Hold Me Gently
[INTRODUCTION]
Age: 17
Likes: Sleeping, cuddles, sweet things, teasing Lionel
Dislikes: Being ignored, early mornings, loud people
Personality: Spoiled, clingy, mischievous, soft
Background: The Only Son of Edward and Aroha, Emris has always been pampered and protected. He's sweet but bratty, often using his charm to get what he wants especially when it comes to Lionel, his favorite target and comfort.
Age: 19
Likes: Basketball, hanging out with friends, teasing Emris, his crush (his sister-in-law's younger brother)
Dislikes: Studying, rules, family pressure, clingy people (except Emris... sometimes)
Personality: Bold, cheerful, rebellious, flirty
Background: The lively captain of the college basketball team, Lionel is known for his charm and carefree attitude. Despite his playful nature, he's under pressure from strict parents at home because of his studies. He bunks classes often, lives for the game, and secretly nurses a crush on a boy he shouldn't fall for—while being constantly pestered by the one boy who never leaves him alone: Emris.
Minho Cassian [ML Y.Brother][O][Mute]
Age: 17
Likes: Books, quiet places, soft music, his secret crush
Dislikes: Physical touch, crowds, conflict
Personality: Soft, polite, shy, observant
Background: Lionel’s younger brother, Minho is gentle and reserved. He keeps to himself, hides his feelings well, and quietly admires someone from afar—never daring to get to close.
Xavier Cassian [ML Brother][DA]
Age: 26
Likes: Bella, order, responsibility, early mornings
Dislikes: Laziness, mess, emotional chaos (unless it's Bella)
Personality: Responsible, composed, loyal, emotionally reserved
Background: The eldest Cassian brother, Xavier manages the family business with a calm, commanding presence. He's mature and dependable, a total green flag when it comes to his girlfriend Bella—his one soft spot. To everyone else, he remains cool, distant, and strictly business.
Raphael Zayden [MC/ML cousin][DO]
Age: 18
Likes: Fashion, elegance, Xavier, compliments
Dislikes: Being ignored, getting dirty, awkward silence, rejection
Personality: Sassy, stubborn, sensitive, graceful
Background: Raphael is elegant, sharp-tongued, and deeply emotional beneath the sass. Orphaned young, he was raised alongside Emris and Lionel as their cousin. Though engaged to Xavier Lionel’s older brother’s friend—Raphael secretly admires him from afar, never having had the courage to truly speak his heart.
Asher Miller [Emris Friend][E/B]
Age: 18
Likes: Emris, cuddles, quiet spaces, coding, the idea of marriage and babies
Dislikes: Being called a Beta, loud people, strangers touching him, his parents, being underestimated
Personality: Clingy, nerdy, sweet, emotionally soft but secretly strong, loyal to a fault
Background: Abandoned by both parents but rich beyond belief, Asher prefers to lay low despite his wealth. Thought to be a Beta due to his scentless body, he’s actually a powerful enigma with a hidden identity. He keeps his distance from most—except Emris, his best friend and emotional anchor. All he wants is to build the loving home he never had.
Zayden Marverick [Xavier Friend][DA]
Age: 25
Likes: Order, silence, control, watching Raphael pout
Dislikes: Drama, disobedience, emotional messes
Personality: Cold, calculating, strict, secretly possessive
Background: A powerful men,with no interest in love, Zayden agreed to the engagement with Raphael only to fulfill Xavier’s mother's wish for him to settle down. Though emotionally detached, he’s undeniably drawn to Raphael’s beauty and chaos, often trying (and failing) to discipline him. He doesn’t see Raphael as a lover—yet—still, he insists the boy start using his surname.
Zane Matteo [ML Friend][DA]
Age: 20
Likes: Minho, Emris, flirting, parties, fast cars
Dislikes: Commitment, fake people, being ignored
Personality: Playful, flirty, charismatic, secretly loyal
Background: A carefree playboy, Zane treats Minho and Emris like brothers. Though he hops between flings, his loyalty to his inner circle runs deep. He's best friend of Lionel, keeping things light but always watching out for his own.
{PROLOGUE} 🩷
Cassian Marlow [Ml dad][DA]
Cassian Marlow [Ml dad][DA]
"Please, Lionel. Just this once, listen to your parents."
Cassian’s voice was tense, his head was about to brust, eyes darting toward the closed doors outside the room. Murmurs from the waiting guests seeped through.
Edward Gabriel [MC Dad] [DA]
Edward said while glancing on the other side not meeting Lionel's gaze.
Edward Gabriel [MC Dad] [DA]
"We can’t cancel the wedding now,"
Edward Gabriel [MC Dad] [DA]
"The press is here, the guests-
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
"Do you hear yourself?" 💢
Lionel snapped, he rest his head on chair shoving a hand through his hair.
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
"You want me to marry someone I don’t even love just to save your reputation?" ❄️
Avin, stepped forward, his eyes were red and tears were flowing.
Avin Cassian [ML Mom]
"He’s just a boy, he's innocent Lionel. My baby. Please—please save him."
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
"I have a boyfriend, Mom! I love Lyle!"
Lionel hide his face with his hands, His voice cracked, louder than he meant it to be. Silence filled the room.
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
"It’s not my fault what happened to him,"
Lionel muttered, quieter now.
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
"I didn’t hurt him. Why are you punishing me for it?"
Meanwhile, in the bridal room, Emris sat still—his body perfect, his soul broken. White lace wrapped around him like chains. His cheeks were swollen from crying, and his lipstick was freshly retouched.
Minho hovered beside him, gently holding his hand.
Minho Cassian [ML Y.Brother][O][Mute]
"Don’t worry, I know My brother he’ll come. He will."
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
"He won’t,"
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
"He hates me."
He turned his head toward the door.
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
"I want to hear what they’re saying." [expressionless]
Before anyone could stop him, he was gone. He moved quietly through the hallway. The closer he got, the more clearly he heard Lionel’s voice.
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
"I can’t do th-." ❄️
Emris opened the door.
They all turned.
Lionel froze mid-sentence.
Emris stood at the threshold in full bridal wear—flushed, trembling, eyes wide and glassy. His voice came out broken.
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
"Please... marry me."
Selene Edward [MC Mom]
Emri-
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
"Mom Please"
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
"Not for me. For them. For our parents."
His lip trembled as tears flow.
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
"I’ll behave. I’ll never ask for your love. I won’t even speak unless you allow me to. Just... just please, save me."
Emris stepped forward, hands clutched together.
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
"Please... I’ll never bother you. I promise. Just this once... protect me."
Something cracked inside Lionel. Maybe it was the way Emris looked—so small, so shattered.
Maybe it was the desperation in his voice.
Lionel turned to his father.
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
"Get the priest." ❄️
Selene Edward [MC Mom]
"Re-ally?"
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
"We’re getting married." ❄️
Avin Cassian [ML Mom]
"Thank you... thank you, my son."
Emris’s knees buckled. Raphael rushed to hold him,
Raphael Zayden [MC/ML cousin][DO]
EMR-
But Lionel beat him to it.
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
"I said I’d do it, So stop crying"
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
He muttered. " let’s do it." [Make emris look at him]
The priest asked, glancing between the two boys standing at the altar.
Lionel didn't respond. His jaw was tight, hands clenched at his sides.
Emris stood next to him, stiff, silent, lips trembling under soft pink lipstick. His veil framed his fragile face like glass.
Avin Cassian [ML Mom]
"Your can Start" [Said looking at the priest]
The priest cleared his throat.
Priest
"We are gathered here today..."
The rest of the words blurred. Emris blinked slowly, his ears ringing. His hands trembled.
Lionel glanced sideways. Emris’s knees were slightly shaking.
Priest
"Do you, Lionel Cassian, take Emris Adrian as your lawfully wedded wife?"
A pause. Long. Awkward. Heavy.
Lionel inhaled sharply.
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
"I do." ❄️ [Glance Towards Lyle]
Lyle Zavien [Bella's Brother][RO]
Lyle Zavien [Bella's Brother][RO]
[A tear Slipped from his eye's]
Priest
"And do you, Emris Adrian, take Lionel Cassian as your lawfully wedded husband?"
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
"I... I do."
His voice was barely a breath.
The priest smiled softly.
Priest
"Then by the power vested in me..." "You may now kiss the bride."
Silence.
Emris stared at the ground.
Lionel didn’t move.
Avin whispered from the crowd,
Avin Cassian [ML Mom]
"Lionel... please."
Lionel exhaled hard, stepped forward, and leaned in. He gently touched Emris’s forehead with his lips.
Emris’s hand suddenly reached out—shaky fingers curling around Lionel’s collar.
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
"Hold me,"
He whispered, so faint it was almost a sigh.
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
"I can’t... feel my legs."
Then without a word, he pulled Emris into his arms—Tightly
Emris glance up to his chin
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
"Gent-ly"
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
What ? ❄️
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
Hold Me Gently....
Chapter [1]: {Default mode: Chaos}
The morning was supposed to be quiet.
That is, until a loud crash echoed down the hall, followed by a scream.
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
“WHAT THE HELL, LIONEL?!” 💢
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
“Don’t yell at me like I killed someone, Emris!” 💢
Everyone jumped at the sound.
Coming from emris room.
In a matter of seconds, Emris’s parents, Lionel’s parents, and even the housemaid were halfway down the hall, rushing toward the commotion. Halfway to the room, more yelling.
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
“You BROKE IT! My entire presentation! My project! I worked on that for a week, Lionel!” ❄️
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
“I just came to get your stupid charger! Mine wasn’t working! It’s not my fault your ‘masterpiece’ shattered like a cheap plate!” [said while Shrug his shoulder]
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
“It was a castle made of glass! What did you think would happen if you kicked the table?” ❄️
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
“I didn’t kick it, I bumped into it!”
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
“With what? A bulldozer?!” 💢
Suddenly, two firm hands grabbed both their ears—twist.
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
“OW—vinie!”
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
“OWWW—Auntie, seriously?!”
Emris’s Mom glared at Lionel.
Selene Edward [MC Mom]
“Why are you even in his room?!”
Avin Cassian [ML Mom]
“And why are you yelling like the world’s ending? It’s a project, not a dead body.”
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
“It WAS my final! And he just—just—look at it! It’s in pieces!”
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
“Yeah, well, next time don’t build it in the middle of the room like a landmine.”
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
“It was on a table!”
Avin Cassian [ML Mom]
“Enough! Both of you!”
Selene Edward [MC Mom]
“You two are impossible. Say sorry. Now.”
Lionel folded his arms, sulking.
Emris pouted but crossed his arms too.
Selene Edward [MC Mom]
“I said—now.”
Emris & Lionel (in unison)
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
“Sorry.”
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
“Sorry.”
Selene Edward [MC Mom]
“Not like that.”
Selene Edward [MC Mom]
“Look each other in the eye.”
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
“I’m sorry for breaking your delicate little... thing.”
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
“Castle. It was a castle. And I’m sorry your brain can’t recognize art when it sees it.”
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
“I recognized it just fine. It screamed ‘fragile and pointless.’”
Selene Edward [MC Mom]
“Do you want another ear twist?”
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
“No, ma’am.”
Avin Cassian [ML Mom]
“Good. Now your punishment—build it again. Together.”
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
“What?! No—”
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
“I’m not going to work with him, I mean why would I ? !”
Selene Edward [MC Mom]
“Yes. You are, because you're the one who shattered it darling.”
They turned and walked away, leaving the boys glaring at each other in bitter defeat.
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
“Come on. I don't have much time”
He dragged Lionel by the wrist back into his room and slammed the door shut behind them.
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
“Let go of me, you maniac.”
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
“Sit. Don’t move. Don’t breathe too hard or you’ll destroy something else.”
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
“I’ll breathe where I want and whenever I want.”
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
“You’re lucky I didn’t cry just now. Mom and vinne would’ve grounded you and banned you from Wi-Fi.”
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
“You’re always crying. It’s like your default mode.”
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
“Excuse me?!”
Lionel smirked, leaning back on his elbows as Emris opened his project box again.
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
“You know what You’re so dramatic,”
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
“—And cute. Don’t forget cute.”
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
“Only your mirror thinks that.”
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
“And my Instagram followers.”
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
“Bots don’t count.”
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
“Says the one who stalks my stories at 2AM.”
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
“That’s not stalking. That’s insomnia.”
Emris chuckled under his breath, cutting tiny pieces of glass again.
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
“Pass me the glue. And don’t spill it.”
Lionel handed it over with a lazy grin.
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
“You love bossing me around, don’t you?”
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
“You love listening.”
They kept building in silence for a moment.
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
“You really worked hard on this, huh?”
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
“Yeah. I even added lights inside. Was gonna make it glow.”
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
“...We’ll make it glow again. Just don't cry again.”
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
“I was not crying.”
Lionel Cassian [ML][E]
“Your face is.”
Emris Edward [MC] [DO]
“Your face is.”
They both burst out laughing.
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