AT THE SAME TIME
XAVIER'S POINT OF VIEW:
Xavier's breathing evened out, his chest rising and falling in a slow, rhythmic pattern. I leaned back against the edge of the bed, stretching my legs out while Michael took the armchair nearby, his eyes never leaving Xavier's peaceful expression. There was something about how he slept unguarded, soft, almost fragile. It made my instincts hum with a need to protect. Michael crossed his arms, a faint smile playing at his lips.
"Did you see that?" He asked, voice barely above a whisper.
I raised an eyebrow.
"See what?"I asked.
His grin widened just a little, his gaze flickering back to the sleeping omega.
"He actually leaned into your touch. Didn't flinch. Didn't pull away."Michael said.
A spark of satisfaction flared in my chest. I'd noticed it too, but hearing it out loud made it more real. He was starting to feel affection towards us and I felt trully happy about it.
"Yeah," I murmured, eyes fixed on Xavier's relaxed features. "He's letting his guard down. It is quite adorable" I said.
Michael chuckled softly, running a hand through his hair.
"About damn time. You think he's starting to enjoy it here?"Michael asked.
I considered the question, studying the way Xavier's hand clutched the edge of the blanket, like he was holding onto something safe. He hadn't protested when we brought him back to his room, hadn't tried to pull away when I had brushed my hand against his shoulder. It was the smallest gesture, but it spoke volumes.
"Maybe." I said finally. "Or maybe he's just too tired to fight it."
"That, or he's realizing that running isn't going to do him any good." Michael leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, gaze sharpening. "You saw the way he looked at us, right? Like he… I don't know, wanted us there. I feel happy to see him reacting like this."
I smirked, unable to help it.
"Yeah, I saw it."I said.
A comfortable silence settled between us, only broken by the occasional rustle of Xavier shifting in his sleep. His brows furrowed slightly, and his lips parted just a bit, mumbling something too soft to hear. I felt my shoulders relax at the sight. He wasn't fighting it anymore. Not like before. Michael's voice broke the quiet, low and thoughtful.
"Think he'll stay in the bed next time?"Michael asked.
I glanced at him, catching the glimmer of hope in his eyes.
"Maybe." I replied. "And when he does, he won't be sleeping alone."
Michael chuckled, the sound deep and satisfied.
"I like the sound of that."He said.
We stayed there, watching over him as the minutes passed, neither of us moving. It felt right. As if, finally, things were falling into place. I crossed my arms, letting out a slow breath.
"He's gonna realize it soon enough." I murmured, mostly to myself. "That he belongs here. With us."
Michael's smile turned feral.
"And when he does, I hope he's ready."Michael said.
My eyes lingered on Xavier's peaceful face, and a wave of possessiveness surged through me. Michael and I watched quietly, the silence broken only by the faint rustling of leaves outside the window. Xavier's breathing was even, steady almost peaceful. But then, out of nowhere, the quiet was interrupted by the softest sound. A purr. Michael's eyes shot to mine, disbelief flickering across his face. I leaned forward instinctively, barely daring to breathe. Another soft rumble escaped Xavier's throat, his body curling slightly under the blankets, pressing his cheek further into the pillow. It was soft, barely audible, but unmistakably there.
"Did he just...?" Michael's voice was hushed, as if speaking too loudly would shatter the moment.
I nodded, a slow grin spreading across my face.
"Yeah," I whispered back. "He did."
Michael rubbed his jaw, clearly amused.
"I didn't think he'd do that yet. I mean, not until..."Michael said.
"Until he felt comfortable." I finished for him, the warmth of satisfaction spreading through my chest.
That sound it wasn't just instinctual. It was a signal, proof that some part of him was beginning to trust us, even if he didn't realize it yet. Xavier shifted again, nuzzling deeper into the blankets, the faint hum of contentment still vibrating from his chest. It was almost too much. My hands itched to reach out, to touch him, to feel the vibration under my fingertips. Michael must've seen the look on my face because he raised an eyebrow.
"Don't even think about waking him up." He muttered, though his own expression was far from indifferent.
"I wouldn't dream of it." I replied, voice low.
But still, I reached out just a little, fingers brushing the edge of the blanket that covered his shoulder. He didn't flinch, didn't stir, just purred a little deeper, his body relaxing even more. My chest tightened with a strange sense of pride. He was safe. Safe with us. And maybe, just maybe, he was starting to understand that too. Michael chuckled, the sound soft and genuine.
"Think he'll remember this when he wakes up?"Michael asked.
I shook my head, the grin still stretching my lips. "Probably not."I said.
"Good." Michael leaned back, arms crossed behind his head. "Wouldn't want him freaking out before he realizes just how much he likes it."
I didn't answer, just watched Xavier with a gaze I knew was far too possessive. The soft rise and fall of his chest, the hint of a smile on his lips as he shifted closer to the warmth of the bed. He was already beginning to accept it, bit by bit. And I was going to make damn sure he never regretted it. A soft sigh left his lips, and the purring faded into quiet breathing once again. Michael glanced over at me, eyebrows raised.
"Think we'll hear it again?"Michael asked.
I smirked.
"Oh, I'm counting on it."I said.
And when he did, I was going to be right there to feel it.