Aster sat stiffly on the couch, the ice pack pressed against his eye, his fingers curling and uncurling against his knee like he wasn't sure what to do with them.
Rea's mom had disappeared upstairs to get blankets, and her dad had retreated into the kitchen, leaving the two of them in heavy silence.
Rea exhaled, sinking into the armchair across from him. "You okay?"
Aster huffed a soft laugh. "Loaded question."
Rea frowned. "You know what I mean."
Aster dropped his gaze to the floor. "Yeah. I know."
Silence stretched between them, thick with everything he wasn't saying.
Rea wanted to push—wanted him to talk—but she didn't know where to start.
She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "What happened?"
Aster let out a slow breath, tipping his head back against the couch. "Same thing that always happens."
Rea clenched her jaw. "Jaxon?"
Aster didn't answer, but he didn't have to.
His silence said enough.
Rea swallowed back the anger rising in her chest. "Did he—" She hesitated. "Did he say anything?"
Aster was quiet for a long moment.
Then, so softly she almost didn't hear it—
"He said I was just like our dad."
Rea frowned. "What?"
Aster let out a short, bitter laugh. "He always says that. That I'm gonna turn out exactly like him." He flexed his bruised fingers. "Maybe he's right."
Rea's stomach twisted.
She didn't know much about Aster's dad—just that he wasn't in the picture anymore.
But the way Aster said it—like it was a curse—made her hate the man on instinct.
Rea shook her head. "You're nothing like him."
Aster let out another humorless chuckle. "You don't even know him."
"I don't need to," Rea shot back. "I know you."
Aster blinked, his lips parting slightly like he wasn't sure how to respond.
Rea pressed on. "You're not him, Aster. And you're not Jaxon either."
Aster scoffed, looking away. "Tell that to my reflection."
Rea's heart squeezed.
She got up before she could overthink it, crossing the space between them and sitting on the edge of the couch.
Aster stiffened.
She reached out slowly, resting her hand over his.
He didn't pull away.
"Look at me," she murmured.
Aster hesitated, then turned his head slightly, his good eye meeting hers.
Rea squeezed his hand. "You're not him."
Aster's fingers twitched under hers.
Then, so quietly she barely caught it—
"I don't know who I am."
Rea exhaled, her thumb brushing against his knuckles. "Then let's figure it out together."
Aster stared at her, something raw in his expression.
And for the first time since she'd met him, he looked scared.
Like he actually wanted to believe her.
Like he was afraid to.
Before he could say anything, Rea's mom came back downstairs, blankets in her arms.
Aster pulled his hand back, straightening.
Rea tried not to feel the loss.
Her mom gave them a small smile, setting the blankets down. "I put a pillow in the guest room if you'd rather sleep there, Aster."
Aster blinked. "You sure?"
Her mom's smile softened. "Of course."
Aster hesitated, then nodded. "Thanks."
Rea's mom patted his shoulder lightly before heading toward the kitchen.
Once she was gone, Rea nudged him lightly. "Come on, I'll show you where it is."
Aster let out a breath, standing slowly.
Rea led him upstairs, stopping in front of the guest room. She pushed the door open, revealing the neatly made bed and the small window overlooking the backyard.
Aster stepped inside, looking around like he wasn't sure he was allowed to.
Rea lingered in the doorway. "It's not much, but—"
"It's perfect," Aster murmured.
Rea blinked.
Aster ran a hand through his hair, exhaling. "Better than my place, at least."
Rea's chest ached.
She hesitated, then said softly, "You don't have to go back there."
Aster let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head. "It's not that simple, Rea."
Rea bit her lip. "It could be."
Aster sighed. "I appreciate what you're trying to do."
Rea crossed her arms. "I'm not trying to do anything. I just don't want you to keep getting hurt."
Aster looked at her for a long moment.
Then, so softly it was almost a whisper—
"Neither do I."
Rea swallowed.
Aster rubbed the back of his neck. "I should get some sleep."
Rea nodded. "Yeah. Right."
She turned to leave, but Aster's voice stopped her.
"Rea."
She looked back.
Aster hesitated, then gave her a small, tired smile.
"Thanks."
Rea's heart skipped.
She didn't trust herself to speak, so she just nodded before slipping out of the room.
And for the first time since she'd met Aster, she felt like maybe—just maybe—he was finally letting her in.