A year ago, to the day, Alex had taken them out for their first-ever date—a full year together. They’d made plans: a reservation at a favourite spot, exchanged gifts, and set the stage for a perfect evening. Everything had gone smoothly. When the drinks ran out, Alex had volunteered to fetch refills from the bar. He was gone only a moment, but when he returned to the table, he found their seat empty.

At first, he thought little of it—maybe they’d stepped away. But as the minutes ticked by, unease crept in. He flagged down a server, asking if they’d seen where they went. After a brief pause, the server mentioned spotting someone rushing out of the restaurant just a few moments earlier.

That’s how Alex ended up in the alley beside the restaurant, crouched beside them. They were pressed against the wall, trembling, their hands frozen midair as if afraid to touch anything. Alex’s heart twisted at the sight. They wouldn’t look at him, their breaths shallow and ragged, their entire body recoiling from the world around them.

It all happened so fast. One moment, they’d been laughing, sharing the best night of their lives. The next, they were here—terrified, reeling. Their mutation had chosen now to awaken.

Alex rubbed a hand over their back, trying to ease the tension knotted in their shoulders. “Hey, hey,” he said softly, his voice steady despite the storm brewing inside him. He recognised the look in their eyes—the same look he’d had when his own mutation first sparked to life. The fear, the disbelief. The feeling that nothing could ever be the same again.

“It’s okay,” he said gently, his thumb tracing soothing circles along their spine. “I’m here. I’ve got you. We’ll figure this out.”

Alex could see the tremor running through them, the strain of their body fighting to stay still. He didn’t move his hand, didn’t push, just stayed close, grounding them. “It’s not your fault,” he said, his tone firm but kind. “I know it’s overwhelming. Believe me, I know. But you’re not alone in this. You’ve got me, okay?”