Page 141 of Espíritu

Julian gave him a half-hearted grin, though the worry in his eyes didn’t fade. Yadriel could see how much the night had taken out of him. He was trying to stay strong for everyone, but there was a tightness in his jaw, a weight in his posture that he couldn’t quite hide. Julian cared so deeply, too deeply sometimes. It made him reckless, but it also made him one of the most loyal people Yadriel had ever met.

The house felt held, by old wards and Lita’s bravado, by Rio’s quiet watch. Safe enough to relax, just a bit.

Enrique paused in the doorway, one hand on the frame. “Yadriel.”

Yadriel straightened. “Yeah?”

Enrique’s voice dropped. “I should’ve listened when you wanted to tell them sooner.” He glanced toward the living room—Rio, Luca, the others. “I thought secrecy kept us safe. It just kept us apart.”

Surprised, Julian lifted his head.

Enrique met Yadriel’s eyes. “You were right to push. We move together now.”

He gave a small nod to both of them and stepped back into the hall.

The apology landed soft and heavy.

Despite everything, Julian still tried to carry the weight for everyone else—like he didn’t know how to stop. Yadriel ached with love for him, but also worry. No one could keep going like that without breaking.

As everyone busied themselves setting up the living room, Yadriel pulled Julian into his bedroom to grab some clothes. Julian, Yadriel pointed out, was already in his pajamas, but Julian insisted on borrowing some of Yadriel’s again, like wearing Yadriel’s clothes was a kind of security blanket.

“I like wearing your clothes!” Julian argued. He stepped into Yadriel’s room and leaned against the doorframe. “What’ve you got for me? Anything that screams relaxing slumber party chic?”

Yadriel grabbed him a pair of black gym shorts and a faded Selena T-shirt. He then got some for himself—a soft cotton tee and a pair of sweatpants—before turning to Julian.

“Okay, I’ll change first. You—”

“Let me guess,” Julian interrupted with a smirk. “Face the wall? It’s not like I haven’t seen a dude change before!” he teased.

Yadriel’s cheeks turned crimson. “Face. The. Wall,” he said firmly, though his lips twitched with suppressed laughter.

“Fine, fine, fine!” Julian said, rolling his eyes and dramatically pivoting to stare at the wall. “I’m a gentleman, after all.”

Yadriel quickly pulled on his sweatpants and swapped his shirt, tugging it down over his binder with practiced hands. “Okay, your turn,” he said, tossing Julian a pillow to get him moving.

Julian turned around, already tugging off his own shirt, but his grin faltered as his eyes landed on Yadriel. “Wait, are you wearing your binder to bed?” he asked, his tone shifting to something softer, more serious.

Yadriel hesitated, his hands fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. “Yeah. It’s fine,” he mumbled, avoiding Julian’s gaze.

“Yads,” Julian said, giving him a theoretically stern look, “you know that’s not safe! You’re not supposed to wear it to sleep!”

Yadriel’s face flushed deeper, and he rubbed the back of his neck. “I just … I don’t feel comfortable without it. It’s weird.” Especially around all of Julian’s friends and his brother. He was sort of okay with his own family, Maritza, and Julian seeing him without it on, but the idea of anyone else made him want to crawl out of his own skin.

Julian tilted his head thoughtfully, then grinned. “Okay, how about this—I’ll wear a hoodie to sleep, and you can wear one, too. Or,” he added with a teasing lilt, “I’ll block everyone from looking at you until you’re safely under a blanket. Like a bodyguard! I’m good at being a human shield.”

Yadriel snorted, his laughter breaking through his self-consciousness. “Yeah, that’s not exactly practical.”

“Fine, fine, fine, Mr. Practicality.” Julian’s grin softened into something gentler. “There’s gotta be another solution.”

Yadriel hummed, trying to rack his brain.

“Otherwise I’m going to tell Lita on you,” Julian said jokingly.

Yadriel rolled his eyes. “Lita barely knows what a binder even is.”

“Then I’ll tell Flaca!”

Yadriel scowled. Julian looked smug.