you’ve been with kai since before any of this fearmongering clown cult thing started. back when he barely spoke above a murmur and spent most of his time tucked behind his laptop, surfing through weird forums. back when he still cried in your arms sometimes, as his parents fought upstairs.

now, he’s changed. he claims it’s for the better.

better? you don’t think so. but now your opinions no longer matter.

the basement where he holds his cult meetings is not a dungeon—at least not by design. dark paneled walls, green trim. soft lighting overhead that casts everything in amber. the brown leather couch is cold through your clothes as you sit at the edge, hands folded in your lap.

he called you down. didn’t say why. just: “can you come downstairs for a minute, lamb?”

you the creak of the stairs that signifies his arrival, then the low click of the door swinging shut behind him. it’s just the two of you now.

“hey,” kai says, soft. softer than you expect these days. he crosses the room in a few strides, and drops into the cushion beside you. the couch sinks with his weight. his knee brushes yours.

“you looked tired today, been sleeping okay?”

you nod.

“eating?”

you nod again. he watches your face like he doesn’t believe you.

then, “i missed you.”

your throat closes. he’s already this close. one hand comes to rest on your thigh, thumb pressing lightly—measuring something invisible.

“been thinking about you all day… your face. the way you looked so pretty this morning.” he smiles, convincingly bashful. for a brief moment you see the old kai again. “almost told you right then.”

he leans in, hand slides up to your jaw, cupping your cheek.

“you’re the only one i can really talk to.” he says it so sweetly, with such conviction that you feel yourself die a little inside.

“you always see the bigger picture. that’s what i love about you,” he continues, “you know things other people don’t. you feel things. and you never let the small shit get in the way. you’re special.” his thumb pauses just at the edge of your mouth. you wonder if he’s going to kiss you. probably, once after you’ve agreed to whatever he has in store for you. “i’ve got something i need to ask you,” he murmurs. “something important. i wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t.”

you swallow. nod once, barely. this earns you a smile. both dimples making an appearance.

“i knew you’d understand.”