CHAPTER 85: CHAPTER 85: THE WEIGHT OF TRUST

He set the spoon down slowly, his eyes meeting mine with a mixture of stubbornness and discomfort. "Don’t, Evric. It’s nothing."

I leaned forward slightly, my brows furrowed in concern. "It’s not nothing. Tell me... do you have difficulty swallowing food?"

Zayn hesitated, biting his lower lip. "No... I don’t have trouble... I guess I’m not that hungry. I’ll just take some milk instead. I’ll eat later."

My chest tightened at his evasive words. "No, Zayn. I’m not blind." I set my own spoon down with a quiet clatter and reached for my phone, calling the driver. "Get the car ready. We’re going to the hospital. Now."

He froze, his shoulders stiffening. "For what?"

I hesitated, my heart hammering. "You know... I just need the doctor to check you."

He lowered his voice, a deep blush spreading across his cheeks. "How do I explain it... to the doctor? Evric... a man shoved his cock... you know... inside my throat. I could never say that... it’s completely embarrassing."

I reached across the table, cupping his hand gently. "Zayn... it’s my friend, the doctor. He’s discreet, professional. You don’t need to explain anything. Please. Trust me."

He shook his head, jaw tense, struggling against my insistence. "I refuse. I can eat... I just... I’m not hungry. Don’t you understand, Evric?"

I exhaled sharply, my concern deepening. "Okay... then at least try to eat something. Let me see. Please, baby."

His eyes flickered up, a shadow of vulnerability crossing his features. "Babe... I just don’t want to eat. I’m... I’m not hungry anymore."

Just then, Nuala and Chrisly returned to the living room. Their eyes flicked toward us, sharp and curious, but I didn’t notice them immediately. My focus was entirely on Zayn.

I reached out, brushing my fingers against his arm, keeping my voice low and coaxing. "Baby... I’m not buying it. The way you just called me... I know you’re trying to stop me from taking you to the hospital. Can you just stop being stubborn and come with me? Please, baby."

He looked down, cheeks flushed, shoulders tight. "I’m... shy, Evric. I can’t. No... I just... I can’t do it."

I pressed closer, lowering my voice to a soft, intimate whisper. "Please... take this shame for me just this once. You don’t need to say a word. You don’t need to explain anything. I’ll do all the talking. All you have to do is show yourself. That’s it."

He hesitated, lips pressed together, uncertainty flickering across his eyes. I lifted his chin with my fingers, holding his gaze firmly. "Please, love... you know I’d rather be hurting than see you in pain."

Slowly, reluctantly, he lifted his eyes to mine. The tension in his shoulders eased fractionally. "Okay... fine. I’ll follow you."

A wave of relief surged through me, and I leaned forward, pressing a gentle, lingering kiss to his lips. "Thank you, baby," I whispered against his mouth, my forehead resting against his.

He nodded shyly, a quiet, almost hesitant smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. I helped him to his feet, supporting him as he wobbled slightly. My hands lingered on his waist for reassurance as he steadied himself.

"Let’s go change quickly," I said, keeping my tone calm and soothing. "Then we’ll head out to the hospital."

He allowed me to guide him to the bedroom, leaning slightly into my side as we walked. Every movement of his was careful, tentative, yet there was a subtle surrender in the way he followed me. I could see the lingering tension in his jaw and the tightness in his posture, but beneath it, I felt the trust he was offering me.

Once in the bedroom, I let go of him gently, letting him change while I adjusted my own clothes. I watched him with a careful eye, noting the small tremors in his hands, the soft sighs escaping his lips, and the way his body remained tense despite his outward compliance.

Finally, he stood fully dressed, straightening his posture and lifting his eyes to meet mine. There was still a flicker of embarrassment in his gaze, but also a quiet calm. I stepped forward, brushing a strand of hair from his face. "Ready?" I asked softly, holding his hand in mine.

He nodded, letting out a slow breath. "Yes... ready."

I smiled, squeezing his hand gently. "Then let’s go, baby. I’ve got you."

He stepped forward, allowing me to guide him toward the door, and together we left for the car, the tension still present but softened by the quiet trust between us.

Once inside the car, he squeezed my hand, his thumb tracing gentle circles over my knuckles. "Evric... how do you manage to be so bold, not shy at all?" he asked, curiosity mixed with admiration in his tone.

I smiled softly, feeling the reassuring squeeze of his hand. "Babe, I’ve accepted who I am," I said gently. "There’s nothing to be shy about when I’m with you."

His eyes searched mine, a hint of uncertainty flickering across his expression. "But... how do you feel sometimes," he murmured, voice low, "if I can’t be as bold as you? Like... when I feel this way, and you’re right beside me?"

I looked at him, understanding all the hesitation, all the fear of judgment he carried, and I shook my head slowly. "Babe... I understand you. You don’t need to feel ashamed or angry at yourself. There’s no reason for that when it’s us."

He exhaled slowly, a soft relief passing through him as he leaned slightly against me, the car moving through the quiet streets. And in that moment, even with everything that had happened, it felt like we were exactly where we were supposed to be, together, trusting each other enough to heal.

Soon, the car rolled to a stop in front of the hospital. I felt Zayn’s hand tremble faintly in mine as he inhaled, the nerves tightening his body. His fingers curled as if he were holding on to me for strength.

I leaned closer, brushing my thumb over his knuckles. "It’s okay, baby," I whispered, steady and calm. "When we get there, you don’t need to say a word. I’ll do all the speaking. All you have to do is breathe and let yourself relax, alright? Remember, he’s my friend."

Zayn turned his head toward me, his eyes clouded with hesitation but also touched with trust. He gave me a small, reluctant nod. For a moment, he didn’t move to get out of the car. Instead, his voice broke the silence, soft and uncertain.

"Babe... hug me. Just a little."