"Is he fucking serious?"

"He has a whole fucking bed, and he chooses to sleep in one corner?"

"I'm gonna kill those fuckers."

I don't let them know I can hear them. I don't stir. I keep my breathing even, though I'm freaking out.

I don't want them to judge me. I can't handle that.

A loud groan sounds through the room, startling me. I barely manage to keep my eyes closed. "All three of you, your feelings are unbelievable!"

That's Ada.

"I mean, look at the boy! They fucked him in the head—oh come on, be fucking mature, Micah—and this isn't his fault. So what he sleeps on a small part of the bed? Think about what he's gone through and—"

"I'd rather not." Aiden.

Silence dawns in the room at Aiden's harsh remark. His tone is angered, but it sounds like he's suppressing it. Shame covers my skin. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to come here and ruin the peace.

"If I do, I won't be able to stop myself." It sounds like a threat, sending a shiver over my spine.

Four heated pairs of eyes lock on my back, I can feel them. "Aaron?" Seb questions.

I stay silent. A chuckle erupts from someone's mouth, but I can't make up who it is.

"Let's go make breakfast for our sleeping boy," Micah comments, and I know I'm caught. But that doesn't mean I'm suddenly going to talk to them, though.

I need space. I can't socialize when I just woke up, I have to prepare myself first. Give myself a second to take a deep breath.

When the door softly closes behind them, I open my eyes and flip over to my stomach. Hm, this bed is like three times what I had back in the cottage.

"I fucking knew it."

I jump up, heart beating frantically. And there the four of them are, smirking and looking up at me.

Sebastian grins even more when I start blushing, his hands deep in the pockets of his pants. It's the first time I see them wearing sweatpants and loose shirts, and I wish I hadn't.

Great. Now I'll picture it forever.

I shift awkwardly under their stares. There's not really a chance to deny now, is there?

"I-um . . ." But nothing comes to mind.

I watch their amused faces— Aiden, Ada, Seb . . . and then there's a scowling Micah.

I stop the urge to flinch under his glare. He has his arms crossed over his chest, a permanent frown on his face.

When I open my mouth to say something, he raises his hand in a stopping sign, leaves the room and slams the door closed.

I now do flinch at the hard sound. Why is he mad?

Nothing happened last night. It was my first night in a long time where I could just sleep and not wake up every few hours bathing in sweat.

"I'm sorry," I whisper, feeling heat behind my eyes. "I didn't mean to upset him. Sometimes I just . . . need a minute."

Ada gives me a sweet smile. "Of course, Aaron. Don't worry about Micah, he's been like this since last night." She shrugs. "Maybe he's on his period."

That makes me snicker. She laughs along, and the two other men in the room chuckle too.

It feels good to be able to laugh. I hadn't really laughed in more than two years before yesterday.

"Take as much time as you want. We'll be downstairs with the breakfast," Sebastian tells me.

Relief fills me. Aiden nods as confirmation and then they leave my room, for real this time.

I'm glad I can dress up in silence, to order everything in my head. They aren't as exhausting to he around as Silas and Ezra, which is a good thing, but I always need to take breaks from socializing to catch a breath.

When I walk downstairs, I overhear them talking. About me.

I freeze. Should I just appear from behind the corner, or wait until they're done?

I decide the latter and wait, keeping my breath in. First thing I hear is Ada.

"Micah, I'm getting tired of your bullshit!" she snaps. I hear a grunt, probably Micah's.

"You scared the poor boy with your attitude," Aiden's calm voice follows. I shiver.

"He scared me too," Micah comments, a sneer in his voice. My shoulders slump. I'm sorry.

"Yeah? How? Because he went through those horrible things? Wait no, because he called himself a fag, which makes it painfully obvious how bad he got bullied?"

I flinch. Please. Stop.

"You should think about that before you get our boy upset, Micah. He's been through so much already, and you being a grump over that doesn't help a tiny bit," Seb says.

Our? Our boy?

I blink against the tears and swallow past the lump in my throat before I appear with a small smile.

Micah's eyes bounce up, still with a scowl, before he glares down at his bowl again. I avert my eyes to the wooden table. Oh.

"What do you want to eat, Aaron?" Ada smiles. "We've got Frosted Flakes, bread or some fruit."

My eyes watch as she pushes the options into my direction. I clutch my stomach. "Nothing, but thank you."

Aiden, Seb and Ada's friendly expressions fall into a glare, just like Micah's, now all four scowling at me.

I wince. Turn to Micah. "I'm-- I'm sorry about scaring you," I whisper, though the sound is almost a whimper.

His spine straightens, his eyes wide. "No! No, Aaron, no. It's just-- I never expected it to be so bad, you know? I had hoped it was just a precaution, bring you here, but what happened . . . It blinds me with anger."

Seb snaps his finger and points at the food. "Eat."

I obediently nod and reach for an apple. His eyes darken. "Not only an apple. Here, take my croissant."

My eyes widen. "N-no, I'll eat Flakes too, thank you." His eyebrow cocks.

So I prove I really was planning to eat them and make myself a bowl.

An approving expression takes over his face while the others smile in satisfaction.

They start a conversation, so I just sit by them and look around a little.

"Aaron, did you sign up for today's activity?" Aiden asks me, making sure I'm part of the conversation.

I bite my lip, trying to remember what it is again. But seriously, it's hard to think when they're all paying attention to me, watching me closely.

For fuck's sake, I'm losing my damn mind.

"Um. What was it again?" I ask, immediately flushing. He grins. "A day at the swimming pool. To swim or . . . or maybe answer some questions," he chuckles.

I scowl at him. "It took me three hours and it wasn't even valid! It's not funny!" I exclaim when all four of them start laughing.

But they clearly think it is, so I just roll my eyes and keep eating until they're done laughing.

"But did you sign up?" Aiden asks, still chuckling. "No," I grunt. "I didn't."

Ada smiles and claps in her hands. "We neither! So we can stay at home, all together, and maybe watch a movie? I choose!"

Three men groan while I hide my smile. A movie day with these four?

Count me in.