「 bewitched 」 ᴋᴀʏɴ x ᴍᴀʟᴇ ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

Chapter XV

You stirred awake, blinking against the unfamiliar light filtering through the curtains. The room was tidy but not your own, and a sense of confusion washed over you as you slowly took in your surroundings. The walls were a calming shade of blue, decorated with a few posters, and a bookshelf overflowed with well-loved books. A faint smell of coffee lingered in the air.

You sat up, feeling a dull ache in your head, and noticed someone sitting at the edge of the bed. It was Sylas, his expression a mix of concern and relief. "Hey, you're awake. How are you feeling?" he asked gently, his voice softer than usual.

"Where am I?" you croaked, still trying to gather your thoughts. "What happened?"

"You fainted," Sylas said, keeping his tone steady. "I found you passed out in your apartment."

Your heart raced at the memory of the fight with Kayn, the words exchanged, the pain that had driven you to this moment. "How did I end up here?"

"I was calling you to check on how the cooking was going," Sylas explained, his voice calm and reassuring. "But you didn't pick up. I got worried, so I came over." He hesitated for a moment, then added, "I had to break down the door to get in."

You frowned, trying to process his words. "You didn't have to do that."

"Of course, I did. I wasn't going to leave you there. You know I care, right?" His expression was sincere, a mix of brotherly concern and protectiveness.

You took a deep breath, feeling the weight of everything crash back down on you. "Sylas, I... I had a fight with Kayn," you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper.

"I figured something was up. Wanna talk about it?" He shifted closer, offering you a comforting presence.

You sighed, your mind racing back to the argument, the hurtful words, and the suffocating feeling of disappointment. "I don't know if I can do this anymore. It feels... wrong. I feel wrong," you confessed, your voice breaking slightly.

Sylas's expression softened as he reached out, wrapping you in a gentle hug. "Hey, hey. It's okay. You're not wrong for feeling this way. Relationships are complicated. It's natural to have doubts."

"I just thought things would be different. That it would feel good, you know? But it doesn't." You leaned into him, drawing comfort from his warmth. "It feels like I'm always going to disappoint him."

"That's not true," Sylas said firmly, pulling back slightly to look you in the eyes. "You're doing your best. And if it doesn't feel right, then maybe it's time to think about what you really want."

"I don't want to hurt him," you whispered, your eyes devoid of any tears. It was like you ran dry of any emotion to bawl your eyes out. "But I can't keep pretending everything is okay when it's not."

"It's better to be honest," Sylas reassured you. "And if Kayn can't handle that, then maybe he's not the right person for you. You deserve someone who supports you completely."

You nodded, feeling a flicker of hope amidst the turmoil. "I just wish it didn't hurt so much."

"It's always tough," Sylas said, his tone empathetic. "But I'm here for you, no matter what happens. You're not alone in this."

You took a moment to collect yourself, grateful for Sylas's unwavering support. "Thanks, Sylas. I really needed to hear that."

"Anytime," he replied, a small smile creeping onto his face. "Now, let's get you something to eat. I can't have you passing out on me again."

As he stood up to leave the room, you felt a sense of relief wash over you. While you still had a long way to go in navigating your feelings for Kayn, you knew that with Sylas by your side, you could face whatever came next.

A few weeks had passed since the fight with Kayn, and you still felt the weight of that moment heavy in your chest. You had stayed with Sylas since then, and while it was comforting to have his support, the ache of lost connection lingered.

Sylas had been a good friend, insisting that you stay with him until you felt ready to return to your own apartment. His clothes were oversized on you, giving you a cozy but somewhat awkward look as you adjusted to this new routine. He often joked about your "fashion choice," which managed to draw a laugh from you even on the hardest days.

On this particular day, you decided to take a walk through the city, needing a break from studying and the reminders of your emotional turmoil. As you strolled along the streets, you found yourself drawn to a crowd gathered in front of a large live screen broadcasting an interview with Kayn and the members of Heartsteel.

You hesitated for a moment, anxiety fluttering in your stomach. But curiosity pulled you closer, and you maneuvered through the throngs of fans and onlookers until you could see the screen clearly.

Kayn stood there, looking effortlessly confident, his signature smug smile plastered on his face as he answered questions from the interviewer. His aura radiated self-assuredness, and you could see how easily he commanded the room, even in the midst of a crisis.

"...And how are you coping with the recent events?" the interviewer asked.

Kayn chuckled, waving a hand dismissively. "Honestly? I think some people are just looking for drama where there isn't any. Life goes on, you know? The show must go on, and Heartsteel is stronger than ever." He leaned forward slightly, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Besides, it's not like I'm the one who needs to be worried about anything. I'm doing great!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, but all you felt was a sinking heaviness in your chest. The way he spoke-so nonchalant, so unaffected-felt like a punch to the gut. You thought back to the argument, the tears, the pain, and suddenly it was all too much to bear.

As Kayn continued, talking about upcoming performances and the excitement surrounding Heartsteel, you could hardly listen. The contrast between his carefree demeanor and the turmoil inside you felt unbearable. With each confident word, you felt more and more lost.

Finally, unable to stand it any longer, you turned away from the screen and hurried back toward Sylas's apartment, your heart racing. The comforting facade of the city faded into a blur as you walked, lost in thoughts of what once was and what you had lost.

When you reached Sylas's door, you took a deep breath, steeling yourself before stepping inside. You hoped he would be there to ground you again, to remind you that you weren't alone, even as the memories of Kayn loomed large in your mind.

Your mind replayed the words he said on screen. The bravado was almost laughable, but it hurt too. You'd seen a side of him that this audience never would, the vulnerable Kayn who had struggled with his feelings and the complexities of love.

You took a deep breath, reminding yourself of the strength you had found in the weeks since the fight. This was just a moment-a chapter that had ended, and it was okay to feel hurt but also empowered. You weren't going to let his words dictate your worth or your emotions. You were moving forward, and you refused to let the past drag you down.

When you stepped inside, Sylas was lounging on the couch, flipping through a book, and looked up when he heard the door open.

"Hey, how did the walk go?" he asked, noticing the slight change in your expression.

"Just saw Kayn on the screen," you replied, attempting to keep your voice steady. "He's... doing well, I guess."

Sylas's brows furrowed in concern. "You okay?"

You nodded, forcing a small smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just... it hurts, but I'm learning to deal with it. I know I made the right choice."

"Of course you did," Sylas reassured you, his tone firm yet gentle. "You deserve someone who respects you and your feelings. If Kayn can't see that, it's his loss."

"Thanks, Sylas." You took a seat next to him, grateful for his unwavering support. "I just need to keep reminding myself of that."

He put an arm around you, and for a moment, you felt anchored. "You're strong. Just take it one day at a time."

As you sat there, the warmth of Sylas's brotherly presence filled the space where the ache of Kayn's departure had lingered. You were still healing, but you were determined not to lose yourself in the process. You'd find your footing again, and you'd do it on your own terms.