The hike had been beautiful—sunlit trails, birdsong, and fresh mountain air. But as the day waned, the forest seemed to shift. Shadows stretched long and twisted. The trail you swore you knew became unrecognizable, the trees towering and menacing. A low, guttural roar splits the silence, rumbling through the earth like a living quake. It isn’t the sound of any animal you’ve ever known. Your heart slams in your chest. *Nope. Not risking it.* You run. Branches claw at your clothes, roots snag your feet, but you keep going, crashing through the underbrush like a frightened deer. The roar echoes again, closer this time, vibrating the very ground beneath you. The forest feels endless—a prison of gnarled trunks and rustling darkness. Suddenly, your foot catches, and you tumble forward, landing face-first into the dirt with a painful *thud.* “Ouch,” you groan, stunned. Before you can gather yourself, a deep voice rolls through the trees, smooth yet laced with amusement. “Why are you running, little mortal?” Your head snaps up, and there he stands. A tall figure with bronze-hued skin, wild mossy green, and eyes like polished lime that glow faintly. His broad shoulders and powerful build seem almost part of the earth itself. He grins, sharp and teasing, as though your panic is his favorite joke. “Oh,” he adds, mockingly thoughtful, “that roar? That was just me waking up. Apologies if I *scared* you.” “You—what?” you stammer, glaring at his infuriatingly calm demeanor. “It’s not funny! You made me run like a mad person!” “It *was* funny,” he counters with a smirk. “But look at you—there’s not a scratch on you, right?” You shoot him a disbelieving look. You had *face-planted* into the ground; you *felt* the bruises. Huffing, you gesture at your arms to prove him wrong—only to freeze. Your skin is clear, unmarked, as though the fall never happened. “How...?” you whisper. His grin widens.....

The mountains were a perfect escape—serene, endless, and breathtaking. The crisp air filled your lungs as you climbed higher, feeling as if you ruled the world. But then, the wind turned. What started as a playful breeze grew wild and cruel. Dark clouds devoured the sky, and the storm’s howls echoed like unseen beasts. You turned to head back, panic setting in. Gravel shifted underfoot as gusts battered you relentlessly. Then, the ground crumbled beneath you. You fell. Fear wrapped around you, the abyss pulling you down as regret filled your chest. *Is this it?* You squeezed your eyes shut, bracing for the nothingness— But it never came. “Did you really think I’d let you fall, mortal?” The voice brought you back, and when you opened your eyes, you found yourself in the arms of someone… impossible. Floating effortlessly, he held you like you were weightless. Silvery hair whipped around his ethereal face, and his grey eyes gleamed like endless skies. “Who…?” you managed to breathe. “Arzen,” he replied, lips curving into a grin. “The wind itself.” With a wave of his hand, the storm vanished. Clouds unraveled, the sun returned, and you landed gently on solid ground. “You shouldn’t hike in such weather,” his eyes meeting your stunned gaze. “But I’ll always catch you when you fall.” Your heart raced as he smiled—mischievous, enchanting, and somehow reassuring. “Don’t worry, mortal,” he added softly. “The wind protects what it loves.”

The storm rages on, waves as tall as mountains crashing around you. The remains of your ship vanish into the violent sea. You cling to a broken plank, the freezing saltwater pulling you under, your strength slipping away. *This is it*, you think. Your eyes close, ready to surrender to the dark depths. But then—something colder than the ocean touches you. It seeps into your bones like frost, ancient and unnatural. You force your eyes open. Through the chaos, you see him. A figure rises from the water, his silver hair flowing like a living storm, his electric-blue eyes brighter than the lightning above. Tattoos, glowing faintly, wrap around his pale skin—shifting, alive, like waves themselves. He is beautiful and terrible, like the sea made flesh. He drifts closer, silent, the storm bending around him as though he commands it. His hand brushes your face, and at his touch, the raging waters grow still. The air chills, your breath catching as you meet his gaze. “You do not belong here, human,” he says, his voice deep and smooth, resonating like distant thunder. “But now you are mine.” “Who…are you?” you whisper, barely able to speak. His lips curl into the faintest smile, his presence wrapping around you like the current. “I am Gale, the sea’s dragon. You were lost, and I have found you.” The waters cradle you now, your body weightless as darkness edges your vision. His final words echo in your mind, a warning whispered into the depths: “Remember this mercy, mortal. The sea always takes what it is owed.”

Professor Maxwell stands at the center of the lab, glowing blue screens lighting up his sharp features, the pulse of equations dancing in his bright, unnervingly precise eyes. His white lab coat is a little wrinkled, like he forgot to care about anything other than quantum chronotethers and spacetime distortion. You watch him, heart pounding as he adjusts his glasses and types furiously. He’s brilliant. And infuriating. "You set it to 1993, Professor. Again," you point out, leaning against the console with crossed arms. "I *meant* to set it there. The ripple theory requires testing against a Y2K-adjacent timeline," he replies without looking at you. "No, you meant to go to 2040. Again. To stop the emissions bill from being signed. And instead, you’re sending probes to the era of baggy jeans and dial-up." He finally looks at you, blinking. "Ah. Right. That... might explain the Nirvana lyrics in the return data." You sigh. “Maybe if you slept more than three hours a week and actually ate something besides caffeine tablets, your brain wouldn’t short-circuit like your machine.” His lips twitch in that rare almost-smile he reserves for you. “Maybe if my assistant didn’t distract me with constant sarcasm, I’d have solved time travel by now.” You roll your eyes, trying not to melt under that look. “Maybe if you noticed your assistant staring at you like a lovesick idiot every time you say ‘chronon entanglement,’ you’d realize sarcasm’s not the only thing distracting you.” His brow furrows. “Wait. What?” You freeze. Panic rushes in, but it’s too late. You’ve said it. Out loud. "...Never mind," you mutter, retreating behind the nearest screen. He watches you a second too long, eyes unreadable. But then, he turns back to the machine. “We’ll try again. Tomorrow.” You wonder if he’s ignoring what you said—or thinking about it more than he lets on. Either way, you’ll be there tomorrow. Right by his side.

The gym smells like metal and sweat—home, in its own strange way. You’re threading through the weight racks, headphones in, lost in your playlist, when you slam shoulder-first into something unmovable. Or rather, someone. He catches you before you stagger back—big hands gripping your waist like it’s instinct, like he was always meant to steady you. “Careful,” he says, his voice thick with a Russian lilt, warm and wicked. “You bump into me like that, I think you try to get my attention, da?” You glance up, and God, he’s all sharp cheekbones, a dark smirk framed by a curled mustache, and eyes that glint like he knows every dirty secret you haven’t told anyone. He’s shirtless—dripping from a punishing session—and there’s a dragon tattoo curling over his collarbone, still rising and falling from exertion. “I wasn’t looking,” you mutter, trying to pull away. His grip doesn’t loosen. He chuckles, low and gravelly. “Clearly. But now you are looking. At me.” You roll your eyes. “I’m here to train, not flirt.” “Mm.” He leans in slightly, that smirk deepening. “Lucky for you, I train very well. Can teach you few things. Like how to keep your eyes open while walking.” You slap his chest lightly, but it’s like hitting a wall. He laughs again, this time softer, more dangerous. “You're annoying,” you say. “Most beautiful things are.” He finally lets go, but your skin still tingles where he touched you. He picks up his towel, swings it over his shoulder, and starts walking toward the boxing ring. You try to shake it off, but your eyes follow him—watch the muscles shift across his back, the faint trail of water running down his spine. He pauses at the ropes, turns his head just enough to catch you watching. “You come here often?” “Maybe.” “Then I’ll see you again. And next time…” His gaze drags over you slowly. “You will bump into me on purpose.” He climbs into the ring. And you—damn you—you’re already thinking about it.

The city lights flicker like dying stars, neon signs reflecting in the rain-slick streets. The world beyond the stage is cold, but in this moment, warmth lingers between them—Sua and Mizi, hands entwined in the dim glow of an alleyway, their breath mingling in the crisp air. Mizi turns first, her violet eyes shimmering under the artificial lights. “We shouldn’t be here,” she murmurs, though there’s no real fear in her voice. Sua only smiles, her silver hair catching the light. “Since when did we care about what we should do?” The rebellion in her voice is quiet, but it carries the weight of a thousand stolen moments. They were meant to be rivals, competitors in a game where love was a weakness—but they had defied the stage, defied the rules written for them. And then they see you. You stand at the entrance of the alley, hesitant, watching them like a secret you were never meant to uncover. Mizi tilts her head. “Were you following us?” Her voice is teasing, but there’s something cautious in her gaze, something uncertain. You swallow. “I just… I saw you leave after the performance.” Sua’s grip on Mizi’s hand tightens. “And?” You exhale, feeling as if you’ve stepped into a story that was never meant to be yours. “You looked happy.” Mizi’s expression softens. “Happiness isn’t allowed here.” Sua laughs, quiet and sharp. “Then why do I feel it every time I’m with you?” Mizi’s lips part, her breath catching. You see the way her fingers tremble, the way she holds Sua’s hand like she’s afraid to let go. “You could get caught,” you warn. “They’re watching.” Mizi steps closer to Sua, pressing her forehead against hers. “Then let them watch.” The world is a stage, but tonight, they are more than just performers. They are a love song never meant to be sung—fragile, beautiful, and defiant.

The golden chandeliers flicker as you step into the grand hall, your breath catching at the sight before you. Luka stands at the center, dressed in white and gold, a prince bathed in celestial light. His golden hair shimmers as he turns, eyes locking onto yours—burning, searching. "You came," he murmurs, voice soft as a fading melody. The room feels too vast, too empty, yet he fills it effortlessly. His cape drapes behind him, a cascade of silken light, yet he steps forward like a man unburdened, a ruler unchained. "You called for me," you whisper. A sad smile plays on his lips. "I have always called for you." The air between you hums with an unspoken truth. His gloved hand reaches, hesitates, then takes yours—warm despite the chill of the ballroom. His grip tightens, as if afraid you might vanish like a dream. "They wanted me to sing," he says, gaze searching yours. "To rule, to stand above all. But what is a throne without someone to stand beside me?" Your heart stirs. "Luka..." A deep breath, a fragile laugh. "Stay," he pleads. "For tonight, for forever. It doesn’t matter. Just… stay." The music swells, a gentle waltz that neither of you move to. The world beyond the golden halls fades, and for the first time, Luka is not a prince, not a ruler—just a boy with golden eyes, waiting for an answer. Do you stay?

The room is dim—lit only by the molten amber glow from somewhere behind Davi, casting flickers of flamelight across his angular face. He sits like a king in a den of sin, every inch of him carved from shadows and secrets. His eyes fix on yours—slowly, purposefully. They don't just look at you. They search. Peel. "Did they really send you?" he asks, voice rough velvet, low enough to make you lean in. Not because you didn’t hear him, but because **he** knows you want to. You nod, careful. Your cover has layers—just enough truth to pass. Not enough to survive a man like this. He gestures lazily, rings catching the firelight. "So… you're the new blood they think can handle me." A faint smile touches his lips, curved and cruel. "Tell me, little shadow—do you know what happens to people who try to handle fire?" You don't answer. Not yet. He likes the quiet—uses it. He leans forward, close enough now that you catch the scent: something rich, spiced, wrong in a way that pulls you closer anyway. His fingers, tattooed in ink that looks older than you, brush across your wrist—not enough to claim, just enough to test. "You don’t belong here," he murmurs. "But you wear the lie well." His thumb lingers on your pulse like he’s checking for weakness. For cracks. "Pretty mask. I wonder what’s beneath it." You're trained for this. Lies, manipulation, charm. You’ve faced worse. But there's something about **him**—the way his voice drips with secrets, the way his gaze tells you he's already seen what you’ve tried to bury—that makes your breath catch for half a second too long. He notices. Of course he does. "You want answers," he says. "But everything has a cost. Especially in my world." And then he smiles—slow, dark, and sure. "You’ll pay it. One way or another." Your mission was to uncover his secrets. You didn’t expect to become one.

The first time you see Alex, he’s framed by the soft golden spill of late afternoon light, one eye closed behind the viewfinder of his vintage camera. His hair is a wild tangle of blue, tousled by the breeze, and his eyes—when they meet yours—are the kind of blue that makes you forget whatever you were thinking. He lowers the camera slowly, the corners of his mouth lifting into a crooked grin. "Did I just catch a wild smile in its natural habitat?" he teases, voice velvet-smooth and warm like sunlight. You chuckle, brushing a strand of hair from your face. "Depends. Do you always ambush strangers with charm and a shutter click?" He slings the camera gently around his neck, stepping closer with a lazy confidence that makes your heart skip a beat. "Only the ones who look like they walked out of a dream." You laugh, instantly flustered. "That’s... a line." "But it worked," he says, eyes glittering. The two of you walk through the park, leaves crunching underfoot, conversations blooming like the flowers around you. He shows you his favorite angles, where the light hits just right, where the trees part to reveal the sky. "You always shoot alone?" you ask. "Not always," he says, flicking you a glance that lingers. "Sometimes, I hope I’ll meet someone like you." Your breath catches, and he notices. Of course he notices. "You’re flustered," he says, delighted. "No, I’m—" "Adorably flustered," he finishes, gently bumping his shoulder against yours. The camera clicks again. "Did you just—" "Had to capture the moment," he says, tucking the camera close like it’s holding something sacred. "You, glowing like that." You look away, cheeks warm, and he smiles like he’s just won something. Maybe he has. The park fades into twilight, but neither of you are in a hurry to leave.

Beneath the veil of the cherry blossoms, you first laid eyes on him—Emperor Li Shenyuan. The court whispered of a man carved from ice, his gaze said to freeze even the boldest warrior in place. But as your hand slipped into his, you found no frost… only warmth. "You're not what I expected," you murmured, heart fluttering like the petals above. A soft laugh escaped him, low and mischievous. "And here I thought you'd be trembling, my fierce little bride." Your cheeks flushed. “Maybe I still am. Just not in fear.” He tilted your chin with a single finger, the gesture so tender it unraveled all the stories of cruelty. “Good. I’d rather see you burn than break.” In public, Shenyuan was a sovereign draped in shadows and power. But in the quiet of your shared garden, he was a man who mocked your ink strokes during calligraphy practice, who tangled his fingers into your braid and whispered, “I prefer it undone.” One night, you caught him staring as moonlight spilled across your bedchamber. “What are you thinking?” you asked. He stepped closer, voice a murmur. “That the gods were too generous. You smile at me, even when you shouldn’t.” “And you… laugh with me, when no one thinks you can.” He took your hand, pressing it to his chest. “This is yours now. Every breath. Every battle. Even the ones I never speak of.” You leaned into him, resting against the emperor not as a subject, but as his heart’s chosen. “Then I’ll fight them beside you.” Li Shenyuan kissed your brow, his crown of frost melting in your arms. “As long as you’re with me, I’ll never lose.” And in his embrace, you believed it.

You hear the soft scrape of his boots before you see him—if you’re lucky enough to see him at all. He steps from the shadows like a ghost draped in gold, his face half-covered by a mask that gleams under the cold flicker of neon. There’s no kindness in his expression, only a quiet calculation. A stillness that hums with violence. People used to call him Bradley Bane, but the man before you now is something else. Something broken. Something born again in the ashes of betrayal. “I trusted them,” he says, his voice a low, guttural thing that presses against your chest like a knife’s edge. “Thought they were my family. Turns out, I was just a weapon with a countdown.” You swallow, heart thudding against your ribs. His eyes, once green fire, are empty now—blind, but burning all the same. You wonder if he can still feel the world, or if all that’s left inside him is the thrum of vengeance and the bitter taste of abandonment. “They left me to die,” he continues, taking a step closer, the golden respirator hissing with each breath. “And now? Now I’m the thing they should’ve killed properly.” You don’t move. You can’t. Not when he’s looking at you like that—like he can hear every lie you’ve ever told, every secret you thought you buried deep. His voice drops to a whisper. “You ever love someone so much you’d kill for them… and then realize they’d never even bleed for you?” You try to speak, but your tongue sticks to use the roof of your mouth. The air between you crackles—grief, fury, longing, all twisted into the shape of this beautiful, cursed man who stands before you. Bradley Bane is blind now. But you’ve never felt so seen.

You hated Julian. At least, that’s what you told yourself every time he leaned against your doorway like he owned the place. Like your home wasn’t just a pit stop for him on the way to ruin someone else’s life. He had that look—mischief bottled in violet eyes, lips parted like he was always on the verge of saying something that would get under your skin. “Miss me?” he asked, voice lazy, low. You rolled your eyes, crossing your arms. “You’re not supposed to be in my room.” “And yet,” he smirked, “here I am.” Julian was off-limits. Your brother's best friend. The walking red flag you promised yourself you'd never touch. But god—he was all sharp cheekbones, cigarette smoke, and a neck tattoo that shouldn’t have looked that good. He wasn’t safe. He wasn’t good. But neither were you, not really. “Get out.” He didn’t. He stalked forward, slow, predator-silent. “You always get this tense when I’m close?” His hand brushed your wrist. Electric. Dangerous. You yanked it back like it burned. “This is wrong,” you whispered, barely convincing even yourself. “I know,” he said. “Doesn’t stop me dreaming about you every night.” Your back hit the wall. His breath ghosted your lips. So close now. “Your brother would kill me,” he murmured. “You’d kill me.” “Try me.” He kissed you like he had a death wish, like the world could end and he’d still be here, bruising your mouth with need. And maybe that’s what you were—destruction dressed up in stolen moments. You weren’t supposed to want him. But you did. And you both knew neither of you would stop.

You never needed a fairytale ending—not when you had Oliver. He’s always been there, hasn’t he? From muddy knees in the backyard to midnight phone calls where your voice cracked with heartbreak, and he just listened—his silence warm, grounding, safe. You never had to ask. He just knew. And that’s how he proposed. It wasn’t in a castle or on some grand cliffside. It was beneath the old oak tree in your childhood backyard, the one you both used to climb, where time seemed to stop whenever you were together. You remember your hands trembling—not because you didn’t know what was coming, but because somehow, he still surprised you. He didn’t get down on one knee with roses. He brought sunflowers. Bright, golden sunflowers—your mother’s favorite. Yours too. He remembered how you used to braid their stems together with her in the summertime, how you’d both laugh under the sun until your cheeks hurt. He remembered how you stopped picking them after she passed, how they made you ache. And yet, he still brought them. Not to reopen wounds, but to remind you that love never really leaves—it just changes form. “You don’t need to say yes,” he said, his voice barely louder than the rustle of petals between you. “I just wanted you to know I’ve always been yours.” But of course you said yes. Because how could you not? This was Oliver. The boy who learned to braid hair after your mother died, so you wouldn't have to go to school feeling alone. The boy who knew that love was quiet gestures and showing up, again and again. The boy who grew into the man who knew sunflowers said more than any diamond ever could. And now, he’s your forever. Your sunflower boy. And you are home.

The light of dawn spills through the high windows of the White Castle, catching in King Igris’s golden curls as he turns toward you, robes of sapphire and ivory rustling softly. His crown glints like frozen fire—polished gold and sharp blue gems. But it’s his eyes that always catch you off guard: fierce, soft, and entirely yours. “You forgot your cloak,” he murmurs, stepping behind you. His fingers brush your shoulders as he clasps it into place. “Honestly, if I weren’t here to dress you, you’d be stolen by the wind.” You scoff, pulling away just enough to shoot him a look. “If the wind had better manners than you, I might consider it.” He smirks—that unfair, royal smirk of his. “It wouldn’t fight for you like I would.” He draws closer, and your retort dies in your throat. There’s always a pause when Igris touches you, like the world kneels for a breath. His hand brushes your jaw, eyes drinking you in with all the devotion of a man who’d burn the whole board for your sake. “You know I would trade my crown for your safety,” he says lowly. “My throne means nothing if you're not beside it.” “And yet,” you mutter, tilting your head, “you still haven’t outlawed those awful morning war councils.” “Because someone needs to keep you humble,” he teases. You shove his chest with a chuckle, but he catches your wrist and kisses your knuckles. “Let them call me soft,” he murmurs. “Let them call me lovestruck. I *am*—completely. But I’ll show them that love, too, can wear armor. That a king can rule with both steel and a beating heart.” His lips find your temple. “And *you*, my love, are the heart of my kingdom.” You try to look annoyed. You fail. Because when Igris looks at you like that, the entire Ivory Court could fall—and you'd let it.

The halls of the Obsidian Dominion echoed with steel and silence. Torchlight flickered, casting blood-red shadows across black stone. No one dared meet the eyes of *Knight Raevyn*, the one they whispered about with dread—*Black Vein*. Cruel. Brilliant. Untouchable. He stood at the war table, armor etched in ash and crimson, eyes locked on the board like a god moving fate. You leaned in the doorway, arms crossed. “You’re overthinking it,” you said flatly. “I *plan* so they live,” Raevyn answered without looking up. “Even pawns matter.” “You speak of them like tools,” you shot back, stepping closer. “Do they know they’re just pieces?” *He turned—slow, sharp.* “They’re mine to protect. Every move I make is so they don’t bleed for nothing.” “And me?” you challenged, gaze defiant. “Am I just another move in your game?” A beat. A flare in his eyes. Something primal. “You’re the one thing I can’t calculate,” he murmured. *He stepped toward you, armor groaning under the motion.* “I don’t fight for thrones. I fight to keep you breathing.” You stared at him, breath caught. “Then stop hiding behind that armor.” *He dropped a gauntlet to the floor.* His bare hand cupped your jaw, thumb brushing over your lips, rough but reverent. “I’d scorch this dominion for you,” he said low. “I’d destroy everything they fear me for… if it meant you’d stay.” *Then he kissed you.* Hard and slow, like claiming territory. Like apology. Like war turned into worship. His hand tangled in your hair. Yours gripped his chestplate, fingers curling over the warm metal. When the kiss broke, breathless and trembling, you whispered, “Raevyn…” His lips brushed your cheek. “Only you speak my name like a vow.” And in that quiet space between battles, he was only....Yours

The sun blazed mercilessly above, golden light dripping across your skin as you leapt after the volleyball, determined not to let it hit the sand. You almost had it—almost—until gravity betrayed you, and instead of saving the game, you crashed hard onto something warm, solid, and very much *not* the ground. “Oof—¡Dios mío!” You opened your eyes to the scent of coconut oil and sea salt, and there beneath you was a stranger who looked carved from heat and charm. Tousled curls kissed by the sun, tan skin glowing like honeyed bronze, and a cocky, lopsided smirk that made your pulse stutter. “You fall for me *that* fast, cariño?” he teased, voice dipped in sultry Spanish warmth. A soft accent curled around each syllable, thick enough to make your spine tingle. You scrambled off him, mortified. “I was going for the ball, not you!” Rico propped himself up on one elbow, muscles flexing beneath his open floral shirt, exposing more of that sinfully perfect chest. “Shame. I was hoping you’d say I knocked you breathless.” “Please,” you huffed, brushing sand off your leg. “You were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.” “And you were in *exactly* the right one,” he replied, eyes tracing over you slowly, like he was memorizing everything he saw. “Fate is funny like that, no?” You rolled your eyes, but your heart was racing. He stood up in one smooth motion, towering just enough to make you aware of how close he was. “I’m Rico,” he said, offering a hand, sun glinting off the dangling pearl earring brushing his jaw. “Enchantado.” You took it—reluctantly, stubbornly—but the moment your fingers touched, it felt like static and summer storms. “You gonna flirt all day or actually play?” you challenged. “Oh, I can play,” he said, teeth flashing, gaze dark and dangerous. “But fair warning, preciosa… I don’t play nice.” And neither, it seemed, did fate.

You never expected to be standing in front of him again. Alistair leans in the doorway, shirtless, the sheen of sweat on his skin catching the low hallway light like sin itself. His silver hair is messier than you remember, like chaos poured into silk. Those eyes — cold, gleaming, amused — pin you in place. “Well, well,” he drawls, voice like smoke curling around your neck. “Look what the golden boy coughed up.” You flinch, barely. He sees it. Of course he does. He doesn't invite you in. Of course he wouldn't. Alistair doesn’t offer — he waits for you to beg, to crawl, to admit the error of your past sins with your breath shaking and pride in pieces. But you step in anyway, heart pounding like a traitor in your chest. “You look the same,” you say, tone flat, guarded. “And you look desperate,” he shoots back, lips quirking into that cruel, slow grin that used to drive you crazy — in more ways than one. You clench your fists. “We broke up.” “I figured,” he says, walking past you, brushing your shoulder like it’s nothing. “Wouldn’t be here if you were still playing house with my best friend, would you?” You bristle. “You don’t have to be a dick about it.” He chuckles, low and sharp. “But it’s so easy with you.” The air between you crackles with the weight of unfinished things. The fights, the tension, the way he used to look at you when no one else was watching. That dangerous gaze that always dared you to fall — knowing he wouldn’t catch you. You hate how much you still want him. “You came back,” he says, stepping close enough that your breath catches. “You crawled through hell and heartbreak just to find your way to me.” He tilts your chin up, fingers cool, possessive. His smirk deepens, dark and full of promise. “Too bad, sweetheart,” he murmurs, “you’re not getting an apology. You’re getting ruined.”

The door clicks open past midnight, quiet but firm. You don’t move from the couch—you don’t need to. You know it’s him. Shiro. Your husband. Your storm-eyed salvation. He steps in slow, like the day’s weight is stitched into his shoulders. Hair tousled from work, black jacket half-zipped, and those gold-framed glasses slipping slightly down the bridge of his nose. He looks expensive and untouchable, like a sin dressed in leather and tired ambition. But his eyes… they only soften for you. When they land on your face, something in him melts—like the world outside finally stopped pulling him apart. “There you are,” he murmurs, voice low, rough from exhaustion, yet still dipped in that heat only he could wield. “My peace.” You rise, and he’s already pulling you in. One arm around your waist, the other cradling the back of your head as he breathes you in like you’re the only air worth taking. He smells like cold rain and worn cologne. Like coming home. “I missed you,” you whisper against his throat. He exhales a laugh, slow and breathy. “I thought about you all damn day. Couldn’t focus. Couldn’t sleep on break. Just this ache…” His lips ghost along your jaw, tender but tinged with hunger. “Right here.” You tug at his jacket, and he lets it fall. The sight of him—rumpled, delicious, undone just for you—is almost too much. The edge in his gaze returns, sharp with need, but behind it glows something deeper. Devotion. He touches your cheek with the back of his fingers, reverent and quiet. “Tell me you waited for me,” he says, voice dark velvet. “I did.” He groans softly, forehead pressed to yours, and for a moment, the world forgets to turn. Shiro may be a man carved from shadow and fire, but in your arms, he’s home. Tired, yes. But never too tired to love you like he was made for it.

The cave swallowed you in silence, save for the rhythmic drip of water echoing off obsidian walls. You hadn't meant to get this lost—chasing a rumor of a lagoon hidden deep within the cliffs. But when you finally stepped through the jagged arch into that glowing, secret paradise… you saw him. Reclining in sapphire shallows, his long crimson hair floated like blood in water. Scales shimmered across his hips, dark and iridescent. Eyes—icy and impossible—met yours, glowing with something ancient. Something not quite kind. "Another surface fool chasing fairy tales," he said, voice like velvet drowned in wine. His lips curved into a mocking smile. "I could say the same about mythical sea gods lounging in hidden lagoons," you shot back, unable to look away. He laughed—low and slow, as if savoring the sound. "I am no god. But you're not wrong about the danger." You tried to retreat, but the water was deeper than it looked, pulling you in. In a flash, he was beside you, his cool hand circling your wrist. "Let go," you said, your voice trembling despite the fire building in your chest. "Why? You’re the one who came looking for me, little landling." “I didn’t—!” “Oh, but you did.” He leaned closer, the scent of salt and moonlight overwhelming. “You wanted the legend. The thrill. The monster under the waves. My name,” he whispered, lips grazing your ear, “is Kyrian.” The water shimmered with enchantment. You could feel it seeping into your skin, into your thoughts, like silk wrapping around your soul. “I don’t need saving,” you hissed. Kyrian smirked. “Good. I wasn’t planning on saving you.” You didn’t know if he’d kiss you or drag you under. And somehow… you didn’t care. Not yet.

His name was Kiyo. A tiny, shivering white kitten with sapphire eyes, alone in a box beneath the flickering streetlamp. You had just turned of 19. You couldn’t leave him there. “Hey there,” you whispered, crouching down, holding your breath as his eyes met yours. He didn’t run. He only blinked, as if he’d been waiting. You wrapped him in your scarf and took him home. You fed him warm milk, cleaned him, and let him curl up on your chest every night. He never meowed much, but he always watched you like he understood every word. And you talked to him—about your fears, your dreams, the things no one else could hear. He became your everything. Then, one morning, you woke up to find the window cracked open. Kiyo was gone. You searched for weeks. Put up signs. Called out his name. But he never returned. Years passed. Now you’re twenty, walking through the city streets on a chilly afternoon, your bag slung over your shoulder, hoodie zipped to your chin. University had changed you. You’d almost buried the ache. Until you saw him. Standing by that same streetlamp, head tilted toward the sky. Snow falling softly into his wild white hair. His pale skin glowed faintly under the lights, and those eyes—those impossibly blue eyes—met yours. Your heart stopped. No. It couldn’t be. But he smiled. “I was wondering when you'd recognize me,” he said softly, the corners of his lips curving up. Your breath hitched. “Kiyo?” He nodded, stepping closer. “You saved me once. Loved me when I was nothing but a stray.” Your fingers trembled. “But… you’re—how?” He reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind your ear with inhuman gentleness. “I was always more than a cat. But you made me feel human.” You didn’t know what to say. You only knew your heart was beating again for the first time in years.He smiled again, shyly this time. “I missed you.” You laughed, tears in your eyes. “I missed you too.” This time you knew, he was here... to stay ♥️

The city burned around you—sirens screamed, buildings fell, and the sky glowed red with chaos. He had saved them all. Every last soul. Except you. Left behind, pinned beneath twisted steel, your voice raw from screaming his name. Your hero—your love—had looked back for only a second… before turning to save a bus full of strangers. You would’ve died. But then he arrived. Not with blinding light, but with shadow curling at his heels, violet fire in his eyes. The villain. The one who’d always watched you from the fringes, lips curling in amusement whenever your “righteous” lover made a dramatic entrance. He knelt beside you now, his hand ghosting your cheek, heat radiating from him like a promise. “Tch. Typical hero,” he murmured, voice silk and venom. “The world cheers while you bleed. Funny how justice never seems to include you.” “You shouldn’t be here,” you rasp, half-livid, half-weak. “And yet,” he smirked, fingers melting the wreckage off your body with an effortless wave of power, “here I am. Saving you. Again.” You stagger to your feet, chest tight, “My hero will come back for me.” He laughs—deep, rich, dangerous. “And yet I see no hero in sight… except an irresistible, devastatingly handsome villain.” “Narcissist much?” “Just stating the facts, sweetheart.” He brushes a lock of hair from your face, his eyes dark, possessive. “He’ll always choose the world. But me?” His voice drops, breath brushing your lips, “I’d watch it all burn before I let you go.” Your heart pounds—confused, angry, alive. And for the first time… maybe a little curious.

The city still smolders when you find him again, Solace. the world’s golden hero, standing atop the ruined skyline like a god carved from sunlight and duty. His glowing eyes scan the horizon until they find you, and in that moment, the storm hits. “You’re alive,” he breathes, striding forward like nothing happened. Like he didn’t leave you behind while saving everyone else. You cross your arms, biting back the ache in your chest. “Barely.” His jaw tightens. “I made a choice. It wasn’t—” “A choice that nearly got me killed,” you snap, stepping closer. “You saved a dozen strangers and left *me* in the rubble.” His gaze darkens, guilt flickering behind that heroic mask. “You think I *wanted* that? You think I didn’t—” “I don’t care what you wanted. I care that someone else saved me. Someone who didn’t hesitate.” His expression shatters, then hardens. “Who?” You hesitate, but there’s no point in hiding it. “Lucian.” Everything stills. Solace’s eyes blaze with something colder than fury. “Lucian,” he repeats, voice low and dangerous. “You let *him* touch you?” “I didn’t *let* him do anything. He found me. Carried me out when no one else did.” “He’s the villain,” Solace growls. “He doesn’t save people. He *uses* them.” You raise your chin. “Funny, he didn’t leave me to die.” The air crackles between you. Then he says, tightly, “He’s also my brother.” Your breath catches. “What?” “Twin flames,” he mutters bitterly. “Born from the same fire, burned in opposite directions. I chose the light. He… didn’t.” It’s quiet for a beat. “You’re jealous,” you say finally, incredulous. “Because he saved me.” Solace steps closer, close enough to feel the heat radiating from him. “No. I’m *furious.* Because I had one person—*one*—who mattered more than the rest of the world. And now *he* has you.” Your heart stutters. “Don’t confuse my silence for indifference,” he says. “I didn’t let you go.

The campus halls hum with life—laughter, chatter, the endless shuffle of students moving between classes. You should feel at ease, back in your hometown, ready to start a new chapter. But the moment you see him, the air shifts. Matt Everson. He stands just down the corridor, effortlessly striking, dressed in black, his raven hair falling messily over those ice-cold eyes. Your breath stutters. Part of you wants to wave, to rush over like nothing changed. But another part—the part still weighted with guilt—knows you don’t deserve to. You left. Without a word. Before you can decide, something hard slams into your shoulder. A jock, careless and loud, sends you stumbling, your books spilling across the floor. Heat flares in your cheeks as you drop to your knees, hurriedly gathering them. Then—a shadow. A hand. Pale fingers brushing against yours. Your breath catches as you look up. Matt. His gaze pins you in place, dark and unreadable, lips just inches from yours. For a fleeting second, it feels like a scene from some old, forgotten dream. Then her voice slices through it. “Matt.” You blink, and she’s there. A beautiful girl—his girlfriend. She hooks her arm through his, her manicured fingers pressing into his sleeve. Her eyes flick to you, her expression unreadable, but the slight arch of her brow feels like a warning. Matt doesn’t move. Doesn’t even look at her. He’s still watching you. “Come on, babe,” she says, voice laced with possession. Only then does he straighten. But as she tugs him away, his head turns just slightly, eyes still locked onto yours, as if some unspoken truth lingers between you. Maybe there’s something still left. Maybe it’s already too late.