The question hung between them.
"Do you still love me?"
Aiden's breath hitched.
For a moment, everything around him blurred—the golden light, the soft wind, even Kael standing right in front of him.
All he could hear… was his own heartbeat.
Fast. Uneven. Weak.…why does it matter?"
His voice came out quieter than he expected.
Kael didn't answer immediately.
That silence…
It hurt more than anything.
Aiden let out a shaky laugh, stepping back.
"You left," he said, his eyes no longer meeting Kael's. "You disappeared like I meant nothing."
"I—"
"No," Aiden cut him off. "You don't getto ask me that now."
For the first time, there was anger in his voice.
Real anger.
Not just pain.
Kael clenched his fists.
"I never said you meant nothing."
"Then what did I mean?" Aiden snapped, finally looking at him. "Tell me, Kael. What was I to you?"
The question hit harder than any accusation.
Because Kael didn't have a simple answer.You were…" he started, then stopped.
Everything felt too heavy to put into words.
Aiden watched him closely.
Waiting.
Hoping.
Breaking.
"…you were the only place I felt okay."
The words were soft.
Barely there.
But they were real.Aiden's expression faltered.
"That's not enough," he whispered.
"It is for me."
"But it wasn't enough for you to stay."
Silence again.
And this time…
Kael had no defense.
Aiden took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.
"You don't get it, do you?" he said, his voice trembling again. "I didn't just like you, Kael."
A pause.
"I built my world around you."
Kael's eyes widened slightly.
"I waited every day… thinking you'd come back. Thinking maybe you just needed time."
Aiden smiled faintly, but it didn't reach his eyes.
"But days turned into months."
"And you never did."
Each word felt like a quiet confession.
The kind that came too late.
Kael stepped closer.
"Aiden—"
"Don't."
The single word stopped him.
"I'm not done."
Aiden wiped his eyes quickly, forcing himself to stay strong.
"You asked if I still love you…"
His voice softened.
Not weak.
Just… honest.
I don't know."
That answer—
It wasn't what Kael expected.
And somehow…
It hurt more than a "no."
"I hate you," Aiden continued, his gaze dropping. "For leaving."
A pause.
"For making me feel like I wasn't enough."
Another breath.
"…but I also hate myself."
Kael frowned. "Why?"
"Because even after all that…"
Aiden looked up again.
And this time, his eyes were clear.
No tears.
Just truth.
"…a part of me still wants you to stay."
Kael's chest tightened.
That was it.
That was the feeling he had been running from.
I never stopped wanting to stay," Kael said quietly.
Aiden shook his head.
"But you still left."
There was no arguing with that.
No excuse strong enough.
No reason good enough.
So Kael did the only thing he could.
He stepped forward…
And gently held Aiden's wrist.
"I'm here now."
Aiden froze.
That simple touch…
It felt the same.
Familiar.
Dangerous.
…and how long will that last?" Aiden asked, barely above a whisper.
Kael didn't hesitate this time.
"As long as you let me."
For a second…
Just a second…
Aiden wanted to believe him.
But trust…
Kael looked at him.
Confused.
Hopeful.
Aiden took a step back.
"If you really mean it… don't leave this time."
A pause.
"Stay."
The word echoed softly between them.
And maybe…
Just maybe…
This was where everything would begin again.
[To be continued…]
Wasn't something that came back so easily.
Slowly, he pulled his hand away.
Not harshly.
Not coldly.
But not the same either.
"Then prove it."