CHAPTER 14: HEATED MORNING

Morning crept in gently, sunlight spilling through the thin curtains, accompanied by the faint chatter of birds outside the dorm window. Aiden stirred first, letting out a groggy moan as he rubbed his eyes. His head felt heavy, his body sluggish. Blinking blearily, he sat up, confused.

"...I slept here?" he muttered under his breath, scanning the unfamiliar room. His memory from last night was a haze of laughter, drinks, and dares. The edges blurred until he remembered nothing but warmth and Cassian’s laugh echoing faintly.

The thought made him glance toward the bed. And that’s when he froze.

Cassian was curled up against Leonel, head resting on his chest as if it was the most natural place in the world. Leonel’s arm was slung around him possessively, fingers resting on Cassian’s waist. Their breaths rose and fell in sync, almost like they belonged there together.

Something sharp and hot stabbed through Aiden’s chest. He didn’t know why, but the sight made his blood stir in all the wrong ways. His jaw clenched, his fists tightening at his sides.

Why does it bother me so much? he thought bitterly, pressing a palm against his temple. The anger, the... jealousy, whatever it was burned until he couldn’t sit still anymore.

He grabbed the half-full water bottle sitting on the table. Without thinking twice, he twisted the cap and dumped the cold water right over the pair of them.

Both Leonel and Cassian jolted awake with sharp gasps, coughing and sputtering as icy water drenched their skin and clothes.

"What the hell?!" Leonel barked, shooting upright. His eyes flicked immediately to Aiden, narrowed and furious. "Are you insane?!"

Aiden squeezed his eyes shut for a second, then forced them open again, his expression carefully blank. "Just waking you two up," he said flatly, though his tone carried an edge he couldn’t quite hide.

But when his gaze finally shifted, it landed squarely on Cassian soaked through, blinking in sleepy confusion. His thin white T-shirt clung to his skin, translucent now, outlining the faint curves of his body beneath. Cassian hugged himself instinctively, shivering, his cheeks flushing bright red.

Aiden’s heart lurched, and for a terrifying moment, he couldn’t tear his eyes away. He told himself it was just shock, that the situation was ridiculous. But the tightness in his chest betrayed him.

Leonel noticed it too. His glare sharpened, protective, as he shifted closer to Cassian and tugged the blanket around his shoulders. "You’ve got a twisted sense of humor," he growled, voice low and dangerous.

Cassian glanced between the two of them. The room felt charged, the air thick with tension he didn’t understand. All he knew was that his heart was racing, and for some reason, both Leonel’s protectiveness and Aiden’s heated stare made his skin feel even hotter than the water had.

Cassian let out a little laugh, trying to smooth the thick tension in the room. "Why’re you so angry? It’s just water," he said, flashing Leonel a crooked grin. Then, turning his gaze to Aiden, he called out, "Aiden, come here."

Leonel’s brow arched immediately, his jaw tightening. He didn’t like the casual way Cassian said Aiden’s name, didn’t like the way he beckoned him closer either. But Aiden, looking confused, still stepped forward.

"Closer," Cassian urged, his lips quirking mischievously.

Aiden leaned down, and before he could ask why, Cassian grabbed his hand and tugged him into a sudden hug. Pressing close, Cassian whispered near his ear, "Now payback."

In one swift move, he snatched the glass off the table and tipped it over Aiden’s head. Water splashed everywhere.

"Cassian!" Aiden gasped, drenched and blinking in shock.

But Cassian just giggled uncontrollably, his shoulders shaking, eyes bright with mischief.

That laugh light, unguarded, made something in Aiden’s chest twist. Almost without thinking, he smiled, soft and warm, then instinct took over. His hand shot up, fingers catching Cassian’s chin, tilting his face toward him. his hair dripping water droplets.

Cassian froze, laughter cut short, cheeks heating under Aiden’s steady gaze.

"Aren’t you being naughty?" Aiden murmured, voice low, teasing but weighted with something more.

Cassian’s lips parted, but no words came out. His heart thundered.

That was when Leonel stepped in, his laugh sharp and edged with jealousy. He pried Aiden’s hand off Cassian’s chin with deliberate ease, flashing a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "Ye, ye. Enough. Let’s stop this here and get changed. We’re all soaked."

His gaze locked on Aiden’s, the fake smile stretching tighter, daring him to push further.

And just like that, the air grew heavier than before.