Nightfall settled in the forest like a thick, heavy blanket, far quicker than it ever did in town. The dimming light vanished almost completely by early evening, leaving Kui squinting in the dark with nothing but the rustle of trees and the snap of distant twigs to guide him.
The uneven path, if it could even be called that, had long since disappeared beneath tangled roots and thorny bushes. Every few steps brought new scratches to his arms and legs, his clothes already torn in too many places to count. With a hiss, he pulled his hand back from another sharp branch, another fresh cut stinging across his forearm.
"Let's rest for the day," he finally muttered, voice tired.
They came across an old tree—thick, aged, with a hollow carved into its side like nature's small shelter. It wasn't perfect, but it would keep the cold wind out.
Kui turned to Aok. "Come on, let's get inside."
"I can walk on my own," Aok said with a small scowl, limping slightly but too stubborn to admit the pain in his leg.
"I know, kid. Just get in," Kui replied with a tired smile and helped him into the opening.
The hollow was smaller than Kui expected. He had to squeeze his way in behind Aok, the walls of the hollow pressing against both sides of their bodies. He shifted a little to his left to make room for the younger boy, but almost immediately, that space was taken too—Aok scooting right back in, leaning into him.
Kui turned his head and found Aok looking up at him with a strange intensity in his eyes.
"What are you staring at?"
"Nothing," Aok replied, quickly looking away. His voice was softer now. "So… where are we going?"
Kui sighed and rested his head back against the tree bark. "I don't know… maybe back to my settlement. But I'm not too sure. I don't want to lead the mer soldiers back there. If they're following us…"
He trailed off, reaching for the pouch tied to his side and gently pulling out the broken brush. Its handle was now splintered at the edge, and the once vibrant bristles were dull and stiff. He ran his fingers over them slowly.
"I just want to go home," Kui whispered.
Aok watched his hands. The way his fingers moved—pale, narrow, soft despite the cuts—something about them made Aok's heart pound faster. He didn't understand why. He didn't know why he had the urge to grab that hand and bite into those fingers.
"I'll get stronger," Aok whispered. "When I'm strong enough, every one of our troubles will be gone. I'll protect you. I'll help you go back home."
Kui turned to look at him, brows raised slightly, lips curled into a faint scoff. "Yeah, right, kid."
"I mean it," Aok insisted, his voice trembling slightly now. "I'm strong. I can keep you safe and happy. If… if you agree to be mine."
The words fell out before Aok could even understand them. The moment they left his mouth, heat surged to his face and ears. What did I just say? His entire face was flushed, burning. Do I want him? I do... I really do...
He glanced up, expecting Kui to laugh or frown in disgust.
But Kui was smiling softly, eyes laced with amusement.
"Okay, fine. If you can grow taller than me, I'll be yours," he teased.
Aok's heart practically exploded in his chest. "Y-you mean it? You'll be mine?"
Kui chuckled and reached out, brushing his fingers through Aok's messy hair. "Sure. But you've got a long way to go."
Aok grabbed that hand and pressed it to his cheek, holding it there, eyes fluttering shut as if savoring the warmth. His breath hitched slightly, chest rising and falling faster. I want him. I want to make him mine. I want him to be my mate. I want to breed with him. I want—
Kui tilted his head, pinching Aok's cheek. "You feel a little warm. You okay?"
"I feel good," Aok replied, voice breathy, pupils dilated.
"You sure? Even your voice sounds off."
Kui shifted closer, squinting in the darkness to check if Aok had a fever. But he couldn't see anything clearly in the pitch-black hollow.
Aok could, though. His vision adjusted to the night, and he saw everything—Kui's gentle eyes, his dry lips, the slight sheen of sweat on his pale skin. Every feature stood out starkly in his view, almost glowing in the dark. He stared, entranced.
Then, without warning, he lunged forward and wrapped his arms tightly around Kui's waist, burying his face into his chest.
"You said it yourself," he murmured into the fabric of Kui's shirt. "You're mine now."
Kui snorted with laughter. "I said after you grow taller than me, idiot."
"I will soon!" Aok declared, beaming. "And then I'll have you as my mate. You're mine."
Kui let out another soft laugh, tousling Aok's hair. "You're such a weirdo."
"I don't care," Aok said firmly, hugging him tighter. "I'll grow fast. You'll see. I'll protect you, take care of you, keep you safe every day. You'll never have to be scared again."
A strange warmth fluttered in Kui's chest at the boy's words. Maybe it was ridiculous. Maybe it was childish nonsense from someone too young to understand what they were saying. But for the first time in days, he felt safe in someone else's arms.
"…Yeah?" Kui whispered, leaning into him a little.
Aok nodded against his chest. "Yeah. You're my destiny. You'll see."
Kui smiled faintly and rested his chin on top of Aok's head, eyes closing, brush still clutched loosely in his hand.
Neither noticed the faint shimmer pulsing once at the brush's broken base, like a heartbeat. Weak. Barely there.
But alive.