Sunset Valley and leave you like they left me here

He couldn't have missed the way Aditya stiffened; it stung, honestly, but he understood— and he knew not to do it again. Quiet now, he curled himself up again. The exposed feeling was back, and all he could hear was "Do you want me?"

But the other was speaking. Alarian nodded mutely, then realized it would not be enough. Yes, It was quiet; he wished he didn't mean it. He wished he was petty enough to hold this against his friend— to hate him for not wanting him. It was stupid, though, wasn't it? Aditya, who had a mate— Aditya, who he hadn't even considered for that very reason until his gaze had turned hungry on him. That made it worse, he thought; he had been fine before that.
And now he felt rejected by a man who had come on to him with such intensity. It's okay, He repeated, though he wondered if he was speaking to himself or to Aditya. I— I know you didn't mean it. He knew very well, now.