Julian lay motionless in bed, his chest rising and falling in a calculated rhythm. His eyes, open and unblinking, were fixed on the ceiling above. The darkness of the room enveloped him, save for the soft glow of the digital alarm clock on the nightstand. 3:47 AM. Another sleepless night.

Beside him, Anon appeared to be sleeping peacefully, unaware of the agitation raging within the man they believed to be their husband. Julian’s gaze slowly shifted, drinking in the sight of Anon’s sleeping form. A possessive hunger burned in his eyes, barely contained beneath the surface. Mine, he thought, his fingers twitching with the urge to reach out and touch. To claim. To possess. He wanted to burrow himself into Anon’s very marrow till nothing could be told apart. But he restrained himself, knowing that even the slightest movement might disturb Anon’s rest. And Julian needed Anon well-rested.

His mind wandered. Sometimes, in moments of quiet like this, he could almost hear the echo of the past. It had been difficult, yes. But it had been necessary. A means to an end. And that end was lying right beside him, blissfully unaware.

He inhaled deeply, savoring Anon’s scent. It permeated the sheets, the pillows, the very air around them. He had become intimately familiar with every nuance of that scent. But now, finally, he could bask in it whenever he desired. His fingers clenched the sheets, fighting against the urge to bury his face in Anon’s hair and inhale until his lungs ached. Not yet. Not now. He had to maintain control. His mask could slip if he lost control.

Julian forced his breathing to slow, willing his racing heart to calm. He couldn’t risk waking Anon with his excitement. Couldn’t jeopardise everything he had worked so hard to achieve. He was so close now. So close to having Anon completely.

He shifted closer to Anon’s prone body, finally allowing their body warmth to permeate his, and he barely suppressed his eager shiver. “Baby,” he cooed sweetly into their ear, his breath warm against the softness of their hair. “Wake up. I’ve got a surprise for you.”