Focus— Too Close to Losing You
The night felt colder than usual.
Not because of the weather.
But because something wasn't right.
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Aiden walked beside Kael in silence.
Their steps were in sync—
But their thoughts weren't.
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"…where are we going?" Aiden finally asked.
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"Somewhere safe."
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That answer again.
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Aiden sighed.
"You keep saying that, but you're not telling me anything."
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Kael glanced at him briefly.
"…I will."
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"When?"
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A pause.
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"…soon."
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Aiden let out a quiet laugh.
"You've been saying that a lot."
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Kael didn't respond.
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Because he knew—
Aiden was right.
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They reached a quieter part of the campus.
Far from the main buildings.
Far from people.
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Too far.
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Aiden slowed down slightly.
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"…this doesn't feel safe."
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Kael stopped.
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His eyes scanning the area.
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"…stay close."
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That tone—
It wasn't casual anymore.
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It was serious.
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Aiden's chest tightened.
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"…they're here, aren't they?"
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Kael didn't answer.
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That silence—
It was enough.
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A sudden sound.
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Footsteps.
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Not theirs.
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Aiden's heart skipped.
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"…Kael."
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"I know."
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Kael stepped slightly in front of him.
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Instinct.
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Protection.
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Another sound.
Closer this time.
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Then—
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A shadow moved between the trees.
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Aiden froze.
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"…there."
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Kael's eyes locked onto the same spot.
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"…don't move."
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Aiden didn't argue.
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Because for the first time—
He was actually scared.
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The shadow stepped forward.
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Not hiding anymore.
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The same figure.
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From before.
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But this time—
Closer.
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Clearer.
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Still not fully visible.
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But enough to feel dangerous.
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"…who are you?" Aiden asked, his voice unsteady.
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No answer.
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The figure tilted their head slightly.
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Almost like they were observing him.
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Studying him.
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Aiden's chest tightened.
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"…why are you following me?"
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Silence.
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Then—
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A voice.
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Low.
Distorted.
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"You shouldn't be here."
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Aiden froze.
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"…what?"
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Kael stepped forward.
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"Stay away from him."
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The figure let out a quiet laugh.
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"You didn't listen."
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Kael's expression darkened.
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"I told you to stop."
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Aiden looked between them.
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"…you know them?"
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Neither answered.
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That was enough.
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Aiden's stomach dropped.
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The figure took another step forward.
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"You had one job."
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Kael clenched his fists.
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"…leave him out of this."
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The air shifted.
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Tense.
Dangerous.
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"…you think you can protect him?" the figure asked.
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Kael didn't hesitate.
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"Yes."
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That answer—
It was immediate.
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Certain.
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And it made Aiden's heart race.
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The figure laughed again.
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"You already failed once."
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That hit.
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Aiden felt it.
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Even if Kael didn't react—
He knew.
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"Don't come any closer," Kael warned.
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"Or what?"
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Challenge.
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Pure challenge.
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Before Kael could respond—
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The figure moved.
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Fast.
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Too fast.
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Aiden barely had time to react.
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"Kael—!"
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Kael stepped forward immediately—
Blocking him.
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The figure lunged.
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And everything happened at once.
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Aiden stumbled back—
Heart racing.
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Kael grabbed the attacker's arm—
Twisting it sharply.
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The figure hissed.
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But didn't stop.
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They pushed forward again.
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Stronger than expected.
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"Run," Kael said.
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Aiden froze.
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"…what?"
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"RUN!"
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Aiden shook his head.
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"No!"
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"I said run!"
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"I'm not leaving you!"
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That one sentence—
It changed something.
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Even in the middle of chaos—
Kael heard it.
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And for a second—
His focus broke.
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That was enough.
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The attacker struck again.
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This time—
Harder.
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Kael staggered slightly.
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"Aiden—!"
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But Aiden didn't move away.
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Instead—
He stepped forward.
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"Stop!"
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The attacker paused.
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Just for a second.
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Their gaze shifting to Aiden.
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And in that moment—
Something changed.
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"…you shouldn't have come," the figure said quietly.
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Aiden's chest tightened.
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"…what do you want?"
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Silence.
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Then—
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"You."
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The word sent a chill down his spine.
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Before he could react—
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Kael moved again.
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Pulling Aiden back.
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"Don't listen to them."
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The figure laughed softly.
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"You really think you can keep him safe?"
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Kael didn't answer.
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But his grip on Aiden tightened.
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Protective.
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Desperate.
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"Stay behind me," Kael whispered.
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Aiden swallowed.
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But this time—
He listened.
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The tension in the air snapped again.
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And suddenly—
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The attacker rushed forward.
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Again.
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Faster.
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Stronger.
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Kael reacted immediately—
Blocking.
Fighting back.
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But this time—
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It wasn't enough.
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The attacker's movement—
It was precise.
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Like they knew exactly what they were doing.
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Aiden's heart pounded.
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He looked around quickly—
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Searching.
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Anything.
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Something.
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His hand grabbed the nearest object—
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A broken branch.
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Not much.
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But enough.
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"Hey!"
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Aiden shouted—
Running forward.
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The attacker turned—
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Too late.
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Aiden swung the branch—
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Hitting their arm.
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Hard.
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The figure stumbled slightly.
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Kael took the chance—
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Pushing them back.
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Creating distance.
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"Are you crazy?" Kael snapped, breathing heavily.
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"You told me to stay, not watch!"
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That answer—
It wasn't wrong.
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But it still scared him.
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"You could've gotten hurt."
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"So could you!"
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Silence.
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Because that was true.
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The attacker straightened again.
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Unbothered.
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Like nothing had happened.
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"…interesting."
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Their gaze lingered on Aiden.
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Longer this time.
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"Now I understand."
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Aiden frowned.
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"…understand what?"
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But the figure didn't answer.
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Instead—
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They stepped back.
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Slowly.
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Retreating.
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"This isn't over."
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The words were quiet.
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But clear.
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And then—
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They disappeared.
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Again.
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Silence fell.
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But this time—
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It wasn't calm.
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It was aftermath.
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Aiden's breathing was uneven.
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His hands shaking slightly.
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"…what the hell was that?"
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Kael didn't respond immediately.
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Because he didn't have a simple answer.
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"…this is what I was trying to avoid."
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Aiden laughed weakly.
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"Yeah, well… that didn't work."
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Kael looked at him.
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Checking him.
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"Are you hurt?"
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Aiden shook his head.
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"…you?"
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Kael hesitated.
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"…I'm fine."
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That hesitation—
It didn't go unnoticed.
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"Show me."
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"…Aiden."
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"Show me."
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This time—
It wasn't a request.
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Kael sighed slightly—
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Rolling up his sleeve.
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A bruise.
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Forming.
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Dark.
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Aiden's chest tightened.
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"…you call that fine?"
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"It's nothing."
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"It's not nothing!"
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The frustration came back.
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But this time—
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It wasn't about anger.
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It was fear.
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Aiden stepped closer.
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Without thinking—
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His fingers brushed lightly against Kael's arm.
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Checking.
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Careful.
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Gentle.
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Kael froze.
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Because that touch—
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It felt different.
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Not accidental.
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Not distant.
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Real.
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"…you need to be more careful," Aiden muttered.
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Kael's voice softened.
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"…so do you."
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A pause.
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"…I told you to run."
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"And I told you I'm not leaving you."
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Silence.
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That same sentence again.
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But this time—
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It meant more.
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Kael looked at him.
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Really looked at him.
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"…you're going to get hurt."
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Aiden held his gaze.
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"…then don't let that happen."
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That answer—
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It wasn't fear.
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It was trust.
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Not complete.
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But growing.
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The distance between them—
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It disappeared again.
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Slowly.
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Naturally.
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"…you scared me," Kael admitted quietly.
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Aiden blinked.
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"…what?"
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"When you stepped in."
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A pause.
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"…I thought I was going to lose you."
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That confession—
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It hit harder than anything else.
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Aiden's heart skipped.
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"…you won't."
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The words came out softer than expected.
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For a moment—
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Everything else faded.
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The danger.
The fear.
The confusion.
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Only them.
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Standing too close.
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Breathing too close.
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Kael's hand lifted slightly—
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Almost reaching for him—
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Then stopped.
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Because he remembered.
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Not yet.
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Aiden noticed.
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But didn't say anything.
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Because maybe—
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He wasn't ready either.
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"…let's go," Kael said finally.
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Aiden nodded.
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This time—
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Without hesitation.
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They walked together again.
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Closer than before.
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Stronger than before.
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But now—
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They both knew.
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This wasn't just about feelings anymore.
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It was about survival.
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And next time—
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They might not be this lucky.
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[To be continued…].
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