Was Once the King: Chapter 24: In Quiet Light
The morning after the rooftop, Hector and Benjamin woke
slowly. There was no alarm, no pressure to move fast. The sun stretched lazily
across the floorboards, dust motes dancing in the beams. It felt like the world
was finally breathing at their pace.
Benjamin was the first to rise, padding barefoot into the
kitchen and starting coffee. Hector followed moments later, draping his arms
over Benjamin’s shoulders from behind.
"You know what I realized?" Hector murmured
into his neck. "In these few months, I’ve woken up with no dread in my
chest."
Benjamin leaned back into him. "That’s what peace
feels like. Took us a hell of a road to get here."
They ate breakfast slowly—toast, eggs, coffee that was
too strong but comforting anyway. Then they cleaned the apartment together,
music playing softly from a speaker, punctuated by shared smiles and soft
kisses between chores. It was mundane. Gloriously so.
Later, they went grocery shopping. Hector insisted on
pushing the cart, while Benjamin dramatically compared pasta types again.
“Linguine is for poetic heartbreak. Rigatoni is for triumph. Fusilli is for the
chaotic in love.”
“You’ve lost your mind.” Hector said, laughing.
“Maybe,” Benjamin replied, holding up a box, “but you
love me like this.”
“I really do.”
They returned home with bags full and hearts fuller. That
evening, as golden light filtered in through the curtains, they curled up on
the couch with a book. Hector read aloud, his voice calm and steady, while
Benjamin listened with his head resting in Hector’s lap.
There were no grand declarations. No dramatic
confessions.
Just quiet.
And love.
And healing, folded softly into the ordinary.
That’s when Benjamin’s phone buzzed.
He reached for it lazily, but when he saw the name on the
screen, his expression flickered.
“Everything okay?” Hector asked.
Benjamin turned the phone to show the message:
From: Adrien Vale
‘Saw the panel clip. You were brilliant. I’d love to catch up. Coffee? On me.’
Hector raised an eyebrow. “Adrien Vale?”
“We worked together once. Long ago—on a campaign shoot.”
Benjamin said, trying to keep his tone light.
“Why reach out now?”
Benjamin locked the screen. “I’ll ignore it.”
But as they settled again, Hector noticed the way
Benjamin’s fingers hesitated over the phone, just once more.
He didn’t press further. But something in the air had
changed—just a breath, but noticeable.
Later, Benjamin broke the silence as they prepped dinner
together. “Adrien was charming.” He said, unprompted. “The kind who knew it too
well. We shared late-night rehearsals, and there were moments I wondered... but
it never became anything.”
Hector stirred the pasta sauce. “Do you think he wants
something now?”
Benjamin sighed. “I think he wants to rewrite the past.
But I’m already part of a better story.”
As night fell, Benjamin pulled Hector to the window.
“Look.” He whispered.
Outside, the city shimmered, alive but softened. And for
the first time, it didn’t feel like it was racing ahead of them. It felt like
it was waiting. With them.
They stood there for a long time, arms around each other.
Later in bed, Hector lay curled against Benjamin’s side.
“Did you ever like him?” Hector asked softly. “Adrien, I
mean.”
Benjamin didn’t answer right away. Then he shifted
closer, pressing a hand against Hector’s chest.
“Maybe I admired him.” Benjamin said. “But love? That
didn’t start until you.”
Hector met his eyes, the worry still there, just beneath
the surface.
“I trust you.” He said.
Benjamin’s smile was soft, sure. “Then trust that I’m
exactly where I want to be.”
There was a pause.
“You’re not worried he’ll try something?”
“Oh, I’m sure he will.” Benjamin said. “But I’ve waited
too long for this—for you. I’m not going anywhere.”
And with that, he leaned down, brushing a kiss to
Hector’s brow.
Together.
Still healing.
Still choosing.
And endlessly, beautifully—home.
The next afternoon, as they stepped into the studio café
after a meeting, Hector spotted him first.
Adrien Vale stood near the counter, chatting with the
barista, all smiles and charisma.
When he turned and saw them, his grin widened.
“Well, well.” Adrien said, stepping forward. “If it isn’t
the most talked-about pair in the industry.”
Benjamin kept his expression polite. “Adrien.”
“I just wanted to say congratulations.” Adrien said,
offering his hand to Hector first. “The documentary, the panel—it was powerful.
You were powerful.”
Hector accepted the handshake with a nod, firm but cool.
“Thank you.”
Adrien turned to Benjamin next, eyes softer. “And you.
You were luminous, as always. I meant what I texted. You’ve never looked
more... grounded.”
Benjamin smiled faintly. “I am. Life’s been good.”
Adrien’s gaze flicked to the way Hector’s hand found
Benjamin’s instinctively. He hesitated only a moment, then nodded.
“Well, I won’t take your time.” Adrien said smoothly.
“Just wanted to say it’s good to see you happy. Both of you.”
And with that, he left, the bell above the door ringing
softly as it shut.
Benjamin exhaled once. “Well. That went better than
expected.”
Hector glanced at him. “You okay?”
Benjamin leaned into him. “More than okay. That chapter’s
closed. And I know exactly which one I want to keep reading.”
They left the café, side by side, sunlight brushing their
shoulders.
The world outside didn’t feel heavy anymore.
Not when they had each other.
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