Chapter Four

Orion had to wrap one arm around Aiden’s waist, dragging him along to keep him steady. He wasn’t feeling well himself—he had just killed someone—but they needed to get home.

They were both deadly silent.

Orion didn’t ask anything.

Aiden didn’t try to explain.

His head hung low, eyes fixed on the ground. Kaito’s blue sneakers stared back at him, almost mocking him for his foolishness. That afternoon, Aiden had snuck out wearing Kaito’s shoes—newer, cleaner, faster. Kaito rarely left the house, so they were practically untouched. Aiden thought they’d help him run better.

How stupid of him.

When they finally reached the forest’s edge, Aiden tripped over a cluster of branches and nearly fell. Orion caught him just in time.

“Just a little further,” Orion whispered, trying to sound encouraging.

“I can’t.”

Aiden pulled away and sank down beneath an old oak tree.

“It’s almost dark. We’ve come this far…”

“I can’t go back. I can’t… look in their eyes. Not even yours.”

His voice trembled. He hugged himself, suddenly cold.

“I’m the one who should be saying that,” Orion muttered. “Come on. I’ll carry you home if I have to.”

“What are we going to tell the others?” Aiden asked, looking up at him with tearful eyes.

Orion clenched his jaw, silent for a moment.

“Nothing,” he said finally. “We won’t tell anyone about this.”

Aiden let out a sob, tears spilling freely now.

“He hates us now. I feel it. I think He hates me more. Maybe this isn’t punishment… maybe it’s proof. Proof that we were never pure to begin with.”

“Stop it, Aiden,” Orion snapped, though his own voice trembled. “He brought this upon us. He knew this would happen. He understands you. Don’t give up on trusting Him.”

He paused, breath catching.

“And I… I don’t regret what I did. I couldn’t just let go. If anyone’s going to be devastated, it’s me. He won’t forgive me, but… I love you all, Aiden. I would do anything for you.”

Aiden’s sobs began to fade. His heart felt ready to burst from the weight of tangled emotions.

He stood abruptly and threw his arms around Orion, holding him tightly.

It was the first time Orion had ever expressed his feelings so directly.

And that alone made Aiden feel… not entirely alone.

It was a sad kind of comfort, but comfort nonetheless—after everything.

The sudden hug caught Orion off guard.

Then again, he wasn’t exactly guarded in that moment.

Slowly, he relaxed and wrapped his arms around his brother, shielding him from the complex world around them.

“I love you, too,” Aiden whispered into Orion’s chest. “That’s why I couldn’t stand the thought of losing you—even if it meant choosing you over Father. He’s everywhere… but I wouldn’t be able to be with you anymore.”

Orion held him tighter, his tears falling silently onto Aiden’s hair.

They stood there, just holding each other, as the forest darkened around them.

“Let’s go home now,” Orion murmured softly.

They wiped their tears and began walking once more—this time with warmer hearts.

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