---
The moon was high when Lys quietly slipped out the apartment window.
The streets were still, humming faintly with distant cars and the occasional bark of a stray dog. The cool night breeze tousled his pale hair as he landed lightly on the pavement, ears twitching for signs of pursuit.
He didn't like staying still.
He didn't trust comfort.
And most of all, he didn't want to start needing anyone — especially not someone like Kai.
That human was dangerous in the stupidest way. Not because he was threatening. But because Lys could feel himself slowly lowering his guard… and that made him furious.
He started walking.
It was instinctual: retracing his path, mapping escape routes, checking where the shadows bent. Somewhere deep inside, his instincts screamed that someone was hunting him. And not just San or Hyme this time.
The other one.
The one who attacked him in the chaos — neither ally nor enemy. Just pure, killing intent.
Lys's expression darkened as he turned a corner. He pressed his hand against a brick wall and muttered, "They're not done yet. I can feel it."
"You always talk to walls?"
A voice behind him.
Lys spun around instantly, his claws extending—but stopped when he saw Kai.
The human stood there in a hoodie and slippers, holding a thermos of tea, his brows furrowed with worry.
"You followed me," Lys said sharply.
"Of course I did," Kai replied, exasperated. "You're injured, you idiot! I woke up and your blanket was cold!"
Lys narrowed his eyes. "I'm not your responsibility."
"Too late," Kai said, stepping forward. "You crash in my place. You eat my food. You wear my shirts. That makes you mine now."
Lys flinched slightly. "Don't say that."
Kai stopped. His tone softened. "Sorry. I didn't mean it like that."
"…You don't get it," Lys muttered. "People like me… we don't get 'safe places.' There's always a price."
"Then I'll be the first to prove you wrong."
Lys stared at him.
It wasn't romantic. Not quite. But the quiet conviction in Kai's voice stirred something in Lys — a forgotten warmth he didn't want to acknowledge.
"I could hurt you," Lys said in a low whisper. "I've killed people before."
Kai's eyes didn't waver. "But you didn't kill me. That's what matters right now."
They stood in silence, the streetlights casting soft gold across the concrete. Then Kai stepped closer, gently reaching for Lys's hand.
Lys didn't pull away.
Just for a second, he let the warmth reach him.
"Come home," Kai murmured. "It's cold."
Lys looked up, a strange emotion flickering in his golden eyes.
"…Fine."
---
Back at the apartment…
Kai returned to the couch and plopped down, exhausted. Lys didn't join him this time — he climbed onto the windowsill again, but this time, curled under the blanket Kai had placed there earlier.
As Kai drifted to sleep, he thought he heard a faint whisper from the corner.
"…You're not so bad… for a human."
He smiled.
---