The morning light filtered through the curtains in Trench's apartment, casting a soft glow over the room. Darling stirred on the couch, the blanket from the night before still draped over him. As he sat up, a sharp pain lanced through his side, and he sucked in a breath, clutching at his injury. The adrenaline that had carried him through the chaos of the past days was gone, leaving him acutely aware of just how much he hurt.
Trench was already awake, standing by the kitchen counter with a mug of coffee in hand. He glanced over when he heard Darling's sharp intake of breath. "Morning," he said, his voice even but tinged with concern. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I got hit by a truck," Darling admitted with a weak smile. He swung his legs over the edge of the couch and attempted to stand, only to wince and sit back down immediately. "But I need to get to the Bureau. There's too much to do."
Trench shook his head, setting his mug down and walking over. "Not happening," he said firmly. "You're staying here today."
"Zachariah—" Darling began, but Trench cut him off with a raised hand.
"No. You're not going anywhere in this state," Trench said, his tone brooking no argument. "You might not feel it when you're running on adrenaline, but your body needs time to heal. Take the day off."
Darling leaned back against the couch, his lips quirking up into a teasing smile. "Who would've thought? Zachariah Trench, the Bureau's stoic director, turning into such a doting boyfriend. Should I start worrying you'll tuck me in and bring me soup next?"
Trench crossed his arms, his expression unamused but not unkind. "Keep it up, Casper, and I might just reconsider letting you use my couch."
Darling chuckled, though the motion made him wince. "All right, you win. I'll stay. But only for today," he conceded, pointing a finger at Trench. "Tomorrow, I'm getting back to work. The Astral Plane research isn't going to advance itself."
"We'll see," Trench replied noncommittally, though the faintest hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "For now, just focus on resting."
As the morning stretched on, Darling settled back into the couch with a cup of tea that Trench had begrudgingly prepared. The pain in his side was a constant reminder to take it easy, but the quiet companionship of Trench moving about the apartment made it easier to bear. For once, the world didn't feel like it was on the verge of collapse. There was time to breathe, to heal, and to appreciate the strange sense of normalcy that had somehow found its way into their lives.
By the time the sun was high in the sky, Darling had dozed off again, his papers forgotten in his office. Trench watched him from across the room, his expression unreadable. After everything they'd been through, this moment of peace felt fragile, like it could shatter at any moment. But for now, it held, and that was enough.