Crimson Bonds

2

Things Have Changed

"You know you look like someone just stabbed your soul?" Anouk's voice cuts through the silence, making Peter slowly lower his hands from his eyes. He gazes up at her, noting the halo of blonde, almost white hair glowing in the living room light. Shadows dance across her round face, creating unfamiliar contours.

Peter sighs deeply, his shoulders rising and falling as he slumps forward on the sofa.

"What's wrong with you?" Anouk asks, settling next to him on the couch and carefully avoiding his tail. She's holding two cups of freshly brewed chamomile tea, and Peter feels a surge of gratitude that almost compels him to kiss her on the cheek. He takes one of the cups, savouring the warmth as the steam drifts up and kisses his face. It's around 2:00 a.m., and they're both still working, their laptops sprawled on the coffee table, displaying a chaotic mess of half-read files.

"It's nothing," he murmurs, taking a sip and feeling the soothing warmth seep into him, easing the chill that's settled in his heart and soul. "Just thinking about him."

"Again?" Anouk's sigh is heavy with empathy. She turns to face him, her long legs crossed under her. "Did you see him today?"

"Yeah..." Peter nods. Her sympathetic smile is accompanied by a gentle squeeze of his left forearm.

Life has been unbearably tough lately. Peter isn't just dealing with a job he dislikes or the relentless grind of law school. The real weight comes from falling for the wrong person and facing the daily reminder of that mistake.

Peter's openness about his feelings has always been a double-edged sword. When he first saw Theoden, he knew he was drawn to him—intensely so. And for a while, Theoden seemed to reciprocate. Peter lavished him with gifts he couldn't afford, attended parties he'd rather skip, and mingled with people he didn't like, all to make Theoden feel special. Despite his naturally grumpy demeanour, Peter tried hard to be a good boyfriend. He felt he needed to prove that their relationship could defy the prejudices of their races—he, a Tiefling, and Theoden, a Half-Fae.

But it wasn't enough. One day, when an old friend of Theoden's—a beautiful Forest Nymph—returned to town, Peter felt his world crumble. Though they never officially broke up (Peter couldn't even reach Theoden to talk), seeing them together on campus, laughing and enjoying each other's company, was a daily torment. His heart ached, and he felt utterly defeated.

Dating Theoden—who was beautiful, intelligent, and popular—was supposed to be his ultimate goal. But life, as it often does, had other plans. Now, Peter feels condemned to watch the one person he loved more than anyone—apart from Anouk, who he loves differently—walk away with someone else.

This constant turmoil explains why Peter is even more irritable than usual. He feels trapped in a situation he despises, lost and dizzy from it all.

"You should talk to him," Anouk's voice breaks through his thoughts. She's frowning, her bright blue eyes serious. "What he's doing to you is downright disrespectful."

"I've tried," Peter groans, leaning his head back against the sofa, careful not to let his horns touch the cushion. "But he just ignores me."

"Confront him, or I will," Anouk says firmly, and Peter knows she means it.

"Please, don't," Peter grimaces. "I'd rather handle this myself."

"Then do something, because you really don't look good lately," Anouk insists, leaning closer and wrapping her arm around his. "Your skin's gone from ruby red to pale pink. I prefer the former. You don't look good in pink," she adds with a chuckle as Peter gently elbows her. He sighs but leans into her comforting warmth.