CHAPTER 5

Aiden kept telling himself he was fine.

He wasn’t.

Raven’s words echoed in his chest the entire day, bouncing around like they didn’t want to leave:

“I left to protect you.”

“You were the only good thing in my life.”

“Let me prove you can handle me.”

Aiden pressed a hand to his pounding chest.

“What am I even doing…”

He didn’t have an answer.

---

Later That Evening

The café was closing when the sky darkened again.

Thunder rolled, low and heavy.

A storm was coming.

Aiden rushed outside to bring in the chairs wind whipping his hair, rain starting to fall.

He grabbed the last chair when a car pulled up beside the café.

Black. Sleek. Too familiar.

Aiden froze.

The driver’s door opened slowly…

And Raven stepped out.

Rain dotted his shoulders, his dark hair slightly damp. His eyes locked on Aiden immediately sharp, intense, unreadable.

Aiden’s heart stuttered.

“Raven… what are you doing here?”

“You shouldn’t be out in this weather alone,” Raven said, closing the door. “Storm’s bad.”

Aiden blinked. “It just started—”

Thunder cracked loudly, making him jump.

Raven’s mouth lifted slightly.

“Exactly.”

Aiden hated how warm that made him feel.

“I can handle myself,” he muttered.

A gust of wind pushed the rain sideways—drenching Aiden instantly.

Raven sighed. “You’re proving the opposite.”

Aiden wanted to argue, but he was already soaked.

Raven stepped closer, towering just a little, rain dripping from his jawline.

“You’ll get sick,” Raven murmured.

His voice was soft—too soft for a man like him.

Aiden swallowed, looking away.

“I don’t need your help.”

Raven leaned in, lowering his head just slightly to meet Aiden’s eyes.

“I know you don’t,” he said.

“But I’m offering it anyway.”

Aiden’s breath hitched.

He hated how close Raven stood.

He hated how warm his body felt even through the cold rain.

But most of all…

He hated how safe he felt around him.

Too safe.

---

Lightning flashed, followed immediately by a loud boom.

Aiden jumped again. He hated storms—Raven remembered that.

A shadow crossed Raven’s face… worry?

Was that worry?

“Come with me,” Raven said. “I’ll drive you home.”

“No—”

His protest was cut off by another thunder strike so loud Aiden flinched hard.

Raven didn’t hesitate.

He took off his own jacket—warm, heavy, smelling like rain and something expensive—and draped it over Aiden’s shoulders.

Aiden’s breath hitched sharply at the sudden closeness.

Raven’s hands lingered on the fabric for a second.

Too long.

Too gentle.

Aiden’s cheeks heated.

“Raven…”

“You’re freezing.”

His voice was low, almost rough.

Aiden hugged the jacket close, unable to stop himself.

“I don’t want your pity,” he whispered.

Raven’s eyes softened instantly.

“It’s not pity.”

A beat.

“It’s instinct.”

Aiden’s heart skipped.

“Get in the car,” Raven said quietly. “Please.”

The “please” ruined him.

Aiden gave up fighting.

He walked to the car—still wrapped in Raven’s jacket—and slipped into the passenger seat.

The moment the door shut, the world went quiet.

Too quiet.

Raven slid into the driver’s seat and the air shifted—thick, warm, electric.

Aiden could feel his heartbeat everywhere.

Raven glanced at him, eyes lingering on the jacket around his shoulders.

“It looks better on you,” he murmured.

Aiden stared straight ahead, gripping the seatbelt.

“Just drive,” he whispered.

But his voice shook.

Raven started the car, his jaw tight like he was fighting something.

Neither of them spoke.

But the air was filled with everything they weren’t saying.

And as the storm raged outside, Aiden realized something terrifying:

Being near Raven didn’t hurt like before.

It felt like falling again.

Too fast.

Too deep.

Too soon.

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