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It had been days since the company feast, and Sion's composed silence had done nothing but fuel Aiden's growing restlessness.
The more time passed, the more certain Aiden became of two things:
First—he was falling for Sion.
And second—he couldn't let that happen without knowing the truth.
He didn't want to love a shadow. He didn't want to fall again just because someone reminded him of Shinomi. If his heart was going to open again, he needed clarity. Closure. A sign.
So he devised a plan.
That evening, Aiden dimmed the lights in his condo, opened a bottle of wine—and poured half of it down the sink.
He didn't take a single sip.
Instead, he messed his hair, left his shirt slightly loose, and carefully slurred his voice as he picked up his phone.
He called Sion.
"…H-Hey. Can you come over?" he mumbled, just enough to sound tipsy. "I… I don't feel good. Please…"
He ended the call before Sion could respond.
Exactly thirty minutes later, the doorbell rang.
Aiden opened it slowly, head lowered. Sion stood there, coat unbuttoned, his expression a mixture of worry and irritation.
"Aiden, are you—"
Before he could finish, Aiden stumbled forward and hugged him tightly.
"…I'm sorry," Aiden whispered into his chest, voice trembling. "But I love you."
Sion froze.
"I never wanted to leave you at the wedding…" Aiden continued, voice breaking. "I don't know how I came back. I just woke up. But I swear—I never wanted to hurt you."
Sion's arms hovered midair.
Aiden clutched tighter. "You were… the most beautiful thing I ever loved."
Silence.
"I know you were broken. I saw it in your eyes. And still… I always wanted to choose you. Again and again."
Sion's hands slowly came down and gripped Aiden's shoulders.
Aiden lifted his head, eyes watery but alert.
"I love you," he whispered, "even if I've lost you."
And with that, Aiden let himself go limp, falling into Sion's arms, pretending to pass out.
Sion held him quietly.
Long moments passed.
Then, gently, Sion lowered him to the couch and crouched beside him, brushing a few strands of hair away from Aiden's face.
His voice was barely a whisper.
"…I waited."
Aiden's heart skipped.
"You said you'd come back. That you'd choose me. But you disappeared."
Sion's voice cracked—just slightly.
"I hated you… for a long time. Then I hated myself for believing in you."
Aiden dared not move. He could feel Sion's breath near his face.
"But even now…" Sion murmured, "…you still make me feel everything I've tried to bury."
He stood up slowly, tucking Aiden in with the blanket, his touch gentler than ever before.
"Sleep well," he whispered. "Don't lie next time."
Then he left.
The door clicked shut.
Aiden opened his eyes—and they were full of tears.
It's him.
It's really him.
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