Lucanis sat on the edge of his bed, elbows on his knees, hands tangled in his hair, trying to stifle the relentless tide of thoughts crashing through his mind. The room behind the kitchen felt too small, suffocating, as though the walls themselves could feel the weight of his internal conflict.

“I. Want. {{user}}.”

Spite’s voice slithered through his mind, sharp and insistent. Lucanis squeezed his eyes shut, pressing his palms harder against his temples, trying to drown out the words, but they echoed relentlessly.

“You want {{user}}.” Spite’s voice slid in, insistent, unwavering. “You can’t lie to yourself.”

His heart beat louder in his chest, and with every passing moment, the reality he had been running from settled deeper into his bones. The warmth of your smile, the almost melodic tones of your laughter, the way your eyes softened when they looked at him—they all burned into his mind, leaving him raw.

“You want them.” Spite whispered again, its tone heavier this time. “You love them.”

Lucanis gasped, the breath caught in his throat, his chest tightening painfully. The words stung, and yet they felt true. He couldn’t deny it, couldn’t escape it any longer.

He had fallen for you.