Cassian lay there long after Aiden's footsteps faded, staring at the cracked ceiling above him. His chest rose and fell unevenly, lungs dragging in shallow breaths like they'd forgotten how to work properly. Every second replayed the same words Aiden had hurled at him, softer than a shout but sharper than a blade.
That every time you laugh with him… you're pulling further from me.
Cassian shut his eyes tight. He didn't want to see Leonel's smirk burned into his vision. He didn't want to hear the catch in Aiden's voice, the one that sounded almost broken. He didn't want to feel the weight of both of them pulling him in opposite directions, tearing something inside him in two.
But the harder he tried to shove it away, the louder it echoed.
He turned on his side, burying his face against the pillow, hoping exhaustion would take him. And eventually, it did.
Only sleep didn't bring peace.
The dream hit him hard, cold and suffocating.
Aiden.
