Yuuto stepped into Lucas's office the next morning, cheeks still warm from the night before. The moment Aiden had wrapped around him was still fresh in his skin, his heart… his lips.
But Lucas noticed it instantly.
"You're glowing," Lucas said with a half-smile as Yuuto sat across from him.
Yuuto blushed. "I'm just… well rested."
Lucas leaned forward, tapping his pen thoughtfully. "Or thoroughly loved."
Yuuto's eyes snapped up.
Lucas chuckled. "Relax. I can see it on your neck."
Yuuto's hand flew up instinctively. "It's nothing—"
Lucas's voice turned quiet. "Do you love him?"
Yuuto froze. "What?"
"It's a simple question," Lucas said, the smile fading from his lips. "Do you love Aiden?"
Yuuto looked down. "Yes… I do."
Lucas sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Even though he's hiding something from you?"
Yuuto blinked. "What are you talking about?"
Lucas pulled open his drawer and slid a folder across the table.
Yuuto hesitated. "What is this?"
"Open it."
Inside were hospital records, scans, and a name printed at the top.
Aiden Elric.
And beside it, bold and brutal: Terminal condition. Estimated life expectancy: 10 years.
Yuuto's blood ran cold.
"This is… this can't be real…"
Lucas's voice softened, almost pitying. "He didn't tell you, did he? Even though you're everything to him."
Yuuto's hands shook as he closed the file. "Why are you showing me this?"
"Because I care about you," Lucas whispered. "Because he's dying—and he didn't even give you the chance to prepare."
Yuuto stood abruptly. "You had no right—"
Lucas reached out and grabbed his wrist. "I'm not trying to hurt you. I'm trying to save you."
"From what?" Yuuto snapped.
"From being left behind."
---
That night, Yuuto stood by the bedroom window, silent. Aiden walked in, tired but smiling.
"You didn't text me today," he said softly.
Yuuto turned, pain in his eyes. "Why didn't you tell me you're dying?"
The smile vanished from Aiden's face.
"Yuuto…"
"You knew I loved you. You knew how much I'd fall for you. And you still let me walk into this without warning?"
Aiden stepped forward, but Yuuto backed away.
"I wanted to protect you."
Yuuto's voice broke. "And now I feel betrayed."
---
Alone in the shadows of his high-rise, Lucas watched the storm unfold from his balcony—glass of wine in hand.
"Step one," he whispered to himself.
Done.