Yuuto stood frozen, the echo of Aiden's words pounding in his ears.
Ten years left.
"What… what do you mean by that?" he asked, stepping forward.
Aiden didn't turn around. His voice was too calm. Too practiced.
"I have a rare condition. Heart-related. Untreatable. Doctors say I have around ten years. Maybe less."
Yuuto stared at him. "You speak like it's a deadline on a project."
"It is," Aiden said quietly. "My entire life is scheduled. Planned. Until the end."
Yuuto's heart twisted.
The cold CEO wasn't cold—he was protecting himself.
"But… why would you save me? Why bring someone like me into your life if you only have ten years?"
Aiden turned finally. His eyes met Yuuto's.
"Because you looked at me like I was human, not just powerful. And maybe…" He hesitated. "Maybe I wanted something real, even if it doesn't last forever."
The silence between them grew heavier. But it wasn't uncomfortable.
It was magnetic.
Yuuto stepped closer. "Then don't push me away. I don't care about ten years. I care about now."
"Yuuto…"
He was already in front of Aiden—close enough to feel his breath.
Their eyes locked.
"I want to stay with you," Yuuto whispered. "Even if it hurts later."
Aiden's hand slowly reached out, brushing Yuuto's cheek, then slipping to his neck.
"Do you know what you're saying?" he asked, his voice low, rough.
Yuuto nodded. "Yes."
And then—
Their lips met.
Slow. Warm. Searching.
It wasn't rushed. It wasn't forced.
It was needed.
Aiden kissed him like he'd been waiting for this—starved for something soft, something real.
Yuuto clung to his shirt, melting into it.
When they finally pulled apart, breathless, Aiden whispered against his lips:
"Then don't you dare leave before I do."