「 bewitched 」 ᴋᴀʏɴ x ᴍᴀʟᴇ ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

Chapter XVII

The following days after you moved in with Sylas felt like a haze of hard work, exhaustion, and occasional moments of reassurance. You’d thrown yourself into studying as if everything depended on it—which, in a way, it did. Sylas had given you the space you needed but had also been there, dropping cups of coffee on your desk during all-nighters or sitting by you in comfortable silence, just his presence easing the pressure.

When the day finally came, you had a few struggles while taking the test at the university. But still, you managed to get through all of it.

Now, the waiting was the hardest part. You’d been refreshing your inbox on the laptop, your fingers practically trembling over the keyboard. Sylas sat beside you, calm but clearly sharing your anticipation. He nudged your shoulder, offering you a half-smile. “You’re going to be fine. You put in the work, [Name].”

“Yeah, but what if I didn’t do enough?” you replied, nerves bubbling over. “What if it’s not enough?”

Just as you voiced the thought, the email notification popped up. Time seemed to freeze, and you took a shaky breath before opening it. Then, the words on the screen stared back at you, almost surreal. You’d not only passed but had achieved one of the highest scores in your year.

A wave of relief, pride, and disbelief washed over you, your hand instinctively covering your mouth. Sylas’s face broke into a proud grin, his hand clasping your shoulder. “See? What’d I tell you?”

You managed a laugh, your relief making your words feel lighter. “Yeah... I guess you were right.”

He tilted his head, his grin widening. “This calls for a celebration. How about dinner? My treat.”

You tried to wave it off, embarrassed. “I don’t know, Sylas, it’s really not that big a deal—”

“Not a big deal?” he scoffed. “You’re kidding, right? Come on, it’s decided. You’re getting dinner, and that’s final.”

With that, you found yourself swept along with Sylas, who had already planned the evening down to the last detail. Dinner was a mix of laughter and some quiet moments as you both took in the journey you’d been on. Afterward, Sylas insisted on taking you around the city, letting you unwind and just enjoy the night without any worries.

As you both walked through the bustling streets, a massive screen in the distance caught your eye, broadcasting Heartsteel’s latest single, PARANOIA. Kayn’s image filled the screen, his intense gaze and energy radiating through the city lights. It was like a punch to the gut, memories flooding back—the thrill of your time together, the laughs, the quiet moments, and, of course, the final argument that had left you both scarred.

For a moment, you couldn’t look away, lost in the collision of emotions. But just as the ache started settling in, Sylas grabbed your arm and pulled you away. “Hey, I see a food stall over there! Let's grab something. It’ll be on me this time,” he said with a wink, clearly trying to lift your spirits.

His warmth brought you back to reality, grounding you. “Thanks, Sylas,” you murmured, grateful for his presence.

“You’ve got a lot to celebrate,” he said, his tone gentle. “Don’t let old memories drag you down.”

And as you followed him, you realized that he was right. You had your life ahead of you, and though the past lingered, tonight was about moving forward.

The evening was buzzing with life, and every corner seemed to hold something new and exciting. You and Sylas roamed through the lively crowd, visiting food stalls, trying snacks from different cultures, and stopping at little game booths along the way. Sylas won you a plush toy after what seemed like a dozen failed attempts, grinning triumphantly as he handed it to you.