---
The hospital smelled like bleach and fear. White walls closed in on Elias, making him feel trapped, like a caged animal. His wrists were wrapped tight in gauze. His throat throbbed, his head ached. Every inch of him hurt—because someone had wanted him dead.
The last thing he remembered was cold steel pressing against his skin, a whisper he didn't want to hear coming from the cop he trusted. Then chaos exploded—sirens, shouting—and Damien's furious voice cutting through it all like a knife.
Now? Silence.
A man with messy russet hair and eyes like a storm sat beside the bed, flipping through papers with a calm he didn't quite believe.
"You're awake," the man said softly. "I'm Cassian. I'm your doctor."
Safe. The word echoed hollowly in Elias's head.
Cassian reached for Elias's wrist, but stopped when Elias flinched.
"I won't hurt you," Cassian said. "Just checking your pulse."
Elias nodded, letting Cassian's fingers brush over his skin. His heart was pounding like it wanted to break free.
"You've got a fighter's heart," Cassian smiled. "Don't make me work too hard."
Suddenly, the door slammed open.
Damien burst in, eyes wild and raw, his coat flaring behind him like a storm.
"Get your hands off him," Damien growled.
Cassian didn't back down. "I'm his doctor. Calm down."
"Not going to say it again."
Damien stormed closer, the air between them snapping like a live wire.
"He's my patient," Cassian said quietly, standing his ground.
"Not your anything," Damien snarled, grabbing Cassian's collar.
Elias gasped, trying to sit up. "Stop! Damien, please."
Cassian pushed Damien's hand away gently. "You're scaring him. He needs protection, not threats."
Damien's eyes flicked to Elias—wild, desperate, like he was fighting a war inside.
"You let him touch you?" Damien hissed.
Elias didn't answer.
Damien leaned over, his hand brushing Elias's cheek, soft but claiming. Then his fingers tightened around Elias's throat—firm, possessive.
"You're mine," Damien whispered.
Elias choked, wide-eyed, frozen in a storm of fear and something rawer he didn't understand.
"Let him go," Cassian snapped.
Damien shuddered, released him, stepping back like he'd burned himself.
Cassian stayed close, hand steady on Elias's shaking shoulder.
"Elias," Cassian said softly, "I need to ask you something. No pressure. Just truth."
Elias's eyes were pools of confusion and tears he didn't want to shed.
"Do you want him to protect you…"
Cassian's voice dropped to a whisper—
"…or to own you?"
The silence was thick, suffocating.
Elias looked away, unable to answer.
Cassian slipped out of the room, leaving Elias alone with his storm.
A soft knock.
Damien.
The air changed—thick, dangerous, electric.
Damien didn't say a word. Just looked. Saw the bruises, the IV, the pain.
"Why didn't you protect me?" Elias whispered.
Damien's jaw tightened. "I tried. You ran."
"Because you scare me," Elias's voice broke.
Damien stepped close, slow.
"And yet, I'm always the one who saves you."
"Then be honest," Elias spat. "No more secrets. Tell me—what was Noah to you? Why did you break when you saw that necklace?"
Damien paused, voice barely a breath.
"Noah… wasn't just your brother."
Elias blinked, heart hammering.
"What?"
"He was your father."
The world tilted.
"No…" Elias shook his head.
"He was sixteen when you were born. Your family kept it hidden. He never forgave himself."
"I don't believe you."
"I wish it wasn't true. I got Papers to prove them. I know it's hard especially when the people who raised you, your grandparents hid this from you all this time. If Noah had the chance to raise you, he would have been a good father. As for who your mom is, I don't know much but if you want to, I can have someone look into that for you"
"There is no need for that, at least for now."
Before Elias could think, the hospital lights flickered.
A scream ripped down the hall.
Damien tensed, moving to protect him.
"Stay here, don't move" he said.
Before Elias could say anything—
The window shattered.
A shadow slammed into Damien, knocking him down.
Glass flew.
A knife flashed.
Blood.
Another figure lunged for Elias.
"Ah, FUCK!", yelled Elias.
And chaos swallowed them whole.