The man tilted his head slightly and leaned in until their foreheads touched. Cassian opened his eyes briefly and caught a glimpse of the glowing crimson eyes. Their intensity was softened by an emotion he could not name.
Their breaths mingled in the cool air. The space between them was reduced to mere inches. Cassian's fingers tightened around the man's hand as if he was afraid this moment would slip away.
The man let go of Cassian's hand. He brought both arms around him instead and pulled him into a firm yet gentle embrace. Cassian melted into it and rested his head against the man's broad shoulder.
The warmth of the embrace felt like a sanctuary. It felt as if nothing in the world could touch them here.