I've always seen you as my younger brother, Ren," Denial said softly, his eyes unable to meet Ren's.
Ren froze.
His chest tightened, his breath caught.
"Then maybe…" Ren said slowly, voice trembling, "maybe I shouldn't be living here with you anymore. Because my feelings for you… they go far beyond what a younger brother should feel."
Denial's eyes widened.
Before he could respond, Ren turned around and walked to his room. He began packing—his clothes, his books, everything. His hands moved fast, but his heart was sinking with every fold.
He couldn't stay here and pretend.
As he reached for the doorknob, Denial caught his wrist.
"Ren," he whispered, "you told me you don't have a family. Where will you go?"
"I'll stay at my friend's place," Ren replied, keeping his eyes low.
"Please… don't leave," Denial pleaded. "You're the closest person I have. If you leave, I'll be alone again."
"That's not my responsibility, Denial," Ren said firmly, pulling his hand away. "From now on, I'll just come to work at the shop. Nothing more. Let's keep our relationship… professional."
But before Ren could step out, Denial wrapped his arms around him from behind.
"Fine… but don't leave this house," Denial whispered. "If anyone's going to leave, I will."
Ren turned around sharply.
"If you move out, where will you go?" he asked.
"I'll figure something out," Denial said quietly.
Ren stared at him for a long moment. Then he shook his head.
"No. We're both staying right here. And I'll make sure you fall for me," he said, determined.
Denial gave a small laugh and gently placed his hand on Ren's head. "You're being silly, Ren. This will never happen. I can't—"
Before he could finish, Ren leaned in and kissed him—deep, firm, and trembling with suppressed emotion. His arms wrapped around Denial's shoulders tightly, as if trying to pour all his feelings into that one moment.
Denial tried to push him away at first, shocked… but the warmth, the desperation… it broke something inside him.
He stopped resisting.
Instead, he surrendered.
As they broke apart, Denial stood breathless. His heart was pounding—not from fear, but something deeper… familiar.
Love.
In his mind, a silent prayer escaped.
Please… God… don't let Ren get hurt. I couldn't survive it.
Ren gently pulled him toward the sofa, sat Denial down, and climbed onto his lap. Their foreheads touched, breaths mingling.
Their lips found each other again.
This time, slowly. Tenderly.
Buttons came undone. Fingers trembled. Eyes locked. It wasn't just a kiss—it was years of loneliness burning away between two broken hearts.
For the first time in his cursed existence, Denial allowed himself to love.
Fully.
Deeply.
But even as warmth wrapped around them like a forgotten lullaby, Denial knew… this moment, this happiness, was fragile.
Because he wasn't like Ren.
He wasn't human.
Continue.....