“Mine, Even If You Hate Me”
(Aiden’s Penthouse – Late Night, Following the Luca Encounter)
The rain taps softly against the glass walls. Julian stands barefoot in the kitchen, sipping wine. He’s changed into a loose hoodie—one that doesn’t belong to him.
Aiden enters, tie undone, watching him from the doorway.
Julian Hale
(without turning)
You left it in my room. What, now I’m stealing?
Aiden Reiss
(low)
No. But I can smell you in it now. It’s… distracting.
Julian turns, leans against the counter, wine glass between his fingers like a shield.
Julian Hale
You make it sound like that’s my fault.
Aiden Reiss
(stepping closer)
It is.
There’s only the sound of rain, breathing, and the subtle shift in the air. Julian stiffens.
Aiden Reiss
(stops mid-step)
You’re entering pre-heat. I can smell it.
Julian Hale
(quietly)
I know.
Aiden exhales hard, gripping the edge of the marble counter as if it’s the only thing holding him back.
Aiden Reiss
You should be on suppressants.
Julian Hale
I skipped one dose. It’s not that serious.
Aiden Reiss
(voice deepening)
It is for me.
Julian tilts his head, testing the boundary between them.
Julian Hale
So what then?
You lock me up until I stop smelling tempting?
Aiden Reiss
(measured, strained)
I put space between us.
Because I’d rather suffer than touch you without consent.
Julian’s eyes widen slightly. That wasn’t what he expected.
Julian Hale
(soft)
You think I don’t feel it too?
Julian Hale
I don’t hate you.
I hate that I’m starting to not hate you.
Julian lies in bed, unable to sleep. The heat isn’t in full bloom, but it pulses under his skin. He texts Kai.
Julian Hale
(12:18 AM)
I almost kissed him.
Kaiyan River (Julian's Best Friend)
........👀
Julian Hale
Not because I wanted to.
Because I wanted him to want me.
Kaiyan River (Julian's Best Friend)
Babe. That’s not just heat.
That’s feelings.
Julian Hale
Then I’m screwed.
Flashback – Julian’s Childhood (Memory Sparked by Aiden’s Restraint)
A much younger Julian hides in a laundry closet while alphas argue downstairs. He clutches a broken suppressor patch.
Julian Hale
(whispering to himself)
No one will control me. No one.
(Present – Aiden’s Study)
Aiden stares at his phone. A message he wrote but didn’t send.
Aiden Reiss
(UNSENT DRAFT:)
"I want to be the first person who waits for you. No pressure. No claim. Just presence.
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