Unknotting Fate

CHAPTER 23: Insurmountable Fears

Ko and Kana had been walking under the vulgar sun in Sulu Forest. The heat in Inpolyensia Nation was known to be unforgiving, which was nothing new for the pair as most of their journey had been in extreme heat.

Three days passed since Ko formalized his theory and decided to stop caring about Kana's weak state. Despite the stress, Ko learned he was skilled in suppressing his emotions.

While walking, Kana weaved Ko a straw hat he made from surrounding tall grass and twigs. Ko insisted that Kana wear it instead, but Kana would not have it. Hence, Ko surrendered and wore the hat.

"Are you sure you're okay, Kana?"

 "Never better." But he looked like he was about to pass out soon.

"Let's rest for a while..oh! Hey! Look!" Behind many tall trees was a majestic waterfall.

"Let's go for a swim and cool off." Ko beamed.

Despite the intense heat, the water was cold. If someone walked by and saw them, they would be greatly confused seeing a human and a ghoul having a great time together: laughing, telling jokes, moments of longing looks, and stolen glances. It'll be bizarre, indeed.

After two hours of goofing around, Ko thought that Kana should rest. Although he protested, insisting he was fine, he agreed to take a break on the river bank.

Despite ordering himself to stop feeling guilty about Kana, Ko could not do it. He was unsure if all he felt was guilt or if there was something more to it. But right now, in the river, all negative emotions left his body, and his mind found a moment of peace.

They both sat in silence, a peaceful, satisfying, and not awkward or boring silence.

Riiiinnnng Riiiinnnng

Ko sighed.

 "It had been ringing non-stop. Are you sure you don't want to answer it?" Kana asked.

"I don't care what they have to say. They want to talk to me now that I am a God Slayer. Hmph, I still don't want to talk to them."

"..."

 "What? I can hear your thoughts churning. Spill it out." Ko said.

"If you really did not want to hear from them, you would have blocked their number. Perhaps you want to know that they...still care."

"That's not...I just... shut up."

Ko was about to get up, but Kana grabbed his wrist and pulled him back down.

"Sorry, I did not mean to pry. I just care about you immensely. I don't want you to regret things."

"You're not prying. I hate them, but.... they're still my parents."

"Considering how they treated you, I'm not shocked you hate them, but it's perfectly normal to still care about them simultaneously."

Ko looked at Kana's warm face, so inviting and gentle.

"How about you? What's your status with your family?"

 The moment Ko asked, he wished he didn't.

Sadness spread across Kana's face. He tried to force a smile, but it would crack from the pressure of whatever weight he was carrying.

"I'm sorry. Kana, you don't have to share anything if you don't want to."

Suddenly, Kana stood upright and stared at a bamboo tree adjacent to the river. A crow perched on one of its branches stared back at Ko and Kana intensely.

Kana swiftly waved his arm to attack the crow but lost his balance. Luckily, Ko caught him in his arms.

"Don't use your powers!" Ko shouted. Despite not knowing why Kana was attacking the crow, he used his telekinesis to pin the bird down, but the crow had flown too far already.

 Kana then untangled himself from Ko. Ko was scared to let go of him.

"I'm fine. I'm fine. I just stood up too fast." Kana reassured.

Ko knew that was all bullshit, but he did not want to fight, so he did not argue.

"Okay, let's set up a camp nearby and rest."

*******

Later that night, all the sticky heat disappeared and was replaced by cool air. They both changed their clothes and sat near the bonfire they had made.

On cue, Sol and Amu teleported with their dinner.

"My Lord, we prepared you a feast. Hey, there, bestie!" Amu said awkwardly. The last time they talked, it ended on a sour note.

All of them started eating when Sol pulled out a tablet.

"Master, Sol has a message from family back home. They want to say hello. They miss you, Master." 

Kana chuckled and called them on the tablet. When the camera turned on, many faces were squeezed into the small frame. A cacophony of hellos, come back, where have you been were yelled from the screen.

Kana began teasing them that he had decided never to return and to leave the business to Amu and Sol. They all burst into tears and begged their master to return, which only made Kana tease them more.

Ko watched Kana. He watched how his lips moved when he talked and how his facial muscles contracted and relaxed. And he watched the spark in his eyes.

Finally, Kana consoled them by saying that he was only joking. They all laughed it off and said their goodbyes. Then, all the night creatures said their goodbyes to Ko, too, which made him feel ridiculous; not knowing how to respond, he gave them a nod.

After dinner, Sol and Amu left, and Ko and Kana retreated to the tent. Kana was already asleep. Ko was staring at him, watching his chest rise and fall. Unable to resist, he gave him a light kiss on the lips.

Kana's eyes opened. Without skipping a second, his hands slipped underneath Ko's shirt.

Ko was about to protest, but Kana said, "Stop worrying. I'm fine."

Bullshit.

"I want to make love to you. Make your mind go blank, your heart drunk on pleasure, and your whole body in peace. I wonder if I can do it. You have not been enjoying it for these past few days."

"Kana, I told you a million times that it's not like that. I just have many things on my mind."

"Which is also my fault."

"..." 

Kana's hot tongue traveled from his belly button to his nipples. Ko blushed and felt feverish.

"How can you taste so sweet." Kana groaned. His low, gritty voice made Ko hard. 

 Fuck, I can't control myself.

They were about to eat each other alive when something invisible grabbed their ankles and pulled them violently through the air. Everything around them blurred. They were dragged into a cave; before they knew it, they were falling into total darkness.