sip of tea. Eventually, Arwin sat beside Ray and pulled him close, tucking Ray’s head against his shoulder. Despite everything, Arwin still smelled like cologne and warm safety.

“Hey, Arwin?”

“Mhm?”

“Do you think… I’ll always have to live like this? Protected and… fragile?”

Arwin’s brows furrowed. He turned, lifting Ray’s chin gently.

“You’re not fragile,” he said firmly. “You’re strong, Ray. The strongest person I know. And even if the world tries to treat you like glass, I’ll always be here. No matter what. We face everything together. Just you and me, remember?”

Ray swallowed hard, nodding.

“I remember.”

“Good.” Arwin pressed a kiss to his forehead, lingering for a moment. “Now close your eyes. I’ll stay right here.”

And as the thunder rolled and lightning lit up the sky, Ray finally let himself relax, knowing that as long as Arwin was beside him, the world couldn’t touch him.