Entangled Fates
Kai didn't leave his room for two days.
Not for class.
Not for food.
Not for Leo's knocking.
He sat on his bed, knees pulled to his chest, staring at nothing.
Every heartbeat reminded him.
Every breath felt borrowed.
There was something inside him now.
Not a parasite.
Not a voice.
A presence.
Quiet.
Constant.
Lucien.
Kai pressed his palm against his chest.
"I didn't agree," he whispered.
The presence didn't answer.
But it warmed.
Not comforting.
Not cruel.
Aware.
A soft knock echoed through the apartment.
Kai didn't move.
Another knock.
"Kai," Leo's voice said gently. "Please open the door."
Kai stood on shaky legs and unlocked it.
Leo's face fell instantly.
"You look like hell."
"Accurate."
Leo stepped inside, shutting the door behind him.
"Talk to me."
Kai opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
How do you explain a soul bond?
How do you explain belonging to something ancient and monstrous and beautiful?
"I messed up," Kai whispered.
Leo sat beside him.
"Did he hurt you?"
Kai hesitated.
"No."
Leo's jaw tightened.
"That doesn't mean he's safe."
Kai nodded.
"I know."
Silence stretched.
Then Kai whispered, "I can feel him. Even when he's not here."
Leo stiffened.
"…That's not normal."
Kai laughed weakly.
"Neither is my life."
Leo grabbed Kai's hands.
"You're not alone. Whatever this is, we'll figure it out."
Kai wanted to believe him.
He really did.
That night, Kai dreamed.
He stood in a vast black void.
Chains of faint red light stretched from his chest into the darkness.
At the other end—
Lucien.
Watching him.
Not smiling.
Not cruel.
Just… waiting.
Kai woke gasping.
The room smelled like rain and smoke.
Lucien stood beside the bed.
Kai didn't scream.
He didn't jump.
He felt tired.
"You shouldn't be here," Kai said hoarsely.
Lucien's voice was low. "You were in distress."
"I didn't call you."
Lucien stepped closer.
"You don't have to anymore."
Kai's hands clenched.
"That's the problem."
Lucien studied him.
"You're afraid."
"Wouldn't you be?"
Lucien considered that.
"Yes."
That answer shook Kai more than a lie would have.
"You marked my soul," Kai said.
Lucien didn't deny it.
"You took my choice."
Lucien's jaw tightened.
"I thought I was saving you."
"From what?"
Lucien's eyes darkened.
"From a world that would eventually kill you."
Kai laughed bitterly.
"So instead you bound me to something that might."
Lucien moved closer.
Slow.
Careful.
"I don't want to own you," Lucien said.
Kai snapped, "You literally said I'm yours."
Lucien stopped.
"I said you belong with me."
"That's not better!"
Silence cracked between them.
Lucien exhaled slowly.
"My existence destroys everything I care about," Lucien said. "You are the first thing that hasn't started rotting the moment I touched it."
Kai's anger faltered.
Just a little.
"That doesn't make this okay."
"I know."
Kai stared at him.
"You never say that."
Lucien's lips pressed together.
"I am learning."
Kai swallowed.
"Can you undo it?"
Lucien shook his head.
"No."
Kai closed his eyes.
Of course.
"But," Lucien continued, "I can restrain it. I can loosen the pull. You can live your life."
Kai opened his eyes.
"Really?"
"Yes."
Hope flickered.
"Why would you do that?"
Lucien met his gaze.
"Because if I truly want you… it has to be your choice."
Kai's heart pounded.
"You'd let me walk away?"
Lucien's voice was quiet.
"I would suffer. But yes."
Kai searched his face.
For lies.
For manipulation.
He found none.
That terrified him more.
"I don't forgive you," Kai said.
Lucien nodded.
"I don't expect you to."
Kai whispered, "But I don't hate you either."
Lucien's eyes softened.
That was dangerous.
"I need time," Kai said.
Lucien stepped back.
"You have it."
Kai hesitated.
"Will you leave?"
Lucien inclined his head.
"Yes."
He turned to go.
At the door, he paused.
"You don't have to belong to me," Lucien said. "But I will always belong to you."
Then he was gone.
Kai sank onto the bed.
Entangled.
Not by chains.
Not by magic.
But by something far worse.
Choice.