Unlikely Harmony || DaouOffroad AU

18. Counting Stars

Offroad could feel his pulse thundering in his neck, like a drum drowning out everything else. Throughout their relationship he'd imagined Daou as a constant in his life, the one person who could see through his facade to the vulnerable parts he kept hidden. And tonight, Daou had done just that, holding him through his panic, calming him down with his voice, touch, and his presence. But the way Daou had looked at him, so sure, so full of love, had shattered something in him.

The look in Daou's eyes had been a mirror, one that reflected all his fears—the fear of their future, the risks, of being loved fully, of allowing himself to believe that he deserved this. It was too much. And so, he'd done what he knew best: he'd run.

But standing in this dim alley with Aim still by his side, everything felt wrong, an air of betrayal clinging to every thought that came his way.

He clenched his fists, eyes narrowing at Aim as she tried to meet his gaze. Her lips parted, but no words came out. And then his anger rose, sharp and swift.

"This is all on you," he spat, his voice low but unmistakably laced with fury. "If it weren't for you, all of this wouldn't be happening. We wouldn't be in this mess—I wouldn't be in this mess."

The accusation in his words hit her like shards of glass, and for a brief moment, Aim's face fell. But she steeled herself, lifting her chin as if bracing for the blow she knew she deserved.

"Offroad..." She took a hesitant step forward, her voice low, but he held up a hand to stop her, the resentment flaring like a warning light.

"No. I don't want to hear it." He shook his head, pacing around as if the distance would give him the space to think and breathe.

"Today was supposed to be ours, mine and Daou's. We worked so hard for that moment on stage and everything we built together. I thought tonight would be one of our happiest memories, something to look back on and smile about. But now... now I don't even know what I'm supposed to feel."

Aim's gaze dropped, her face growing pale under the harsh light of a lamppost. "I was just trying to protect you, I didn't mean for it to be like this. You know I'm just following orders," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Protect me?" He laughed, a hollow sound that echoed through the empty street.

"By controlling everything? By manipulating my life so it fits your plans?" He turned back to her, his gaze hard, accusing. "I don't need protection. Not from you."

Her silence was answer enough.

"I don't care what you meant," Offroad continued coldly.

"I did what you told me to, so please, I need you to give me space. I left, and I won't contact him, I promise. You've made sure of that." His voice turned more desperate now.

Without waiting for her to speak again, Offroad pulled out his phone, scrolling through his contacts until Geler's name came up. His fingers were trembling as he hit call, barely holding himself together as the line rang twice.

"Offroad!" Geler's voice sounded bright, a note of excitement cutting through the fog in his mind.

"I'm so glad you called! Pentor and I were just watching the whole thing live, and you two sounded amazing toge—"

"P'Gel." Offroad's voice came out strained, every syllable thick with something he couldn't quite hold back.

"I need you to pick me up. I'm... I'm done here."

Silence lingered on the other end, Geler catching the weight in Offroad's words. "Done?" he asked, his tone shifting. "Off—what's going on?"

Offroad's eyes flicked toward Aim, her expression unreadable, like she knew there was nothing left to say.