How to Survive as a BL Villain-Chapter 62: Not as Cassian

He just watched.

The way Aiden’s lashes fluttered in sleep.

The way Leonel’s fingers twitched, like he was holding on even in dreams.

The way the morning sun caught the faint dust on their hair golden, gentle, alive.

He didn’t know how long he stood there.

But when he finally stepped forward, quiet, careful

he didn’t go to the kitchen.

He didn’t turn away.

He just sat down on the floor beside the couch.

Not too close.

Not far enough.

Just... there.

Aiden stirred first.

His eyes fluttered open bleary, confused then sharpened when he saw Cassian.

He didn’t smile.

Didn’t say good morning.

Just sat up slowly, blinking, like he was still half in a dream.

Leonel woke a moment later.

He didn’t move right away.

Just looked at elliot.

And then slowly -

he reached out.

Not to touch him.

Not to pull him close.

Just... brushed the back of his hand against Elliot’s knee. and smiled being half asleep

A whisper of contact.

A silent question.

you okay?

Elliot swallowed.

His throat ached.

He looked down.

Then up.

And whispered so quiet, it almost didn’t make it past his lips almost like he would cry

"I thought you left."

Aiden’s eyes widened, seeing Elliot like that his eyes filled too.

Leonel didn’t speak.

He just leaned forward slowly, carefully

and pressed his forehead to Cassian’s.

A long, quiet breath.

Then, softly

"We didn’t leave you."

Aiden reached out, hand trembling, and pulled Cassian into his lap not like a child, not like a burden

but like something he’d been waiting to hold all night.

"I was scared," Aiden admitted, voice broken. "Scared that if I held you... You’d go away. Scared that if I loved you... I’d love a memory. But then I realized..." He pressed his cheek to Cassian’s hair. "I’m not loving the boy you were, who was my friend.

I’m loving the boy you are. and i will always love you for you"

Leonel pulled back just enough to look at him eyes , voice rough with emotion.

"We didn’t leave you," he repeated.

"We were just... figuring out how to love you without pretending you’re someone else. sorry for leaving you alone in the room" he gave a warm smile

Cassian didn’t cry.

Not then.

He just leaned into them Aiden’s arms, Leonel’s warmth

and let himself be held.

Not as Cassian

But as who he really was

Just... as him.

And for the first time

he didn’t feel like he had to be fixed.

He just had to be here.

And they were, too.

Right beside him.

Always.

They left the dorm together.

Not in silence this time.

But in something fragile, tender like morning light after a storm.

Aiden walked beside Elliot, shoulder brushing his with every step.

Leonel brought up the rear, hands in his pockets, eyes scanning the path like a quiet guardian.

For the first time in weeks, Elliot didn’t walk with his head down.

He kept it up.

Breathed deep.

Let the sun warm his face.

But as they passed through the campus gates, the air changed.

Whispers curled around them like smoke.

"That’s him."

"The one from the video."

"I can’t believe he’s still here."

"Did you see the part where Lucian said he -..."

Elliot didn’t flinch.

Didn’t freeze.

But his steps slowed.

Aiden felt it instantly. He turned, following Elliot’s gaze students glancing at them, phones raised, some recording, others just staring.

One girl dropped her notebook when she saw him.

Another quickly looked away, face pale.

Aiden exhaled sharply. "They’ve been talking," he said, voice low. "Since last night. The video... it leaked."

Elliot blinked. "The video?"

Aiden hesitated when we went to his hotel room he recorded us and our talks, and he said some pretty...not..good stuff and

Elliot stopped walking.

Not out of fear.

Not even sadness.

Just... recognition.

Of course he did.

Of course, hewould find out.

Of course the truth would be twisted into something grotesque.

He looked at Aiden. At Leonel.

And shook his head slowly.

"I knew something like this would happen," he said, voice soft but steady. "I’m not mad. I’m not scared."

He offered a small smile. "I have you both. That’s more than I ever had before."

And for a moment it was enough.

They went to class.

Sat together.

Aiden joked about the professor’s terrible tie.

Leonel stole Elliot’s pen and wouldn’t give it back.

Elliot laughed real, bright, unguarded.

At lunch, they sat under the oak tree, the same one from Aiden’s childhood memory.

They shared fries. Argued about music.

Leonel tried (and failed) to juggle apples.

Elliot leaned against Aiden’s shoulder, eyes half-closed, heart full.

But then

A shift.

A cold ripple beneath the warmth.

He opened his eyes.

And felt it.

Like a shadow passing behind his ribs.

Too much peace.

Too much laughter.

Too much love.

It wasn’t real.

It couldn’t be.

Because pain had always followed joy.

Every time he’d dared to hope

Damien had crushed it.

And now?

Now he was happy.

Too happy.

His breath hitched.

He sat up straighter.

Looked around.

Students still stared.

Phones still recorded.

But no one approached.

No one spoke.

And yet...

Something was wrong.

He scanned the courtyard.

The library windows.

The dorm balconies.

There was nothing wrong, he gulped and just stayed there looking around, hoping it wouldn’t collapse after a while, they were walking through the corridors

Then he saw it.

On the second floor of Wing B where new transfers were housed, a figure stood in the shadows.

Tall.

Still.

Watching.

Even from this distance, Elliot knew. he knew it was him but how can he be here it’s not possible he doesn’t study here everything felt weird

The way he tilted his head.

The way his fingers tapped against the windowpane.

The slow, deliberate lift of his hand two fingers pressed to his lips then pointed at him.

Damien.

Elliot’s blood turned to ice.

He didn’t move.

Didn’t speak.

Didn’t scream.

He just stared.

And Damien smiled.