"Adrian, you sound completely serious," Charles said, searching his friend's eyes. "What happened?"
Adrian froze under his gaze. For a moment, he couldn't speak.
Charles took another step closer.
"Adrian," he called again, more gently this time. "What's going on?"
"Hey… what is it?" Frank asked, more seriously.
Adrian swallowed hard.
He opened his mouth—
Then stopped.
I promised him…
His hands clenched slightly at his sides.
"It's nothing," Adrian said quickly.
He forced himself to take a slow breath, trying to calm his racing heart.
"Just… don't say things like that, Charles," he murmured. "Even as a joke. Words have weight, and you never know who might hear them and take them the wrong way."
Charles didn't move. He just stared at him.
"You're lying," he said l.
"I'm not—" Adrian murmured.
"You are," Charles cut in, I know you."
Frank frowned, looking between both of them in confusion.
"What the hell is going on?" he muttered.
