Aster didn't say anything.
He just sat there, his fingers slack against his stomach, his bruised knuckles stark against his pale skin. He looked exhausted—defeated.
And Rea hated it.
She reached out again, slower this time, giving him a chance to pull away.
He didn't.
Her fingers brushed against his wrist, then moved to his hand. His skin was rough, still warm despite the bruises blooming over his knuckles.
Rea exhaled. "Come with me."
Aster blinked. "What?"
"You can't stay here," she said. "Not like this."
He let out a short, dry laugh. "And where am I supposed to go?"
"My house."
Aster snorted, wincing as he did. "Yeah, I don't think your dad's gonna be thrilled about that."
Rea clenched her jaw. "I don't care."
Aster shook his head, looking down at their hands. "Rea, this isn't your problem."
Rea tightened her grip. "I'm making it my problem."
Aster's eyes flicked up to hers, something unreadable in them.
Then, after a long pause, he exhaled.
"Fine."
Relief flooded through her so fast she almost felt dizzy.
She helped him up, looping an arm around his waist when he swayed slightly. Aster grumbled but didn't fight her, leaning on her just enough to keep steady.
She didn't mention it.
Didn't comment on the way his fingers curled around her sleeve, like he needed something to hold onto.
Instead, she focused on getting him out of that house.
—
Her dad was still in the car when they stepped outside.
The moment he saw Aster, his expression darkened.
Rea ignored it.
She helped Aster into the passenger seat, then slid into the back before her dad could protest.
For a long moment, he didn't start the car.
Then, finally—
"What happened?"
Aster let out a slow breath. "Nothing new."
Rea's dad clenched his jaw but didn't push.
He started the car.
They drove in silence.
—
When they got home, her mom was waiting in the kitchen.
She took one look at Aster—his swollen eye, his busted lip, the bruises blooming under his hoodie—and inhaled sharply.
"Oh my god," she whispered.
Rea didn't give her time to argue.
"He's staying here," she said. "At least for tonight."
Her mom hesitated.
Then, quietly, "Go get the first aid kit."
Rea exhaled, relief flooding through her.
Aster looked at her mom like she'd just spoken a foreign language. "You're not gonna yell at me?"
Her mom gave him a small, sad smile. "You look like you've been yelled at enough."
Aster didn't respond.
But something in his shoulders unclenched.
—
Rea sat with him on the couch as her mom cleaned him up.
He barely flinched when she dabbed at his lip, barely reacted when she pressed an ice pack to his eye.
Like he was used to this.
Like he expected it.
Rea clenched her fists.
When her mom finished, she stood. "I'll get some extra blankets for the couch."
Aster blinked. "You're really letting me stay?"
Her mom smiled. "If Rea trusts you, then I trust you."
Aster glanced at Rea.
She met his gaze, steady.
For the first time since she'd met him, Aster looked completely lost.
And for the first time, Rea felt like she was exactly where she was supposed to be.