CHAPTER 38

CHAPTER 38

The living room was too quiet.

Not the peaceful kind,Not the kind that let you breathe and settle, This silence felt heavy, like it was pressing into the walls, stretching time in a way that made every second drag longer than it should.

Aaron leaned against the arm of the couch, his fingers tapping lightly against the fabric in a restless rhythm he didn’t even notice anymore. His gaze kept drifting toward the staircase, again and again, like he expected something to change if he looked enough times.

Nothing did.

His jaw tightened.

"They’re taking too long,” he muttered under his breath.

Lucian, seated across from him, didn’t react immediately. One leg crossed over the other, posture loose, relaxed—like he had nowhere else to be. Like the silence didn’t bother him at all.

He just went upstairs, Lucian said calmly.

Aaron scoffed. “It’s been more than thirty minutes.”

That got Lucian’s attention.

He lifted his gaze slowly, studying Aaron for a moment. There was something quiet in his expression,"You’re impatient.”

“I’m being realistic.”

Lucian’s lips curved faintly. “You’re pacing in your head. There’s a difference.”

Aaron’s fingers stilled.

For a second, he didn’t respond. Then he pushed himself off the couch abruptly, rolling his shoulders like he needed to shake off something crawling under his skin.

“I’m going outside,” he said.

He didn’t wait. Didn’t look back. Just turned toward the door, already halfway there before—

“Sit down.”

Aaron stopped.

Not because it was loud.

But because of how it was said.

Calm, Firm, Final

Not a suggestion.

A command.

His hand hovered near the door handle. For a brief moment, he considered ignoring it. Just walking out anyway. Acting like it didn’t affect him.

But it did.

Slowly, he turned his head.

Lucian hadn’t moved.

Still seated. Still relaxed.

But his eyes were on him now.

And there was nothing casual about that gaze.

“I said sit down,” Lucian repeated, quieter this time.

Aaron exhaled slowly through his nose, something caught between irritation and restraint. Then he stepped away from the door, dragging a hand through his hair as he walked back.

“Why do you always do that?” he muttered, dropping back onto the couch.

Do what?

Talk like you’re—” Aaron cut himself off, shaking his head. “Forget it.”

Lucian’s lips curved slightly. Not a full smile. Just enough.

“That I’m what?”

Aaron shot him a look. “You already know.”

“Humor me.”

“No.”

Lucian leaned back, clearly entertained now. “You’re avoiding the question.”

“And you’re enjoying this too much.”

“That’s because you’re making it easy.”

Aaron looked away again, jaw tightening. His fingers started tapping against his knee, faster now, sharper.

Lucian watched him quietly for a moment.

Then, casually, “Do you have a girlfriend?”

Aaron froze.

It was subtle. Barely noticeable.

But Lucian saw it.

Because he was paying attention.

“No,” Aaron said shortly.

“No? Boyfriend??

“No.”

Lucian tilted his head slightly. “Not even one you’re hiding?”

Aaron let out a dry laugh. “Why would I hide a girlfriend?”

“People hide things all the time.”

“Not that.”

Lucian didn’t look away. “So you’re not seeing anyone.”

“No.”

“Not interested in anyone?”

Aaron hesitated.

Just for a second.

Then, “Not really.”

Lucian hummed softly, like he didn’t quite believe that.

“Interesting.”

Aaron frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing,” Lucian said lightly. “Just trying to understand you.”

“There’s nothing to understand.”

“There’s always something.”

Aaron exhaled, leaning back again. You’re overthinking.

“Am I?

“Yes.”

Lucian held his gaze for a moment longer, then leaned forward slightly, just enough to shift the energy between them.

“Then tell me,” he said. “What are you interested in?”

Aaron swallowed, his throat suddenly dry.

He shrugged. “Work, Studying, Surviving, Not dying, Basic things.”

Lucian’s lips twitched. “How thrilling.”

Aaron rolled his eyes. “Not everyone has time for whatever game you’re playing.”

Lucian didn’t deny it.

Didn’t even try.

Instead—

He stood.

Aaron’s eyes followed him before he could stop himself.

That alone irritated him.

“Why are you coming closer?” he asked, his voice steady—but not as steady as he wanted.

Lucian didn’t answer.

He stopped right in front of him.

Close enough to feel.

Not touching.

Not yet.

Aaron straightened slightly. “Lucian… why the hell are you coming closer?”

“Relax,” Lucian said quietly.

That tone again.

Aaron’s jaw tightened. “I am relaxed.”

Lucian’s gaze dropped briefly, taking in the tension in his shoulders, the way his fingers pressed into the couch.

“No,” he said softly. “You’re not.”

Aaron let out a sharp breath. “What do you want?”

Lucian tilted his head slightly, studying him like he was looking at something he already understood.

“You keep trying to leave,” he said. “Why?”

“I told you—”

Lucian stepped closer.

That was it.

Aaron leaned back without thinking, his back pressing into the couch.

A mistake.

Lucian’s hand came down beside his shoulder, caging him in without actually touching him.

Aaron’s breath caught.

The air shifted.

Lucian leaned in slightly.

Not enough to touch.

Just enough to make it impossible to ignore.

Aaron’s fingers curled into the fabric beneath him.

“Look at you,” Lucian murmured. “You can’t even stay still.”

“Get off,” Aaron said, but it came out quieter than he intended.

Lucian didn’t move.

“If I was doing something you didn’t want,” he said calmly, “you would’ve pushed me away by now.”

Aaron’s chest rose sharply.

For a second—just a second—his control slipped.

And Lucian saw it.

A flicker, Gone almost immediately.

But too late.

Lucian’s eyes darkened slightly, like that was all he needed.

Aaron turned his head away. “Remind me why I hate you again.”

Lucian’s voice dropped, softer now. “That’s your problem.”

Silence stretched between them.

Lucian leaned closer—

Then stopped.

Footsteps.

Both of them turned toward the staircase at the same time.

The moment snapped instantly.

Lucian straightened just as Kael appeared.

Vera just behind him.

Everything shifted, The air changed,

Aaron didn’t move,

But his breathing hadn’t settled.

And Lucian noticed.

He always did.

And whatever came next…

Was going to be worse.