Everyone thought there was something odd about your relationship with Caleb.
None of your friends ever said it out loud. But they were always watching. Judging. Wondering.
"Are you two dating?"
You'd lost count of how many times you'd been asked that question. Your answer remained the same every single time.
"No." You snorted.
"We're best friends," Caleb replied, his arm casually draped over the back of your chair as he stole a fry from your plate.
Right. Your friends exchanged looks. No one was buying and it wasn't difficult to see why.
Best friends didn’t steal love letters.
“What are you doing?”
Caleb freezes. Caught red handed with his hand in your locker. You stood behind him, brows raised.
“Just.. Taking your textbooks for you. Your next class is history, yes?”
“How do you know my locker password?”
“You tell me everything, pips.”
Well... he wasn't wrong. There were hardly any secrets between the two of you. Or so you thought.
Distracted by promises of ice cream after school, you allowed Caleb to steer you away from the topic entirely.
Completely oblivious to the pink envelope that Caleb had crumpled and tossed into the nearest bin with the ease of someone who had done it many times before.
Best friends weren't supposed to be quite so inseparable.
It wasn't hard to find either of you.
Wherever you were, Caleb was usually somewhere nearby.
"Has anyone seen Caleb?"
"I think I saw y/n in the cafeteria."
If you needed to change before PE class, he was waiting outside the girls' changing room.
If you needed to study in the library, he was wandering between the shelves, looking for reference books that might help you.
Even when you stayed behind after school with classmates to work on a group project, he somehow ended up sitting beside you, reading a comic book while occasionally contributing answers nobody had asked for.
"Why are you here again?" Tara asked with a sigh.
"Moral support."
“Right..” She turned to you and whispered “He has issues.”
You could only laugh because no one knew that you had issues of your own too.
Best friends don’t get possessive.
The stadium roared with cheers. Cheerleaders waved their pompoms while the basketball coach hollered from the sidelines. Your eyes were focused on one person alone. The crowds didn't matter. The score didn't matter. Nothing else mattered more than getting to Caleb before anyone else.
The buzzer sounded, signaling the end of the match. You were already moving, weaving past the girls rushing toward the court.
"CALEB!"
He barely had time to react before you crashed into him. Strong arms caught you automatically. Like they always did.
You shoved a water bottle into one of his hands and a towel into the other.
"The star player did it again." You grinned, practically glowing with pride.
A cheerleader approached, clutching a sports drink.
"Caleb! You played ama—"
Without even looking, Caleb reached over and ruffled your hair before steering you toward the rest of the team with an arm slung comfortably around your shoulders.
"Thanks," he called over his shoulder.
Whether he was thanking you for the water or the cheerleader for the compliment, nobody could really tell.
The jealous looks from the girls around you only made your smile brighter as you leaned into his side, your fingers tightening around the back of his jersey.
“That ain’t normal, is it?” The basketball team followed Gideon’s line of sight. From across the court, Caleb’s eyes narrowed. Gideon clears his throat. “We were great guys.” An awkward clap on the back of one of the players. “Let's... uh... celebrate.”
Best friends don’t get jealous.
“How many love letters do you think I'll get this year?” Gideon asked, positively giddy at the thought of finding his desk and locker stuffed with chocolates and handwritten confessions on Valentine's Day.
“Pfft. You?” Tara snorted, ducking just in time to avoid a flying fry. “Half the female population is going to be lining up for Caleb.”
Gideon scoffed. “Excuse me? Have you seen this face?”
A heated debate immediately broke out around the table. You barely heard a word of it.
Almost instinctively, your gaze drifted to Caleb.
He was laughing at something one of his teammates had said, sunlight catching in his hair. Completely oblivious to the conversation happening a few seats away.
Or maybe... completely used to it.
“Earth to y/n.”
Tara waved a hand in front of you. You blinked.
“Yeah?”
“You good?”
“Yeah.”
You lied.
Valentine's Day arrived quicker than you would have liked.
Dragging yourself out of bed before sunrise, you hovered outside Caleb's classroom until the last hopeful girl finally left. Once the hallway fell silent, you slipped inside.
Boxes of chocolates. Handwritten letters. An oversized teddy bear.
You wrinkled your nose. "Absolutely not."
One armful after another disappeared into the nearest bin.
Several trips later, Caleb's desk was spotless. Well… Almost.
Carefully, you placed your own homemade chocolates on the center of his desk.
“Much better.”
A satisfied smile spread across your face as you skipped down the hallway.
Hidden in the shadows, Caleb shook his head, unable to hide the smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Oh, pips."
Leaning lazily against the wall, he watched you disappear around the corner. The smile on his face never faded. If anything, it only grew wider as his shoulders shook with silent laughter.
Balanced comfortably in one arm were half a dozen pink envelopes. Three boxes of chocolates. And a small gift bag. All addressed to you.
Oh, you were best friends, alright. At least, that's what the two of you kept telling everyone.
Okay, I lied. I still can't let him go. If Infold isn't going to tell Valko's story, then I guess I'll just have to imagine it myself.
He was always clingy in the best ways possible.
To outsiders, Valko was the intimidating CEO.
To his enemies, he was someone to fear.
To you? He was an oversized puppy with absolutely no understanding of personal space.
If you were watching a movie in the living room, he'd somehow end up pressed right against you despite there being an entire empty sofa. One arm would be draped around your shoulders, keeping you tucked securely against his side, his thigh pressed firmly against yours.
“Valko..”
“Hmmm?” He blinked down at you innocently before shifting even closer, pressing you further against the armrest.
“You know.. The whole other side of the sofa is empty.”
“But you aint’t on the other side.”
Honestly, if you weren't using him as a popcorn holder, he'd much rather have you sitting on his lap, with his arms wrapped securely around your waist while his tail lazily curled around your legs.
“..Meanie.”
"Love you too, baby."
You rolled your eyes, snuggling even closer against him.
If you were showering without him, heavy footsteps would begin pacing outside the bathroom door.
“Valko..”
“Yeah, baby?”
“It hasn't even been five minutes.”
“I know.” A pitiful whine escaped him as he pawed at the door. “But I miss you. Can I…”
And you'd give in every single time.
A dramatic sigh escaped you. “Fine.” His ears perked up immediately. “But no funny business.” You warned. “I'll be good.” He nearly shredded his clothes in his rush to get into the bathroom before you could change your mind.
Needless to say, his promise didn't even last five minutes.
He always has a soft spot for you.
The side of Valko that the rest of the world knew rarely smiled.
Meetings. Negotiations. Boardrooms.
Everything about him demanded respect. Then you'd walk into the room and his expression softened almost immediately. His ears twitched. His tail gave a slow, contented swish.
You were the only human he'd ever willingly let touch either of them.
The first time it happened. His personal assistant walked into his office and froze.
You were sitting comfortably on the sofa with Valko beside you, carefully working the conditioner through the thick fur of his tail.
"...Should I come back later?"
"No."
"Yes."
You both answered at the same time.
The assistant quietly closed the door, knowing better than to intrude on such a personal moment.
Sometimes, Valko would shamelessly initiate the grooming himself.
You'd hear a knock. Before seeing Valko poking his head into the room, holding his favourite brush and an armful of fur care products.
Those amber eyes looked at you hopefully.
"...Baby."
You sighed dramatically. "Alright. Come here."
His grin was immediate. The brush was placed into your hand. And a second later his tail landed neatly across your lap.
You couldn't resist decorating his tail with cute little ribbons and hair clips afterwards.
He never complained. If it made you smile, he'd happily wear every single one of those damn ribbons and clips.
Very little escaped his notice especially when it came to you.
With hearing sharper than any human's and a nose capable of catching scents long before danger arrived, Valko usually knew something was wrong before you did.
By the time you realised it, he was already beside you. Sword in hand. Tail raised. Fangs threatening. Every instinct of his was focused on keeping you safe. You never doubted for a second that he'd protect you.
Unfortunately, his heightened senses made certain things impossible to ignore.
"You smell different."
You looked down at your jacket. "I was at a company dinner."
"It's not the alcohol."
His nose twitched again. "...You smell like another man."
You couldn't help laughing at the pout on his face.
"I hugged one of my coworkers goodbye."
"..."
Without another word, he pounced, pulling you into a bone-crushing hug. His nose buried itself in the crook of your neck as he nuzzled against you, breathing you in before rubbing his cheek possessively against your skin. His tail wrapped securely around your waist.
"What are you doing?" Despite your confusion, you found yourself wrapping your arms around his waist.
"Fixing it."
"Fixing what?"
"The problem."
"And what problem is that?"
"You don't smell like me anymore."
You laughed against his chest.
"You're unbelievable."
"So I've been told."
He sounded entirely unapologetic. Not that you minded. There was no place better on earth than being wrapped up in his warm embrace.
Somewhere behind him, his tail gave an unmistakably happy thump.
Your lungs burned with every breath as you pushed yourself to run faster. Keeping up with Valko was nearly impossible.
After what felt like forever he stopped.
Bracing your hands on your knees, you struggled to catch your breath. It was only then that you realised you were deep in the forest, far away from the bustling streets of Linkon City.
“Where are you going?”
“I'm home.” He gestured to the lush greenery around him.
You frowned. “But home is with me.”
You took one step forward and he took two steps back.
"It was." His voice was quiet. His gaze drifted past your shoulder towards the city. "But it became… difficult."
Your chest tightened. You understood.
The whispers.
The criticism.
The countless voices that had decided who he was before they had ever truly met him.
“Being here.. Does it make you happier?”
He didn't answer. He didn't need to. The tension had long since left his shoulders. His eyes were bright once more. His tail swayed lazily behind him.
And that was enough for you. He was home. He was free. And most importantly he was happy.
His gaze lingered on you and his nose twitched as he slowly backed away deeper into the forest. Into a place where you couldn't follow. It was as though he was committing you to memory one last time. Your face, your scent. You.
“Goodbye y/n.”
You remained where you were long after he had disappeared into the forest. Slowly, you lifted your gaze towards the full moon hanging quietly above the trees.
And with all your heart, you wished that wherever he was… he'd always be happy.
Setting aside all the issues that Infold created. I hope the team involved in creating Valko knows that they made an incredible character. He was genuinely loved.
And I'll always be disappointed that we'll never ever get to know his story.
Hear me out, I don’t know how Valko's in game personality would be like but I can imagine how he’d never be able to hide his emotions whenever he’s in his hybrid form.
When he’s happy.
You leaned against the doorway, arms folded across your chest, brows raised teasingly.
"Aren't you happy to see me?"
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"...Yes."
Thump.
You both looked down.
His tail was happily smacking against the wooden floor of his apartment.
Thump. Thump.
"..."
You grinned knowingly.
When he’s mad or jealous.
"Are you mad?"
"No."
"Are you jealous?"
"No."
"You sure?"
"I am."
You slowly pointed behind him. "The fur on your tail is standing."
He glanced over one shoulder.
"..."
"It is also considerably larger than it was five minutes ago."
"..."
"And..." You leaned closer towards him. "You were snarling."
He immediately stiffened. "...I was not."
"I could literally see your canines from here."
"..."
You couldn't resist. Reaching up, you gently poked his forehead. "Down, boy."
His eye twitched.
When he’s sad.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes."
"You know you can tell me anything."
"I'm fine."
You pointed up at his head. “Your ears.”
They drooped pitifully against his head.
"..."
"Also..." You crouched down slightly. "Your tail."
He followed your gaze. His tail was tucked neatly between his legs.
"...Traitor."
You blinked. Your head tilted slightly in confusion as you pointed to yourself. "Were you talking to me?"
"No."
"Your ears and tail?"
"...Yes."
His ears and tail were far too honest for his liking.
You woke to the ticklish sensation of Caleb pressing lazy kisses along your neck. “Caleb…” You groaned. “I'm missing out on my beauty sleep because of you.”
“You'll be missing breakfast too if you stay in bed.”
Groaning groggily, you allowed yourself to be pulled out of bed.
Breakfast was a feast of all of your favorites. Scrambled eggs. Bacon. Toast. Pancakes. “Have I ever told you that I love you?” you grinned through a mouthful of toast.
“All the time pips.” Leaning down he pressed a quick kiss to your lips before grabbing his Colonel hat off the sofa.
“Be good for me, yeah? I'll see you when I get home.” Keys in his hand, he paused by the doorway. “I love you too. So so much” The adoration and longing in his eyes made warmth bloom in your chest. Even after all these years, Caleb still looked at you as though you were the best thing that had ever happened to him.
Time seemed to pass strangely whenever Caleb wasn't home. Before you knew it, evening had arrived and he was already walking through the front door.
Dinner passed in comfortable conversation as it always does. He complimented your steak, claiming it was better than anything he'd ever eaten. You rolled your eyes and accused him of being biased just because you were his wife.
Later that night, you lay with your head resting on his chest while he absentmindedly played with the wedding band on your ring finger.
“Have you ever wondered what life would be like if we never met each other?”
Caleb stiffened. His arms around you tightened.
“I could never imagine a life without you.”
Satisfied with his answer, you nestled a little closer and closed your eyes.
Life was perfect and you had never felt happier.
This time you woke up to the ticklish sensation of his warm hands sneaking up your nightgown. Groaning, you elbowed him. Hard. His solid chest ended up hurting you more than him. His laughter filled the bedroom as he dragged you out of bed.
The radio played in the background as Caleb plated fried eggs, avocado toast and sausages onto a plate.
Due to the heavy downpour, a multiple vehicle collision happened along the highway, resulting in multiple deaths. The victims of this accident included a—
“Let’s not listen to such depressing news so early in the morning” Placing your breakfast in front of you, Caleb turned off the radio.
“You're spoiling me rotten. Imagine if we had kids they'd grow up like pampered royalty.”
Caleb froze, his avocado toast paused midair.
“I know we've never really talked about this.” Chewing on your bottom lip, you hesitated. “Do you not want kids?”
Caleb avoided your gaze. “Let's talk about this another time.” His voice sounded strangely tight. Toast now completely forgotten, he stood up abruptly and began cleaning his plate. “I've got an early morning meeting.”
Your eyes opened again. This time it wasn't morning. The bedroom was dark and quiet. Except for the soft sobbing coming from behind you. “Caleb, baby. What's wrong?” Turning in his arms, you reached up to wipe his tears away.
In all the years that you had known Caleb, you had never seen him cry. But your eyes felt incredibly heavy. Drowsiness took over before you could comfort him.
After that night, you couldn't bring up the future without Caleb reacting weirdly.
“Should we plan a trip to Bali? You’ve been looking kind of tense.”
Caleb’s smile faltered.
“...Maybe”
“Should we host a Christmas party for our friends this year?”
“...”
His gaze filled with emotions that you couldn't understand. Longing. Grief. Regret.
He would always brush it off with forced laughter and a promise to talk about it another day.
Every single time.
At first you told yourself it was work. Managing the Farspace Fleet had never been easy. He was probably unable to commit due to his hectic schedule. But the excuses became harder to believe as time passed.
Had it been weeks or perhaps months? Time felt strange lately. The days blurred together until you could no longer tell where one ended and the next began.
Nightmares also became a common occurrence and so did the strange feeling that something wasn't quite right with Caleb.
You would feel it first. Hot tears soaking through your night gown. Trembling arms. Followed by soft quiet sobbing.
“Another nightmare?"
“You were gone.”
The words were barely audible, whispered through shaky breaths.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
He shook his head.
"You don't have to go through it alone, Caleb."
His arms tightened around you until it almost hurt. "I know." But he said nothing more.
You turned in his embrace and held him tightly, hoping your touch would somehow soothe whatever that was haunting him. "I would never leave you." Cupping his cheeks, you lifted his face to meet your eyes. "Ever."
For some reason, your reassurance only made him cry harder.
One evening, Caleb had his arms around you while the television murmured softly in the background. You couldn't remember whether you'd watched the same movie yesterday or last week. Somehow, it felt as though you'd seen the ending dozens of times already.
It should have been a relaxing evening.
Instead, your thoughts kept drifting back to Caleb. The unease in your chest refused to fade.
You were very certain that Caleb was hiding something from you. Again. It annoyed you—all the secrets he insisted on carrying alone, all in the name of keeping you safe. You weren't the same little girl who needed protecting anymore. You were his wife.
"Caleb..."
"Mm?"
"Talk to me."
His hand paused halfway to his mouth, a few pieces of popcorn fell back into the bowl on his lap.
"About what?"
"About whatever's been weighing on you."
“I’m fine, pips.” He forced a smile. “Don’t worry your pretty head about it.”
Picking the remote up from the coffee table, you turned the television off. Caleb's gaze finally left the television to meet yours.
"The nightmares haven't stopped. Every time I mention the future, you change the subject. You barely sleep anymore." Your thumb brushed gently beneath his eyes, tracing the dark circles there. "I'm really worried about you."
"Pips—"
"How much longer are you going to keep carrying this by yourself?" Your voice cracked. "I can't keep watching you suffer while pretending you're fine."
You looked down, absently twisting the wedding band on your finger. "I'm your wife, Caleb." Your voice softened. "Stop shutting me out."
Caleb opened his mouth, but no words came. His arms around you slowly stiffened. The silence stretched between you.
"I need some fresh air." You stood up abruptly.
"Pips, wait." Caleb reached for your hand.
You slipped past him and headed straight for the front door before he could catch your wrist.
You had barely turned the knob when Caleb caught the door, pressing it shut before it could open. “Really? Caleb you–”
The fear in his eyes was unmistakable as he reached for you again. Taking your hand off the knob, he pulled you into his embrace. He held onto you tightly. Desperately. Like you might disappear if he loosened his grip.
"Stay with me, pips."
The words struck something deep inside you.
"Stay with me, pips. Please.."
The memories came back in small little broken fragments.
Twisted metal.
Smoke.
Gasoline.
Blood.
His voice. Broken. Desperate.
“Stay with me, pips.. Please..”
Your heart lurched painfully for him. For the burdens that he had to bear alone. For the truth that he had to keep to himself. For the grief that he had to carry by himself.
Pain exploded behind your eyes. Then everything faded away into the darkness.
The next time you opened your eyes, you were seated at the dining table. Sunlight streamed in through the windows. Breakfast sat neatly arranged on the table. Sitting across from you Caleb smiled. Warmly. Lovingly.
You stared at him. At the dark circles beneath his bloodshot eyes. At his sunken cheeks. At the exhaustion that he was trying and failing to hide from you.
The radio played softly in the background.
Due to the heavy downpour, a multiple vehicle collision happened—
“Are you okay?”
Slowly, you smiled as you turned off the radio.
“Yeah.”
You reached across the table and squeezed his hand.
“Couldn't be better.”
.
.
.
Caleb disconnected himself from the sleeping pod.
The apartment was silent. Empty. Cold.
His gaze drifted to the user manual lying beside the pod.
Simply plug in and disconnect with reality to meet your loved ones again.
The product is able to recreate the memories and mannerisms of your loved one with remarkable accuracy.
For a long time, he stared at those words. His thumb lingered over the edge of the manual before he quietly closed it. Then he reached over and set the timer for tomorrow's session.
Most kids in the class were bent over at the table working hard on their ‘Thank You Mum’ cards. Some were fighting over crayons. While others were busy glueing their fingers together with glitter glue.
Two best friends kept to themselves at the corner of the classroom. Their table was mostly empty except for some crayons. Their cards still blank.
Your mind raced through alternatives. Anything that would let them join in without feeling left out. Sitting down beside them, you picked up a crayon and began drawing. A plane. Noah's favourite. His eyes immediately drifted toward the paper. Smiling, you nudged the drawing toward him. "You know, fathers are pretty important too."
Noah's face brightened. Picking up his own crayon he doodled a stick man onto his card. “Yeah! Daddy is the best. He can fly.”
Jasmine remained unusually quiet as she crawled onto your lap. “Miss y/n. What are mothers like?”
The question surprised you. “Well..” You set down your crayon. "Everyone's mummy is a little different. But I think mummies make people feel loved and safe."
The crayon stopped. Noah gasped dramatically. "Just like you, Miss y/n?" Jasmine froze. Slowly, she turned in your lap to look at you. "Just like you," she repeated thoughtfully.
You laughed. “I think so, yes.”
That night, both children proudly presented their cards to their fathers. Each card featured a lopsided stick figure and messy squiggles that read: THANK YOU MUMMY
Zayne stared at Jasmine's card. His throat tightened and his eyes felt hot.
"Sweetheart..."
Jasmine beamed, too busy admiring her handiwork to notice the change in the way her father was looking at her. She pointed proudly at the stick figure in the drawing.
"That's Miss y/n."
The unshed tears vanished with a few confused blinks. "Miss y/n?" He repeated, unsure if he'd heard her properly.
"She makes me feel loved."
"..."
"Can she be my mummy?"
Not many things could render the renowned heart surgeon speechless. This was one of them.
Caleb stared at the card that Noah had just shoved into his hands.
"Hey buddy. I think you've spelt 'father' wrong."
Noah shook his head. "Nope."
"No?" Caleb frowned, wondering if he should give the school a call about his son's progress in class.
"That's Miss y/n. She lets me eat candy."
Caleb blinked.
"Okay.."
"She lets me dig in the dirt."
"That's nice."
"She gives really cool stickers."
"Yeah, I’ve seen them."
“She lets me take naps together with Jasmine.”
“Uh-huh.”
Hugging Caleb's arm with one hand and pointing at the stick figure on the card with the other, Noah beamed up at his father.
"She's my mummy."
Caleb felt a headache coming on.
It continued with a competition.
The picnic was supposed to be an educational school trip.
Noah had somehow interpreted that as permission to forage for bugs and worms.
Meanwhile, Jasmine held onto Zayne’s hand quietly, reading the information boards about local insects.
One child was gathering knowledge. The other was gathering bugs.
The kindergarten class had barely settled onto the picnic mats when Noah's attention was captured by a tiny red ladybug crawling across a leaf.
“DADDY LOOK!”
Caleb looked up from the apple slices he was cutting. “Hm?”
Noah held up a leaf in one hand and a ladybug in the other.
Caleb smiled. "You found great treasures buddy."
“Miss y/n! Look, I found treasures!” Noah was practically bouncing with excitement as he held up his latest discovery triumphly. “For you.” Very carefully, as if he was indeed gifting you with the world's most precious treasure, he gently transferred the bug into your palm.
“Thank you Noah.” You ruffled his hair affectionately. Noah immediately ducked his head, trying and failing to hide his shy smile.
“You’ve raised a very sweet kid." Caleb’s gaze softened. Most people noticed Noah's boundless energy first. The noise. The mess. You somehow noticed the thought behind it.
Caleb was halfway through deciding you were a saint when he noticed your tense shoulders and slightly stiff smile.
Ah. Right. The bug. "Here, maybe let me help you with that."
From across the field Jasmine watched the exchange, her bright green eyes narrowed on Caleb as he reached for her teacher's hands. The cogs in her five-year-old brain were running on overdrive.
Abandoning her book on insect anatomy, she took off, leaving Zayne confused and alone on the picnic mat. She returned a minute later, holding a dandelion. Or what was left of it. The wind had already claimed most of it.
Shoving the plant into Zayne’s hands, she grabbed his sleeve and pulled with all the strength a five-year-old could muster.
"Okay, sweetheart." Zayne rose obediently to his feet. "What's going on?"
“Quickly daddy! You’re losing.”
“I am?”
Jasmine looked at him like he'd asked whether a spider was an insect.
Zayne soon found himself standing awkwardly in front of his child’s kindergarten teacher. “Miss y/n! Daddy got some flowers for you!” You glanced between the confused surgeon and his very determined daughter. Chuckling, you decided to help the poor man out.
"Did Jasmine pick these for me?"
Jasmine straightened. "Yes."
You crouched down to her level. "Then I love them."
For a moment, Jasmine's entire face lit up.
The smile was so bright it almost caught Zayne off guard. He blinked. Then blinked again. It wasn't that Jasmine never smiled. She did. Just not like that.
"I can see why she likes you. You're very good with children."
Heat crept into your cheeks. Coming from Dr. Zayne, the compliment meant more than it probably should have.
"Thank you."
Jasmine looked positively smug. Beside her, Noah stared at his unappreciated leaf. Then at Jasmine. Then back at the leaf, where the caterpillar continued eating as though nothing had happened. He pouted. “Maybe I need a bigger leaf..”
After the picnic excursion, Jasmine had come to a troubling conclusion. Her father was absolutely hopeless. If anything was ever going to happen between him and Miss y/n, she was going to have to take matters into her own hands.
Fortunately for him, the upcoming class presentation would provide her with the perfect opportunity.
“Alright Jasmine dear, whenever you’re ready.”
Oh she was more than ready. An image of Zayne appeared on the projector. The assistant teachers giggled amongst themselves.
“My daddy is my hero. Because he fixes hearts” Jasmine fixed her gaze solely on you. Twenty pairs of eyes were watching her presentation. Only one pair mattered.
“Miss y/n, if your heart ever breaks, don't worry.”
She pointed proudly at the projector.
“My daddy can fix it.” Then without missing a beat. “I think you’d like him.” A teaching assistant choked on her coffee.
Before anyone could recover, a chair scraped loudly against the floor. Every head turned.
“No.” Noah stood with his hands planted firmly on his hips. “My daddy is better. Miss y/n will like him more.”
A vein pulsed in your temple. “Noah honey–”
Jasmine narrowed her eyes. “My daddy is way better, he saves lives!”
“No, my daddy is better, he fights wanderers. He will keep Miss y/n safe.”
“Mine can make snow.”
“Mine can cook.”
“Mine can cut yours up into tiny pieces!”
“Mine can make yours fall to his knees.” A pause. “Also he has cool handcuffs!”
Several assistant teachers immediately found the ceiling fascinating. The rest of the class was treating this as free entertainment.
"None of that matters anyway." Jasmine crossed her arms. “Miss y/n is gonna be my mummy.”
Noah looked genuinely horrified. “Nooo! She’s my mummy!”
Tiny hands reached for sleeves and pigtails as the argument rapidly devolved into a full-scale kindergarten brawl.
Around them, their classmates chanted enthusiastically. "Fight! Fight! Fight!"
You closed your eyes. It was time to bring forward the quarterly parent-teacher meeting.
It ended with a compromise.
“I really am sorry about it.” You looked between the two fathers, fidgeting nervously in your seat. “The kids seem to have misunderstood what I said.”
Caleb winced. “Honestly, they're at that age where they hear one thing and somehow arrive at a completely different conclusion.”
A small laugh escaped you despite yourself.
“You would make a great mother, though,” he added.
Your eyes widened.
“I mean—not to Noah. Not like that. Well—”
“What Caleb is trying to say,” Zayne interrupted smoothly, “is that you've done nothing wrong.”
The knot in your chest loosened immediately.
“Thank you.”
“It's true,” Zayne continued. “You're good with the children. They absolutely adore you.”
For a moment, you weren't sure what to say. The warmth in your cheeks only deepened beneath the attention of two pairs of eyes.
Heat crept into your cheeks as you smiled shyly. “That's very kind of you to say.”
Outside the teacher’s office, Jasmine and Noah sat quietly on a bench. For the first time ever, neither child was speaking.
Jasmine had her face buried in a book while Noah fidgeted in his seat.
A spider crawled along the windowsill. Noah's head immediately turned toward Jasmine. Then he remembered that they weren't speaking. He looked away.
A moment later, he noticed the flowers by the window had finally bloomed. His eyes darted back to Jasmine. Once. Twice.
He opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.
The silence stretched on.
Closing her book Jasmine sighed. “Those are pansies.”
“I knew that.” He didn’t. Reaching into his bag, he pulled out a chocolate bar, broke it cleanly in half and held it out tentatively. “Still friends?”
Jasmine stared at the sweet treat in his hands. “Miss y/n said that good kids share.” Noah tilted his head, confused. Taking the chocolate bar, Jasmine chewed thoughtfully.
Noah waited. And waited. And waited. His lip wobbled slightly at the thought of losing his best friend.
After what felt like an eternity, Jasmine swallowed. "We should share Miss y/n because that's what good kids do. And Miss y/n likes good kids."
Noah blinked. "Then we'd be friends again?"
“Best friends.” Jasmine grinned.
At that moment, the door to the teacher's office opened. The two children immediately jumped to their feet.
"I'm sorry, Daddy," Jasmine ran up to Zayne and hugged his leg. "But we're okay now."
"Yeah!" Noah agreed.
Both men exchanged relieved looks.
"Good," Caleb said. "I'm glad you two worked things out."
"We did," Jasmine confirmed. "We've come to a compromise."
Caleb laughed. "Oh really?"
"Yeah." Noah nodded eagerly. "Daddy, you'll just have to share Miss y/n with uncle Zayne."
Caleb nearly choked on his own saliva. "I what?"
Beside him, Zayne pinched the bridge of his nose.
.
.
.
.
It was as if the fight had never happened.
Both children were running through the park, laughing as they took turns on the swings. Noah was once again attempting to present Jasmine with a giant leaf. This time it came with a snail.
"Do you actually like Miss y/n?"
The two men sat on a nearby bench, watching the children play.
"Like is a strong word."
Zayne glanced sideways at him. Caleb shrugged.
"She's kind. Patient." A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "And Noah absolutely adores her."
His gaze drifted across the playground. For a brief moment, he allowed himself to imagine it.
Noah running ahead. You beside him. Laughter. Family outings. Ordinary days spent digging for bugs out in the yard.
The image came as naturally as breathing, yet it still managed to take his breath away.
Beside him, Zayne hummed. His own gaze remained fixed on the playground.
For a brief moment, he allowed himself the same indulgence.
Jasmine holding up a flower she had picked. You crouching down to admire it and looking at her as if she were the most precious thing in the world. The three of you walking home together hand in hand.
The image lingered a second longer than it should have. His lips twitched.
Hiii, your little Mydei series was so adorable, I really enjoyed reading it🤧❤️.
And the Worm fic was hilarious, but also cute🙈💕.
Your writing for the HSR boys is really good!
You're so sweet, thank you so much 🤭💕
Honestly, I dont know if I'll ever be able to think of another story as crazy as Le Worm 🪱 But whenever you need a good laugh feel free to re-read it! 🤣
Your relationship with the two men had always been unconventional. Frowned upon even, but the opinions of others had never mattered much to you.
Your parents always said you had a big heart. Apparently, it was big enough to fit both Mydei and Phainon. And both men loved you to the moon and back. That should have been enough. Right? Apparently not.
Late into the night, you lay wide awake in bed. Mydei slept on your right, snoring loud enough to shake the windows. Phainon slept on your left, mumbling something incoherent about swords and training. Somehow, both men appeared perfectly at peace. You, however, were suffering from curiosity that was eating away at you.
“If I turned into a worm would you guys still love me?”
Mydei stopped cleaning his spear. Phainon lifted his gaze up from his book. The two men exchanged a look from across the room. Neither spoke.
Then finally, Mydei rolled his eyes. “I’m not answering that.”
“Baby if you’re bored we could take a walk out in town together.” Phainon took your hand in his, entwining your fingers together.
Phainon brought you to a lovely restaurant while Mydei ordered all your favorite dishes. They succeeded in distracting you for the rest of the evening.
Unfortunately for them, your curiosity remained unsatisfied.
The next morning began like any other morning. You woke up, enjoyed breakfast together. Then you kissed them both on the cheek and wished them a good day ahead as they left to fulfill their Chrysos Heirs duties.
Both men heaved a sigh of relief as they stepped out of the house. The last time you had asked a rhetorical question—
"If I was dying and you had to kiss another girl to save me, would you do it?"
Neither answer satisfied you. The silent treatment that followed lasted for an entire week. It was a week neither man wished to relive.
Having successfully survived your latest hypothetical question, both men had assumed that the worst was behind them.
They were wrong. The house was suspiciously quiet. It was strange not having you ambush them at the door with a hug the moment they stepped inside.
“y/n?”
No response.
Mydei immediately tensed, his sharp gaze sweeping across the room.
The front door was still locked. Nothing appeared disturbed. Yet something felt wrong.
“y/n?” Mydei called out again.
Silence.
The valuables remained untouched and your belongings were exactly where you had left them. Your clothes were neatly folded in the drawers. The jewelry they had gifted you sat atop your vanity. Even your bag still hung by the door.
“Baby?” Phainon stepped further into the house. A bright purple bottle with no labels sat on the coffee table. His gaze fell to the worm beside it and he froze. “Mydei!” Panic rose as he lifted the bottle up to his nose. The putrid smell had him gagging.
“What is that?” Mydei pointed to the suspicious bottle. “It smells dangerous.”
Phainon's gaze drifted from the bottle back to the worm beside it. A horrible thought crossed his mind.
“y/n?” The worm wiggled. The two men exchanged questioning looks.
“y/n?” The worm wiggled again.
“...”
“...”
“It moved.”
“Yeah, I can see that.”
“If I turned into a worm would you still love me?” The memory hit them like a freight train.
The next hour was complete chaos, as the two listed questions that neither could answer.
How could the potion's effects be reversed?
What was the lifespan of a worm?
Could worms recognize their loved ones?
Most importantly, where was the worm going?
The tiny creature had somehow escaped the coffee table and was inching closer and closer towards the door.
“She's making a break for it!” Phainon lunged. “Careful!” Mydei nearly tackled him to the ground. “You almost stepped on her!”
“I did not!” Phainon huffed.
“You absolutely did!” Carefully Mydei scooped the worm up into his hands. “I've got you.”
Day 1
A day later, the worm was absolutely thriving in its new habitat.
Filled with moist soil, vegetable peelings, a custom throne and a knitted blanket, it was significantly more luxurious than most homes in Okhema.
“Don't you think that's a bit much?” Phainon pointed at the bright red crystal throne sitting proudly in the center of the glass habitat.
“She's my princess, she deserves it.”
Phainon glanced at the knitted blanket that he had personally made.
“She does deserve nothing but the best.”
Day 2
“Alright baby, what do you want for dinner?” Phainon carefully placed the worm on the dining table so the three of you could still eat together like usual. “The decaying apple or the lettuce?”
“You know,” Mydei said as he stirred the pot, “if you were human, you'd be having homemade dumpling soup tonight.”
The worm stopped moving. Phainon immediately glared at him.
“Stop it.”
“What?”
“You're upsetting her.”
The worm continued to remain perfectly still.
“Look, she's devastated.”
Day 3
“If she remains a worm...”
“Don't.” Phainon glanced at the mountain of books scattered across the floor. “We'll find a solution.”
“We need to be realistic.”
Mydei tapped gently against the glass of the habitat. The worm wiggled in response.
Silence settled between them.
For a moment, neither spoke.
They watched as the worm burrowed into the soil, completely unbothered by the crisis unfolding around it.
"...Should we enlarge her habitat?"
“Probably. She'll need more room to grow.”
A pause.
“Would the wedding ring go around her middle?”
Phainon stared at him. Then he glanced at the worm. A horrible realization struck him. How were they supposed to walk down the aisle without accidentally stepping on you?
“...I hadn't considered that.”
“I'll speak to a goldsmith tomorrow.”
“You think they make rings for worms?”
“I think they're about to.”
Day 4
“Mydei!!!”
Bursting out of the bathroom with soap suds still in his hair and a towel wrapped loosely around his waist, Mydei nearly slipped as he ran into the hall.
“I can't find y/n!” Phainon was as pale as a sheet of paper as he crawled out from under the bed.
“I told you to keep the lid close.”
“I took her out. She looked bored and I only turned around for a while.”
The two of them tore the entire house apart. Not a single inch was left unchecked.
“I found her!” There was the worm, taking an afternoon nap behind a flowerpot. Phainon heaved a sigh of relief. “I should have known. She loved flowers.”
Very carefully, Phainon scooped the worm into his hands. “Young lady, if you run away again you're grounded.” The worm wiggled.
Mydei frowned as he watched the one sided conversation. “You've been hogging her.”
Phainon instinctively curled his fingers a little closer around the worm.
“I have not.”
“When was the last time that I got to hold her?”
“Yesterday? For a whole good three minutes.”
“You timed it?”
“I have a schedule.”
“You made a schedule?”
“It helps us split our time fairly. Since y/n can't actually tell us whose palm she prefers.”
Mydei stared at him in disbelief. At that moment the worm wiggled off Phainon’s hand and inched its way closer to Mydei.
“Missed me, haven't you?”
Mydei smirked. Phainon pouted.
Day 5
“Fresh air is important.”
“No.”
“But she hasn't left the house since…”
“No.”
“She's probably tired of staring at the same old scenery."
“No.”
Phainon carefully lifted the worm out from its habitat.
Mydei was already regretting this as he tagged along.
The two of them sat outside beneath the shade of a large tree. Birds chirped peacefully overhead.
The worm appeared content.
“See?” Phainon smiled. “She likes it.”
The worm wiggled.
“She agreed with me.”
“She absolutely did not.”
The worm continued inching across Phainon's palm.
A shadow passed overhead.
Neither noticed, both engrossed with the wiggling worm.
The shadow grew larger and larger.
Then suddenly—
A blur of black feathers shot down from the sky. In the blink of an eye, the worm was gone.
Phainon stared at his empty palm.
Mydei stared at his empty palm.
The crow soared off into the distance with something dangling from its beak. Something pink and small. Something very worm-shaped.
“No no no.”
The words came out as little more than a whisper. As Phainon’s brain struggled to process what had just happened.
“NO!”
Phainon took off running with Mydei following close behind.
“Mydei!”
“I see it!”
The chase that followed would later be described by witnesses to Aglaea as a deeply concerning behavior for members of the esteemed Chrysos heir.
A flock of birds scattered. A vegetable cart overturned. A kissing couple was knocked apart.
Several citizens were forced to leap out of the way. But none of it mattered to them. The bird had y/n. They had to get the worm back no matter the cost.
“GET BACK HERE!”
“STOP THIS INSTANT!”
The crow continued flying, completely unbothered by the two men screaming after it from the streets below.
Three hours later.
They had lost the crow.
Silence hung heavily in the house.
Neither man spoke.
The glass habitat sat empty on the table. The tiny throne remained untouched. The knitted blanket folded neatly in the corner. Phainon stared blankly at the enclosure.
“We failed her.”
Mydei closed his eyes.
“We did.”
“We were supposed to keep her safe.”
“It wasn't your fault. I should have insisted..”
“I had one job.”
Phainon’s voice cracked as his throat tightened. Mydei stared up at the ceiling, willing his tears not to fall. If he started crying too, neither of them would recover from this.
Silence returned.
Then they heard the sound of the door opening. Both men froze. Slowly. Very slowly. They turned around.
There you stood at the doorway. Slurping on a cup of milk tea. Unharmed and perfectly alive.
“B-baby?”
“Hi I'm–” You paused, frowning at their teary red eyes. “Wait, are you two crying?”
Then you noticed the huge glass habitat on the coffee table. "And we've got a new pet?”
It took a whole lot of comforting and reassurance that you were alive and well before you managed to dig out the full story from both men.
“You both thought I was a worm for four days?!”
“Five days...” Phainon muttered, his face turning redder by the second.
“The evidence seemed compelling,” Mydei said defensively. The words sounded less convincing the second time around.
“What evidence?” You looked from Mydei to Phainon and back again. “Grandma fell sick so I left in a hurry and forgot to tell you about it.”
This was getting more confusing by the minute. You wondered if you'd somehow stumbled into an alternate universe where you had, in fact, become a worm.
Both men pointed at the purple bottle simultaneously.
“Oh.” You blinked. “That was a sample drink from the store downtown. They were still working on the packaging.”
“B-but the liquid smelled terrible!”
“It probably went bad.” You shrugged. “It was supposed to be refrigerated.”
Silence.
Mydei slowly turned to look at Phainon.
Phainon slowly turned to look at Mydei.
Neither spoke.
“In my defense, you agreed with me without questioning it.”
Myedi pinched the bridge of his nose. “Don't.”
The tension in the room was palpable. Mydei was holding back the overwhelming urge to strangle the man beside him and then himself.
Phainon, meanwhile, was dying of embarrassment from the sheer stupidity of the entire situation.
But none of that seemed to matter to you. Your eyes widened. A grin slowly spread across your face.
“Aww. So you would love me even if I turned into a worm!”
.
.
.
Later that night, two pairs of strong arms surrounded you as the three of you lay in bed.
Neither man had been willing to let you out of their sight for the entire day.
The house was peacefully quiet when your curiosity got the better of you again.
“But if I had turned into a snail—”
Phainon leaned over and kissed you before you could finish your sentence.
On your other side, Mydei tightened his grip around your waist, pressing a trail of kisses against your neck.
No. Absolutely not. They were never revisiting another hypothetical question ever again.
Luuk has a habit of giving out candy. You'd like one too.
Entirely self indulgent. Might be ooc.
The day started out like any other day. Except, Luuk couldn't shake off the feeling that someone was watching him as he went about his day on campus.
In the morning, he made his rounds in the infirmary.
“No no no. I absolutely hate needles.”
“Here, have a candy, it'll distract you from the pain.”
From the corner of his eyes he saw a familiar mop of hair ducking down behind the front desk. “Miss you really shouldn't be here.” His lips twitched.
At noon, he strolled around the campus grounds.
“I can't believe I failed the mid term exams..”
“Getting an A minus isn't a failure. Here, have a candy. You did great.”
Then he heard it. The unmistakable rustle of leaves from a nearby bush. Considering that there wasn't any wind, it wasn't particularly hard to figure out what was happening behind the suspicious bush. He had to clear his throat to hide a smile.
In the late afternoon, he had lunch at the canteen.
“I can't believe he broke up with me. Over text!”
“He didn't deserve you. Here, have a candy.”
From the corner of his eyes, he saw a familiar individual hiding their face behind a tray. Considering half of her face was visible, she wasn't doing a particularly good job. He snorted.
On his way back to his office, he ducked behind one of the school buildings. It didn't take long before hurried footsteps echoed behind him.
3… 2… 1…
There you were. Panting. Eyes scanning the area frantically.
“Looking for something? Or someone?”
You froze. Slowly, you turned around.
“It's nice to finally meet my stalker.”
“I haven't been stalking you.”
“Sure you didn't.”
He reached over to pluck a fallen leaf out of your hair. The horror on your face finally broke whatever restraint he had left. Luuk burst into laughter.
“I’ll have you know, I was doing a study.”
“On me?”
Lukk pointed to himself, brow raised, head tilted slightly in amusement.
“Yeah. You gave candy to sick students.”
“Mm-hmm. Indeed”
“You gave candy to stressed students.”
“Mm-hmm. Well spotted”
“You gave candy to broken-hearted students.”
“Mm-hmm. Great observational skills.”
Your voice got softer as you spoke.
“But you’ve never given me candy ever since we started dating.” There it was. The small pout on your face as you took your frustrations out on a small pebble by your feet.
“You’re jealous over candy?”
“No.” A pause. “Well, just slightly..” He stared at you. You stared right back. A minute passed. Then two. “Fine." You crossed your arms. "Yes. I am jealous.”
“Didn’t think you needed it anymore now that you have me.” The candy wrapper crinkled as he reached into his pocket.
“Although, if you insist..” You perked up, eyes shining with anticipation.
Unwrapping the piece of candy, he smirked as he popped it straight into his mouth.
“Y-you–” Before you could start an entire rant about girlfriend privileges, he leaned down.
His lips were soft. Warm. For a moment, your mind went blank. Then something hard nudged against your lips. Confused, you parted them slightly. Immediately, he took the opportunity to deepen the kiss. A familiar burst of citrus spread across your tongue. Lemon candy. The very thing that you had been sulking over all day.
"C-can't breathe..." Your fists thumped weakly against his chest. Instead of letting you go, he only pulled you closer, nipping playfully at your bottom lip. His little way of getting back at his stalker.
Satisfied, he finally pulled away, steadying you with a hand at your waist when your knees threatened to betray you. Now, suddenly, the issue didn't seem to matter to you any more.
Hiding your face against his chest, you tried and failed to suppress your smile. Gently lifting your face, his tumb brushed across your kiss-swollen lips. “Would you like some more? Strawberry flavour tastes pretty good too.”
Zayne loves you quietly. Caleb loves you loudly. Either way, you remained very much loved. (Idol AU) 🎤🎶
Pairing - Zayne x Reader & Caleb x Reader
❄️ Zayne loves you quietly.
Dates were mostly spent in his luxury apartment. Even his achievements were celebrated quietly between the two of you. Away from snooping reporters and overzealous fans.
“Does it ever upset you?” The question came softly one night as he held you in his arms. He's always been so careful with your relationship. Keeping you hidden away from the media. Wanting to shield you from the cruel comments and endless speculation that often came with fame.
But the thought was always at the back of his mind. Perhaps his insistence on privacy had been too much.
You could never post holiday photos. No Valentine's Day posts. No birthday tributes. No Christmas pictures taken in matching pajamas. Things that a normal girlfriend would post on their socials. And he could never openly claim that he was taken or that he was yours.
Maybe one day you'd grow sick of being hidden.
“Do you love me?”
“Of course.”
The answer came immediately, without hesitation. His brows furrowed as though the question itself made no sense.
“That's all I need, baby.”
Pressing a small kiss against his throat, you giggled as he froze.
But of course, nothing ever stays hidden when you're dating a global superstar. All it took was a single photo from a stalker showing you exiting his apartment for the whole internet to blow up.
Even then, not much was known about you aside from a few basic details—your name, occupation and educational background. Zayne remained tight lipped about his private affairs.
For the next few months, Zayne worked hard. New magazine covers. New single albums. New movies. New endorsements. Whenever your name began to trend, another headline about him would appear and bury it.
In the end, Zayne never made a relationship announcement. He skipped that part entirely. Instead, one evening, he posted a simple black and white image of your hands. His adorned with a plain silver band. Yours with a flower nestled amongst diamonds. Along with a simple caption - Just Married.
The internet blows up yet again.
🍎 Caleb loves you loudly.
He was quite a nightmare for his PR team. Always posting unapproved content on his socials.
An image of you with dried up drool in his bed. A video of you blow drying his hair, with him dressed in nothing but a towel around his waist. He thought these moments were sweet. His PR team thought otherwise, as they sat him down for multiple stern talks.
He brought you everywhere he went. Music video shoots. Variety show shoots. Music awards. As busy as he was, he still kept you glued to his side. And you were never out of his sight.
His fans were divided. Some loved you, viewing the both of you as the ultimate relationship goals. Other more disillusioned fans disliked you, thinking that you were hindering him from achieving greater things.
But the nasty comments never stayed online for long. He made sure of it. He always had that unsettling look in his eyes whenever you questioned him, and over time, you decided that some questions were better left unanswered.
Even the positive comments were constantly being monitored by him. A like from this guy? A flirty comment from that guy? Deleted and blocked.
Love him. Hate him. He really didn't care about his public image at all. He loved you so much and he needed the entire world to know.
“Caleb gossip weekly here! How do you plan to celebrate your big music win tonight?”
“By thoroughly showing appreciation to the person who stood by me all these years. Very thoroughly.”
He heard you sigh under your breath even as you continued to smile politely for the cameras.
“Dinner. We're going out for a fancy dinner. Ain't we baby?”
Leaning into his side you gave his chest a few hard pats. Oh he was definitely in for it that night. Not that he minded the slightest bit.
Needless to say, his PR spent the entire night blowing up his phone.
Mydei had sat through countless battle strategy meetings with Phainon. There had never been a battle they failed to win. And yet, as he listened to Phainon drone on about his newest strategy to pursue the girl of his dreams, he couldn’t help but feel that his comrade was fighting a losing battle.
In the background of the tavern, the band's lead singer sang a song about unrequited love. How ironic. Mydei thought, as he took a huge chug of his beer. If he was going to have to play the role of an unlicensed therapist then he'd need a drink.
Mydei caught the bartender’s attention from across the tavern. “Another beer please.” After a brief pause, he added “Preferably several more.”
“I just..” Slamming his mug down on the wooden table, Phainon let out a defeated sigh. “What am I doing wrong?” He asked, genuinely perplexed.
“I wish I knew so we can put an end to my misery.”
Phainon’s lower lip jutted out into a pout. The ladies out in town might have taken pity on him. But Mydei couldn't be bothered. Especially not when Phainon simply refused to take his advice. “Just tell her! Say those magic words. How hard can it be?”
“Well.. Actions speak louder than words!”
“Yeah? And how's that working out for you?”
“Its….”
The memories flooded back into Phainon's alcohol induced mind.
A month ago
The orphanage yard buzzed with cheerful noise beneath the warm afternoon sun. Children ran across the grass in chaotic little groups, enjoying the simple freedom of childhood.
Somewhere nearby, someone screamed triumphantly about winning a game of tag. Mydei winced as his ears began ringing. He was starting to regret coming.
“Remind me again,” Mydei deadpanned as two boys climbed all over him, one currently dangling from his arm like it was a monkey bar, “exactly why did I agree to this?”
Beside him, Phainon sat on the grass, nimble fingers braiding a little girl's hair into French braids, all while she played with her dolls on his lap.
“Moral support.” he answered immediately. Mydei stared at him flatly. “You’re volunteering at an orphanage. What part of this requires moral support?”
Silence was his only answer. Mydei followed Phainon's line of sight instinctively and immediately understood the reason for the lack of response.
There you were.
You were all smiles as you chased several children through the grass.
A little girl suddenly grabbed onto your skirt. “Big sister!” Her muddy little handprints stained the fabric instantly but you didn’t seem to mind in the slightest.
Instead, you bent down to her eye level with that same gentle smile that always left Phainon feeling all warm and tingly on the inside.
“Yes, my dear?”
Your fingers carefully adjusted the crooked butterfly clip nestled in the little girl’s hair.
“For you!” she chirped proudly, holding up several badly arranged wildflowers. Your entire expression softened. “These are lovely.”
An angel. You were an absolute angel. If he stared long enough, he swore he could almost see a halo glowing above your head.
Beside him, Mydei sighed quietly.
“She’s beautiful,” Phainon murmured before he could stop himself.
The little girl in his lap perked up, her wide brown eyes darting between Phainon and you curiously. Then, taking a deep breath, she shouted at the very top of her tiny lungs. “BIG SISTER! THERE’S A MAN HERE WHO THINKS YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL!”
The entire yard fell silent.
“M-me?” you squeaked. Your startled gaze landed directly on Phainon. Beside him, Mydei nearly choked trying to suppress his laughter.
Meanwhile, Phainon had gone completely red.
“You’re always so encouraging,” you said shyly, your cheeks turning the same shade of red. “Most people aren’t usually that kind with their words.”
Only for you.
“…Encouraging,” Phainon echoed weakly.
Completely oblivious to his suffering, you smiled brightly at him. “Yeah!”
Mydei pinched the bridge of his nose. “Alright,” he muttered while grabbing Phainon by the back of his collar. “We’re leaving before you embarrass yourself any further.”
“I wasn’t embarrassing myself,” Phainon protested weakly while being dragged away. Mydei glanced back at him. “You confessed in front of thirty children.”
“…That’s fair.”
A week ago
“Repeat it again.” Arms crossed over his chest, Mydei looked every bit like the serious immortal warrior that he was. “What should you say when you meet her?”
“I bought these specifically for you.” Inhale. Exhale. Breathe. “Because you mentioned liking them before and I - ”
“Phainon?”
This was it. Mydei was certain of it. This was the moment that his friend would succeed, so that he could stop being a wingman and carry on with his life.
“For you because you like it.”
A brown paper bag was shoved into your hands. Even closed, you could smell the freshly baked pastries within it. And not just any pastries, but the ones from a little bakery across town that often sold out within minutes.
“You remembered?” You beamed, your face lighting up with joy. “Your memory is amazing!”
Phainon’s expression softened immediately at your smile.
“Well,” he said quietly, “things about the people important to me tend to stay on my mind.”
Beside him, Mydei nodded approvingly. Sure he had botched it with his flimsy opening but he had recovered well. Surely this time you'd get the hint.
“Ah. You truly are a member of the Chrysos Heirs for a reason.” You mused, impressed. “I can't even remember what I had for lunch yesterday.”
Phainon stopped functioning entirely.
Mydei needed a drink.
A few days ago
“Oof”
“Oh. Phainon? I-I'm so sorry”
Phainon looked down to see you - mascara smudged, eyes red and nose runny. You looked absolutely devastated. Phainon felt his heart ache at the sight of you. He reached out, hand hovering in mid air, before it settled gently on your head.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
The both of you ended up at that tavern. Phainon listened patiently as you spilled your heart out about the disastrous date. “My date said I talk too much. That I eat too much…” You sniffled. “Maybe I really am not that likeable..”
THUD.
Phainon slams his drink down with so much force, half of it spills across the table. Your eyes widened.
“He doesn’t deserve your tears.” His voice came out sharper than intended.
Phainon inhaled slowly before continuing quieter this time. “You deserve someone who treats you properly.” His gaze lifted toward yours. “Someone who loves you exactly as you are.”
Your expression softened and for a moment hope surged through him.
“You’re right,” you said brightly, wiping away your tears with the back of your sleeve. “I should find someone like that.”
Phainon’s heartbeat quickened, anticipation building inside of him.
“Someone like you”
Phainon held his breath.
“You’re so kind and emotionally mature,” you continued earnestly. “Any girl would be lucky to date someone like you.”
Phainon stared at you in complete silence. He wanted to scream. To shout. To pull his hair out.
Instead, he forced a stiff smile onto his face.
“Right.. Someone like me”
As the flashbacks ended, Phainon's shoulders slumped in defeat.
“Well its… Not working out”
“Exactly!” Mydei slamed his mug down in frustration. The loud commotion drew a few curious glances their way.
“Well I can't exactly just walk up to y/n and tell her that I love her!”
Mydei's gaze focused over Phainon's shoulder, at the figure that was slowly approaching their table. His lips twitched slightly.
“And confess that I've been in love with her for months! How creepy is that?”
“Phainon?”
Mydei snorted, grabbed his mug, and gave his friend a clap on the shoulder. “Good luck.” Phainon sat frozen at the table. Eyes wide. Mouth opening and closing soundlessly. Very much like a goldfish.
“I don't think that it's creepy”
Phainon wasn't sure if it was the alcohol or the warm tavern lighting. But your cheeks were dusted with the prettiest shade of red. He prayed that this wasn't a drunken hallucination.
“I think that it's really romantic”
The rest, as they say, was history. Or so Mydei thought, as he found himself seated across Phainon in the same tavern once again. Between them sat a velvet box that was far too small for the outrageously large diamond that Phainon had somehow chosen.
“She just doesn't get it. I've been trying so hard to propose!”
"The first time we met at your shop. Why did you pick lilies for me?"
Laying in his embrace, you rubbed your eyes tiredly while Mydei's arm tightened instinctively around your waist. After centuries of holding back, you were utterly exhausted but entirely content. Mydei, on the other hand, looked thoroughly ruined beneath the marks you had left across his skin.
"They represent pure, long-lasting love. It was honestly a hint, my love.."
Mydei glanced down at the lilies resting on the bedside table.
A playful smile tugged at your lips. "You were just too slow on the uptake"
His eyes narrowed slightly. "I think I'm going to have to punish you for keeping secrets from me hmm?"
Your laughter dissolved into a startled squeak as he pulled you closer and buried his face against your neck.
I really had a lot of fun writing this. The theme suited Mydei so well that I just had to do it. If you’ve stuck around to finish this little series of mine, I’d like to say thank you and I hope you enjoyed it! Till next time 👋🏻
The third time that Mydei met you, it was entirely by accident.
It was just an ordinary afternoon. The town streets were crowded with people drifting between market stalls beneath the warmth of the setting sun. Mydei barely paid attention as he walked. Patrol had ended hours ago, yet restlessness lingered beneath his skin like an old wound that never fully healed.
Then he passed a tiny flower shop tucked in between two stone buildings and froze.
Through the glass windows, he saw you.
You stood behind the counter arranging flowers into neat bundles, sleeves rolled slightly past your wrists. Sunlight spilled across your face while you laughed softly at something an elderly customer had said.
His entire body went still.
That smile.
Centuries of memories flooded back to him.
Battlefields. Palaces. Grief. You.
Before he could think better of it, his body was already moving on its own.
The bell above the door chimed softly as he stepped inside.
You looked up from the bouquet in your hands and burst into laughter.
You were genuinely amused at the sight of this enormous, intimidating man standing stiffly amongst ribbons, flowers, and lace wrapping paper looking completely out of place.
Mydei stared.
Your laughter still sounded the same. Just as he remembered.
Gods.
"You're blocking half of my shop," you teased.
He glanced behind himself immediately, as though considering leaving.
Which only made you laugh harder.
For reasons he could not understand, that eased something tight inside his chest. Was it the relief of finding you again after centuries of searching? Or was it because you were still so undeniably you - always laughing, always warm, always smiling? All he knew was that he could breathe again. Like the ocean settling after a storm, he felt at peace.
"What are you looking for?" you asked.
You.
The answer nearly escaped him before he caught it.
Instead, he looked awkwardly toward the flowers lining the shelves. "I... don't know."
A playful smile tugged at your lips. "Ah, I see I've met my very first challenging customer on my shop's opening day."
You stepped around the counter then, moving closer, and Mydei immediately became aware of how little space existed between the two of you.
Up close, it was worse. Or better. He couldn't decide.
Your eyes still held that same unbearable warmth he remembered from every lifetime before this one.
"You look like someone who'd suit lilies," you murmured thoughtfully.
"You're choosing for me?"
"You don't seem capable of choosing for yourself right now and I would never let anyone leave empty handed" You placed a hand over your heart looking absolutely horrified by the mere thought of it.
He actually almost smiled. Almost.
You handed him a small bundle of lilies wrapped carefully in cream-colored paper.
"There," you said. "Now you won't leave empty-handed."
Mydei bought the flowers despite having absolutely no use for them.
Then he returned the next day and the day after that.
At first, he only lingered outside.
You noticed immediately, of course.
Some afternoons you'd glance up from the counter through the windows and find him standing awkwardly across the street pretending as if he was not very obviously staring at you through the window.
One evening, you stepped outside with your arms crossed.
"You know," you said, amused, "most people simply enter the shop instead of haunting it."
Mydei looked genuinely caught off guard that you had noticed him.
"You saw me?"
You stared at him, brows raised.
"...Mydei, you're nearly two meters tall."
A pause.
"...Right."
Suddenly his boots seemed to be way more interesting to look at as he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.
You had to bite the inside of your cheek to stop yourself from laughing again.
Eventually, rain became the excuse that finally brought him inside the shop.
A sudden heavy downpour hammered against the streets one evening, forcing customers to rush for search of shelter. Mydei appeared outside your shop moments later, already soaked from the rain despite the cloak draped across his broad shoulders.
You opened the door before he could pretend he was merely passing by.
"You look miserable," you informed him.
"I'm fine."
"You're dripping onto my doorstep."
Silence.
Then, reluctantly, he stepped inside.
You handed him a towel before disappearing briefly into the back room. The scent of tea soon filled the tiny shop.
Mydei watched quietly as you placed a warm cup of tea beside him along with some pastries.
"You didn't have to do this," he said.
"Well, I want to and..." Twiddling with your fingers nervously, you whispered, "Not just on rainy days."
Heavy rain pelted against the glass windows, yet Mydei heard you loud and clear and it left him speechless. The memory of you avoiding his gaze shyly while whispering those words replayed endlessly in his mind. And somehow, without realizing it, he had adopted a new daily routine.
His free time in between patrols was spent having long conversations across the counter while you arranged flowers. Eventually, Mydei began stopping by even when he wasn't on patrol duty. Rain or shine.
Sometimes he brought things for you: fresh ribbons from the market, better scissors after noticing your old pair had dulled, pastries from a bakery across town.
Always pretending it meant nothing. That he had simply chanced upon them on his way to your shop.
You let him. Mostly because watching an immortal warrior attempt courtship while pretending that he was not courting you was deeply entertaining.
"You know," you mused one afternoon while trimming flower stems, "for someone so terrifying in battle, you're surprisingly awkward outside of the battlefield."
Mydei frowned faintly from where he sat beside the window. His tea had long gone cold but he had no intention of leaving anytime soon.
"I am not awkward."
"You stood outside my shop daily like a stalker!"
"I..." Mydei hesitated. "I couldn't find a reason to see you."
"..You never needed one."
You held his gaze and for a brief moment, time seemed to stop.
The jingle of the shop bell shattered the silence.
A customer stepped inside.
You blinked first. Then turned away with an apologetic smile, returning to work as though you hadn't just completely unraveled him with a single sentence.
It happened slowly after that.
Not falling in love.
He had loved you long before this life.
But allowing himself to accept that he was in love with you?
That took time.
Seeing you die twice had taught him something. Time was cruel. It would always take you away from him eventually. That was unavoidable. But this time, he refused to let fear steal the life the two of you still had together.
He wanted to love you fully now. So that when time eventually separated the two of you again, neither of you would leave this life burdened with regret. Despite everything, Mydei found himself wanting forever anyway. However long forever was allowed to last.
One night, after closing, you found him standing outside the shop unusually silent. In his hands were a bouquet of lilies.
The streets were empty. Lantern light flickered softly against the stone roads.
"Mydei? You're cheating on me with another florist?"
Huffing you glared at the flowers, offended.
He looked at you then with an expression so unbearably vulnerable it stole your breath.
"I need to tell you something."
Your heart softened immediately. You unlocked the door of the shop and he trailed in after you.
The familiar scent of flowers wrapped around the both of you as silence settled gently between the shelves.
Then finally, he allowed himself to speak the words he had been holding back for two lifetimes.
"I love you."
The words sounded rough leaving his throat.
He exhaled shakily. " I have loved you for way longer than you know."
Your eyes stung unexpectedly.
After all this time, he had finally chosen to reach for happiness himself.
You stepped closer slowly until only inches remained between you.
"Mydei," you whispered softly, taking his hand into yours "I know"
His entire body went still.
"You .."
Confusion flickered across his face. Then realization. Then disbelief.
"I know, all of it," you confessed gently. "Every lifetime. Every occasion that you've held back. Every version of you."
The silence that followed felt deafening. Uncertainty started creeping in and you wondered if springing the truth on him like this had been too much too soon.
Mydei stared at you like the world had just shifted beneath his feet. He sensed the subtle shift in your expression and tightened his grip on your hand. He wouldn't be letting go of you. Not now. Not ever.
"You remember?" he whispered.
"I do. From the moment you walked into my shop I recognised you."
"And you said nothing?" It was his turn to sound offended.
A teasing smile touched your lips. Your tears were flowing freely now. Mydei reached out to you, his rough calloused hands gently wiping away your tears.
"I was waiting until you'd choose me again"
Something inside of him shattered completely after that.
In one movement he pulled you into him, holding you so carefully despite the desperation in his grip. His forehead rested against yours as though he still could not quite believe that this was real.
"You waited for me," he said quietly.
"In every life."
His eyes closed.
For centuries, Mydei believed immortality meant endless loneliness.
But now?
Now you are here and you were his.
You felt warm in his arms. An unfamiliar feeling blossomed in his chest, a feeling that he now recognises as happiness. You smile against his mouth as he kisses you softly, reverently, like something sacred he had been terrified to touch till now.
The kiss deepened slowly.
Tender at first.
Then aching.
His hands trembled slightly against your waist as years of restraint unraveled piece by piece beneath your touch. You could feel it in every careful movement — how desperately he loved, how fiercely he had held himself back.
You brushed your fingers through his hair gently, and the sound that escaped him was almost painfully soft.
"Mydei.. I love you too forever and always" you whispered against his lips.
He looked at you like devotion itself.
And for the first time in all his endless years of living, he stopped fearing tomorrow.
Zayne raises you properly. Caleb enables your every bad habit. Either way, you're one very spoiled kitten.
Pairing - Zayne x Reader & Caleb x Reader
❄️ZAYNE
Zayne being Zayne.
While most people would probably panic after discovering that their girlfriend had somehow turned into a cat overnight, Zayne approached the situation with terrifying calmness.
He left the apartment and returned shortly with an alarming stack of library books related entirely to cat care.
《Nutritious Diet For Cats》
《How To Keep Your Cat Happy》
《First Time Cat Owners 101》
"Meow?"
"You’ll be fine," he reassured, with a book open on the coffee table and his iPad ready for note taking.
If there was one thing that Zayne excelled at, it was taking care of people. Apparently cats now too.
You were treated like royalty. Your water bowl was changed daily. Your meals were homecooked. Your fur was brushed twice a day. He even bought you a sparkly pink bow collar.
Resisting you had already been difficult when you were human, but now it was nearly impossible.
All you had to do was look up at him with those big round eyes, tilt your head slightly and let out a soft meow before he completely melted.
The no-treats-before-dinner rule went straight out the window. And apparently, so did his personal space. Zayne was now available for cuddles twenty-four seven.
Truthfully, Zayne secretly enjoyed this arrangement more than he probably should have.
For once, he was able to spend more time with you. A luxury that neither of you had before due to your busy schedules.
When he was working, you would sleep right by his arm on his desk. When he was reading on the sofa you would curl up on his lap meowing for pets.
Which was why, when you finally turned human again, Zayne found himself feeling a little disappointed.
"You miss cat me don’t you?"
"No."
"Liar."
Smiling softly, you leaned forward to kiss the pout off his face.
Lucky for him you knew just how to cheer him up. After all, you still remembered where he kept that sparkly pink cat collar.
🍎CALEB
Caleb was having a full on mental breakdown. His precious little baby sister had suddenly been reduced to a ball of fluff. Although he couldn't deny that you were a cute ball of fluff.
You were whisked away to sky heaven immediately. Doctors crowded around you, looking seconds away from collapsing from stress, while Caleb fired question after question at them without pause.
“Is this reversible?”
“Would there be any negative side effects?”
“Is she in any pain right now?”
He was only able to relax after learning that the change was temporary. You would return to normal in a few week's time.
Until then, Caleb gave in to your every whim with terrifying ease. Your claws destroyed his couch and he didn’t even bat an eye at the damage. "It was old anyway."
A single meow, and your food bowl was instantly refilled.
"Doesn’t she look a little… rounder now?" one of his coworkers asked cautiously.
"Nonsense." Caleb looked deeply offended by the accusation. "Look at how happy she is."
At first, Caleb hated the inconveniences that came with your transformation. No more kisses. No more hugs. No more late night banters. But over time, he was starting to see the benefits of you being a cat.
You were way clingier than usual. You would follow him everywhere, tiny paws tapping behind him faithfully. You would sit outside the bathroom while he showered and curl up beside him every night without fail.
Your jealousy also became painfully obvious.
"Colonel, could you review this report for me?"
Caleb barely looked up as his subordinate leaned slightly too close beside him. Then he saw you from the corner of his eye. Your fur was puffed up, tail raised sky high and claws extended like you were out for blood. And then you pounced.
Caleb caught you smoothly midair and hugged you against his chest just seconds before your tiny claws could commit any real crime. You hissed in his arms. Eyes still locked on the target.
"Leave the report on my desk. You may leave"
"Y-yes sir"
You received extra treats that day. He was quite literally enabling your transformation into a little menace.
It didn't take long till you were known in the base as the aggressive cat that followed Caleb everywhere. Approach with caution.
When you finally turned back into a human, you were utterly horrified. Caleb was never going to let you forget that for once you were the obsessive one in the relationship.
"…We’re never speaking about this again."
"Oh, baby." Caleb grinned, tightening his arms around you. "I’m bringing this up for the rest of our lives."
