CHAPTER 23: LUCIAN-

Cassian’s cheeks burned so hot, he swore steam could’ve risen off his skin. Aiden’s smug grin beside him didn’t help, and Leonel’s eyes—sharp, suddenly stripped of their lazy amusement only made his stomach twist tighter.

For one small second, he thought maybe the world would just swallow him whole. That would be easier than standing here between two guys who looked like they wanted to rip each other’s throats out.

Then Leonel clicked his tongue, the sound sharp and irritated, his expression cooling into something darker. Without warning, he stepped forward, his hand snapping around Cassian’s arm. The grip wasn’t cruel, but it had weight, authority. He yanked Cassian right out of Aiden’s hold like he was reclaiming something.

"Yeah, good for you," Leonel muttered, his tone clipped, his dark eyes flicking to Aiden briefly before focusing straight ahead. "Let’s go to university."

Aiden just laughed, clearly entertained. He pushed himself up from where he was half-leaning against the bench, stretching his arms overhead like he hadn’t just witnessed Leonel staking a silent claim. "Yep, let’s go," he said lightly, his grin wide, deliberately unbothered.

Cassian glanced between them, still caught somewhere between mortification and disbelief, but before he could protest or even untangle his arm from Leonel’s iron hold they were already moving.

The three of them walked down the street together, and despite the rivalry buzzing under their skin, the conversation surprisingly flowed. They traded sarcastic remarks, teased each other about homework, and even laughed at a shared memory from last week. It was strange, really. The tension was always there, simmering like embers ready to spark, but at the same time... they were friends. That unspoken bond kept them orbiting one another, even when pride or jealousy wanted to shove them apart.

They were only about ten meters from the university gates when Cassian’s laughter echoed through the air. Aiden and Leonel smacked a high-five over his head like two idiots celebrating a stupid inside joke. For once, Cassian allowed himself to relax until he noticed Leonel suddenly stiffen mid-motion.

The high-five faltered. Leonel’s grin thinned. His eyes sharpened, locked on something ahead.

Cassian blinked and followed his gaze. "What happened?" he asked softly, tilting his head.

Leonel didn’t answer. His jaw tightened.

Cassian turned and then he saw him.

A man leaned casually against the brick wall near the university entrance, arms folded, posture too relaxed, like he’d been waiting all morning. His silver hair caught the sunlight, short strands falling across his eyes in sharp bangs. His irises, Cassian noticed with a jolt, were the same striking silver a color that should’ve looked cold, but instead gleamed with dangerous amusement.

Cassian’s stomach dropped. His dream. The faceless figure that had haunted him more than once. It wasn’t faceless anymore.

"Oh no," Cassian whispered, his pulse racing.

Leonel rubbed his temples and exhaled a frustrated groan. "Ugh. Why is he here?" He looked at the two beside him, his voice hardening. "Guys, just... ignore anything he says, okay? Don’t engage."

Aiden had already spotted the man and was frowning deeply, his arms folding over his chest. "That’s the café guy, isn’t it?"

Cassian nodded weakly, eyes still glued to the stranger.

Leonel grimaced. "Not just a guy. My stepbrother."

The word was laced with venom.

Before Cassian could even process that revelation, they were too close to avoid him. Just a meter away, the silver-haired man finally moved. His head lifted, lips curving into a sly smile that made Cassian’s skin crawl.

"Ohhh~ hey, guys," the stranger drawled, his tone dripping mockery. His voice was smooth, low, and edged with danger like velvet covering a knife. "Enjoying your morning with your friends, Leonel?"

Leonel’s expression hardened. The man pushed off the wall, stepping closer. His hand landed casually on Leonel’s shoulder, like he had every right to touch him.

Leonel didn’t hesitate he smacked it away, his glare sharp enough to cut. "Yes, I am. So why don’t you stop ruining my morning?"

The man chuckled, feigning offense, his hand clutching his chest dramatically. "Aww, you hurt me." His grin only widened.

Cassian tried to shrink behind Leonel, but that only made the silver-haired man’s gaze slide to him. Then to Aiden. His grin sharpened.

"Well, hello there," he said smoothly. "I don’t think we’ve been introduced." He gestured lazily toward Leonel. "Name’s Lucian. His brother. But -" He winked shamelessly. "More handsome."

Cassian let out an involuntary laugh. It was quick, a nervous reflex he didn’t even register until the sound slipped out. And then his blood turned to ice.

Oh no.

Lucian’s eyes flicked toward him instantly, his grin stretching wider. "Oh?" His voice was low, predatory amusement coloring every syllable. "So... Leonel is more handsome?"

Cassian froze. His throat went dry. He darted a panicked glance at Leonel, then back at Lucian, fumbling. "N-no! That’s not what I meant! I was just -uh I- just thought of something funny. That’s all."

Lucian tilted his head, studying him like a puzzle piece he wanted to pull apart. His smirk deepened. "Is that so?"

Before Cassian could retreat, Lucian’s hand shot up, fingers gripping Cassian’s chin firmly, tilting his face upward. His silver eyes glinted. "Well, ain’t that funny now?"

Cassian’s pulse skyrocketed. The closeness, the force in his touch -it was suffocating.

But before he could even yank back, Aiden’s hand snapped forward, slapping Lucian’s away with a sharp crack.

"Don’t touch him," Aiden said, his voice hard, low, a warning that sent a shiver down Cassian’s spine.

Lucian blinked once. Then he laughed, a soft, mocking sound. "Ohhh my. Okay, sir." His gaze flicked to Aiden briefly before sliding back to Cassian, all too amused by the entire display.

Leonel didn’t waste another second. He grabbed Cassian’s wrist firmly, tugging him away from Lucian’s orbit without a word. Cassian stumbled but didn’t resist, his heart still hammering. Aiden followed, his glare locked on Lucian until the last possible second, like he was daring him to try again.

Lucian only smirked wider, hands sliding back into his pockets as he watched them retreat. His silver eyes gleamed with cruel delight.

"Wow," he murmured under his breath, just loud enough for them to catch. "Two protective dogs circling around a rabbit. How... cute."

Cassian’s skin prickled at Lucian’s words, the mocking lilt in his tone sinking into his chest like a thorn he couldn’t pluck out. A rabbit...? The way Lucian had said it soft, sly, deliberate made him feel small, like prey cornered between predators.

Leonel’s grip on his wrist tightened as if to anchor him, dragging him through the gates with sharp strides. He didn’t look back, didn’t slow down. His jaw was clenched so tight Cassian could see the muscle twitching.

"Leonel..." Cassian whispered carefully, glancing up at him.

"Don’t," Leonel cut in, his voice low and edged. He didn’t stop walking.

Cassian swallowed, guilt pooling in his stomach. He hadn’t meant to laugh. He really hadn’t. But Lucian’s charm, his sly words it had slipped out before he could stop himself. And now Leonel’s face was thunderous.

Beside him, Aiden strode in silence, his usual teasing grin nowhere in sight. His eyes were darker than Cassian had ever seen them, narrowed in the direction they’d left Lucian behind. Every few seconds, his fingers flexed at his side, like he was fighting the urge to turn back and throw a punch.

The weight of both their silences pressed on Cassian until he couldn’t take it anymore. "I -I’m sorry," he blurted, voice cracking slightly. "For laughing. I didn’t mean to. It just slipped out."

Leonel finally stopped, whipping around to face him. His dark eyes pinned Cassian with an intensity that nearly knocked the breath out of him. For a heartbeat, Cassian thought he’d yell.

Instead, Leonel exhaled sharply through his nose and looked away, running a hand through his hair. "It’s not your fault," he muttered, though his tone was tight. "That’s just what he does. Gets under your skin. Makes you slip."

Cassian blinked, stunned. Leonel wasn’t angry at him. He was angry at Lucian.

Aiden snorted softly, crossing his arms. "More like obsessed with making people miserable. That guy’s poison."

Leonel’s lips curved into something bitter. "He’s worse than poison."

Cassian hesitated. The dream still clawed at the back of his mind, Lucian’s shadow over Aiden, the helplessness. His chest tightened painfully. Was it going to happen soon? Would he be able to stop it?

He barely noticed when Leonel started walking again, tugging him along.

The three of them slipped into their classroom just as the low hum of chatter filled the air. Cassian dropped into his usual seat, still unsettled from the encounter outside, while Leonel flopped down beside him with an exaggerated sigh.

"Man, I’m tired," Leonel muttered, not even pretending to hold back as he let his head fall against Cassian’s shoulder. His hair tickled Cassian’s neck as he burrowed in closer, the warmth of him radiating like a furnace.

Cassian stiffened immediately. His ears went hot, but he didn’t move, afraid that if he did, Leonel might notice how fast his heart had just leapt.

Aiden, seated on Cassian’s other side, leaned back in his chair, eyebrows raised. His voice was laced with mock disgust. "Uhh, puppies really can’t stay away, can they? Too clingy for their own good."

Leonel cracked one eye open, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. "At least I show affection to the person I like, unlike some people here."

Cassian’s breath caught, his cheeks warming instantly. Person he likes?

Aiden’s expression shifted, his lazy grin sharpening. "What do you mean, ’some people’? I do show it."

Leonel snorted, finally lifting his head just enough to meet Aiden’s glare. "Yeah, to everyone. I show it to only my Cassian." he said while smirking and looking up "right cassian?"

the possessive way he said my, Cassian’s entire body jolted, his face exploding in heat. "Wh-wha -WHAT?!" His voice cracked halfway through, drawing a few curious glances from nearby students.