CHAPTER 22: THE NIGHTMARE

Cassian lay there long after Aiden’s footsteps faded, staring at the cracked ceiling above him. His chest rose and fell unevenly, lungs dragging in shallow breaths like they’d forgotten how to work properly. Every second replayed the same words Aiden had hurled at him, softer than a shout but sharper than a blade.

That every time you laugh with him... you’re pulling further from me.

Cassian shut his eyes tight. He didn’t want to see Leonel’s smirk burned into his vision. He didn’t want to hear the catch in Aiden’s voice, the one that sounded almost broken. He didn’t want to feel the weight of both of them pulling him in opposite directions, tearing something inside him in two.

But the harder he tried to shove it away, the louder it echoed.

He turned on his side, burying his face against the pillow, hoping exhaustion would take him. And eventually, it did.

Only sleep didn’t bring peace.

The dream hit him hard, cold and suffocating.

Aiden.

He was there, but not the way Cassian knew him. He wasn’t composed, confident, the way he always seemed like he could steady the world with a look. No -Aiden was pinned down, wrists locked above his head, his body straining against the weight pressing him into the bed.

"Let go -" Aiden’s voice cracked, raw and desperate.

Cassian froze, horror locking his limbs. He tried to move, to shout, to tear the stranger off of him but his feet felt cemented to the floor, his throat locked.

The face above Aiden came into focus, smug and cruel. A twisted smile. Eyes gleaming with malice.

Cassian’s stomach plummeted. He knew that face.

Leonel’s stepbrother.

Aiden thrashed, teeth gritted, fury and fear etched across his features. But the man on top of him only leaned closer, smirk widening like this was some sort of game. Like Aiden’s resistance made it sweeter.

And Cassian -Cassian could only watch.

"No -" His voice finally broke free, hoarse, useless. His hands clawed at the invisible weight holding him back. "Stop -get off him! Don’t -!"

The scene warped, stretching into something grotesque, suffocating. The walls closed in, shadows lengthened. And then -

Cassian jolted upright, gasping for air.

His chest heaved as though he’d been running. Sweat clung to his skin, his shirt damp against his back. He clutched his sheets in tight fists, heart hammering so hard it hurt.

"What... the hell..." His voice shook. He dragged a trembling hand down his face, trying to ground himself in the here and now.

But the nightmare wouldn’t let go.

He knew that scene. It wasn’t random. It wasn’t his mind conjuring fears out of nowhere. He’d seen it before.

From the drama.

The exact scene where Leonel’s stepbrother tried to take everything Leonel cared about. His wealth. His reputation. And, worst of all, Aiden.

Cassian’s stomach twisted violently.

When did that happen? His brain scrambled to find the memory. Episode four? No maybe five. Or was it earlier? He couldn’t place it. His thoughts felt slippery, like sand falling through his fingers no matter how hard he tried to hold them.

he glanced at the clock on his nightstand.

5:30 a.m.

He shoved his blanket aside and staggered toward the bathroom. The fluorescent light buzzed harshly as he flipped the switch. He didn’t care. He twisted the shower knob until steaming water pounded down, and stepped under it fully clothed, desperate for the burn, the distraction.

The water plastered his hair to his forehead. He pressed his palms against the tiled wall, forehead dropping forward, breath ragged.

He couldn’t protect anyone not when he couldn’t even remember the timeline.

"Damn it," he muttered, slamming his fist against the wall. The sound was swallowed instantly by the hiss of water.

By the time he finally forced himself out, the steam clung to him like a shroud. He rubbed a towel over his dripping hair,

He dragged himself back into the room, eyes bleary. As he bent down to reach for his slippers, his toes bumped something. He blinked, frowning. He hadn’t left them there.

And then he looked up.

And froze.

Aiden stood in the doorway.

Cassian’s stomach dropped so fast he nearly slipped. His towel sagged precariously, water still running down his arms.

Before he could topple, Aiden stepped forward swiftly, catching him. One arm wrapped around his waist, steadying him, while the other braced his shoulder.

"You okay?" Aiden’s voice was calm, but his eyes—sharp, searching—lingered on Cassian like he was scanning for damage.

Cassian’s breath caught. His face flamed. The heat of Aiden’s hand against his bare waist seared into him.

"I -uh-y-yeah. Yes," he stammered, straightening awkwardly. His towel slipped further, and he clutched it desperately.

Aiden’s lips twitched faintly, like he was suppressing a smile. His hands lingered just a second longer than necessary before he pulled back.

"What are you doing in my room this early?" Cassian blurted, voice embarrassingly high.

Aiden tilted his head. "Early? Cass, it’s already seven-thirty. You didn’t come down for breakfast, so I came up."

Cassian whipped his head toward the clock. His jaw dropped.

"...What?"

He’d lost two hours? In the shower?

His face went red for an entirely different reason. "You’re kidding no way I -" He scrambled for his clothes, muttering, "Crap, crap, crap..."

Aiden leaned casually against the doorframe, arms crossed. His mouth curved into something that was almost a smirk, but softer. "Relax. I’m waiting."

Cassian’s hoodie got stuck halfway over his head. "Don’t just stand there—" His voice was muffled. He yanked it down, hair even messier now.

By the time he dragged himself downstairs, still tugging at the hem of his hoodie, his hair dripping and uncombed, he collapsed into the chair beside Aiden with a groan. "Man, I’m tired."

Aiden turned to look at him, and before Cassian could duck away, a hand reached over. Fingers slipped through his damp strands, brushing them down, smoothing the stubborn tufts.

Cassian froze.

Aiden’s lips tilted into a small smile. "Better."

Cassian’s pulse spiked so fast it hurt. His cheeks burned hot. He turned his face away. "...So. You’re not mad anymore, right?"

Aiden hummed, dragging out the pause just to torture him. "Hmm. I mean, I’m still mad. But..." His gaze softened, just a fraction. "I’m trying to be okay. For you."

Something twisted in Cassian’s chest. His throat tightened, words spilling before he could stop them. He reached out, fingers wrapping around Aiden’s hand. "Don’t be mad. Or sad. Please. Tell me what I can do."

Aiden’s eyes flicked to their joined hands, then back to Cassian’s flushed face. His lips curved into a slow, knowing smirk. "Maybe give me a kiss. On the cheek."

Cassian blinked. "...H-huh?"

Aiden leaned back, feigning innocence. "What? You can kiss Leonel, but I’m just asking for a nice, friendly cheek kiss."

Cassian sputtered, his ears going scarlet. "T-that’s not It’s different -"

"Is it?" Aiden tilted his head, cheek angled toward him. He tapped it lightly with a fingertip. "C’mon. It’s not that hard."

Cassian’s entire body locked up. His heartbeat thundered in his ears, so loud he thought the whole table could hear it.

Slowly, hesitantly, he leaned in. His lips brushed Aiden’s cheek, soft and fleeting, but enough to ignite fire across his skin.

The second it was done, Cassian jerked back, hoodie collar pulled up over his face. He buried himself in it like a turtle hiding in its shell.

Aiden blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Then his lips parted, and an uncharacteristic laugh slipped out low, warm, and genuine.

Before Cassian could retreat further, strong arms wrapped around him, dragging him against Aiden’s chest.

"Good boy," Aiden murmured against his hair.

Cassian’s heart nearly stopped.

His face flamed hotter than the shower had been. His hands hovered uselessly in the air before he finally let them rest awkwardly on Aiden’s arm, every nerve ending screaming.

And then-

"Wow," a drawling voice cut in. "Am I interrupting something?"

Cassian’s entire body stiffened.

Aiden didn’t move immediately, his chin still resting lightly on Cassian’s head. But his eyes flicked upward, cold and sharp.

Leonel leaned against the doorway, smirk firmly in place, gaze flicking between the two of them. "Breakfast and cuddles? Cute. Should I come back later, or...?"

Cassian’s breath caught in his throat. His chest tightened painfully, caught between the steady weight of Aiden’s hold and Leonel’s piercing gaze.

The air crackled with tension, heavy and impossible to ignore.

And Cassian realized, with a sinking heart, that no matter what he did...

Cassian scrambled to pull away, but Aiden’s arm tightened subtly, holding him in place like he wasn’t ready to let go. Leonel’s smirk deepened at the sight, his eyes glinting with something dangerous jealousy, amusement, maybe both.

And then Aiden, the bastard, leaned his chin slightly toward Cassian, his smirk matching Leonel’s.

"Not just cuddles," he said smoothly, his voice pitched just loud enough to hit its mark. "I got a kiss on the cheek from my dear Cassian too."

Cassian’s whole body went hot. His face burned as Leonel’s smirk dropped, sharpness flashing in his eyes.