By Zephyria 
An awkward silence fell between them. Dane stared at Grayson as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing, while Grayson gazed back with a bright expression, his eyes shining with anticipation, like a child waiting for candy.
What is he thinking, that bastard…
Dane was so dumbfounded that his vision blurred.
“Just what are you… Never mind.”
He stopped himself from speaking, shook his head, and turned to leave again. He didn’t want to waste his energy on someone he couldn’t reason with. He had too many problems to solve right now.
Of course, Grayson didn’t give up easily.
“Think about it.”
Grayson, who had quickly caught up to Dane by skipping a couple of times, continued, “Three months is all I ask. If you still feel the same way, I’ll back off cleanly. I can even quit the fire station.”
Dane paused, and Grayson added as if he had been waiting for it, “I’ll disappear from your life forever.”
Dane stared at Grayson’s face without a word. His brother was a con artist, and he himself was a man who lied at the drop of a hat. How could he trust him? Grayson, sensing the suspicion in his gaze, grinned and probed Dane’s feelings.
“Doesn’t it sound tempting? Just three months out of your long life to get rid of me forever.”
How do you know how long my life is?
Dane thought, but he couldn’t deny that he was wavering. It wasn’t the first time he’d received such an offer. He had always refused them resolutely, never once accepting one, but…
Just then, Darling, lying in the back of the ambulance, came into view. He turned his head and saw Grayson. The soot covering his face and the patches of burnt blond hair were still there. Grayson Miller.
With a deep sigh, Dane finally opened his mouth.
“You’ll really disappear from my sight?”
“Yes.”
“And quit the fire station too?”
“Of course.”
Grayson answered Dane’s questions immediately. There was still a sliver of doubt, but Dane had no choice. He had nothing to lose, did he? The conclusion was already set anyway.
“If that’s what it takes to satisfy you, fine.”
Dane finally made his decision. He extended his right hand to Grayson and said, “Three months, and no longer.”
Grayson grabbed Dane’s hand with a bright smile. Dane had intended to give it a quick squeeze and let go, but Grayson suddenly pulled him closer. Caught off guard, Dane stumbled forward and was enveloped in Grayson’s arms. Grayson whispered, “Now you’re my boyfriend.”
“Hey…”
Feeling the hot breath on his ear, Dane opened his mouth.
“Don’t forget you said ‘three months on a trial basis.'”
“Of course, I know.”
Grayson hugged Dane even tighter. Dane was momentarily stunned by the force of the embrace, but thankfully, Grayson soon released him. As Dane quickly retreated, Grayson spoke as if he had been waiting for it.
“So, what are we going to do now? I’m your boyfriend, so I should know.”
Dane frowned at Grayson’s eagerness to cross the line, but it was his own doing. He rubbed his forehead with one hand and replied, “First, we need to take Darling to the hospital. Then, we need to find a place to stay…”
“Let’s go to my place.”
Grayson immediately suggested before Dane could even finish. Dane stopped and glanced at him, and Grayson continued, “It won’t cost you a penny to stay at my place. Plus, it’s comfortable. There are nine rooms, so you can use any room you want. You can use the spa to relax after work, and you can drink wine and watch the sunset from your room’s balcony. There’s a wine cellar in the basement, and if the outdoor pool is too cold, you can heat the indoor pool and enjoy it inside…”
He rattled off the advantages as if he had been waiting for it. Not even a real estate agent could list them so exhaustively. Dane just listened with a vacant expression. Grayson quickly realized that he was tuning him out and changed his strategy.
“Darling will love my place too. There’s a room with great sunlight. Darling likes to climb the cat tower and bask in the sun, right?”
As expected, Dane’s eyes refocused. Whenever Grayson said “Darling,” Dane would automatically pause. Of course, Grayson knew that too. Dane’s eyes would waver every time he mentioned Darling. It was a fleeting movement, but Grayson didn’t miss it. All his attention was focused on Dane.
Therefore, this was also part of Grayson’s calculation. He knew that Dane would be shaken if he mentioned Darling, and his prediction was correct. Grayson looked down at Dane’s face, which was now filled with serious contemplation, and waited patiently. He knew that being pushy at this point would be counterproductive. He just needed to wait for the right moment.
Darling.
Dane was lost in thought, his expression serious. It was hard to believe that Grayson Miller genuinely cared for his precious cat. It was equally difficult to accept that he had risked his life for Dane’s sake. But he couldn’t deny that he found it hard to refuse when the man mentioned “Darling,” so he felt trapped.
No, that’s not right.
“No, thanks.”
Dane steeled his heart and spoke.
“I’ll find a place to stay on my own, so you don’t have to worry about it. Thanks for the offer, but I’ll pass.”
The last part was just a formality, but Dane was trying to be as polite as possible. He was already struggling to suppress his annoyance with the whole situation. Grayson, sensing his true feelings, immediately pointed out the practical problem.
“But you don’t have anywhere to stay right now, do you? So, how about you stay at my place until you find somewhere…”
“What are you talking about, idiot? There are motels everywhere.”
Dane finally snapped. Agreeing to a three-month trial period didn’t mean he was giving Grayson permission to control his actions. He valued his freedom above all else, and he had no intention of giving so much of himself to someone who wasn’t even his real boyfriend, but merely someone he was “repaying a debt” to.
“It’ll take years to build your house. Are you going to stay in motels the whole time?”
Grayson tried to persuade him as if it were absurd, but Dane wouldn’t budge.
“We’re only together for three months anyway, so what’s the difference?”
Grayson paused at those words. He looked slightly surprised, then smiled.
“Oops, you got me there.”
That bastard, he knew it all along.
Dane’s face visibly contorted. He was a man who would exploit any weakness if you let your guard down even for a moment. He was taking advantage of Dane’s distraction in the face of the disaster to make ridiculous suggestions as if it were nothing.
Dane’s rejection was immediately conveyed to Grayson. It wasn’t that the short-sighted arguments of saving money by staying for three months, or not knowing what might happen afterward, didn’t cross his mind. But Grayson brushed aside all those petty words and casually added, “Tell me if you need help, Dane. I’ll always be waiting.”
Despite feeling a lingering suspicion at his willingness to back down, Dane went to get his cat. Just as he carefully lifted Darling into his arms, Grayson suddenly said from behind, “Starting tomorrow, we’re meeting as lovers, Dane.”
Dane paused for a moment and turned around. Grayson smiled brightly and waved before turning and running towards the other guys who were cleaning up. Left alone, Dane stood there for a while, feeling a sense of foreboding.