Riven awoke slowly, as though rising from a dream he didn't want to leave.
For a moment, he didn't open his eyes.
He simply breathed — warm air, faint cologne, the steady rhythm of a heartbeat under his cheek.
Then it hit him.
He wasn't in his room.
He wasn't alone.
He was wrapped in Eli's arms.
His eyes flew open, heart kicking against his ribs. The rooftop was still dim with early morning light, the sky painted soft orange. A jacket — Eli's jacket — covered both of them like a blanket.
Eli's chin rested gently on Riven's head, their hands intertwined as if even sleep refused to separate them.
A tiny, unplanned smile tugged at Riven's lips.
So it wasn't a dream.
He shifted slightly, and Eli stirred.
"Good morning…" Eli murmured, voice low and sleepy. His eyes opened halfway, soft, warm, filled with the memory of last night.
Riven's face flushed instantly. "W-we fell asleep here?"
"Mhm." Eli smirked. "You wouldn't stop clinging to me."
Riven's jaw dropped. "What—! I did not—"
"You did," Eli teased, brushing a stray strand of hair from Riven's forehead. "But don't worry. I liked it."
Riven huffed and looked away, cheeks burning — but he didn't pull his hand from Eli's. In fact, Eli squeezed it gently, and Riven squeezed back.
For a moment, the world felt peaceful.
But peace rarely lasted.
A hard vibration broke the silence — Eli's phone, buzzing repeatedly.
Eli's expression shifted.
Riven sat up, anxiety creeping in.
"Who is it?" Riven asked.
Eli looked at the screen. His jaw tightened.
"My father."
Riven's stomach dropped.
Eli silenced the call, but another came immediately — then another.
Dozens of unread messages flashed across the screen.
Get home NOW.
We need to talk.
Where are you?
This is unacceptable.
Riven felt his breath falter.
"Eli… maybe you should go home. He sounds really angry."
Eli shook his head. "I'm not leaving you."
"But you'll get in trouble—"
"I don't care."
Riven felt warmth and fear crash in his chest at the same time. Eli's defiance… it meant everything, but the consequences scared him.
"Eli… what if this becomes a problem? What if last night—us—causes something terrible for you?"
Eli cupped Riven's face gently, forcing him to meet his eyes.
"This—" he said softly, thumb brushing Riven's cheek, "—is not something terrible. You hear me? You are not something terrible."
Riven's eyes stung.
"But the world doesn't see it like that," he whispered.
"Then let the world be blind," Eli replied. "I'm done hiding."
Riven blinked, stunned. "You're… willing to face them? All of them?"
"Only if it means I get to choose you," Eli said.
Riven felt it then — an overwhelming mix of fear, hope, love, and disbelief.
He leaned forward, forehead touching Eli's once again.
"I don't want to be the reason you fight with your family," Riven whispered.
Eli shook his head gently. "You're the reason I'm finally fighting for myself."
Riven stayed quiet, absorbing those words.
Then Eli stood, offering his hand.
"Come on. Let's go home. Whatever happens, we face it together."
Riven hesitated — then placed his hand in Eli's.
His fingers trembled, but his steps didn't.
They left the rooftop, side by side.
Two shadows walking into the morning light,
ready or not,
toward the storm waiting for them.
But for the first time in Riven's life…
He didn't feel alone.