VriXian AU Compilation [ Part 1 ]

CD 5

***

Christian's body betrayed him.

For days, he had fought to keep himself together—his mind sharp, his walls high. He refused to bend to Vrix's twisted generosity, refused to sink into the comfort of soft sheets and expensive meals.

Pero ang katawan niya?

It had reached its limit.

The constant tension, the sleepless nights, the stress—they had all built up like an untamed wildfire, burning him from the inside out.

And now, he was paying the price.

It started with a dull ache at the back of his head.

Then, the exhaustion settled deep in his bones.

By the time he dragged himself out of bed, his skin felt too hot, too tight, and his vision blurred at the edges.

Shit.

Christian gritted his teeth, gripping the dresser for support.

This was not happening.

He couldn't afford to show weakness. Not here. Not in front of Vrix.

He took a shaky step forward—

Then the world tilted.

His knees buckled, and before he could even think about catching himself, his body collapsed onto the cold marble floor.

The next time he opened his eyes, he was somewhere else.

The lights were dim. A cold towel pressed against his forehead.

And worst of all—

A warm hand was cupping his cheek.

His heart lurched.

"You're awake," a voice murmured, low and smooth.

Christian's body tensed instantly. Kahit na hina pa siya, he knew that voice too well.

Vrix.

Putangina.

His eyes fluttered open, meeting a pair of piercing, unreadable eyes.

For a second—just one second—Christian swore there was something almost... gentle about them.

But that couldn't be real.

Nothing about Vrix Gallano was gentle.

He weakly tried to move away, pero bago pa siya makatayo, Vrix's hand tightened on his shoulder, pushing him back against the pillows.

"Don't be stupid," Vrix muttered, his other hand brushing damp hair away from Christian's face. "You're burning up."

Christian tried to shove his hand away. "Huwag mo 'kong hawakan—"

Vrix sighed. "If I wanted you dead, Martinez, you wouldn't be here."

"Fuck you," Christian rasped, his throat raw.

Vrix chuckled. "Malakas ka pa ring sumagot kahit may sakit ka."

Christian turned his head away, swallowing the bitterness in his mouth. "Why do you care?"

That was the real question, wasn't it?

Why?

Why was Vrix here, personally taking care of him when he could've easily ordered one of his subordinates to do it?

Why did he sound so... calm?

Vrix didn't answer right away.

Instead, he reached for a small bowl on the bedside table, dipping a clean towel into the cool water before pressing it gently against Christian's neck.

"You're mine," he said simply.

Christian's breath hitched.

His fevered mind latched onto those two words, trying to twist and untangle their meaning.

Vrix didn't say it like a threat.

He didn't say it like an insult.

It was a fact.

A statement.

And for some fucked-up reason... it sent a shiver down Christian's spine.

"Rest," Vrix murmured, his voice lower this time, softer. "We'll fight again when you're better."

Christian wanted to curse him, punch him, scream.

But the warmth of Vrix's hand on his skin, the cool towel against his burning flesh—

It was the first real comfort he had felt in days.

And against his will, against his own pride—

His eyes fluttered shut.