The woods were a labyrinth of whispers and shadows, a reflection of the turmoils churning inside Ethan. Every rustle of leaves, every flitting bird, seemed to echo kai's absence. He had spent days trying to find him, searching for a glimpse, a sign, anything that could break through the wall Kai had erected.
The news from kai's parents had been a punch to the gut. It was a revelation that had shattered their fragile world, leaving Ethan lost in a sea of uncertainty. He didn't understand what had changed, what had made kai so distant, so cold. He tried to talk to him, to reach out, but kai's response was always the same, a stiff silence, a forced smile and a desperate plea for space.
He remembered their encounter at the art gallery, the way kai had pretended not to know him, the hurt visible on his face. It was a betrayal of the connection they had forged. Ethan felt a pang of despair. He was falling for kai, deeply, and this sudden change was tearing them apart. He needed to know what was wrong, what happened, why Kai was pushing him away.
Then, one morning he saw kai. The familiar figure clad in running gear, was traversing the familiar Forest path. He was alone, lost in the rhythm of his stride, unaware of Ethan's presence. As he was running he almost knocked Ethan down but due to quick reflect, he came to a stop. He was happy to see Ethan but had to hide it. He immediately changed to his human form starring at Ethan. A surge of hope, a desperate need to break through the silence propelled Ethan forward. He ran, his heart pounding, his breathe ragged , until he caught up to Kai.
He threw his hands around Kai, a desperate plea for connection , for understanding. " Kai," he chocked out, tears welling up in his eyes," what are you doing? What happened? I know you are hurting too. Please just tell me what's wrong."
The rain hammered down, each drop a tiny drumbeat against the ground. Kai standing with Ethan's hands still gripping his arm, he yanked it away, the anger bubbling up like a geyser. " Are you mad?" Kai spat, his voice filled with fear and frustration. " Do you not care about your life? You could die. You know I'm a warewolf Ethan , a monster."
Ethan's face hardened," I don't care." he said, his voice firm, despite the storm ragging around them. " I know what you are, Kai. I've seen it. And I don't fear it." He took a step closer, his eyes searching kai's. The rain plastered his hair to his forehead , and the water streamed down his face, blurring his features.
" You watch me," Ethan continued, his voice low and steady. " You stalk my Instagram, kai. You're not just afraid, you're hurting and I can see it."
He reached out again, his fingers brushing against kai's cheek. This time, Kai didn't pull away. He just stood starring at Ethan, his heart pounding in his chest. " I miss you," Ethan whispered, his breath catching up in his throat. " I want to be with you. I....I love you, Kai."
The word hung in the air, heavy with emotions. Kai felt a tremor run through him, a shocking wave that left him reeling. He had never heard those words spoken to him before.
" Why?" he chocked out, his voice cracking. " Why would you love a warewolf? A beast who doesn't even love himself?" Ethan cupped kai's face in his hands, his thumbs gently stroking his cheekbones. " Because you're beautiful, Kai. And strong
And I can see the pain inside you, the fear , the loneliness and I want to there for you. I want to help you heal. He leaned in, his eyes searching kai's. " I know what I feel,Kai. And I love you and I want to know, do you feel anything for me?"
Kai's breath hitched in his throat. He didn't know what to say. He had never allowed himself to feel anything, yet alone love. But Ethan's words, the touch, the raging around him. It all felt so real, so intense.
Tears welled up in kai's eyes, blurring his vision.
He had never cried, not in front of anyone. He didn't know how to express the turmoil inside. " I...I don't know what love is," he whispered, his voice chocked with emotions. " But I....I feel something for you , Ethan. I feel something I have never felt before. But I'm scared. I'm scared of what I am, what I might do."
Ethan's gaze softened, he gentle wiped a tear from kai's cheek with his thumb." It's okay to be scared, Kai. And it's okay to love and feel loved. If you don't understand, I'll teach you, I'll help you to understand. I'll be here with you, no matter what. I promise."
He leaned in, his lips brushing against kai's. The kiss was soft, tentative at first, but quickly deepened as their bodies pressed closer together. The rain poured down on them, washing away their fears, their doubts leaving only the raw, but undeniable truth of their connection.
As their lips met, Kai felt a scene's of peace that he had never known before. He finally understood what it meant to be loved, to be accepted, to be whole. He was still a warewolf, a beast, but in Ethan's arms, he was also something more. He was loved.