Chapter 12

Eli couldn’t stop thinking about Charlotte.

Not in a confused way.

Not in a “maybe” way.

But in a way that felt… certain.

Natural.

Like something that had always been there.

The way she smiled.

The way she understood him without asking too many questions.

The way everything felt normal when he was with her.

“…Yeah,” Eli muttered to himself as he walked toward the forest. “That’s what normal feels like.”

Not whatever this thing with Kieran was.

Not the bond.

Not the tension.

Not the constant feeling of being watched.

Just—

Simple.

Real.

Eli exhaled slowly.

“…I should tell her.”

The thought came suddenly.

But it felt right.

He stopped walking for a second.

“…Yeah. I should.”

Before things got worse.

Before whatever was happening with Kieran complicated things even more.

Eli shook his head and continued walking.

“…After today.”

“You’re thinking too much again.”

Eli didn’t even react.

“…You always say that.”

Kieran stepped out from the trees, but this time—

There was something different in the way he looked at Eli.

Less cold.

More… aware.

Eli frowned slightly.

“…What?”

Kieran tilted his head just a little.

“Who is she to you?”

Eli blinked.

“…What?”

“The girl.”

Eli stared at him.

“…You came all the way here to ask me that?”

Kieran took a step closer.

Not aggressive.

Not tense.

Just—

Intentional.

“Answer.”

Eli scoffed lightly.

“…Why do you care?”

Kieran didn’t hesitate.

“I asked first.”

Eli rolled his eyes.

“…She’s important to me.”

Kieran’s gaze sharpened slightly.

“How?”

Eli hesitated.

But only for a second.

Then he said it plainly.

“I love her.”

Silence.

The forest itself seemed to pause.

Kieran didn’t react immediately.

But something in his eyes—

Shifted.

Just slightly.

Eli noticed.

“…What?”

Kieran looked away briefly.

Then back at him.

“…You’re certain?”

Eli frowned.

“Of course I am.”

A pause.

Then Eli added:

“She loves me too.”

That one—

Landed.

Kieran’s jaw tightened slightly.

Barely noticeable.

But it was there.

Eli crossed his arms.

“…Why are you asking me this anyway?”

Kieran stepped closer again.

This time—

Closer than usual.

Eli felt it immediately.

That pull.

Stronger.

But something else came with it now.

Something heavier.

Kieran’s voice lowered slightly.

“…Then stay away from me.”

Eli blinked.

“…Excuse me?”

“If you’re that certain,” Kieran continued, “then you shouldn’t be this close to me.”

Eli frowned.

“…You’re the one standing close.”

Kieran didn’t move back.

Instead—

He leaned slightly closer.

Eli’s breath caught for a second.

“…Kieran.”

“Does she touch you like this?” Kieran asked quietly.

Eli’s eyes widened slightly.

“…What kind of question is that?”

Kieran’s gaze dropped briefly—

To Eli’s lips.

Then back up.

Eli noticed.

His heart skipped.

Not because of attraction—

But because of how intense it felt.

“…You’re acting weird,” Eli said.

Kieran let out a faint breath.

Almost like a quiet laugh.

“Weird?”

Eli stepped back immediately.

“Yes. Weird.”

The moment the distance increased—

The tension snapped.

Eli exhaled.

“…Don’t do that.”

“Do what?” Kieran asked.

“That… whatever that was.”

Kieran’s lips curved slightly.

Just a little.

“You noticed.”

Eli frowned.

“…Of course I noticed.”

Kieran stepped back this time.

Finally giving space.

But his eyes didn’t leave Eli.

“…Good.”

Eli stared at him.

“…You’re seriously strange.”

Kieran didn’t deny it.

Instead—

He said something quieter.

“You shouldn’t get too close to me.”

Eli rolled his eyes.

“You keep saying that.”

“And you keep ignoring it.”

Eli scoffed.

“…Because you don’t make sense.”

Kieran’s expression softened slightly.

Just a little.

“…I don’t need to.”

That annoyed Eli again.

“…You’re impossible.”

“Yet you’re still here,” Kieran replied.

Eli paused.

“…That’s because I need to learn how to fight.”

Kieran’s gaze lingered.

“…Only that?”

Eli frowned.

“…Yes. Only that.”

Kieran held his gaze for a moment longer—

Like he was searching for something.

Then—

He looked away.

“…Then we train.”

Training felt different that day.

Not physically.

But emotionally.

Kieran was still fast.

Still precise.

But—

There were moments.

Small ones.

Where his hand lingered a second too long.

Where his gaze stayed just a little deeper.

Where his voice dropped slightly when he spoke.

Eli noticed.

But he didn’t understand it.

“…Focus,” Kieran said, catching Eli off guard again.

Eli blocked late.

“…I am focused.”

“No, you’re distracted.”

Eli scoffed.

“…You’re the one acting strange.”

Kieran didn’t respond.

Instead, he grabbed Eli’s wrist again—

Pulling him forward this time.

Too close.

Eli lost balance slightly—

And ended up right in front of him.

Chest almost touching.

Eli froze.

“…Again?”

Kieran didn’t move.

Didn’t let go.

“Break free,” he said quietly.

Eli frowned.

“…You always do this.”

“And you always hesitate.”

Eli clicked his tongue.

“…Because you keep invading my space.”

Kieran leaned slightly closer.

“Then stop reacting to it.”

Eli’s breath hitched slightly.

“…That’s not easy.”

Kieran’s voice dropped.

“It should be.”

For a moment—

Neither of them moved.

The space between them felt too small.

Too warm.

Too—

Eli pulled away first.

“…Okay. That’s enough.”

Kieran let go slowly.

But his gaze followed Eli.

Careful.

Intent.

Eli ran a hand through his hair.

“…You’re really testing my patience today.”

Kieran’s lips curved again.

Faint.

“You haven’t left.”

Eli sighed.

“…I told you. I’m not leaving.”

Kieran’s expression softened slightly.

“…I know.”

And for the first time—

That didn’t sound like control.

It sounded like certainty.