How to Survive as a BL Villain-Chapter 52: A peaceful picnic

The bathroom door clicked shut, and the sounds of running water filled the silence. Aiden’s smile faltered, replaced by a deep furrow in his brow. He walked over to the window, running his hand along the now-locked frame. It was secure, yes, but the image of those scattered black petals, the crushed bouquet, was burned into his mind. Lucian had been here. In their room. While Cassian slept.

A cold dread coiled in his stomach. He glanced at the trash bin, a dark, empty void where the roses had been. Leonel had been quick, efficient. But what if Lucian had left something else? A note? A hidden camera? The thought sent a shiver down his spine. He ran his eyes over every surface, every shadow, suddenly hyper-aware of the vulnerability of their space.

Just as he was about to start a more thorough search, the door to the room creaked open, and Leonel poked his head in. He held a small, crumpled paper bag. His eyes immediately went to Aiden, then to the window, then to the closed bathroom door. A silent, tense acknowledgment passed between them.

"He’s in the shower," Aiden mouthed.

Leonel nodded, stepping inside and closing the door softly behind him. He walked over to Aiden, his expression grim. "I checked the whole floor. The hallway cameras aren’t working. Someone probably disabled them. There’s no sign of him anywhere else."

"He’s getting bolder," Aiden murmured, his voice tight. "He was *inside*. He watched Cassian sleep." The words tasted like ash.

Leonel’s jaw clenched. "I know. It’s why we need to be twice as careful. I’ve already put in a request for the university to fix the cameras, but it’ll take time. In the meantime, we become his shadow. One of us is always with him."

Aiden nodded. "Good. We were already doing that, but... now it’s non-negotiable. No more solo trips to the library, no more late-night walks." He paused, then looked at Leonel. "Did you find anything else?"

Leonel shook his head. "Nothing obvious. But I’ll keep my eyes open. I also sent a message to my contact in the city’s security. He owes me a favor. He can pull some strings, maybe get us a discreet patrol around the dorms."

"Good thinking," Aiden said, feeling a flicker of relief. Leonel was always practical, always thinking several steps ahead. It was a good balance to Aiden’s own more impulsive, protective instincts.

The sound of the shower stopping signaled Cassian would be out soon. Their conversation ended abruptly, the unspoken agreement to maintain normalcy heavy in the air.

"Breakfast is ready downstairs," Leonel announced, his voice suddenly lighter as he held up the paper bag. "I got us some pastries and coffee. Figured it’d be faster than waiting for me to cook."

"just admit u burned something again," Aiden said. Leonel rolled his eyes. "ok yeah, whatever". "Cassian loves those chocolate croissants tho."

The bathroom door opened, and Cassian emerged, hair damp and smelling faintly of their shared citrusy shower gel. He was wearing a soft grey hoodie and sweatpants, looking utterly adorable and completely oblivious.

"Morning, Leonel," Cassian said, his voice still a little soft from sleep, a genuine smile gracing his lips.

Leonel’s tense shoulders relaxed imperceptibly. He returned the smile, a little more genuine this time. "Morning, sleepyhead. Got you a chocolate croissant. Thought you might be starving after all that... beauty sleep." He winked, and Cassian’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink.

Aiden chuckled, stepping forward to ruffle Cassian’s still-damp hair. "Don’t let him tease you. He’s just jealous he didn’t get to sleep in."

"Oh, I slept just fine," Leonel retorted, already heading for the door. "On a perfectly comfortable beanbag, thank you very much. Now come on, before the coffee gets cold."

As they made their way downstairs, the easy banter flowed, a fragile shield against the unsettling reality that hummed beneath the surface. Cassian, blissfully unaware, laughed freely, his eyes bright. Aiden and Leonel exchanged subtle glances, a silent pact solidifying between them. They would be his guardians, his unwitting protectors. Today, they would give him peace.

Then, after a few hours later they packed some food which Leonel brought and went to the picnic

The park they chose was a little-known spot on the outskirts of the city, a hidden gem nestled beside a winding river. Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy of trees, dappling the grass in shifting patterns of light and shadow. The air was cool and crisp, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and blooming wildflowers. It was perfect.

Leonel, ever the organizer, had packed a ridiculously elaborate picnic basket. There were gourmet sandwiches, a variety of cheeses, fresh fruit, homemade lemonade, and even a small box of Cassian’s favorite macarons. He spread out a large, checkered blanket under an ancient oak tree, arranging everything with meticulous care.

Cassian, looking genuinely relaxed for the first time in days, helped unpack. He kept glancing at Aiden, a soft, shy smile playing on his lips, recalling the morning’s kiss. Aiden caught his eye every time, his own smile warm and reassuring, a silent promise of more to come.

"This is amazing, Leonel," Cassian said, biting into a cucumber and cream cheese sandwich. "Seriously, you out did yourself."

Leonel preened slightly. "Only the best for my... roommates. Can’t have you two starving, can we?" He shot a pointed look at Aiden, who merely smirked.

They ate slowly, savoring the food and the rare tranquility. Cassian leaned back against the tree trunk, eyes half-closed, listening to the gentle murmur of the river and the distant chirping of birds. For a while, the tension that usually clung to him seemed to dissipate like morning mist.

Aiden watched him, a fierce tenderness in his gaze. This was what he wanted for Cassian. Peace. Safety. Happiness. He knew it wouldn’t last forever, not with Lucian still out there, but for this moment, he would cherish it.

After they finished eating, Leonel pulled out a well-worn deck of cards. "Anyone for a game of Rummy?"

Cassian brightened. "Oh, I love Rummy! But I haven’t played in ages."

"Perfect," Leonel grinned, shuffling the cards with practiced ease. "Aiden’s terrible at it, so it’ll be a fair fight." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"Hey!" Aiden protested, though he was already settling in, ready for the challenge. "I’m not terrible, I’m just... strategically unpredictable."

They played for over an hour, the quiet park filled with their laughter and playful jabs. Cassian, initially rusty, quickly got back into the swing of things, his competitive spirit emerging. He even managed to beat Aiden twice, much to Aiden’s feigned dismay and Leonel’s genuine delight.

As the afternoon wore on, a gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, and Cassian, tired from the game and the unaccustomed relaxation, found himself drifting. He curled up against Aiden’s side, his head resting on his shoulder, eyes fluttering shut.

Aiden instinctively wrapped an arm around him, pulling him closer. He glanced at Leonel, who was quietly packing up the picnic basket, his expression unreadable.

Leonel caught his gaze, and a slight nod passed between them. *He’s safe here. For now.*

"I’m going to go explore that little path by the river," Leonel announced, his voice deliberately casual. "See if there are any interesting birds. You two... take a nap or something." He stood up, basket in hand, and walked away without another word, giving them space.

Aiden smiled softly, adjusting Cassian’s head on his shoulder. He ran a hand through Cassian’s soft hair, feeling the steady rhythm of his breathing. The sun was beginning to dip, casting long, golden shadows across the grass.

He closed his eyes for a moment, just breathing in Cassian’s scent, feeling the warmth of his body against his own. It was a moment of pure, unadulterated contentment.

But even in this idyllic setting, the shadow of Lucian lingered. Aiden’s senses remained on high alert, his ears straining for any unusual sound, his eyes scanning the periphery through half-closed lids. He might be relaxing, but he was never truly off guard.

He felt Cassian stir, a soft sigh escaping his lips. "This is... nice," Cassian mumbled, not quite awake.

"Yeah," Aiden whispered back, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. "It is."

He held Cassian closer, a silent promise echoing in his heart. He would fight for this peace, for this safety, for this gentle happiness. He would not let Lucian, or anyone, take it away. Not if he could help it.

As the sun dipped lower, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, Aiden stayed there, holding Cassian, a vigilant guardian in a world that was both beautiful and increasingly dangerous. He felt the weight of the secret they were keeping, the burden of protection, but he also felt an unwavering resolve.

He would protect Cassian, even if it meant carrying the fear for him, day after day, night after night. Because Cassian deserved to feel safe, to feel loved, and to simply... breathe. And Aiden, with Leonel’s quiet support, would ensure he did.