CHAPTER 19: DON’T FORGET THIS KISS

Cassian’s mind was spinning. He didn’t understand why Leonel had been glaring at him ever since they left class. Every look carried a weight Cassian couldn’t quite name anger, frustration, or maybe something deeper he was too scared to admit.

His back was still pressed against the locker where Leonel had cornered him, and he couldn’t bring himself to move. "Why is he mad at me?" he muttered under his breath, chewing on his lip.

Leonel tilted his head, eyes sharp, lips curving into the kind of smirk that made Cassian’s chest tighten. "Stop looking at Aiden every time you want something," Leonel said, voice low and rough around the edges. "I’m right here. I’m the one who should be the first."

Cassian blinked, caught off guard. "W-what? I-I wasn’t-"

"Don’t lie to me," Leonel cut in. His hand moved, almost hesitantly at first, then with more confidence as his fingers brushed Cassian’s neck, thumb tracing lightly along the skin there. Cassian sucked in a sharp breath, his pulse tripping wildly.

Leonel’s gaze burned hotter. "Seeing you with him... all the time... it makes my blood boil."

Cassian swallowed hard, his voice shaky. "Leonel -"

"Now, don’t get me wrong," Leonel said, closer now, breath ghosting against Cassian’s lips. "Aiden’s my good friend. But-" His voice dropped lower, eyes darkening. "You’re more."

Cassian’s heart stuttered. More? What did that even mean-

Before he could process it, Leonel leaned in and kissed him.

Soft at first, like a test. Just lips pressing against lips. Cassian froze, his breath catching, mind blank. But then Leonel deepened it, hand sliding to the back of his neck, drawing him closer, sliding his tongue lightly against Cassian’s bottom lip.

Cassian’s knees went weak. His hands shot up instinctively, gripping Leonel’s shoulders as if to steady himself. His heart thundered, the world spinning away until there was only Leonel, only the warmth of him, only the dizzying taste of something Cassian couldn’t fight.

It was too much, too fast, but he couldn’t pull away.

Leonel finally broke the kiss, but only barely, his lips brushing Cassian’s as he whispered, "You might’ve forgotten last night... but don’t forget this one."

And then his mouth claimed Cassian’s again harder this time. Deeper.

Cassian gasped softly as Leonel bit his lip, sliding his tongue past, demanding and coaxing at once. His whole body trembled, heat shooting through him in waves he couldn’t control. He let out a small, muffled sound into the kiss, fingers curling tighter into Leonel’s shirt.

By the time Leonel finally pulled back, both of them were panting.

Cassian’s face was burning, lips swollen, chest rising and falling as if he’d just run a race. His thoughts scattered in every direction, too tangled to hold onto.

Leonel looked just as wrecked, cheeks flushed pink, breathing heavy. But his gaze stayed steady, locked on Cassian like he was something precious, something dangerous. He lifted a hand, cupping Cassian’s cheek, thumb brushing over the skin gently in stark contrast to the intensity of the kiss.

"Beautiful," Leonel whispered, almost reverently, like the word wasn’t enough to capture what he was seeing.

Cassian’s stomach flipped violently, the compliment making his entire body buzz. He couldn’t even look away, no matter how much he wanted to.

He was stunned. Shaken. And maybe just maybe wanting more.

The silence was so thick it hurt. Cassian opened his mouth, struggling to say something, anything, when-

Footsteps. they heard footsteps coming close and closer to them,

Cassian jerked his head back, heart leaping into his throat. He pushed lightly at Leonel’s chest trying to move him away, but it was too late for that.

Aiden.

He stepped into view, stopping just a few steps away. His eyes flicked between them first at Leonel, then at Cassian, and although he didn’t see the kiss, but the aftermath was enough for him to realise. Cassian’s flushed face, him trembling slightly but enough to notice, the way he couldn’t quite look straight at either of them in the eyes even after knowing he is standing there.

Cassian panicked. He tried to compose himself, but his lips tingled, his body shook, and he knew he looked like a mess. He looked away thinking hard what can he say he was sure aiden knows something is up.

Aiden’s brows furrowed slightly. He didn’t say anything at first, just stared organizing his thoughts, thinking what is the right thing to say, the weight of his gaze sinking into Cassian like a knife.

Leonel, still close enough that Cassian could feel his warmth his breath, leonel smirked faintly. He didn’t move away, didn’t hide, just brushed a strand of hair from Cassian’s forehead like nothing had happened, like he dont even care if aiden is watching them

Cassian’s pulse went haywire. He wanted to shove him off, to make this moment disappear, but his body wouldn’t move.

Aiden finally spoke, voice low, steady but edged. "Cassian... what just happened?"

The question slammed into Cassian like a blow. His throat closed. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Leonel stayed silent, but his gaze was dangerous, daring Cassian to speak, daring Aiden to push.

Cassian’s mind screamed in panic. He couldn’t explain. He shouldn’t explain. But the heat on his lips, the fire still racing through his body, betrayed him.

Nothing would ever be the same.

Not with Leonel.

Not with Aiden.

Not with himself.

The world outside blurred. All that existed was the suffocating tension, the kiss still burning on his lips, and the unspoken truth dangling above them like a blade.

Cassian’s breath hitched again as Aiden stepped closer, Leonel’s presence still pressing at his back, and he realized, with terrifying certainty...

He was caught.

Between them.

And there was no way out.

Cassian’s lips parted, desperate to explain, but nothing came. Aiden’s hand twitched at his side like he was fighting the urge to grab him, while Leonel leaned in, whispering near Cassian’s ear, low enough for only him to hear.

"Choose, Cassian... what do you want to say before I make the choice for you."