Yuuto sat on the edge of Lucas's massive bed, staring at his trembling hands.
He hadn't gone back to Aiden. He hadn't even tried.
Because Lucas's words haunted him.
> "If you go back, he dies."
But nothing could stop the aching in his chest, the hollow space where Aiden used to be.
Lucas entered the room, freshly showered, wearing nothing but sweatpants. His toned body still glistened with drops of water, his hair damp and tousled in a way that seemed… intentional.
He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching Yuuto carefully.
"You haven't eaten all day," Lucas said softly. "You'll collapse if you keep this up."
Yuuto didn't answer.
Lucas walked over and gently cupped his chin. "Still thinking about him?"
Yuuto pulled his face away, but Lucas didn't let go.
His touch lingered — warm, firm, but somehow comforting.
"I'm here now," Lucas whispered. "Let me take care of you."
Yuuto's body trembled. His heart screamed No! but his body was weak — desperate for comfort, desperate to feel something other than guilt.
Lucas pressed his forehead against Yuuto's, their breaths tangling.
"I can make you forget," Lucas murmured, his hand sliding to Yuuto's waist, pulling him closer. "Just for tonight… let me have you."
Yuuto's voice cracked. "I… I shouldn't."
"But you want to."
The tension burned between them, the forbidden heat that Yuuto never asked for, but couldn't run from.
When Lucas's lips finally met his, Yuuto melted into the kiss — aching, starved, and broken.
He let Lucas touch him. He let Lucas undress him. He let himself drown in the heat of it all — because it was the only way to quiet the screaming in his chest.
But when Yuuto cried out that night —
It wasn't Lucas's name that left his lips.
It was Aiden's.
---
Meanwhile, back at the hospital, Aiden sat up for the first time in days, his hand clenching the sheets.
Something was wrong.
His gut screamed it.
Yuuto wouldn't leave him without a reason.
And he would find out why — no matter what.
"I'm coming for you," Aiden whispered, his eyes burning with determination.
I'll tear the world apart if I have to.