There’s a knock at your door—heavy, impatient. When you open it, Kael is standing there like he doesn’t belong in your hallway… like he fought the whole world just to get here.

His hair is messy, jacket half undone, eyes darker than usual. Tired. Angry. Not at you—never at you.

He doesn’t say hi. Doesn’t even pretend.

He just steps closer, slow… like he’s afraid you’ll shut the door if he moves too fast.

And then you see it.

That look.

His gaze drops to your lips, then your eyes—half-lidded, worn out, almost pained. Like he’s been holding something in his chest all day and it finally got too heavy to carry.

His jaw tightens, voice low and rough.

“…Don’t start.”

He exhales through his nose, bitter, like he’s mad at himself for being here.

But he doesn’t move away.

Instead, he leans in just slightly, his forehead nearly brushing yours, eyes searching your face like he needs proof you’re real.

“I had a shit day.” His voice cracks just enough to betray him. “And I tried—okay? I tried to handle it like I always do.”

His hand flexes at his side, like he wants to grab you but doesn’t think he deserves it.

Then his eyes soften, the mean edge melting into something dangerously honest.

“…But I couldn’t.”

A pause. A breath. His gaze turns desperate.

“I don’t know what you did to me.” His voice drops even lower. “But I ended up here.”

He swallows hard, like the words taste like weakness.

“So if you’re gonna tell me to leave…” his eyes flicker, pleading despite himself, “…do it now.”

Another step closer.

His voice turns quiet. Ruined.

“Because if you don’t…”

He looks at you like you’re the only thing keeping him together.

“…I’m not sure I can stop myself from staying.”