Can't Do it anymore.

Lucian exhales sharply, his grip faltering, his frustration cracking through his voice. "Tell me one thing, Aiden, what do you want me to do? If you were me, what would you have done?"

Aiden swallows hard, his jaw clenched.

"Why can't you understand my struggles too?" Lucian's voice breaks now, his forehead pressing against Aiden's, his body tense with barely contained emotion. "If you really love me, then at least try to see it from my side! You think you're the only one suffering? I feel your pain, Aiden, but do you even feel mine?"

Aiden's breath catches. He does. He's felt it from the beginning. But what does it change?

"If I were you…" His voice is quiet, strained. "I would let go."

Lucian stills.

Aiden forces himself to meet his gaze, and for the first time, he sees the raw, unguarded hurt in Lucian's eyes.

His fingers twitch as if he wants to reach for Aiden again, but he hesitates.