How to Survive as a BL Villain-Chapter 51: the half open window

Cassian’s heart pounded, a fresh flush creeping up his neck as he realized Aiden’s eyes held more than just warmth, they held hunger. A quiet, simmering promise of touches that would unravel him completely, of nights that wouldn’t end with just a kiss on the forehead.

But then Aiden surprised him.

Instead of leaning in, he pressed a soft, lingering kiss to Cassian’s temple and whispered, voice rough with affection, "Sleep. Your day was hectic."

Cassian blinked up at him, cheeks warm, eyes soft. Without a word, he turned in Aiden’s arms, burrowed close, and tucked his face into the curve of Aiden’s neck. He nuzzled there, breathing in the familiar scent of soap and sleep, and murmured, "Good night."

Aiden smiled against his hair and pulled him tighter, one arm draped protectively over his waist. "Good night, Cass."

---

Morning came gently.

Leonel was the first to stir, groaning as he pushed himself up from the bean bag. His back ached, his neck stiff, his whole body protesting from a night spent on unforgiving foam. "Ugh... my body hurts," he muttered, rolling his shoulders as he stood.

He turned toward the bed and froze.

There they were.

Aiden and Cassian tangled together like vines, Aiden’s arm wrapped around Cassian’s middle, Cassian’s head resting peacefully against his chest. Morning light spilled over them, soft and golden, catching the quiet rise and fall of their breaths.

Leonel’s first reaction was irritation. "Uff. Should’ve run faster than him," he grumbled under his breath, crossing his arms. "Look at them, all lovey-dovey. Like they own the whole damn bed."

He took a step forward, half-tempted to yank the blanket off or poke them both awake just to mess with them.

But then he looked closer.

Cassian’s face was relaxed. No tension in his brow. No shadows under his eyes. For the first time in days, he looked... safe. Whole.

Leonel’s scowl softened.

"Ugh," he sighed, but there was no bite in it. "Guess I’ll let them sleep a bit more."

He bent down slowly, careful not to make noise, and pressed a feather-light kiss to Cassian’s forehead so gentle it barely disturbed a hair.

"Look at our romantic king being soft," a voice teased.

Leonel jerked upright, cheeks instantly burning.

Aiden was awake, propped on one elbow, eyes bright with amusement, a lazy grin playing on his lips.

Leonel straightened, trying (and failing) to look composed. "I -i was just... checking if he was breathing. Don’t read into it."

"Sure, sure," Aiden said, still grinning. "You kiss all your roommates good morning?"

Leonel shot him a glare, but it lacked heat. "Shut up." He turned toward the door, already walking fast. "I’m going down. Gonna get fresh."

He practically fled the room, ears red.

Aiden chuckled softly, shaking his head. Then his gaze drifted back to Cassian still half-asleep, lips slightly parted, lashes casting soft shadows on his cheeks.

Aiden’s expression softened.

He reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair from Cassian’s forehead, then traced the line of his jaw with his thumb. So gentle. So reverent.

"You’re stuck with us, you know," he whispered, voice barely audible. "No running. No hiding. We’re not letting go."

Cassian stirred slightly, nuzzling into Aiden’s touch with a sleepy sigh.

Aiden smiled.

And held him a little tighter.

For a long moment, he just watched Cassian sleep lashes fluttering, breath even, finally at peace. Aiden’s chest ached with something tender and fierce. He’s safe. For now.

He let his gaze drift around the room, letting his mind wander. The soft morning light, the rumpled sheets, the quiet hum of the city outside it all felt fragile, like glass.

Then his eyes landed on the window.

It was half-open.

Aiden frowned.

Wasn’t it closed last night?

He always double-checked. After everything, he made sure every door was locked, every window latched. He’d done it himself before climbing into bed with Cassian.

His pulse quickened.

He shifted slowly, carefully sliding out from under Cassian without disturbing him, and sat up on the edge of the bed. His eyes scanned the floor near the window and froze.

There, scattered like fallen stars, were black rose petals.

And beneath them, half-hidden by the curtain, lay the bouquet Lucian had given Cassian the day before crushed, discarded, but unmistakable.

Aiden’s blood ran cold.

He was here.

He came inside.

"Hey what’s wrong?"

Leonel’s voice startled him. He’d just stepped into the doorway, arms crossed, expression softening as he watched them. But now, seeing Aiden’s face, his posture shifted instantly alert, tense.

Aiden didn’t speak. Just pointed.

Leonel followed his gaze.

His eyes narrowed. He walked over, knelt, and picked up the bouquet. The stems were snapped. The petals bruised. Someone had thrown it or dropped it in a hurry.

He looked from the flowers to the open window, then back to Aiden. His jaw clenched.

"That fucking psycho," Aiden hissed, voice low so Cassian wouldn’t wake. "Did he - did he come into our room?"

Leonel’s grip tightened on the bouquet. "Must have. While we were asleep."

Aiden’s stomach twisted. The thought of Lucian standing over Cassian in the dark, watching him breathe it made him want to vomit.

"We can’t let Cassian see this," Leonel said quietly, already moving. "He’ll panic. He’ll think he’s not safe here."

Aiden nodded fast. "Yeah. Yeah, you’re right."

Leonel strode to the trash bin in the corner and dropped the bouquet inside as if it were contaminated. Then he went to the window, checked the lock, and slid it shut with a firm click.

"Windows secure now," he muttered. "I’ll check the others too."

Aiden ran a hand through his hair, heart still pounding. "He’s not just watching anymore. He’s inside."

Leonel turned, eyes dark. "Then we double down. No more gaps. No more chances."

Aiden glanced back at Cassian, still curled on the bed, unaware.

"Okay," he whispered. "But for now... we pretend it didn’t happen."

Leonel nodded. "For now."

They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of the threat pressing in but neither moved toward the bed. Not yet.

Because as long as Cassian slept peacefully,

they’d carry the fear for him.

Cassian stirred awake slowly, blinking against the soft morning light. His mind was still wrapped in sleep, warm and hazy, until he became aware of Aiden beside him propped on one elbow, scrolling through his phone, expression focused.

Cassian couldn’t see the screen, but he didn’t care. He just watched Aiden for a quiet moment, heart swelling at the simple, ordinary comfort of it.

"Good morning," he murmured, voice still thick with sleep. He pushed himself up slowly, hair sticking up in every direction, eyes half-lidded and soft.

Aiden looked over and grinned.

Without a word, he set his phone down, cupped Cassian’s face, and kissed him deeply. Slow. Certain. Like he was savoring the quiet miracle of morning with him.

When he pulled back, he whispered, "Good morning, darling~"

Cassian’s sleepiness vanished in an instant.

His cheeks flushed hot, eyes wide. "I -I -ye-" he stammered, words tangling in his throat as last night’s memories rushed back the kiss, the closeness, the way Aiden had held him like he was something precious.

He ducked his head, fingers nervously smoothing his messy hair, but it only made him look more flustered.

Then he remembered Leonel.

He glanced toward the bean bag.

Empty.

"Where’s Leonel?" he asked, voice still a little breathless.

"Yep, he’s downstairs," Aiden said, stretching lazily. "Went to grab us breakfast. Said something about ’earning his spot back after losing the bed war.’" He smirked. "Go freshen up. We’ll come down too."

Cassian nodded, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. "Okay."

"Oh!" Aiden added, sitting up straighter. "We’re going out today! Thought we could do a little picnic somewhere quiet. Just us."

Cassian blinked. "A picnic? But... what about our classes?"

Aiden hummed, glancing at the clock on the wall. "I mean... look at the time. We can’t exactly rush to campus now, can we?"

Cassian followed his gaze.

**11:03 AM.**

His eyes shot wide. "IT’S 11 AM?!" he yelped, scrambling to his feet. "Holy shit!"

Aiden burst out laughing, doubling over with delight at Cassian’s horrified expression. "Relax! It’s holiday, dummy."

Cassian froze mid-panic. "...It is?"

"Yeah," Aiden said, still grinning. "No classes. No deadlines. Just us." He stood and walked over, wrapping his arms around Cassian from behind and resting his chin on his shoulder. "You’ve been so tense lately. I thought... maybe we could just breathe for a day."

Cassian leaned back into him, the last of his panic melting away. He exhaled slowly. "A picnic sounds... really nice."

"Good," Aiden said, pressing a kiss to his temple. "Now go wash your face before Leonel comes back and sees you looking like a startled kitten."

Cassian swatted at him half-heartedly, but his smile was soft as he headed to the bathroom.

Behind him, Aiden’s expression sobered for just a second. He glanced toward the window now firmly closed and the trash bin where the black roses had been.

But when Cassian turned back, Aiden’s smile was back in place, warm and steady.

Because today,

he’d make sure Cassian felt nothing but safe.