Hold Me Gently {PROLOGUE} 🩷

Cassian Marlow [Ml dad][DA]

Cassian Marlow [Ml dad][DA]

"Please, Lionel. Just this once, listen to your parents."

Cassian’s voice was tense, his head was about to brust, eyes darting toward the closed doors outside the room. Murmurs from the waiting guests seeped through.

Edward Gabriel [MC Dad] [DA]

Edward said while glancing on the other side not meeting Lionel's gaze.

Edward Gabriel [MC Dad] [DA]

"We can’t cancel the wedding now,"

Edward Gabriel [MC Dad] [DA]

"The press is here, the guests-

Lionel Cassian [ML][E]

"Do you hear yourself?" 💢

Lionel snapped, he rest his head on chair shoving a hand through his hair.

Lionel Cassian [ML][E]

"You want me to marry someone I don’t even love just to save your reputation?" ❄️

Avin, stepped forward, his eyes were red and tears were flowing.

Avin Cassian [ML Mom]

"He’s just a boy, he's innocent Lionel. My baby. Please—please save him."

Lionel Cassian [ML][E]

"I have a boyfriend, Mom! I love Lyle!"

Lionel Cassian [ML][E]

Lionel hide his face with his hands, His voice cracked, louder than he meant it to be. Silence filled the room.

Lionel Cassian [ML][E]

"It’s not my fault what happened to him,"

Lionel muttered, quieter now.

Lionel Cassian [ML][E]

"I didn’t hurt him. Why are you punishing me for it?"

Lionel Cassian [ML][E]

No one answered.

Meanwhile, in the bridal room, Emris sat still—his body perfect, his soul broken. White lace wrapped around him like chains. His cheeks were swollen from crying, and his lipstick was freshly retouched.

Emris Edward [MC] [DO]

Minho hovered beside him, gently holding his hand.

Minho Cassian [ML Y.Brother][O][Mute]

"Don’t worry, I know My brother he’ll come. He will."

Emris Edward [MC] [DO]

"He won’t,"

Emris Edward [MC] [DO]

Emris whispered.

Emris Edward [MC] [DO]

"He hates me."

He turned his head toward the door.

Emris Edward [MC] [DO]

"I want to hear what they’re saying." [expressionless]

Before anyone could stop him, he was gone. He moved quietly through the hallway. The closer he got, the more clearly he heard Lionel’s voice.

Lionel Cassian [ML][E]

"I can’t do th-." ❄️

Lionel Cassian [ML][E]

Emris opened the door. They all turned. Lionel froze mid-sentence.

Emris Edward [MC] [DO]

Emris stood at the threshold in full bridal wear—flushed, trembling, eyes wide and glassy. His voice came out broken.

Emris Edward [MC] [DO]

"Please... marry me."

Selene gasped softly.

Selene Edward [MC Mom]

Emri-

Emris Edward [MC] [DO]

"Mom Please"

Emris Edward [MC] [DO]

"Not for me. For them. For our parents."

Emris Edward [MC] [DO]

His lip trembled as tears flow.

Emris Edward [MC] [DO]

"I’ll behave. I’ll never ask for your love. I won’t even speak unless you allow me to. Just... just please, save me."

Lionel stared at him.

Emris Edward [MC] [DO]

Emris stepped forward, hands clutched together.

Emris Edward [MC] [DO]

"Please... I’ll never bother you. I promise. Just this once... protect me."

Something cracked inside Lionel. Maybe it was the way Emris looked—so small, so shattered. Maybe it was the desperation in his voice.

Emris Edward [MC] [DO]

Lionel turned to his father.

Lionel Cassian [ML][E]

"Get the priest." ❄️

Selene blinked.

Selene Edward [MC Mom]

"Re-ally?"

Lionel Cassian [ML][E]

"We’re getting married." ❄️

Avin burst into tears.

Avin Cassian [ML Mom]

"Thank you... thank you, my son."

Emris’s knees buckled. Raphael rushed to hold him,

Raphael Zayden [MC/ML cousin][DO]

EMR-

But Lionel beat him to it.

Lionel Cassian [ML][E]

"I said I’d do it, So stop crying"

Emris Edward [MC] [DO]

Lionel Cassian [ML][E]

He muttered. " let’s do it." [Make emris look at him]

Time Skip___Wedding Hall

Priest

"Are you ready?"

The priest asked, glancing between the two boys standing at the altar.

Lionel didn't respond. His jaw was tight, hands clenched at his sides.

Emris stood next to him, stiff, silent, lips trembling under soft pink lipstick. His veil framed his fragile face like glass.

Avin Cassian [ML Mom]

"Your can Start" [Said looking at the priest]

The priest cleared his throat.

Priest

"We are gathered here today..."

The rest of the words blurred. Emris blinked slowly, his ears ringing. His hands trembled.

Lionel glanced sideways. Emris’s knees were slightly shaking.

Priest

"Do you, Lionel Cassian, take Emris Adrian as your lawfully wedded wife?"

A pause. Long. Awkward. Heavy. Lionel inhaled sharply.

Lionel Cassian [ML][E]

"I do." ❄️ [Glance Towards Lyle]

Lyle Zavien [Bella's Brother][RO]

[A tear Slipped from his eye's]

Priest

"And do you, Emris Adrian, take Lionel Cassian as your lawfully wedded husband?"

Emris Edward [MC] [DO]

"I... I do."

His voice was barely a breath.

The priest smiled softly.

Priest

"Then by the power vested in me..." "You may now kiss the bride."

Silence. Emris stared at the ground. Lionel didn’t move.

Avin whispered from the crowd,

Avin Cassian [ML Mom]

"Lionel... please."

Lionel exhaled hard, stepped forward, and leaned in. He gently touched Emris’s forehead with his lips.

A whisper of a kiss.

He began to pull away.

Emris’s hand suddenly reached out—shaky fingers curling around Lionel’s collar.

Emris Edward [MC] [DO]

"Hold me,"

He whispered, so faint it was almost a sigh.

Emris Edward [MC] [DO]

"I can’t... feel my legs."

Lionel stiffened.

Then without a word, he pulled Emris into his arms—Tightly

Emris glance up to his chin

Emris Edward [MC] [DO]

"Gent-ly"

Lionel Cassian [ML][E]

What ? ❄️

Emris Edward [MC] [DO]

Hold Me Gently....

{TO BE CONTINUED}