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"Whatever keeps you quiet," Bear grumbled, trying to ignore the feeling of Julian's eyes on him.
The tension in the cramped motel room was as thick as the humidity outside, making it difficult for Bear to concentrate on anything but the man lounging on the bed across from him. Julian's legs were spread out with casual indifference, his fingers tapping a rhythm against his thigh that sent shivers down Bear's spine.
"Alright," Bear said, crossing his arms over his chest and trying to ignore the way Julian's eyes seemed to linger on the curve of his bicep. "We need to set some ground rules."
Julian's lips quirked into a smirk. "Ground rules? How delightfully authoritarian of you, Bear. Do go on."
"First, you stay inside and away from the windows at all times," Bear began. "That shot was aimed at you. Second, no phone calls, no social media posts, nothing that could give away your location."
"Does that mean I can't order room service?" Julian asked, feigning innocence while batting his eyelashes. "I fear I may waste away without proper sustenance."
"Trust me," Bear muttered, his gaze involuntarily flicking over Julian's form, "you'll survive."
"Fine." Julian sighed dramatically, flopping back onto the bed. "What's rule number three?"
"Rule number three," Bear continued, trying to keep his voice steady, "is that we don't antagonize each other."
"No antagonizing?" Julian rolled over onto his side, propping his head up on one hand. "But where's the fun in that?"
"Fun isn't the goal here. Keeping you alive is."
"Ah, yes," Julian rolled his eyes. "Because my life is so very precious to you, isn't it, Bear?"
"Angelo would kill me if anything happened to you," Bear replied curtly, avoiding Julian's piercing eyes. "That's the only reason."
"Of course," Julian said. "Nothing more than that."
His attempts at a half-hearted smirk fell short, and then he went quiet.
It was what Bear had been wishing for… but this was the wrong sort of quiet. There was a subtle tension that was imperceptible to anyone who wasn't attuned to the nuances of fear. Bear's gaze honed in on the slight quiver of his clenched fists, the telltale signs of tension that betrayed the turmoil churning within.
Bear's watchful eyes caught the fleeting flicker of vulnerability in Julian's gaze. "You okay, kid?"
"What? Me? Always." Julian blew his hair out of his eyes. "A little action keeps me on my toes."
But when Julian turned to face Bear, his eyes darted away for a moment before he regained his composure. He tried to muster a smile, but it faltered. There was fear beneath the surface.
Bear leaned against the worn-out dresser, his eyes never straying far from Julian. "Can't fool me, kid," Bear said, his voice cutting through the heavy silence of the room. "I've seen the toughest of 'em crack under pressure."
"Who said I'm scared?"
Bear raised an eyebrow, his rugged features etched with a mix of sympathy and amusement. He took a step closer, his presence filling the space between them. "First time you've been shot at?"
Julian's wide-eyed gaze met Bear's steady stare. He looked down, and then a nod confirmed what Bear had suspected.
A flicker of empathy softened Bear's features as memories of his own first encounter with violence flashed through his mind. He knew the weight of that moment, the jarring realization of mortality that had shaken his very core.
Closing the distance between them, Bear's hand found its way to Julian's shoulder, a gesture of solidarity and silent reassurance. The touch was firm, a tangible reminder that they were in this together.
"You did good back there," Bear grumbled, his voice low and gravelly, as if the words were meant only for Julian's ears. "You listened to me. You're alive. That's what matters."
Bear watched as Julian's trembling eased slightly under his touch, the fear slowly dissipating.
Then… he was back to his old self.
Unfortunately.
"Are you calling me a good boy?" Julian purred, interrupting his thoughts. He rolled his shoulder up against Bear's hand for more, teasing him.
