The gallery was silent now.
Light streamed through the fractured panes, painting golden streaks across skin that still hummed from the night before. Cassian sat on the floor, shirt unbuttoned, head tilted back against the cool wall as he watched Riven—who stood barefoot, silent, and shirtless in front of his newest canvas.
It was blank.
But the tension between them was anything but.
"I don't know how to paint this," Riven said finally, voice quiet. "Last night wasn't... rage. Or resentment. It wasn't pain disguised as pleasure."
"No," Cassian agreed. "It was surrender."
Riven turned, eyes unreadable. "And now?"
Cassian stood, slowly walking toward him, each step deliberate. "Now it's choice."
Riven's jaw tightened. He wanted to believe, but the world had taught him not to. Cassian had taught him not to. "And if you choose wrong?"
"Then I live with the consequences," Cassian said, stopping just in front of him. "But I won't pretend I don't want you. That I don't ache for you in rooms full of people. That every part of me doesn't unravel when I hear your voice."
Riven shuddered. He tried to look away—but Cassian caught his face gently.
"You're not a secret anymore," Cassian said. "I won't hide this. I won't chain you down."
Riven blinked once. "You already have."
Their mouths met again—but this kiss was different. Slow. Measured. A dance between hunger and hesitation. It was not about dominance. It was about permission. A question asked with every brush of tongue and press of palm.
Cassian's fingers traced along Riven's spine, mapping him like scripture. "Tell me what you want."
Riven's breath hitched. "Everything."
The studio door slammed behind them.
They didn't fumble this time. Didn't rush. They peeled each other open like confessions—slow, raw, and reverent. Every kiss a vow. Every mark a declaration. Hands gripped tighter. Skin burned hotter. They moved like storm and sanctuary—consumed and consuming.
No chains.
Just desire.
Just them.
Later, tangled in a mess of sheets and each other, Riven traced a finger over Cassian's chest.
"This won't be easy."
Cassian caught his hand and kissed it. "I don't want easy. I want real."
And in that fragile moment between breath and promise, they both chose the fire again.
Together.