The glass rattled again, harder this time. Aiven's breath came out in short, shallow bursts as he stared at the girl outside the café. Her eyes were wide and glassy, fixed on him like he was something she had already decided to destroy. The others stood behind her, shadows stretching long under the streetlight, whispering to each other with barely contained excitement.
"You don't belong here," one of them mouthed through the glass.
Draven's grip tightened around Aiven's wrist. "Don't look at them," he said firmly. "Look at me."
Aiven tried. He really did. But the pounding of his heart drowned out everything else. He nodded shakily, stepping back as Draven guided him farther from the windows.
The girl banged on the glass again, harder now. The sound echoed through the empty café, sharp and frightening.
"You think hiding works?" she shouted. "We know who you are!"
Draven pulled Aiven fully behind the counter, positioning himself between Aiven and the door. His voice was low, controlled, but there was fury simmering underneath it. "If they break that glass, we leave through the back. Do you hear me?"
Aiven swallowed. "Draven… what if—"
"Hey," Draven interrupted gently, crouching slightly so they were eye level. "I won't let anything happen to you. I promise."
Outside, one of the fans raised a phone, clearly recording. Another laughed, the sound muffled but cruel.
Aiven's phone vibrated violently in his hand.
Raze.
His fingers shook as he answered.
"Aiven," Raze's voice came through immediately, tense and breathless. "I'm on my way. Where are you?"
"They're outside," Aiven whispered, tears stinging his eyes. "Draven's with me."
"What?" Raze's voice sharpened. "Stay inside. Lock the doors. I'm calling Zenith."
The call ended abruptly, and Aiven stared at the screen, chest heaving.
Draven stood again, jaw clenched. "Good. Zenith will know what to do."
As if summoned by the name, another car slowed across the street. The fans noticed immediately, their attention shifting.
Zenith stepped out of the vehicle calmly, hands in his pockets, eyes sharp. He didn't rush. He didn't shout. He simply stood there, staring at them like they were something insignificant.
The effect was immediate.
One of the fans stiffened. Another took a step back.
Zenith lifted his phone and held it up—not filming them, but calling someone.
"You have thirty seconds to leave," he said coolly, voice carrying even through the glass. "Or this becomes a police issue."
"You can't control who we love!" the girl shouted back.
Zenith tilted his head slightly. "No. But I can control consequences."
The laughter died. One by one, the fans retreated, casting hateful looks over their shoulders before disappearing into the night.
Aiven sank against the counter, legs giving out. Draven was there instantly, steadying him.
"You okay?" Draven asked quietly.
Aiven nodded weakly. "I think so."
Zenith entered the café moments later, locking the door behind him. His gaze went straight to Aiven, searching him carefully.
"They didn't touch you," he said. It wasn't a question.
"No," Aiven replied. "Because of you. Thank you."
Zenith shrugged lightly. "I did what I had to."
Draven crossed his arms. "You came fast."
Zenith glanced at him. "So did you."
Their eyes met again—longer this time. The tension between them was thick, unspoken, confusing. Aiven noticed it now clearly, the way neither seemed willing to look away first.
Zenith finally broke the silence. "Raze is furious. He's trying to leave the dorm, but Velric stopped him."
Aiven's stomach dropped. "Velric?"
"He doesn't want Raze seen near you tonight," Zenith said carefully. "Especially after this."
Draven scoffed. "Figures."
Aiven hugged his arms around himself. "So… what happens now?"
Zenith looked at him seriously. "You're not staying alone. Either you stay with Draven tonight, or I take you somewhere safer."
Draven didn't hesitate. "He's staying with me."
Aiven blinked. "Draven—"
"It's not up for debate," Draven said firmly. "You're not walking into an empty apartment tonight."
Zenith studied them both, then nodded once. "Good. I'll make sure no one followed us."
As they left the café together, Aiven glanced back at the dark windows, the reflection staring back at him unfamiliar and fragile.
He never imagined loving someone could make him this afraid.
In the car, Aiven's phone buzzed again.
Raze.
Raze:
Zenith told me everything. I'm so sorry I wasn't there. Please tell me you're safe.
Aiven's fingers hovered before replying.
Aiven:
I'm safe now. Draven's taking me with him.
The reply came almost instantly.
Raze:
Thank you for staying strong. I'll make this right. I promise.
Aiven closed his eyes, pressing the phone to his chest.
Across from him, Draven watched silently, something unreadable flickering across his face.
Zenith drove in silence, eyes focused on the road.
None of them said it out loud, but they all felt it.
This wasn't just about fans anymore.
Someone was pulling strings.
And Velric's shadow was getting closer.