Adrian didn't know why he came. He knew better. And still, he showed up.
Rion was already there. Of course he was.
Leaning against the railing like he had nowhere else to be, like time slowed down around him. His gaze lifted the moment Adrian stepped closer. There was no smile this time. Just recognition.
"Didn't think you would come."
Adrian stopped a few feet away. "I said I would."
Rion tilted his head slightly, studying him.
"People say a lot of things."
Something about the way he said it made Adrian's jaw tighten. "Yeah," he replied, quieter now. "Well, I'm not people."
For a second, neither of them moved. Then Rion turned, gesturing toward the range.
"Come on."
"Grip."
Adrian adjusted his hold on the club.
"Wrong."
Before he could react, Rion stepped behind him. Close. Too close. His hand closed over Adrian's, firm this time, not gentle, not hesitant. He corrected his grip slowly, deliberately, like he had all the time in the world.
Adrian's breath caught.
"Relax," Rion murmured. His voice was lower now. Closer.
Adrian didn't. He couldn't.
Rion's other hand settled briefly at his waist, steadying him. Not lingering but not rushed either. Controlled. Everything about him felt controlled.
"Like this," Rion continued, guiding his arms.
Adrian swallowed hard.
"You're tense."
"I'm fine."
"No," Rion said quietly, "you're not."
The certainty in his voice made something twist in Adrian's chest.
He swung. Missed.
Rion didn't laugh this time. He leaned in slightly instead, closer to his ear. "You keep thinking too much."
Adrian stepped forward abruptly, breaking the contact. "Maybe you're just a bad teacher."
Rion's gaze followed him, slow and unreadable. "Or maybe," he said, "you don't like being seen."
Adrian didn't respond. Because that felt too close to the truth.
They left earlier than planned.The air between them had changed. Heavier. Quieter. More dangerous.
The walk didn't help. If anything, it made it worse. No distractions. No movement. Just silence and awareness.
Adrian could feel him beside him without looking. Every step, every shift, every breath.
"Adrian." He stopped. Turned. Mistake.
They were too close again. Closer than before. Rion didn't move.
This time, Adrian noticed. And didn't step back. "What?" he asked. His voice was lower now. Not steady.
Rion's eyes didn't leave his face. Then slowly his gaze dropped. Adrian felt it. That look. That pause. That moment where something could still be stopped. But wasn't.
Rion reached for him. Not sudden. Not rushed. Certain. His hand wrapped around Adrian's wrist, pulling him just enough.
Adrian's back met the wall. Not hard. But final. There was no space left between them now. No pretending. No distance.
"You should've left earlier," Rion said quietly.
Adrian's breath hitched.
"What?" But he didn't get an answer.
Because this time, Rion didn't wait.
The kiss wasn't soft. It wasn't asking. It was decisive. Like Rion had already made up his mind.
Adrian froze. Just for a second. And that second was enough. Enough to feel it. Enough to react...too late.
He pushed Rion back, harder than before.
His breathing was uneven now, his chest rising too fast. "What was that?" he snapped.
Rion didn't move. Didn't apologize. Didn't look away. He just watched him. Like he was waiting. For what, Adrian didn't know.
"That shouldn't have happened," Adrian said quickly, the words coming out sharper now. Defensive. Unsteady.
Rion's expression didn't change. "You didn't stop me." The words landed harder than they should have.
Adrian's jaw tightened. "I didn't expect you to"
"To what?" Rion cut in quietly.
Adrian didn't answer. The silence stretched.
Uncomfortable. Heavy.
"I should go," Adrian said finally.
This time, it wasn't rushed. It was controlled.
Like he was forcing himself to sound normal.
Rion stepped back first. Just enough space.
"Yeah," he said. Flat.
Adrian walked away. This time, he didn't run. But every step felt wrong. Like something had shifted and he didn't know how to shift it back.
His phone buzzed later. He didn't check it immediately. When he finally did
Rion: I shouldn't have done that.
A pause.
Then
Rion: But I don't regret it.
Adrian's chest tightened. Worse than before.
Another message came through.
Rion: Tell me to stop.
Adrian stared at the screen. Longer this time.
His fingers hovered. Then dropped. He locked his phone. Set it aside. And said nothing.