Aiven spent most of the morning staring at his phone.
Not because it kept buzzing—but because it didn't.
He sat at the small table in Draven's apartment, turning his cup of tea slowly between his hands. The city outside was bright, too bright for how heavy his chest felt. Every few minutes, he checked the time, then the messages, then the time again.
Draven noticed, of course.
"You're going to wear a hole in that screen," he said from the couch.
Aiven smiled weakly. "Sorry."
Draven studied him for a moment, then sighed. "You're nervous."
"Yes," Aiven admitted quietly. "He asked to see me."
"And that scares you?"
Aiven thought about it. About the fans. About Velric. About how fragile everything felt. Then he shook his head.
"No," he said. "It's the opposite."
Draven nodded like he understood exactly what that meant. "Then go. I'll stay close. But I won't hover."
"Thank you," Aiven whispered.
Raze had chosen a quiet place—far from crowds, far from cameras. A small riverside park, hidden between taller buildings, where the trees softened the noise of the city. When Aiven arrived, Raze was already there, sitting on a bench, cap pulled low, hands clasped tightly together.
He looked up the moment Aiven approached.
For a second, neither of them spoke.
Raze stood slowly, eyes scanning Aiven from head to toe as if checking that he was really there, really safe.
"You came," Raze said, voice low.
"I said I would," Aiven replied.
They stood there awkwardly, a careful distance between them. The silence wasn't uncomfortable—but it was heavy with everything they hadn't said yet.
"I shouldn't be here long," Raze said finally. "The members think I'm just taking a walk."
Aiven nodded. "I don't want you to get in trouble."
Raze let out a small, breathless laugh. "You always say that."
They sat down on the bench, leaving just enough space between them that their knees almost touched. Almost.
Raze stared out at the river for a long moment before speaking again.
"I was scared last night," he said quietly.
Aiven turned to him. "You were?"
"Yes," Raze admitted. "Not for myself. For you. I hated knowing you were scared and I wasn't there."
Aiven swallowed. "You didn't abandon me."
"I know," Raze said. "But it still hurt."
He turned then, finally meeting Aiven's eyes fully. There was no stage persona there. No idol polish. Just Raze—raw and honest.
"I've been thinking about you constantly," he continued. "Every time something happens, every time Velric interferes, every time fans cross a line… my first thought is you."
Aiven's breath hitched.
"I tried to convince myself this was something small," Raze said. "Something temporary. Something I could control."
He shook his head slowly. "I can't."
Aiven's hands trembled slightly in his lap. "Raze…"
"I don't want to protect you from a distance anymore," Raze said softly. "I don't want to pretend what I feel is just concern or guilt."
The world felt very quiet all of a sudden.
"I like you," Raze said. "More than I should. More than is safe."
Aiven's eyes stung. "I like you too."
Raze exhaled shakily, like he'd been holding that breath for weeks. "Then I need to ask you something. And I won't pressure you. I swear."
He shifted on the bench, turning fully toward Aiven now.
"Aiven Hale," he said, voice gentle but firm, "would you be my boyfriend?"
For a heartbeat, Aiven couldn't speak.
Not because he didn't want to—but because the weight of the question carried everything with it. The fans. The fear. The future. The risk.
And also the warmth. The care. The way Raze looked at him like he mattered.
"I'm scared," Aiven said honestly.
Raze nodded. "Me too."
"I don't know what will happen," Aiven whispered.
"I don't either," Raze replied. "But I know I want to face it with you, not without you."
Aiven's chest ached.
He thought of Draven standing between him and danger. Of Zenith's warning eyes. Of Miss Liora closing the café just to protect him. Of Velric's shadow looming closer every day.
And he thought of Raze—choosing honesty over safety.
Aiven let out a shaky laugh. "You're really bad at choosing the easy path."
Raze smiled faintly. "I know."
Aiven reached out then, fingers brushing Raze's sleeve—not a kiss, not a hug, just a quiet connection.
"Yes," Aiven said.
Raze froze. "Yes?"
"Yes," Aiven repeated, voice steadier now. "I'll be your boyfriend."
For a moment, Raze looked like he might cry.
Instead, he laughed softly, dropping his head forward. "You have no idea how happy that makes me."
Aiven smiled, tears slipping free anyway. "I think I do."
They sat there, shoulders finally touching, the contact small but electric. Raze didn't kiss him. Didn't rush. He simply stayed—present, warm, real.
"I'll protect you," Raze said quietly.
"And I'll stand with you," Aiven replied.
Somewhere across the city, Draven checked his phone and smiled faintly when Aiven's message came through.
Aiven:
He asked. I said yes.
Draven exhaled. "Finally."
And far away, Velric's phone lit up with a report he hadn't yet read.
The game had changed.
But for this one moment—by the river, with the city breathing softly around them—Aiven and Raze allowed themselves to be happy.
Just a little.
Just enough.