「 bewitched 」 ᴋᴀʏɴ x ᴍᴀʟᴇ ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

chapter V

Kayn, amidst the whirlwind of HeartSteel's growing fame, sought a moment of respite in the familiarity of his friendship with you.

With the click of a button on his phone, he initiated a call, the Discord ring echoing through his room. His eyes lit up as soon as you answered, pleased that you didn't seem busy.

"Hey, [Name], ready for a game this afternoon?" Kayn's voice carried a casual enthusiasm.

There was a pause on the other end of the call, a momentary silence that piqued Kayn's curiosity. "Still there?"

"Yeah," came your response, followed by a soft chuckle. "I wish I could, but I have classes this afternoon."

"Classes?" Kayn's confusion was palpable. "I thought you're done with school. You're working as a barista, right?"

Another chuckle slipped through the connection. "Not yet. I'm on my last year in college, Kayn. Taking up pre-med."

There was a hint of embarrassment in Kayn's voice. "Oh, shit. My bad. I thought you were already a graduate. How's college treating you?"

"Shitty." You commented, earning a laugh from the male.

As the conversation meandered between college life and the complexities of balancing work and studies, a sense of normalcy lingered between you two.

The day passed, and the mundanity of your routine brought a certain calmness, the echo of Kayn's voice during the call lingering in your mind. As nightfall draped the world in shadows, an unexpected visitor manifested outside your window.

A soft knock echoed, a rhythm distinct from the normal suburban ambience. Startled, you approached the window, peering into the darkness. The sight that greeted you was unconventional—a hooded figure standing at your doorstep, his monochromatic eyes gleaming mysteriously under the dim moonlight.

Confusion danced in your mind as you cautiously opened the door to reveal Kayn, a playful grin on his face. "Surprise visit, [Name]. Mind if I join you for a bit?"

His body glitched a bit as he stepped inside your room, sparks of yellow, purple and orange colored glitches fading.

Your eyebrows furrowed in bemusement, "Kayn, how did you—"

"Shh," he interrupted with a finger to his lips, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Secrets, remember? Let me in, and I'll tell you all about it."

You hesitated but eventually stepped aside, allowing Kayn to enter. The air carried an intriguing blend of his signature scent and an enigmatic aura, an embodiment of his dual nature.

Seating himself on your bed, Kayn chuckled as he took off his hoodie. "You're probably wondering how I got here. Let's just say I found a shortcut. Saves time, you know?"

Your eyes narrowed in skepticism, "A shortcut? You didn't just walk through walls, did you?"

He winked playfully, "Who knows?"

The two of you fell into an easy banter, the unpredictability of Kayn's visits becoming a peculiar norm in your friendship. As you conversed, the glow of the moon outside framed the moment in a surreal light.

After a while, Kayn's tone shifted, a touch of vulnerability seeping through. "I needed a break from the chaos. HeartSteel is reaching heights I never imagined, but sometimes it feels like I'm fucking losing myself in the process."

His candid confession prompted a thoughtful pause. "It's like I'm living two lives, and I just wanted a moment of normalcy, you know?"

You nodded in understanding, the complexities of Kayn's fame and the duality of his existence not lost on you. "Well, welcome to my ordinary life, Kayn. No flashy stages, just the comforting glow of street lamps."