Chapter 7

Eli woke up sore.

Not the kind of soreness from a normal day.

This was different.

Every muscle in his body ached, especially his arms and shoulders. Even turning in bed felt like a struggle.

“…Why did I agree to that,” he groaned, dragging a hand over his face.

Training.

With Kieran.

The memory of yesterday came rushing back—how fast Kieran moved, how easily he read every mistake, how frustrating it was trying to keep up.

And yet—

Eli sat up slowly.

“…I didn’t die.”

That alone felt like an achievement.

A small one.

But still something.

He stood up, stretching slightly before wincing.

“Okay… maybe I almost died.”

Still—

That strange pull in his chest was already there again.

Steady.

Familiar.

Leading him in the same direction.

Eli sighed.

“…Of course.”

The forest greeted him quietly.

Morning light filtered through the trees again, but it didn’t make the place feel any less strange.

If anything, it felt like the forest had accepted him now.

Like he belonged here.

Eli frowned at that thought.

“…No, I don’t,” he muttered.

“You’re early.”

Eli turned immediately.

Kieran stood a few steps behind him.

Eli frowned. “Do you just appear out of nowhere now?”

“Yes.”

Eli stared at him.

“…You’re not even going to deny it?”

“No.”

Eli sighed.

“…You’re impossible.”

But he walked closer anyway.

“Don’t think I came early because I wanted to,” he added quickly. “I just woke up early.”

Kieran didn’t respond.

But his gaze lingered on Eli a second longer than usual.

Eli noticed.

“…What?”

Kieran’s eyes moved slightly—taking in Eli’s posture, the way he moved, the slight stiffness in his shoulders.

“You’re sore.”

Eli blinked.

“…Obviously.”

“You didn’t rest properly.”

Eli frowned. “And how would you know that?”

Kieran didn’t answer directly.

“You’re moving slower than yesterday.”

Eli crossed his arms.

“…So now you’re analyzing me?”

“Yes.”

Eli stared at him for a second.

“…That’s weird.”

Kieran didn’t react.

Of course.

Eli exhaled.

“…Whatever. Let’s just get this over with.”

Kieran stepped closer.

“Today is different.”

Eli raised a brow.

“…How?”

Instead of answering, Kieran moved.

But this time—

Not fast.

Not aggressive.

Controlled.

He stepped directly into Eli’s space.

Too close.

Eli froze slightly.

“…What are you doing?”

Kieran didn’t stop.

He reached out—

And grabbed Eli’s wrist.

Firm.

Warm.

Eli stiffened immediately.

“Hey—what—”

“Focus,” Kieran said calmly.

Eli frowned.

“…I am focused.”

“No. You’re distracted.”

Eli tried to pull his hand back slightly.

“…Because you’re standing too close.”

Kieran didn’t let go.

“That’s the point.”

Eli blinked.

“…What?”

“In a real fight, distance won’t always exist,” Kieran said. “You need to react even when your space is compromised.”

Eli opened his mouth—

Then paused.

“…Okay, that makes sense,” he admitted reluctantly.

Kieran’s grip adjusted slightly—not tighter, but more controlled.

Eli noticed immediately.

And for some reason—

His chest tightened slightly.

“…Then teach me without grabbing me like that,” Eli muttered.

Kieran didn’t let go.

“You’ll get used to it.”

Eli frowned.

“…I don’t want to get used to it.”

Kieran’s eyes flickered slightly.

But he still didn’t release him.

“Move,” Kieran said.

Eli blinked. “Move how?”

“Break free.”

Eli scoffed.

“…You say things like it’s easy.”

But he tried anyway.

He twisted his wrist, trying to pull away—

Nothing.

Kieran’s grip didn’t budge.

Eli frowned deeper.

“…Okay, that’s not fair.”

“You’re using strength,” Kieran said. “Wrong approach.”

“Then what’s the right one?”

Kieran stepped closer.

Even closer.

Eli’s breath hitched slightly.

“…What now?”

“Control.”

Kieran’s voice had lowered slightly.

Calmer.

But something about it felt… heavier.

Eli’s chest tightened again.

That pull.

Stronger now.

More noticeable.

“…Why is it doing that again?” Eli muttered.

Kieran’s gaze dropped briefly—to their hands.

Then back to Eli.

“Because you’re aware of it.”

Eli frowned.

“…No, I’m aware of you standing too close.”

Kieran didn’t respond to that.

Instead—

He guided Eli’s hand slightly.

“Don’t pull away,” he said. “Turn.”

Eli hesitated.

“…Turn?”

“Yes.”

Eli tried it.

Instead of pulling back, he twisted his wrist sideways—

And suddenly—

His hand slipped free.

Eli blinked.

“…Wait.”

He looked at his hand.

Then at Kieran.

“…That actually worked.”

Kieran nodded once.

“Again.”

Eli rolled his eyes slightly.

But there was a small spark of interest now.

“…Fine.”

They repeated it.

Over and over.

Each time, Eli got better.

Faster.

More confident.

But the closeness didn’t change.

Kieran stayed near.

Too near.

And Eli couldn’t ignore it anymore.

“…You don’t have to stand this close every time,” he said.

Kieran didn’t step back.

“Yes, I do.”

Eli frowned.

“…Why?”

Kieran paused.

Just for a second.

Then said:

“Because others won’t keep their distance from you.”

Eli stared at him.

Something about that answer felt… off.

Not wrong.

Just incomplete.

But he didn’t push it.

Instead, he stepped back slightly on his own.

Creating space.

Finally.

“…Better,” he muttered.

But the moment the distance increased—

The pull in his chest weakened.

Eli noticed immediately.

“…That’s annoying,” he said.

Kieran watched him carefully.

“You noticed.”

“Yes, I noticed,” Eli replied. “Every time you’re close, it gets stronger. Every time you’re not, it fades.”

A pause.

“…I don’t like it.”

Kieran’s expression didn’t change.

But something in his gaze deepened slightly.

“You will.”

Eli frowned immediately.

“No, I won’t.”

Kieran didn’t argue.

But he didn’t look convinced either.

Eli looked away, slightly irritated.

“…Let’s just continue.”

Kieran nodded.

But this time—

When they resumed—

He didn’t step as close.

At least—

Not immediately.

Still—

His eyes stayed on Eli longer than necessary.

Watching.

Tracking.

As if making sure he didn’t miss anything.

Eli noticed that too.

“…Why do you keep staring at me?” he asked suddenly.

Kieran didn’t hesitate.

“To understand you.”

Eli blinked.

“…That’s even weirder.”

Kieran said nothing.

But he didn’t look away.

And for some reason—

Eli couldn’t hold his gaze for long.

“…Whatever,” he muttered.

But as training continued—

Something subtle had already begun to change.

Not in Eli.

Not yet.

But in Kieran.

Because every movement Eli made—

Every reaction—

Every mistake—

Kieran noticed.

And remembered.