The elevator doors slid open, and Raze practically stormed out, the weight of everything—Aiven's trembling voice, the terror in his eyes, the idea of someone hurting him—boiling inside him like fire that refused to be contained.
Zenith followed him, calmer but tense.
"Raze. Think before you act."
"I am thinking," Raze snapped. "Aiven was terrified. Someone followed him home. Someone took pictures inside his apartment window. And Velric wants him gone. How am I supposed to be calm?"
Zenith didn't answer. He knew Raze well enough—when it comes to Aiven, there is no calm.
Meanwhile, in Aiven's tiny apartment, Draven returned from the store with snacks, only to find Aiven pacing anxiously.
"What happened?" Draven frowned, tossing the grocery bag on the table.
Aiven rubbed his arms, voice small.
"I… told Raze everything. About the photo. The fan. Velric. I didn't want to hide it anymore."
Draven blinked.
"Wait—WAIT. You told him everything… including the kiss?"
Aiven's face exploded into red.
"You said best friends tell each other everything!"
Draven smirked.
"I didn't know you'd actually listen."
Aiven whacked him with a pillow.
But Draven's smile faded quickly.
"So… are you scared of what's happening? Really scared?"
Aiven nodded once.
"I don't think it's just fans. Someone knew exactly where my kitchen window faced. Someone was close. Too close."
Draven's jaw tightened.
"Then I'm not leaving you alone again, idiot."
They hugged tightly—just as a soft knock echoed at the door.
Aiven froze.
His heart dropped.
Draven grabbed a frying pan from the kitchen.
Aiven whispered, "Draven… what if it's the stalker…?"
The knock came again.
Quiet. Polite. But unnerving.
Draven stepped forward slowly and opened the door—
—and Raze stood there, hair messy from running, chest rising and falling, eyes burning with worry.
"Aiven…"
Aiven's breath hitched.
Raze looked devastated. Angry. Afraid. All at once.
"I came as fast as I could," Raze whispered.
Aiven stepped forward cautiously.
"Raze… you didn't have to—"
"Yes. I did." Raze's voice broke slightly. "You should've told me sooner."
Even Draven lowered the frying pan a little.
But then the moment shattered—
Outside in the hallway, someone's phone camera flashed.
Raze snapped his head toward the noise just in time to see a silhouette dart away down the stairwell.
He took off running.
"Aiven, stay inside!" Raze shouted over his shoulder.
Draven swore loudly and sprinted after him.
Aiven stood there shaking, torn between fear and guilt and something warm blooming painfully inside his chest.
He came for me. He ran here without thinking. He's scared for me.
Minutes later, Raze and Draven returned—angry and empty-handed.
"He got away," Draven growled. "But I saw him drop something."
Raze held out a phone charm—a black crescent moon.
Aiven's eyes widened.
"That's… that's Eryssa's symbol. Her fandom logo."
Raze's expression darkened into something cold and dangerous.
"So it was her fans," he whispered. "She's trying to break us apart."
Draven nodded.
"So what now?"
Raze turned to Aiven slowly.
His gaze softened—just for him.
"I'm not leaving you alone tonight."
Aiven swallowed, cheeks reddening.
"But… what about your group? The dorm?"
"Zenith already covered for me," Raze said. "He knows how important you are."
Aiven's heart thumped so loudly he was surprised the whole apartment didn't hear it.
Draven stretched his arms dramatically.
"Well then. I guess we're having a sleepover."
Raze smirked slightly.
"Draven, you sleep on the floor."
Draven gasped.
"You little glowing glowstick gremlin—"
Aiven stepped between them before they started arguing.
But he couldn't stop the smile tugging at his lips.
For the first time in days, he felt… safe.
Not because Draven was there.
Not because his door was locked.
But because Raze was sitting on his couch, watching him with eyes full of something deep, intense, and unspoken.
Something that scared him.
Something that thrilled him.
Something that felt dangerously close to love.
And Aiven knew—
Everything was about to change.