Back in Lucien's private study room„
The storm hasn't passed. Lucien hasn't moved from his study for hours After that.
Cigarette butts litter the ashtray.
The room reeks of smoke and something heavy, something like regret.
He sits in the high-back leather chair, elbow on the armrest, thumb pressed against his temple, staring at nothing. Not even the fire crackling in the hearth distracts him.
"He made it out." Lucien says it aloud. The muscles in his jaw are tickling.
He said it like it hurts to admit.
He imagines Caelen's last glance—the hate in his eyes, the pain in his voice.
Lucien's stomach knots at the Thoughts.
He shouldn't care. But he does. Why does he? Why did he had to care so fucking much? He shouldn't. Why, just why.
"Why didn't you run faster?"
"Why didn't you stay?"
"Why did I let you go?"
This stupid thing came out from his mouth like he was expecting Caelen to stay after what He Did.
His hands curl into fists. His eyes are blazing with something he doesn't understand—Obssesion
One of his men knocks on the door to Lucien's private study, the door was slightly ajar open.
"Sir, about Caelen—" The man started but got cut off by Lucien's cold tone.
"Get out." Lucien snapped quietly at first.
"But—he escaped the gates. We think he—" The bodyguard try to continue but again,
Lucien stands so violently, the chair scrapes the floor. "I SAID. GET. OUT." Lucien's voice was sharp, clear that he wasn't looking for a conversation at that moment.
The man flinches and flees.
Lucien breathes heavy. He turns back to the window.
Fingertips twitching. Guilt and rage… wrapped in longing.
"You better hope someone else doesn't touch you first," he murmurs. "Because if they do, I'll kill them."
Lucien's voice was quite but his words were a threat for whoever it is ment for.
«Now let's go back to Cealen and Alec for a moment»
Alec's House was damn Big, of course that guy was rich. So fucking rich. Everywhere is something that's worth a million. Starting from house, furniture, car and god-knows-what else.
As Alec took caelen to his house, he first made him take a shower.
I mean, why wouldn't he? Caelen literally look like a fucking homeless man. If my friend look like this, I'd do that too.
After taking shower, Caelen is curled on the couch under a blanket. Clean clothes. Hair still damp from the shower.
Alec hands him tea. He's trying so hard to be normal. To not flirt. To not stare at the bruises.
But…
"Sooo. Just to clarify—you're not into mafia sadists, right? Because I feel like I have a chance now." Alec started the conversation, trying to lighten the mood. But also hoping for a chance secretly behind thous jokes.
Cealen give nothing but blank stare
"I'm re-evaluating my entire existence. Please shut up."
Alec grins but watches carefully. "Hey… are you okay?"
Caelen doesn't answer. His fingers tremble slightly on the cup. His face give away nothing but just blank thoughts.
Alec sits beside him, leaving space, but his voice softens. "Cael… you can talk to me. Even if it's bad."
Silence.
Then, finally Caelen spoke, his voice point something—trying to figure out. "He Let me go."
Alec blink in surprised before speeking quietly, "Was that… good?"
"He told me to run." Caelen said dryly.
"And now he's probably planning to hunt you down in his free time." Alec roll his eyes and said it animatedly.
"I think… he wanted me to stay." Caelen emphasize the word in his tongue.
Alec frowns. "That's twisted."
Caelen lets out a dry laugh. "Yeah. Welcome to my life."
They sit quietly. Just silence, a comfortable one maybe? For one it's comfortable and for the other it's a bit awkward.
Then Alec leans over, playful again—but his eyes are serious underneath.
"For what it's worth… I'm glad you ran." He said. He brushes his thumb against Caelen's wrist, lightly, carefully.
Caelen doesn't pull away. But he doesn't lean in either.
"Don't fall for broken things, Alec." Caelen's voice was dry and uninterested.
"Too late," Alec says quietly. He was allrady going to find every chance he get to get together with caelen now.