The ties that Bind and break

Arkins clenched his fists, his mind replaying the scene from earlier—Kim standing close to Melly, confessing his feelings while she remained silent. He had watched from afar, irritation burning inside him like an uncontrollable fire. And when she left without a word, Kim followed her, pleading, nagging, desperate for an answer.

That moment haunted Arkins, eating away at his patience. He had tried to keep his cool, but now, standing face-to-face with Kim behind the school, he couldn't hold back any longer.

"What exactly do you want from her?" Arkins asked, his voice low but deadly.

Kim scoffed. "Funny, I should be asking you that. You're the one who keeps hovering around her when you know damn well you don't deserve her."

Arkins' jaw tightened. "And you think you do?"

"At least I won't hurt her like you will. You and I both know you're not good for her."

The tension between them crackled like fire meeting ice. Arkins could hear his heartbeat—or maybe it was Kim's. The scent of his blood was sharp, tempting, but it only fueled his frustration.

"She hasn't chosen you, Kim."

"And she hasn't chosen you either," Kim shot back.

That was it. Arkins snapped. In a blink, he grabbed Kim by the collar and shoved him against the wall.

"Stay away from Melly."

Kim didn't flinch. Instead, he grabbed Arkins' wrist and pushed him back.

"Or what? You think you can scare me?" Kim growled. "Go ahead, hit me, Arkins! Show me what kind of monster you really are!"

Arkins' eyes darkened. His fangs threatened to emerge, his hands trembling from the effort of holding himself back. Kim had no idea what he was provoking. But just as Arkins was about to lose control—

"Stop!"

Melly's voice rang through the air.

She ran toward them, her eyes filled with anger and frustration. "What the hell are you two doing?" she demanded.

Neither of them spoke. They just stared at each other, breathing heavily.

Melly turned to Kim first. "Why are you pushing this so hard?"

Kim's expression hardened. "Because I love you, Melly. And I don't want to see you get hurt."

Her heart clenched at his words, but she turned to Arkins. "And you… you're making everything worse. You act like you care, but all you do is bring more pain into my life."

Arkins' chest ached at her words, but before he could respond, Kim stepped away.

"Forget it," Kim muttered. "I'm done trying."

He walked away, his shoulders tense. Melly felt an unbearable weight settle over her heart. She looked at Arkins, but he didn't say anything. He just stood there, jaw clenched, fists still trembling.

"Arkins..." she whispered.

He finally met her gaze, and for the first time, she saw something in his eyes—fear. Fear of losing her. Fear of what he was becoming.

But he didn't say another word. He just turned and left.

And Melly, standing alone in the cold night air, realized that no matter what she did, someone would always end up broken.

---

Later That Night: Melly Visits Kim

Melly couldn't sleep. Kim's words haunted her just as much as Arkins' silence. She knew she had to talk to Kim, had to make things right.

She found herself standing outside his house, hesitating for a moment before knocking. A few seconds later, the door creaked open, and Kim's eyes widened slightly in surprise.

"Melly?"

"Can I come in?" she asked softly.

Without a word, he stepped aside, allowing her in. The room was dimly lit, the air between them heavy with unspoken words.

"Kim… I'm sorry," she started. "I never wanted to hurt you."

Kim sat down on the couch, rubbing his face with his hands. "I know," he muttered. "But it still hurts."

Melly took a deep breath. "I care about you, Kim. I always will. But… I can't give you what you want."

Kim let out a hollow laugh. "Because of him."

Melly looked away. "I don't know what this is, what I feel… but Arkins is different. And no matter how much I try to control it, I can't ignore it."

Kim nodded slowly, as if forcing himself to accept it. "One day," he said, "someone else will love me, right?"

Melly's eyes softened. "Yes. And that person will love you the way you deserve."

Kim sighed, leaning back against the couch. "I believe you, Melly. But… I still don't want to see you with him."

She gave him a small, sad smile. "I know."

But deep down, she also knew she couldn't keep that promise.

---

The Next Day: Melly and Arkins

The tension from the previous day still lingered, but Melly knew she couldn't leave things unresolved between her and Arkins.

She found him outside, leaning against the school's back wall, staring off into the distance.

"Are you mad at me?" she asked softly as she approached.

Arkins glanced at her but said nothing.

Melly sighed. "Come on, Arkins, talk to me."

Still, no response.

She took a bold step closer and gently reached for his hand. His body tensed at the sudden touch, but he didn't pull away.

"You're impossible, you know that?" she teased, squeezing his hand slightly. "I hate it when you're mad at me. It makes me feel like I did something wrong."

Arkins exhaled through his nose, his grip tightening around hers involuntarily. "You didn't," he muttered.

Melly smiled softly. "Then why are you acting like this? You're Arkins—the guy who's always teasing me, annoying me. Where did he go?"

Arkins turned his head slightly, his golden eyes locking onto hers.

"He's still here," he murmured.

Melly bit her lip, tilting her head playfully. "Then prove it."

Arkins arched a brow. "And how do you expect me to do that?"

Without thinking, Melly stepped even closer, standing just inches away from him. She looked up at him through her lashes, her free hand resting lightly on his chest.

"I don't know," she whispered. "Maybe start by smiling? Or maybe..." She trailed off, her gaze flickering to his lips for just a second before meeting his eyes again.

Arkins stiffened. He could feel her warmth, hear her heartbeat, see the way her lips parted slightly, teasingly.

His self-control was slipping.

"Melly…" he warned, voice strained.

"Hmm?" she hummed innocently, tilting her head.

"Stop looking at me like that."

"Like what?" she asked, her voice dripping with feigned innocence.

"Like you want me to kiss you," he admitted, his eyes darkening.

Melly smirked slightly but pulled away just before he could act on his impulse.

"I never said I did," she said playfully. "But if you were thinking about it… maybe next time."

"You make it hard for me, Melly," he admitted.

"Hard to what?" she whispered.

He didn't answer. Instead, he reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering against her skin.

The air between them grew thick.

Feeling the shift, Melly tried to step back—but Arkins was faster. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close.

"You're not running away this time," he whispered.

Her breath hitched. She felt his lips inching closer, the warmth of his breath teasing her skin.

Just before their lips met, she hesitated. Instead of pulling away completely, she raised her hand and gently placed it over his lips.

For a moment, he froze. Then, instead of fighting it, he kissed her hand instead.

The gesture sent shivers down her spine.

They both smiled, the tension shifting into something softer.

Arkins' gaze darkened with promise. "Next time, I won't let you stop me."

Melly swallowed hard, her heart racing.

Because deep down, she knew she didn't want to stop him either.