The tension after the attack still lingered in the mansion like smoke trapped in the walls. Guards spoke in hushed voices. Doors were checked twice. Every footstep felt watched.
Danny tried not to let it overwhelm him.
Verdric had stepped out early for meetings again, giving him a soft kiss on the forehead before leaving—gentle, fleeting, and full of things Verdric still refused to say out loud.
Danny promised himself he wouldn't cling.
He wouldn't demand.
He wouldn't ask for more than Verdric could give.
But the truth was simple:
He missed him.
Verdric's presence, his quiet strength, the way his gaze softened only when looking at Danny—it was addictive.
And the mansion felt too big without him.
___
Danny decided to stretch his legs in the training area, hoping it would calm his nerves. Verdric's jacket—forgotten in their room—hung over his arm.
Maybe bringing it to him would give Danny a reason to see Verdric later.
Just a glimpse.
Just to know he was okay.
He stepped into the bright afternoon sun, grateful for fresh air. The training yard was alive with sound—metal clashing, grunts, commands shouted across the grounds.
Hiro was sparring with one of the newer officers—a tall young man with sharp eyes and a grin that seemed permanently fixed on his face.
Danny paused, recognizing him faintly. He'd seen him once in the lounge, leaning back on a sofa with a hint of arrogance that didn't suit his youth.
Carlile.
But everyone called him Carl.
Carl noticed him immediately.
His grin widened.
"Well, well," Carl called, tossing a towel over his shoulder as he approached. "You must be Danny."
Danny offered a shy nod. "Yeah… hi."
Carl looked him over with bold interest.
Too bold.
"So you're the one everyone's talking about," Carl said, stepping closer. "No offense, but you look… softer in person."
Danny blinked. "Softer?"
Carl smirked. "Prettier. Unexpected, you know? Didn't think the boss had that kind of taste."
Danny stiffened.
His cheeks warmed with embarrassment and discomfort.
"I should—"
But Carl stepped closer, blocking his path with casual confidence.
"You here to see the boss?" Carl asked. "Or just wandering around because you're bored in that fancy room of yours?"
Danny shifted the jacket nervously. "I just… came out for air."
Carl hummed. "Air's nice. But I could show you better places outside the mansion. Ones without guards breathing down your neck."
Danny froze.
"We're not allowed to leave."
Carl shrugged. "Only if you listen."
He stepped closer—too close—his shadow almost touching Danny's.
"I could take you to the city," Carl murmured. "Show you around. Get you something good to eat. You know… a little escape from… all of this."
Danny swallowed hard.
"I appreciate it but— I shouldn't—"
"Relax," Carl said, placing a hand on Danny's wrist. "I'm not kidnapping you. I'm just being friendly."
Danny flinched instantly.
He tugged his hand back, but Carl's grip tightened.
"Carl… please let go."
Carl tilted his head with a lazy smile. "Didn't think you'd be this jumpy."
Danny's heart raced.
Verdric's rules echoed in his mind.
Don't wander alone.
Don't let anyone touch you.
Stay close to me.
Danny tugged harder.
"Let go."
Carl's smile faltered—then returned sharper.
"I'm just trying to be nice," he said. "Unless you think I'm not allowed to even look at the boss's—"
"Carlile."
Danny froze.
Carl froze.
That voice—the weight behind it—could stop a war.
Verdric stepped out of the training hall, coat slung over his shoulder, hair slightly damp as if he'd just washed away blood or sweat. His eyes were locked on Carl's hand gripping Danny.
And those eyes were cold.
So cold the air shifted.
Carl immediately dropped Danny's wrist as if burned.
"Boss— I wasn't—"
Verdric walked forward slowly, every step measured.
Deadly.
Controlled.
Silent.
Danny felt a hand at his back—Verdric's—guiding him gently but firmly behind him.
Verdric didn't look at Danny.
His gaze was fixed on Carl.
"You touched him," Verdric said softly.
Carl swallowed. "Boss— he tripped and I—"
"That's a lie," Verdric said calmly.
Danny's breath caught.
Verdric hadn't raised his voice.
He didn't need to.
His presence alone was enough to make Carl take a step back.
Verdric continued, his tone surgical:
"Danny does not like being touched without permission."
Carl nodded rapidly. "Yes, sir. I get that now, I do—"
"And you will not speak to him again."
Danny's heart squeezed.
Verdric's hand brushed his lower back—protective, grounding—yet his voice remained a blade.
Carl paled. "Boss, I swear— I wasn't trying anything—"
Verdric stepped closer.
Carl shut up instantly.
"Danny is carrying my child," Verdric said quietly.
"And I don't tolerate disrespect."
Danny's face went hot.
He hadn't expected Verdric to say it out loud.
Carl stuttered. "I—I didn't know—"
"You don't need to know anything," Verdric said.
"You only need to stay away."
His voice was soft.
Deadly soft.
Carl bowed so fast he nearly fell. "Y-Yes, boss. Understood."
He scrambled away, nearly running out of the yard.
Only when Carl was gone did Verdric finally turn to Danny.
His expression shifted instantly.
The ice melted.
"You okay?"
Danny nodded weakly. "Yes. I'm fine."
Verdric stepped closer, placing a hand on Danny's cheek—gentle, warm, protective.
"I told you not to wander alone," Verdric murmured.
Danny looked down. "I'm sorry."
Verdric tilted his chin up with two fingers.
"Danny," he said softly.
"I'm not angry."
Danny's eyes widened.
"I'm… worried."
Danny's breath caught.
"You're precious to me," Verdric continued quietly.
"Don't let anyone touch you like that."
Danny's heart raced.
He didn't know how to breathe.
"Verdric…" he whispered, voice trembling.
Verdric looked at him like he was trying to memorize his face.
Danny leaned into the touch.
For a moment, everything was soft.
Warm.
Perfect.
Until Verdric's phone buzzed violently in his pocket.
He glanced at the screen.
His expression darkened.
Hiro.
Urgent.
Verdric turned to Danny.
"I have to go."
Danny nodded. "Okay. Be safe."
Verdric hesitated —
leaned down—
and pressed a warm, lingering kiss to Danny's forehead.
Then he walked away.
Danny watched him disappear through the training hall doors, a strange chill crawling up his spine.
Something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
And Danny didn't know yet—
that this phone call would change everything.