CHAPTER 48: BLACK ROSES

Leonel pushed open the dorm door, head slightly bowed, one hand pressed to his split lip. He’d hoped to slip straight to his room, wash the blood off, hide the bruise, pretend the fight with Lucian never happened.

But Cassian was already there.

He’d been cleaning the living room, crouched by the coffee table, but stood the moment Leonel stepped inside. His eyes locked onto Leonel’s presence, instantly sharp, worried.

Leonel turned away, quickly, and started walking toward his room, keeping his face angled down sideways. He didn’t want Cassian to see. Didn’t want those soft eyes filling with guilt again. It’s not your fault, he wanted to say but he knew Cassian would blame himself anyway.

"Leonel."

Cassian’s voice stopped him. Light. Fragile.

Leonel didn’t turn.

Cassian crossed the room in three quick steps and caught his wrist. "Hey... about before. I’m sorry."

Leonel’s chest tightened. He wanted to look at him so badly, but he kept his gaze lowered, focused on the floor between them. Not because he didn’t wanted to talk to him.

Because of his bruise on the lips.

He didn’t want Cassian to see the blood. Didn’t want him worrying over a fight that wasn’t his to carry.

"Hey..." Cassian’s voice grew anxious. "Why aren’t you looking at me?"

No answer.

"Leonel." A little firmer. "Why aren’t you looking at me?"

Still silence.

On the third try, Cassian’s patience snapped.

He stepped closer close enough that Leonel could feel his breath in hi ear and gently cupped Leonel’s face with both hands. His thumbs rested just below Leonel’s jaw, fingers curling around the sides of his face. Then, with quiet insistence, he tilted Leonel’s chin up until their eyes met.

Leonel froze.

Cassian was shorter, so he made Leonel bend down a bit, but his grip was steady, his gaze unwavering. His eyes widened as he took in the bruise on Leonel’s lip, the dried blood at the corner of his mouth.

"What happened to y -?" Cassian started, voice trembling.

But he never finished.

Leonel closed the distance.

His lips met Cassian’s sudden, warm, desperate.

Cassian gasped against his mouth, body stiffening in shock. But only for a heartbeat. Then he melted. His hands slid from Leonel’s face to his shoulders, pulling him closer.

Leonel’s hand cradled the back of Cassian’s head, fingers threading through his hair like he was afraid he’d vanish. The kiss deepened, rough, aching, full of everything they couldn’t say "I was scared. I’m still here. Don’t shut me out."

When Leonel finally pulled back, Cassian was breathless, cheeks flushed, eyes wide and glistening.

Leonel smiled soft, tired, real.

"You worry a lot," he murmured, thumb brushing Cassian’s cheekbone.

Cassian swallowed, heart pounding. "You scared me."

"I know." Leonel’s voice dropped. "About before, I’m not going anywhere. Even if you don’t tell me everything... I’m staying no matter what. I was just very worried."

Cassian’s eyes filled. He didn’t cry. Just leaned his forehead against Leonel’s, breathing him in like an anchor.

Behind them, the bathroom door clicked open.

Cassian turned his head and saw Aiden stepping out, towel slung low around his hips, damp hair clinging to his forehead. His gaze landed on them instantly Leonel’s arm still wrapped around Cassian’s waist, their faces close, lips still flushed from the kiss.

Aiden arched a brow, a slow smirk tugging at his lips. "Wow. Having a moment without my presence?"

Leonel rolled his eyes, but there was no real bite, just playful defiance. "Yes, sir. Gotta be closer to my cutie more than you." He pulled Cassian tighter against his side, pressing a quick kiss to his temple.

Cassian turned crimson. "You’re both idiots," he mumbled, flustered by the way they behaved, hiding his face in Leonel’s shoulder.

Aiden just laughed, stepping forward until he was right in front of them. He cupped Cassian’s chin gently, tilting his face up. "Hey," he said, voice soft but firm. "You can’t be closer to him more than me. Got it?"

Then he kissed Cassian deep, slow, and sure like he was staking a claim not out of jealousy, but love.

When he pulled back, he grinned. "Now we’re even."

He turned to Leonel, still smiling then his expression shifted. His eyes narrowed as he finally got a good look at Leonel’s face. "Oh. What happened to your lip? Did you pick up a fight or something?"

Cassian blinked, glancing at Leonel. "Oh yeah! I was talking about that earlier, but you cut me off," he said, voice laced with worry.

Leonel rubbed his mouth sheepishly. "It’s nothing. Just... ran into someone."

"’Someone’ Aiden said while narrowing his eyes , already standing. "Sit."

He guided Leonel onto the couch and went to the cabinet for the first-aid kit. Cassian hovered nearby, watching as Aiden gently cleaned the split lip, his touch careful despite the tension in his shoulders.

Then ding-dong.

The doorbell.

Aiden paused, antiseptic wipe in hand, and glanced toward the entrance. "Again? Who’s coming now? Today can’t get any less chaotic."

He started to stand, but Cassian shook his head. "I’ll see it. You finish with him."

Aiden nodded, turning back to Leonel as Cassian walked to the door.

He opened it and went completely still.

Lucian stood on the threshold, one hand tucked in his pocket, the other holding a bouquet of black roses. A fresh cut marked his lower lip, mirroring Leonel’s. Blood glistened faintly in the afternoon light.

Cassian didn’t speak. He just slammed the door shut.

But Lucian jammed his foot in the gap and pushed it open with a soft laugh. "Wow. That’s how you’re gonna welcome me, Elliot?"

Cassian flinched like he’d been burned. "Don’t call me that," he whispered, eyes fixed on the floor.

Lucian chuckled stepped inside, holding out the bouquet giving it to cassian. "Here. For you."

Cassian took it on instinct, fingers trembling around the stems.

Lucian walked past him into the living room like he belonged there.

Leonel stood instantly, voice sharp with fury. "What the fuck are you doing here?"

Aiden turned and froze. "Lucian?"

Lucian gave a lazy wave. "Ohh, hey, brother~" he said to Leonel, smirking. "Treating your wound? Adorable." Then he turned to Aiden, pointing at his own bleeding lip. "Can you also treat me? This one hurts like hell."

Aiden didn’t move. "Get out."

Lucian ignored him, eyes locking onto Cassian, who stood near the door, pale and silent. "You like the roses? I picked the darkest ones. Just like you beautiful, even in the shadows of our house which we lived in." he didnt say it loud enough for aiden and leonel to hear

Cassian didn’t look up. But his breath came faster.

Leonel stepped between them. "You don’t get to walk in here like you belong."

Lucian’s smile didn’t waver. "But I do. cassian and I... we go way back. Longer than either of you." He tilted his head. "Ask him. Go on."

Silence.

Aiden finally moved not toward Lucian, but to Cassian’s side. He gently took the black roses from his shaking hands and threw them in the trash like they were poison.

Then he turned to Lucian who was staring at aiden with a dark look , voice quiet but lethal. "Leave. Now." aiden said

Lucian chuckled, but his eyes stayed on Cassian. "Fine." He turned toward the door, then paused. Over his shoulder, soft enough for them to hear

"Daniel misses his Elliot."

And then he was gone leaving behind the scent of roses, and two names that didn’t belong in this world.