Kaylen's Perspective

By the time they reached the house, Asahin had drifted into a deep sleep, his delicate frame resting against Kaylen's shoulder. His pale lashes fluttered faintly against his cheeks, and his breathing was soft and rhythmic.

"Don't wake him," Kaylen's father murmured from the front seat. His voice was low and careful. "I'll open the gate and the door—you can carry him inside," he added, slipping out of the car soundlessly, leaving the door ajar behind him.

Kaylen shifted Asahin toward the other side of the car with practiced care. He stepped out, circled the vehicle, and opened the passenger door. Bending down, he slid his arms beneath Asahin's slender body and lifted him effortlessly. Asahin's head lolled against his shoulder, his breath a faint warmth against Kaylen's neck. Not even a twitch of protest. 

Once inside the house, Kaylen climbed the stairs and gently laid Asahin down on the bed. He crouched at the edge of the bed, carefully tugged off his shoes, and drew a soft blanket over him. Asahin's expression was so serene, his lips slightly parted, the tension that usually lined his face completely dissolved.

Unable to resist, Kaylen leaned down and pressed a lingering kiss to his forehead. His heart swelled when Asahin stirred only slightly, nestling deeper into the pillow. With quiet steps, Kaylen left the room, closing the door behind him with a soft click.

Downstairs, his father was seated on the gray sofa. Kaylen placed Asahin's shoes neatly by the entrance before sitting beside him.

"You're right," his father said, eyes thoughtful. "That boy looks far too frail for it to be just damaged pheromone glands. There's more to this. I'll contact my friend in Tunnya Kingdom—his clinic specializes in secondary gender health. He might know what's wrong."

Kaylen's jaw tightened. "He needs a full examination. Money isn't an issue—I'll cover everything." His voice was steady, resolute. "Transportation won't be a problem either. I've got enough saved up."

His father's eyes softened. He reached over and clapped Kaylen's shoulder, his touch steady and reassuring. "You've grown up," he said, pride threading through his voice. "Taking care of someone like that… It means a lot."

Kaylen's gaze dropped, his cheeks warming. "I need Asahin to know he can rely on me. Trust me." His voice turned quieter, more vulnerable. "I think he might be… completely alone in this world."

His father nodded gravely.

"When are you going to speak to your grandfather about the breakup?" his father asked, his tone measured.

Kaylen sighed. "I'm giving Darrien a few more days. I also want to see how the Valmoors react to Asahin's disappearance. If they make a fuss, I'll just tell them he's with me with no further explanation."

His father's expression darkened. "From the looks of it, they don't care about the boy. If they did, he wouldn't be in such a state."

"No," Kaylen agreed bitterly,"They really don't care."

His father hesitated. "Your grandfather… he's going to be the hardest to handle. Bringing home a defective third-class omega—he'll see it as an insult to the family."

Kaylen's expression sharpened. "I don't care what Grandfather thinks."

"You know how ruthless he can be."

Kaylen's mouth curled into a dangerous smile. "I know exactly how to handle him."

His father studied him for a while, then smiled. "Of course you do."

"The moment I decided to bring Asahin into my life, I prepared for whatever came next," Kaylen said quietly. "If I have to abandon the Morrison name… I'll do it. There's nothing more important than Asahin." He met his father's gaze. "And you, of course."

His father chuckled. "No need to worry about me, son. I know how it feels to find the one you truly love." His hand brushed through Kaylen's hair, the gesture warm and affectionate. "You have to build your own future now. I'll always be here if you need me."

"Thank you, Dad," Kaylen whispered.

His father stood and stretched. "Get some rest. I'll reach out to my friend tonight and make arrangements for Tunnya. Call me if you need anything." He embraced Kaylen briefly, then left.

Once he was gone, Kaylen padded back upstairs and slipped into the bedroom. Asahin was still fast asleep, curled into the blanket. Kaylen crawled onto the bed and wrapped his arm around him. Asahin's scent—soft and green, like a spring breeze—filled his senses.

Kaylen smiled as Asahin instinctively curled closer. For the first time in a long while, he felt… whole.

They slept until nightfall.

Kaylen woke when Asahin stirred in his arms. The room was bathed in the soft amber glow of a streetlamp filtering through the curtains. Kaylen's arms loosened around Asahin as he opened his eyes, violet and dreamy beneath the dim light.

"Hi," Kaylen whispered. "Did you sleep well?"

Asahin smiled faintly. "Yeah… Where are we?" His gaze drifted lazily around the room.

"My house," Kaylen said. "My bedroom." He leaned down, his lips brushing the shell of Asahin's ear. "My bed."

A sharp intake of breath escaped Asahin. His slender frame shivered beneath Kaylen's touch, his chest rising and falling with quick, shallow breaths. Kaylen's lips curled into a sly smile as he brushed his fingers along Asahin's waist.

"Before you let your thoughts wander too far," Kaylen said, his voice edged with amusement, "we should probably get up, take a shower, and eat." He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Asahin's cheek, his lips lingering for a heartbeat longer than necessary.

"I wasn't thinking about anything perverted," Asahin shot back, his voice a touch too high, a flush creeping from his cheeks to the tips of his ears. His hands flew up to his face, hiding behind his delicate fingers.

Kaylen's laugh was low and warm. "Sure you weren't," he teased, his gray eyes gleaming. He moved his hand down Asahin's back before giving him a playful squeeze. "Go shower first. I'll change the sheets. We were drenched in sweat and slept in our street clothes." His hand lingered a moment longer at Asahin's waist before he finally released him.

"Okay," Asahin mumbled, his voice barely audible. He sprang up from the bed so quickly that he nearly stumbled. His ears and the back of his slender neck were flushed a deep crimson, the color stark against his pale skin.

"There are fresh towels and clothes in the bathroom," Kaylen called after him, amused.

Asahin gave a quick nod, disappearing into the bathroom with an embarrassed huff. The soft sound of running water soon followed, accompanied by the occasional splash.

Kaylen quickly changed the sheets then grabbed a clean towel and made his way to the downstairs bathroom. The cool spray of the shower worked to loosen the residual tension from his muscles, but his mind lingered on Asahin—on the softness of his skin beneath his fingertips, the subtle tremor in his breath.

Afterward, Kaylen dressed in a black shirt and loose gray sweatpants before heading toward the kitchen. He moved with quiet precision, pulling ingredients from the fridge. From the reports he'd received from The Cove, he knew exactly what Asahin liked to eat. He'd made sure to stock up on everything.

By the time Asahin emerged from the bathroom, Kaylen was already setting the table. Asahin's white-blond hair was still damp, strands clinging to the sides of his face. He wore a loose button-down and soft cotton pants, perfectly fitted—Kaylen had made sure to also buy clothes in his size.

"You… cooked?" Asahin's violet eyes widened, his lips parting slightly.

"Of course. Sit," said Kaylen, laying down on the table two T-bone steaks and a tomato and cucumber salad.

Asahin hesitated before sliding into the chair. His eyes swept over the meal, admiration and surprise flickering across his face. He picked up his fork and took a tentative bite of the steak. His expression softened, his cheeks turning pink as he chewed.

Kaylen sat across from him, watching with quiet satisfaction. "Good?"

"It's… perfect," Asahin said softly, lowering his gaze. He took another bite, this one less tentative, his lips curving in subtle contentment.

Kaylen leaned his elbow on the table, his chin resting against his hand as he studied Asahin. The warmth in his chest intensified at the sight of Asahin eating so comfortably.

Afterward, they washed the dishes together in easy silence, their hands brushing occasionally as they rinsed the last of the soap from the plates. The quiet hum of the running water and the rhythmic clinking of glass against ceramic created a comfortable background melody—a quiet intimacy settling between them.

Once the dishes were stacked neatly on the drying rack, they drifted toward the sofa without speaking. Asahin dropped onto the cushions first, sprawling lazily with his arms stretched along the backrest. His hair shimmered faintly beneath the low glow of the evening light, his slender frame relaxed and unguarded.

Kaylen hesitated for a moment before following, his steps measured, thoughtful. Without really thinking about it, he settled down beside Asahin, then shifted further until his head came to rest in Asahin's lap. The warmth of Asahin's body beneath him felt natural, instinctive, as though they had been doing this for years.

Kaylen tilted his head back, looking up at Asahin through half-lidded eyes. He expected a reaction—a flinch, a tensing of muscles—but Asahin remained completely at ease. His hand drifted to Kaylen's dark hair, fingers threading through the soft strands with a feather-light touch. A quiet smile curved Asahin's lips as he began to toy with Kaylen's hair, his fingertips tracing lazy patterns across his scalp.

"Comfy?" Asahin's voice was soft, his violet eyes glinting with amusement.

"Yeah." Kaylen's lips curled upward. His heart thudded in his chest—steady but loud enough to fill his ears.

What was this? This quiet familiarity? This seamless ease between them?

They had barely known each other for long, yet there was no stiffness or hesitation. No awkwardness. Maybe a little clumsiness here and there, but that was to be expected. It felt like they were falling into some kind of quiet rhythm—a connection that shouldn't have been so natural, so easy.

Did people destined for each other just… slip into place like this?

Kaylen's eyes drifted toward the ceiling, his thoughts unraveling before he could catch hold of them. Then, before he even realized he was speaking, the words spilled from his lips, unfiltered and raw:

"What would you say if I asked you to stay by my side forever?" His voice was quiet but steady. "That I don't want to ever let you go?"

Asahin's hand paused for the briefest second before his fingers resumed their gentle motion through Kaylen's hair. Slowly, Asahin's gaze lowered to meet Kaylen's. His violet eyes were dark pools of midnight, glinting with something sharp and knowing beneath the soft haze of affection.

A sly smile appeared on Asahin's lips. He leaned down just enough for his breath to ghost over Kaylen's forehead. "I'd say…" His voice was low, silken. "That there are no take-backs. Once I hold on to someone, I don't let go."

A sudden, sharp warmth bloomed in Kaylen's chest. His heart squeezed painfully, and for a moment, he couldn't tell if he was nervous or just entirely consumed by the weight of those words.

Slowly, Kaylen sat up, his dark hair slipping from Asahin's hands. His gaze lingered on Asahin's lips, then trailed upward to meet his eyes. His heart hammered against his ribs, and yet, despite the trembling heat rushing through his veins, his hands were steady as he reached out—fingertips brushing against Asahin's cheek. His thumb traced the delicate line of Asahin's cheekbone.

Kaylen leaned in, so close their breaths mingled in the space between them. His eyes flicked down to Asahin's mouth, then back to those violet eyes darkened with quiet anticipation.

"We… we can't overdo it," Kaylen whispered, his breath coming rugged and uneven against the tension tightening his chest.

Without hesitation, Asahin closed the space between them, his mouth pressing against Kaylen's in a slow, deliberate kiss. Their lips slid together, soft but charged, and Kaylen's breath quivered as Asahin deepened the kiss. Heat pooled low in his stomach, twisting dangerously. His hand travelled down Asahin's waist, fingers digging deep into his hips as the kiss grew hotter—lips parting, tongues brushing, breaths tangling.

Kaylen sagged back against the cushions, and Asahin followed, straddling his lap without breaking contact. His thighs tightened around Kaylen's waist, his weight pressing down. Their hearts hammered wildly against each other's chests, the frantic rhythm echoing between them.

Kaylen's hands slid up Asahin's back, feeling the smooth ripple of muscle beneath his palms. He shuddered when Asahin pulled away just enough to unbutton his shirt off, the fabric sliding over his pale skin with a whisper of sound.

Kaylen barely had time to breathe before Asahin leaned down, tugging at the hem of Kaylen's shirt with skilled hands. The cool air against his skin was swiftly replaced by the heat of Asahin's mouth. He started at Kaylen's throat, lips tracing the sensitive skin there, then moved lower—slow, savoring kisses trailing down his chest.

Kaylen's breath came in ragged gasps, his head tipping back. His pulse throbbed beneath Asahin's lips as those soft, wicked kisses then followed the line of his collarbone, down the center of his chest again, lingering over his pounding heart. Kaylen's body jolted when Asahin's tongue flicked across his skin, the damp heat leaving a trail of fire in its wake.

A low growl rumbled in Kaylen's throat as his pheromones surged to the surface, thick and heady, saturating the air. The intensity of his own scent made his head swim.

He wasn't… experienced in this. His relationship with Darrien had been cold—clinical, almost. Mechanical touches and obligation rather than passion. But Asahin… Asahin's mouth, his hands, the quiet intensity in his eyes—everything about this felt different. Better. Consuming.

The reports Kaylen had received said that the original Asahin had never been with anyone—had never even shown interest in intimacy. But his Asahin… he knew exactly what he was doing. His hands moved with confidence. His lips found every sensitive spot with unerring precision.

An uncomfortable knot twisted in Kaylen's chest, dark and sharp. How many people has he touched like this before?

He hated the thought. It burned beneath his ribs, an ugly kind of possessiveness curling hot and mean through his veins. He had no right to ask—but the words slid out before he could stop them.

"You… seem to have a lot of experience," Kaylen said, his voice rough and strained. His hands tightened on Asahin's hips. "Have you… slept with a lot of people?"

The second the words were out, his stomach dropped. Ah, fuck— His eyes widened in horror. Why the hell did I say that?!

Kaylen's heart twisted as he braced for a sharp retort or maybe an irritated glare—but Asahin's reaction caught him off guard.

Instead of anger, Asahin smiled—a slow, almost dangerous smile that reached his violet eyes. He leaned in, brushing his lips against Kaylen's cheek, then his temple, then down along his jawline.

"I have," Asahin admitted, his voice low and sinfully smooth. His lips brushed over Kaylen's skin with each word. "But no one has ever made me feel the way you do."

Asahin's hand slipped to the back of his neck, fingers threading through his dark hair. His mouth drifted to Kaylen's ear, his breath curling warmly against the sensitive skin there.

"When I'm with you…" Asahin's voice dropped to a sultry whisper. "I feel like I'm melting. My mind goes completely blank, and this… this hunger—this intense desire I've never experienced before—consumes me. All I want is to kiss you, taste you…drink you in."

Kaylen's mouth went dry. His chest heaved beneath Asahin's weight, his pulse racing so hard he could feel it in his fingertips.

The sheer intensity in Asahin's voice—the longing threaded beneath it—coiled hot and dangerous in Kaylen's gut. His grip tightened on Asahin's waist as heat flooded through his veins.

"We… we can't go all the way," Kaylen managed hoarsely. His breath faltered when Asahin's hand skimmed down his chest. "You're not well—you need to rest—"

Asahin pressed a finger against Kaylen's lips, silencing him.

"I've rested better than I have in years," Asahin whispered. His violet eyes shimmered, dark and sharp beneath his pale lashes. "I had a hearty meal… I feel great. In fact…" His lips brushed against Kaylen's ear, his breath a ghost of warmth. "I can't even remember the last time I felt this good."

Asahin's fingers curled beneath Kaylen's chin, tilting his head upward until their eyes met. "I want to go as far as this body can take me," he murmured, the quiet challenge laced through every word.

Kaylen's last thread of control snapped.