CHAPTER 36: LOOKING FOR SOMEONE?

We’d never talked about it. Never admitted it out loud. To be honest, i don’t think we are going to talk about this now either But we know it.

And that’s why Leonel didn’t punch me.

Because he saw it the same fear in my eyes that he’d been hiding in his own mirror. The fear that if we kept pretending, we’d lose Cassian to silence. Or worse, lose each of us three.

(Cassian POV)

I was running.

Didn’t know where. Didn’t care. My lungs burned, my sneakers slapped against the linoleum floor, and my heart pounded like it was trying to escape my chest. All I knew was I had to get away from the library, from Aiden’s kiss, from Leonel’s quiet stare, from the stupid, throbbing mark on my neck that felt like a brand.

God, I was such a mess.

I’d come into this world this drama, the tropes, the whole BL mess as the rival villain . The obstacle. The guy who was supposed to stand between Leonel and Aiden, stir up jealousy, maybe even break them apart for the plot’s sake.

But I couldn’t do it.

Not because I was noble. But because the second I met them really met them I saw how they fit. How they balanced each other. Leonel, all fire and sharp edges. Aiden, steady as sunrise, always there with a dumb joke or a warm hoodie. They looked like home for each other.

So I stepped back. Played the friend. The roommate. The quiet one who listened.

And then... Leonel started looking at me like I was something worth keeping.

Not just protecting. Keeping.

Every time he touched me brushed my hair back, gripped my wrist when I panicked, kissed my neck like he was staking a claim it sent these stupid, electric sparks through me. I didn’t hate it. Not even a little. In fact... I started thinking maybe I liked him. Like, really liked him.

But then Aiden...

Aiden kissed me like the world was ending. Deep. Obsessive. Like he’d been starving for it. And instead of feeling violated or confused, it felt... soft. Comforting. Like feathers brushing over my skin even as his teeth bit down.

Why?

I’d always rolled my eyes at people who said they liked two people at once. "Bullshit," I’d mutter. "You can’t split your heart like that. It’s just selfish."

But now?

I stopped dead in the hallway, right before the turn to the east wing. My breath came in short gasps. My hands trembled.

"I’m going insane," I whispered.

I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and turned the corner

BAM.

I collided with someone solid. Stumbled back, arms flailing—until a hand shot out and grabbed my wrist, steadying me.

I looked up.

And my stomach dropped.

Lucian.

Of course. Because why wouldn’t the universe kick me while I’m down?

"Perfect," I muttered. "Could this get any worse?"

I yanked my hand away like he’d burned me and straightened my shirt, suddenly hyper-aware of the two hickeys on my neck. "How do you even get into our university? You don’t even go here."

Lucian tilted his head, that infuriating smirk playing on his lips. "Looks like someone’s frustrated."

"That’s not an answer to my question," I snapped, stepping around him.

He moved with me, blocking my path effortlessly. "What do you want?" I demanded, voice sharper than I meant it to be.

He chuckled low, smooth, like velvet over steel. "Oh, you know. I have connections. They let me wander in. Think about it for a while..." He paused, eyes glinting. "Oh yeah how could I forget? I’m kind of a big shot in this little drama of yours."

"Yeah, okay," I said flatly. "Now move."

He didn’t.

Instead, he took a step closer.

I took one back.

He stepped again.

I retreated until my back hit the cool cinderblock wall. Trapped.

My pulse spiked. "W-what the hell do you want? This is a university."

He smirked. "That’s exactly what I’m saying." His fingers lifted, brushing my collar aside with deliberate slowness. His eyes dropped to my neck.

First the left mark Leonel’s now faded to a deep purple. Then the right one Aiden’s still bright red, fresh, almost angry.

"Damn," Lucian murmured, tracing the edge of the newer one with his thumb. "You’ve been getting hunted, huh?" His gaze flicked up, sharp and knowing. "Who did this? Leonel... or Aiden?"

I froze.

Why would he say Aiden?

I’d expected him to guess Leonel obviously. But Aiden? Was it that obvious? Had I been walking around with "I kissed Aiden" written all over my face?

I got lost in my thoughts until Lucian’s fingers gripped my chin, forcing my eyes back to his.

"When I’m talking to you," he said, voice low and dangerous, "you should listen to me. Not think about anything else." i dont know why he looked very pissed for a second like he can kill me

Something in me snapped.

I shoved him hard.

He stumbled back, surprise flashing across replacing deadly look he had before and then his face it melted back into amusement.

"Look," I said, voice trembling but firm, "I’m telling you stay away from me. And don’t you dare go near Aiden. You’re not getting your way to him through me."

I didn’t wait for a reply. I turned and walked away fast, heart hammering, cheeks burning.

---

(Third Person POV)

Lucian watched Cassian hurry down the hall, shoulders tense, hands clenched at his sides. He didn’t follow. Just leaned against the wall, arms crossed, a slow smile spreading across his face.

Close to Aiden? he thought, amused. What the hell is he talking about? what even goes inside his mind? He is strange

He let out a quiet laugh. "Wouldn’t I just go to Aiden directly if that’s what I wanted?" He shook his head, running a hand through his hair. "God, what a dumb... but cute creature."

Cassian had been fierce today than usual. Less flinching, more fire. And those marks on his neck two of them, side by side, like rival signatures.

Lucian’s eyes darkened with interest.

Leonel must have done it for sure after all my message I did thought he would do something but the other one which was fresh it looked more filled with anger like the teeth marks were deeper like obss- wait what if Aiden did it he starts laughing on his own thinking about the scenerios

Aiden’s?

He hadn’t seen that coming.

Aiden the calm one, the observer, the guy who always stayed in the background had finally moved. And Cassian hadn’t pushed him away. In fact, he looked Affected.

Lucian pushed off the wall, shoving his hands in his pockets as he started walking in the opposite direction.

"This is going to be fun," he murmured to himself.

Because now the game wasn’t just about breaking Cassian.

It was about watching him try to hold two hearts in his hands and seeing which one he’d drop when the pressure came.

And Lucian? He couldn’t wait to see the moment when he break Cassian fierce look Personality and see him cry because of him.

(with leonel and aiden)

Aiden stayed crouched for a second, hands braced on his knees, heart still pounding from the kiss, the panic, the way Cassian had looked at him like

Leonel exhaled sharply and stood, running a hand through his hair. "He’s gonna disappear," he said. "You know how he gets when he thinks he messed up."

Aiden finally got to his feet. "Yeah. Last time he felt guilty about something dumb, he hid in the 24-hour laundromat for three hours texting me ’sorry’ every ten minutes."

Leonel gave him a look. "you know everything about him dont you?."

"Guess so." Aiden shoved his hands in his pockets. "Which means right now, he’s probably running somewhere in the halls, convincing himself he’s a terrible person for liking us both."

Leonel’s jaw tightened. "We should find him. Before he spirals so deep he starts avoiding both of us."

"Yeah," Aiden said, already heading for the door. "Let’s just... make him feel okay again. Remind him he doesn’t have to choose. Or apologize. Or scrub that mark off like it’s a crime."

Leonel followed, voice low. "i wouldn’t like it if he scrub my mark off."

"nor would i." Aiden paused in the hallway, glancing back. "But he might do it if we dont find him soon."

Leonel nodded. "Then let’s go Together."

Aiden studied him for a beat the guy who’d been his best friend since freshman year, who’d had his back through failed exams, family drama, and one truly disastrous karaoke night. Now they were standing on the edge of something new, something messy...

"Alright," Aiden said, turning toward the dorms. "Check the empty classroom’s first. If he’s not there, try Bath room stalls. He goes there when he wants to feel small."

Leonel fell into step beside him. "And if he’s crying?"

"Then we sit with him," Aiden said simply. "Until he remembers he’s not hated by any of us "

They both stepped out of the library door

and came face to face with Lucian.

He looked at them suprised thinking what a luck to run into you right after he leaned against the brick wall by the library entrance, arms crossed, one eyebrow arched A slow, knowing smile curled his lips as his eyes flicked between them.

"Looking for someone?" he asked, voice smooth as poison.