Chapter 6
Rian drove home, the city dark around him. He parked and stepped inside the house; the lights flicked on, revealing Adrian sitting on the couch.
"You're late," Adrian said without turning.
Rian looked at him. "I lost track of time with Vanessa," he said, taking off his shoes.
"Really?" Adrian's tone was calm, almost teasing.
"I'm sorry," Rian added, walking toward the bedroom.
Adrian's gaze followed him, a storm brewing in his dark eyes. He stood and moved closer, his presence pressing in. Rian was unbuttoning his shirt. Adrian moved closer and wrapped his arms around him from behind.
"I was worried," Adrian murmured, pressing his lips against Rian's neck.
"Well, I did tell you I was at Vanessa's, but… it's okay," Rian said, trying to stay calm.
Adrian's hand slipped under his shirt as he kissed lower, closer to Rian's collarbone.
"Umm… Adrian, not tonight,I'm kinda tired tonight," Rian said, breaking free and walking to the wardrobe.
Adrian licked his lips, ran a hand through his hair, and stepped closer again. As Rian turned toward the bathroom, Adrian grabbed his arm and pressed the back of his head, crashing his lips onto Rian's forcefully.
Rian struggled, pushing him away, but Adrian was stronger. Rian bit his lip hard, that made Adrian finally released him, Rian staggered back, his lips bleeding.
"What the hell?" Adrian shouted, covering his mouth, Rian retreating into the bathroom and locking the door.
Adrian banged on it. "Rian, open it! Open the damn door!," he said, his voice high.
Rian pressed against the door, breathing heavily. He didn't answer.
Adrian's voice softened after a while. "I'm sorry, baby… open the door, please, let talk about this, my love," he said, but Rian stayed silent, the lock holding firm.
---
Rian gripped the sink, staring at himself in the mirror. His reflection looked pathetic, hollow. Why do things always happen to me? he thought. There must be something wrong with me. I must be the problem.
His mind wandered, slipping into a memory…
A younger Rian ran home from school, dropping his bag by the door. The sweet smell of pie filled the air. His mother was in the kitchen, flour dusting her hands, while his father—strong, broad-shouldered, every bit the image of a man—everything he wasn't,sat at the table .
"Hey, Dad!" Rian grinned.
"Welcome, son," his father replied warmly.
"You're back early," Rian said, surprised.
His father chuckled, the kind of laugh that made the house feel alive. They weren't rich, but they weren't poor either. His father worked as a supervisor at a construction company, his mother ran a salon nearby. Simple, happy days.
His mother appeared with a fresh pie. "Go change, have a shower before you touch my pie."
"Fineee," Rian sighed dramatically, making them laugh, before heading upstairs.
He showered quickly, toweling his hair dry. On his desk sat a book. Across the cover: Alex Caslon. Rian bit his lip, girlishly, his fingers brushing his own lips as though remembering something—something that made his heart flutter.
"Rian!" his mother called from downstairs.
"Coming, Ma!" he shouted back, running down, grinning.
—
A loud thud snapped him back to the present.
The bathroom door creaked open—Adrian stood there.
Rian instinctively moved back.
"I'm sorry," Adrian said softly, stepping in. His face looked almost broken. "I don't know what came over me… I'm sorry, babe."
Rian glanced around, half-ready to grab anything for defense. But then Adrian dropped to his knees, clutching his leg.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. Please forgive me." His voice shook, almost childlike.
Rian looked down at him. Adrian seemed harmless like this—but Rian knew better.
"You've stopped taking your medications," Rian said quietly.
Adrian's eyes lifted to his. "…Yes. But I'll go back to them."
Rian hesitated, then helped him up. They returned to the room. Rian took out the pill bottle, poured him a glass of water, and handed it over.
"Thank you," Adrian whispered, swallowing the medicine. Then he leaned into Rian, arms circling his waist.
Rian ran a hand through his hair, staring into space. "We're going to see the psychiatrist tomorrow."
Adrian nodded against him. "Anything you say. Please don't leave me"
But inside, Rian knew the truth. Vanessa had been right. He was playing with fire. And yet… something about Adrian always made him feel responsible for him, no matter how much it burned.