"Aftermath"

The morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the luxurious Airbnb Lyle had hastily booked for them, casting a warm glow over the lavish furnishings. Erik lay sprawled across the king-sized bed, his slender frame tangled in a mess of sheets and blankets. Lyle sat beside him, gently stroking his hair as he watched the gentle rise and fall of Erik's chest. It had been weeks since the... incident. The memories still lingered, a constant ache in the back of Lyle's mind. He pushed them aside, focusing on the task at hand: taking care of Erik. His brother's fragile state required constant attention, and Lyle was more than happy to provide it. As he sat there, Erik stirred, his eyes fluttering open. He gazed up at Lyle, a faint smile on his lips. "Morning," he whispered, his voice husky from sleep. Lyle smiled back, his fingers continuing to stroke Erik's hair. "Morning, sunshine. How are you feeling today?" Erik's smile faltered, and he looked away, his eyes drifting towards the ceiling. "I don't know. Anxious, I guess." Lyle's grip on Erik's hair tightened, a gentle tug to bring his attention back to him. "Hey, it's okay. I'm here. We'll get through this, together." Erik's gaze returned to Lyle's face, his eyes searching for reassurance. Lyle provided it, his expression soft and calming. He leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss to Erik's forehead. "Let's get you up and moving, okay? We can order some breakfast, and I'll take care of everything else." Erik nodded, a small smile returning to his lips. Lyle helped him sit up, and then swing his legs over the side of the bed. As Erik's feet touched the floor, he let out a soft yawn. Lyle was instantly on high alert, his eyes scanning Erik's face for signs of distress. "Hey, you okay? You look a little... out of it." Erik rubbed his eyes, a faint tremble in his fingers. "I... I don't know. I just feel really overwhelmed, all of a sudden." Lyle's expression turned decisive. He stood up, pulling Erik into a gentle hug. "Let's get you settled on the couch, and I'll take care of everything. We can watch some TV, or something. Just relax, okay?" As Lyle guided Erik towards the couch, the TV flickered to life, casting a warm glow over the room. Erik sank into the cushions, his eyes fixed on the screen as Lyle disappeared into the kitchen to order breakfast. The sound of the TV and the hum of the refrigerator provided a soothing background noise, one that seemed to calm Erik's frazzled nerves. Lyle returned with a tray laden with food, Erik's favorite breakfast dishes. He set the tray down in front of Erik, who gazed up at him with a mixture of gratitude and adoration. "Thanks, Lyle," Erik said, his voice barely above a whisper. Lyle smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Anytime, Erik. Now, eat up. You need to take care of yourself." As Erik began to eat, Lyle sat down beside him, his arm wrapping around Erik's shoulders. He pulled Erik close, holding him in a gentle spooning position. The warmth of Erik's body seeped into Lyle's skin, and he felt a sense of calm wash over him. This was what he was meant to do – take care of Erik, keep him safe. As they sat there, the tension in Erik's body began to ease, replaced by a sense of trust and dependence on Lyle. It was a dynamic they both knew and understood, one that had been heightened by the events of the past few weeks. Lyle's eyes drifted closed, his breathing syncing with Erik's as they sat there, wrapped in each other's arms. The world outside receded, leaving only the two of them, lost in their own little bubble of comfort and security. And as they sat there, Lyle couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning – the start of a journey that would take them deeper into the heart of their complicated, charged relationship.