Morning came quietly.Too quietly.As if the world itself understood that something fragile had returned—and shouldn’t be disturbed.Eli was awake.Not fully rested.Not completely steady.But awake.And that alone changed everything.He lay still for a while, staring at the ceiling, letting the weight of everything settle properly this time.Not fragments.Not confusion.Not denial.Truth.Heavy.Real.Unavoidable.His fingers moved slightly against the sheets.He could still feel it.That bond.That pull.Not overwhelming like before.Not suffocating.Just… there.Constant.Quiet.Certain.And it led to one place.Always.Kieran.Eli exhaled slowly and turned his head.The chair beside the bed was no longer empty.Kieran sat there.Leaning forward slightly, elbows resting on his knees, head lowered just enough to suggest he hadn’t slept.But his eyes—They were open.Watching.Waiting.The moment Eli’s gaze met his—Something shifted.Subtle.But real.“…You’re awake.”His voice was
Last Updated : 2026-05-03 Read more