𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟖

REDIS POV

After Redis was done with giving himself confidence to not back out of his choice, he nervously looked at the door that separated him from the other man.

Arden, so far, was really nice. And he felt like he could trust him, but it wouldn't be right to throw the cautions out of the window just because they're mates.

But Redis still didn't know the extent of mates. What is so special about this bond? What do I have to look or care for?

And the question that is probably the most nerve-wracking for him is, "Am I going to fall in love with you?" When do I feel the same connection he's feeling?

Redis was nervous about that. In a way, he knew his feelings were already responding to the bond, as he felt already more comfortable with someone whom he barely knew. He felt like he didn't want to leave Arden's side, which is also why he had already agreed to share a bedroom.

It did, indeed, work in a weird way. Being able to manipulate people's feelings just like that was scary.

Taking one last deep breath, Redis opened the door before he could back out of it and simply slept in the big bathtub that was lowered into the floor.

As he looked at the figure sitting further away, he nervously walked over to the couch. Arden's figure looked relaxed. Unsure of his own actions, Redis sat down on the same couch, yet with enough space between them.

Not that he hated that on the carriage ride; he was sitting really close to Arden. Even falling asleep.

But his mind still doesn't want him to move too fast.

He also leaned back, almost sinking into the comfortable seating. As hazel eyes looked to the other side, Redis was surprised to see Arden already looking at him.

"Hi," Redis said almost in a whisper, his nervousness suddenly rising again. He could hear an almost breathless "Hey" coming from the other right after.

He could feel the gaze of the other racking up and down his body before staying on his face. Warmth spread inside of Redis' cheeks as he smiled slightly at Arden.

Love at first sight was a thing, but Redis didn't think he did fall under this. He still has to figure out his own feelings, yet he knows he didn't fall in love the moment he saw Arden.

But the gaze of the other seemed to warm his skin up, like a soft blanket wrapping around his whole being.

Is this what his mother meant when she said she felt warm when father looked at her?

Redis eyes wandered across the other man's face, studying it yet again, before simply staying at the brown eyes. "Can you... tell me more about this entire mate thing?" Redis asked while fiddling with his fingers.

Arden gave a simple nod before he seemed to get into a more comfortable position.

"Almost everyone has a mate, but I say almost because it's not common for humans to have mates. It's usually another race that has a human as their mate. The chance to have a human mate is also not quite that high." Arden started. "You're my mate, so basically, that means I barely would've had a chance to.. reject you. As fated mates, are basically a hundred percent compatible." Arden looked at Redis, yet it gave Redis a weird feeling as the other spoke the words reject.

"Before you're wondering, other races fall for their fated pair almost instantly in most cases, so I indeed already harbor feelings for you; I already fell for you. But don't feel pressured, as the mate thing is basically not a human thing. It takes time for most to fall for their mate or even don't sometimes." Redis slowly nodded, trying to keep the information in his head.

"The feelings like I already told you change," Arden looked at him with intense eyes, "so it's normal if you feel a change." the other explained to Redis. "Another thing with mates, you can communicate through your mind with each other. You can also feel the slight change of the emotions that the other feels; you can feel each other's pain when you get attacked or something else happens, yet I can't share my ability to heal faster. A few of these change and get.. stronger, and with time, our bond gets stronger. The end would be.. when mates, well we.. have to mark each other. It's a traditional thing in most races." Arden explained.

Redis listened but was rather confused by the words marking, which seemed to be obvious on his face. Arden chuckled, and a blush formed on the taller male's face. "Don't worry about it. We'll talk about this when the right time comes," Arden explained to him.

The smaller male simply nodded yet kept his gaze on the flushed cheeks of the other. It seemed to be an interesting topic, and Arden suddenly seemed so shy.

Silence hung in the room as they both seemed to enjoy the time together until a knock came from the door.

Arden quickly stood up, and Redis' eyes followed his figure. When the taller male returned, he had a tray with him. On it were plates and a glass.

The tray landed gently on the table in front of the couch, giving Redis a full view of the good-smelling food.

It was a brown sauce, with meat pieces in it, while cooked potatoes rested on the side. On a smaller plate were a small salad and a glass of water.

Hazel eyes looked at brown ones, as Redis tilted his head ever so slightly. "It's for you. I thought you would be hungry after today." The other explained to him.

Redis frowned. "Don't you eat as well?" he asked, eyeing his plates and the empty space in front of Arden. All he got was a small shake of the head and a soft smile: "Don't worry about me; I'm not hungry as of the moment."

With that, he slowly started to eat hot food, which filled his stomach. Redis remembered Arden's words that his feelings might change in time.

Yet Redis knew the small fluttering of his heart and the jumping jacks in his stomach every time Arden was close; he was already falling.

But what surprised him the most was how.. easily Arden told him that he had already fallen in love with him. But how is that so simple, so fast? How does he feel alright with that?

Glancing at Arden, Redis saw that the other seemed lost in thoughts while looking in his direction.

What's going on in his head?

··················

It took a lot of time to get myself to write at least 1k words.
This is more of a filler chapter, more about all of this mate thing
I'm sorry if it seemed confused or if I already said smt different,
I didn't look because I'm simply to lazy.

Soon the romance might come way quicker, or maybe not I'll have to think
about it ngl.

How was it though?
Hope you have a great day or night,

-Z