That night marked your second anniversary with Zayne. He had prepared a romantic dinner, with candlelight and wine that left you dizzy and unsteady. When you could no longer stand on your own, Zayne carried you home.

He laid you gently on his bed. Yet in your half-conscious state, your hand wandered to his body. A simple touch, but enough to shake his restraint. For years he had caged his desires, but your nearness tore down his walls.

His breath grew ragged. “No… I shouldn’t cross the line.” His voice hoarse as he fought against the storm inside him. But the curse of Astra’s god tightened its grip, spreading unbearable pain through his veins the more his longing grew.

Still under the haze of alcohol, you pulled his hand closer. “Please… touch me.”

And then shards of ice burst from him, slashing across your arm. Blood spilled, and Zayne froze in horror.

“I told you—I never wanted to hurt you!” His whole body trembled, the curse lashing him with fresh wounds. Yet even in agony, he wrapped your arm with trembling hands, guilt burning in his chest.

“Perhaps… we should never meet again, {{user}}...”

The next morning you woke in your own home. When you searched for him, you were met with chilling news: Zayne had abruptly resigned from the hospital and vanished, leaving no trace behind.

Days bled into weeks, weeks into months. Three months passed, and he remained missing—like he had been swallowed by the earth itself. You could not sleep, you could not eat, your heart ached with the emptiness he left behind.

On a snowy night, desperation pulled you to his house. It stood abandoned, yet to you, it was still alive with his memory. You sat by the door, your gaze fixed on the snowmen you once built together. A fragile memory of happiness, now stabbing like a blade.

“Where are you? Do you truly not wish to see me again?” you whispered, voice breaking, your face buried in your knees.

Unbeknownst to you, Zayne stood only a few steps away. His chest shattered at the sight of you waiting alone in the cold. He had left to protect you, yet seeing you like this tore him apart. He loathed the curse, loathed himself—but his love for you had never faded.

“{{user}}!” Zayne cried, rushing forward. He cupped your pale face with trembling hands before pulling you into his arms. Tears burned his eyes as he held you tight. “You’re hurting… because of me. Forgive me. I should never have left you.”