Aiden was radiating like a light bulb.
He practically danced around his room, humming as he fluffed his pillows, dusted every surface, even wiped down the windows with unnecessary enthusiasm. All in all he was cleaning happily which was a rare event.
But today, he was overly delighted. He opened his closet and pulled out two of his fluffiest blanket, then paused, eyes narrowing mischievously.
"Nope. If he see two blanket he'll try to sleep separately. I can't allow that."
He grabbed all the spare blankets and pillows from the room and stuffed them in a large laundry basket, dragging it to the storage closet.
"Operation Forced Cuddling begins," he whispered to himself with an evil giggle.
With his bed freshly made and only one pillow neatly in the center, Aiden moved on to phase two: snacks.
The table was practically collapsing under the weight of chips, cookies, juice boxes, soda bottles, and a suspicious number of chocolate-covered marshmallows.
He looked around proudly and clapped his hands once. "Perfect. I'll make sure he'll never want to leave."
He even prepared a small bag with some of the snacks and Hunter's favorite green apple candy so he could pick him up from work and walk home together like a romantic teen drama couple.
He glanced at himself in the mirror, ran his fingers through his messy hair, popped a mint in his mouth, and grinned. "You look fucking hot."
He quickly run down but the moment he opened the door—bam!
"Hey, baby boy!"
Aiden blinked at the person standing at the door. "Nick…?"
Nick spread his arms like a cartoon and pulled Aiden into a bear hug before Aiden could even process. "Long time no see!"
"Wait, what—"
Behind Nick, Ethan and Jack came in, grinning and carrying pizza boxes and bags of chips, as if it were some reunion party. Sophia trailed behind quietly, her arms crossed and face unreadable. Brian ignored the nosy kids and entered past Aiden.
Aiden's smile dropped. "Wait, wait, what are you all doing here?!"
Ethan dumped the pizza on the coffee table. "Your mom told Nick's mom she was going away for a while. You know what that means!"
Jack flopped on the couch and grabbed the remote. "Party time at the fluff prince's house!"
Nick wagged his eyebrows. "Tradition, bro. We gotta keep you fed and sane while your lawyer mommy is out saving the world."
Aiden desperately wanted them all out. "But—but I'm not alone! I was just about to—!"
"We brought Sophia too!" Nick interrupted, ignoring Aiden's weak protests. "She's been asking about you all week."
Aiden looked at her. She gave him a half-smile, though not meeting his eyes. "Hi, Aiden."
"Uh, hi…"
Nick threw an arm around Aiden's shoulders. "Your mom probably thought you'd mess up the kitchen again."
"I don't mess up the kitchen!" Aiden snarled at him.
Ethan glanced around. "Dude, what's with the snack mountain?"
"Oh," Jack added with a smirk. "You cleaned your room as well? Are we interrupting a date, Aiden?"
Aiden's cheeks flushed. "N-no! I was just…prepping for a…movie night. With myself, o-of course."
Nick peeked into Aiden's room and whistled. "Bro. One pillow? One blanket? That bed's screaming cuddle trap. Are you expecting someone hot?"
Aiden pushed him back. "You guys need to leave!"
"Nooo," Ethan groaned, already opening a soda. "We just got here!"
Sophia sat down quietly and just watched them. Her eyes drifted to the pile of snacks and the fluffed bed visible through the cracked door. Her brows furrowed just slightly as her chest tightened.
Meanwhile, Aiden stood in the middle of his room and his stupid friends, blinking in disbelief as his plans burned around him.
I want to see Hunter. he whispered to himself.
Nick popped a chip in his mouth and sprawled across the floor. "Chill, man. Whoever it was, just text 'em you're busy."
"I can't," Aiden snapped, turning away to grab his phone. But the damage was done. His house had been hijacked.
"Who is it, huh?" Nick nudged Aiden with his elbow and wiggled his eyebrows. "Come on, you were way too prepared for a solo night. Who's the lucky one?"
Aiden wanted to punch him. "I said no one is coming."
"Liar," Jack grinned. "I know that face. That's your 'caught red-handed' face."
"Spill it!" Ethan leaned forward dramatically. "Are you hiding a girl here or something?"
Aiden's eyes widened. "What? No!"
Ethan gasped like he'd uncovered the secret of the universe. "Wait—are you planning to lose your V-card tonight?"
Aiden turned a violent shade of red. "I—W-What the hell, Ethan!?"
Nick howled with laughter. "Knew it! Bro cleaned his room, removed the extra bedding, this boy was definitely planning a seduction."
"I swear I'll throw you all out!" Aiden yelled, hiding his face behind his sleeve. He glanced briefly at the door, still frustrated he couldn't go pick up Hunter like he'd planned.
But not everyone was laughing.
Sophia sat on the armrest of the couch, fingers clutching the fabric of her jeans. Her gaze lingered on Aiden's blushing face, the warmth in his cheeks and the sparkle in his eyes. Even though he groaned and tried to hide she could tell he was pleased about something.
She swallowed hard and lowered her face. Aiden hadn't said anything specific. But something told her she already knew who the 'lucky one' might be.
Hunter.
She didn't want to come today, and even argued with Nick about it when he invited her. But she hadn't seen Aiden since the vacation started, and…maybe a small, stupid part of her still missed his face even though she's aware about his secret.
But now, sitting here and watching him scramble, clearly waiting for someone, her heart ached. A sinking feeling settled into her chest.
She should've stayed home.
"Dude," Nick still poked Aiden. "Was she gonna come over? I want to see her! Is she from our school? Is she really hot?!"
"No one was coming over!" Aiden shouted, fuming now. "I just wanted a chill night! I made snacks because I wanted to!"
Sophia opened her mouth but then closed it. She wanted to ask desperately if it was really Hunter or some other girl?
But she wasn't sure she wanted to hear the answer.
Aiden let out a long sigh and slumped down on the couch. "Can you all just eat and go already? I got stuff to do."
"Whoa, calm down, lover boy," Nick said between bites of chips. "We'll be outta your hair soon. Just admit it first, you're planning something naughty."
"I'm planning a murder," Aiden glared at him. "Want to volunteer?"
Ethan burst out laughing. "You're so defensive! It's definitely a hot and sexy girl you don't want to show us."
But as Aiden glanced at the door again, cheeks still tinged pink, Sophia saw the truth in his eyes. And the thought made her heart sink even lower.
Meanwhile, Brian was slouched comfortably in the armchair near the window, legs spread wide, a thick fantasy novel resting in one large hand. His other elbow was hooked lazily over the armrest, fingers rhythmically tapping to some song only he could hear. The light hit the sharp cut of his jaw, his unruly dark curls casting shadows over his eyes looking as unbothered and detached as ever.
While the rest of the group bounced off the walls with Aiden as their poor target, Brian hadn't even spared them a glance. He simply flipped a page with his long fingers, eyes skimming the lines as if he was far, far away riding dragons or hunting shadows in a castle far more peaceful than Aiden's suddenly crowded living room.
"Brian!" Nick flopped onto the couch next to him, nearly kicking his knee because Nick hates everyone's peace. "Yo, come here for a sec."
Brian didn't look up. "No."
"Ugh, you haven't even heard what I was gonna say!"
"Still no."
Nick groaned dramatically and leaned against the armrest of Brian's chair, poking his shoulder. "Dude, stop being so boring. We're planning a sneak peek into Aiden's love life and you're just sitting here doing boring things."
Brian slowly turned a page. "I'm smarter for not joining you'll dumbasses."
"Pleaseeee," Nick whined.
Brian finally glanced at him, his dark eyes were half-lidded and unimpressed.
Nick looked like a kid pestering a sleep-deprived older brother. The size difference made it even funnier. Nick was lean and wiry, practically bouncing off the walls, while Brian sat there like a boulder, unmoved, his thick thighs spread with absolutely zero shame. His broad chest rose and fell in a calm rhythm, hoodie slouching over his powerful shoulders like he wore the world casually.
Nick made another face and grabbed Brian's book, trying to yank it away. "Come ooon—!"
Brian didn't even waste his energy. He just used his free hand to shove Nick's head down and keeping him there as he reached up and retrieved his book with graceful ease.
"I will physically fold you into the couch if you don't stop pestering me," Brain warned him in his calm and baritone voice.
Nick squirmed under his hand and somehow got himself out but it was just Brian showing him some mercy. "You're so violent, no wonder you're single!"
"Peacefully single," Brian muttered, readjusting in the chair and cracking open his book again. "Unlike you clowns."
He looked over to where Aiden was now curled up in a pile of pillows, trying to text someone behind a bag of chips, and rolled his eyes lightly. "You're all idiots."
Nick grinned. "Then why are you friends with us?"
Brian ignored him again, eyes back on the page, legs stretched out like a king who refused to move for any peasant drama. Cool, unreadable, and completely done with everyone's nonsense, Brian was in a different league of chill.
"Does anyone if that kid who got bullied is out of the hospital or not?"
The chips in Aiden's hand stilled at Jack's words. His fingers curled slowly around the bag, but his gaze was frozen mid-blink. He didn't expected the conversation to take this turn.
Sophia, who'd been quietly sipping from her soda, replied softly, "My brother said he's still recovering but he can't be discharged right now."
Aiden's heart dropped then eased just slightly. He didn't realize how tense he'd gotten until he let out a small breath. He clutched the snack bag a little tighter to his chest, looking away toward the door. He wanted to go see Casen. He even thought of asking his mom if she could take him. But he was worried how would Hunter react? What if he got mad at him again?
He was so scared to push the wrong button again.
"I still can't believe Hunter did that," Nick said through a mouthful of food, shaking his head in awe. "Dude destroyed those guys. If I knew he was that strong, I never would've called him a shadow freak.
Jack cackled from the floor, throwing popcorn in the air and catching it. "You did call him that. Right in gym class."
"Yeah! And now I value my life."
Jack turned toward the group and asked casually, "Did you guys know Hunter's like, basically homeless now?"
Aiden stiffened at that, his head snapping up again.
"What?" Nick blinked. "Wait, what are you talking about?"
Jack shrugged. "His cousin's is my sister's class. What's her name…Lily? She's telling people he ran away from their house with their money or something. She didn't get into uni and is blaming it on him."
"As if Hunter needs her little savings," Aiden clicked his tongue at the false accusation. Everyone looked at him. Aiden's expression was different now, lips curled in a scowl, eyes sparking with frustration. "She's broke and a fucking liar. Hunter would never steal from anyone."
Jack raised an eyebrow. "Okay, okay, chill. No need to grow claws, we're just saying…he does kinda give off 'thief' vibes, no? All quiet, never talks to anyone, always looking like he's got a plan in his head—"
"Shut up, Jack," Aiden barked, standing up abruptly. "You don't know anything about him. Just because someone's quiet and keeps to himself doesn't mean they're a criminal."
Jack threw up his hands, laughing like he thought it was funny. "Okay, okay, I was just joking. Damn."
Sophia stayed quiet, her brows furrowed, while Nick laughed awkwardly. "Yo, what if he beats those guys up because he's into Casen or something?" he teased while nudging Aiden. "Maybe there's something going on there."
The blood drained from Aiden's face. He looked down at the half-eaten chips in his lap to hold himself back. His little body shaking with anger.
"If you guys don't shut up talking shit about Hunter I might forgot that you'll are my childhood friends." The way he said it made everyone blink. There was no teasing or playfulness in his voice. "I'm serious. Hunter's the only one who actually did something that day. The rest of us just stood there, or watched the drama. I already feel enough ashamed of myself for letting them bully Casen but at least I feel guilty while you'll are still making fun of that incident."
Silence.
Even Brian finally looked up from his book.
Nick scratched the back of his neck, suddenly sheepish. "Okay, chill, man. It was a joke. No offense."
And Aiden tried not to be offended. But the last straw came when Nick, smirking and wiping ketchup off his fingers, leaned back and said in the most casually obnoxious tone.
"Honestly, bro, Hunter's probably just milking that whole tragic-loner thing. I mean, who even knows if he actually saved Casen? Maybe he just showed up after the bullies ran off and claimed all the credit. I even believe that he run away with his Aunt's money–ugh!"
Aiden saw red. Before anyone could react, he stood and grabbed Nick by the collar, yanking him up from the couch so fast the chips on Nick's lap went flying.
"Don't you dare talk about him like that," Aiden hissed through gritted teeth, his eyes blazing.
Nick's eyes widened at first, but then his own temper flared. He shoved Aiden back, grabbing his collar in return. "What the hell is wrong with you?! You're gonna fight me over him?"
Sophia jumped up with a yelp, rushing toward them. "Stop it! Stop it! Aiden, what are you doing?!"
"Aiden, man—calm down—" Jack tried to step in too, but he hesitated as Aiden's glare cut toward him like a blade.
Nick's face was inches from Aiden's, red with disbelief. "You'd really choose him? Over us? Over your childhood friends? You've known Hunter what—five years? Even less than that?"
Aiden's voice was sharp and loud but trembling with pure frustration. "Yeah. I would."
Everyone froze.
"I would choose him. Because he's the only one who's ever stood by me without acting like a damn clown. He's the only one who didn't encourage my shitty behaviour. Meanwhile, you guys. You are not any less than those bullies."
Sophia grabbed Aiden's arm again, her face was pale and eyes wide. "Aiden, please—just stop, okay? You don't mean that."
"No, I do," But Aiden yanked his arm away, shaking his head. He turned back to Nick and Jack. "Hunter was right about you guys. You're not good friends. You laugh at serious stuff, twist things into jokes, spread rumors like they're candy. And when something real happens, you stand back and just watch."
Nick looked stung and betrayed but he was still stubborn. "As if you're not one of us. What, Hunter suddenly made you a Saint or what?"
Brian finally stood up then, calmly closing his book. He said nothing, but his gaze slid from Aiden to Nick.
Sophia separated them and stood between them now, hands up to both of them. "Please—can we just—breathe for a second? This is getting out of hand."
But Aiden was already walking to the door. "Make sure you lock it behind you when you leave."
He reached for the handle, then stopped. Slowly, he turned around, walked to the kitchen counter, and grabbed the bag of snacks he had packed earlier, stuffed full of all Hunter's favorites. His eyes didn't meet theirs again.
Without another word, Aiden walked out and slammed the door behind him.
The silence left behind was awkward. Sophia sat down slowly, shaken from what happened. Nick rubbed his neck. Jack whistled low, trying to break the silence but only making it worse.
Brian sat back down, opened his book, and muttered under his breath, "Told you never mess with a little guy."