Ren lay fast asleep, his soft breathing creating a rhythm that Denial had come to love a little too much. Quietly, almost reverently, Denial slid closer and wrapped his arms around Ren's sleeping frame. The warmth was addictive. He pressed gentle kisses — first on Ren's forehead, then his cheek, and finally, his lips.
The kisses weren't meant to wake him. But they did.
Ren slowly opened his eyes, blinking under the golden warmth of the morning sun that slipped through the window blinds. His gaze landed on Denial — who was still so close, so intimate. A soft, sleepy smile curled on Ren's lips.
"What happened, love?" he whispered, voice laced with affection.
Denial stared back into those sleepy eyes — eyes that had always looked up to him, trusted him, needed him — but now, for the first time, desired him. And Denial couldn't hold back anymore.
He leaned in once more, but this time not with the hesitation of guilt — with the surrender of love. His voice came out low and breathy, as if the words had been buried deep for too long.
"Ren... I think... No, I know. I've started to love you. Truly... as a lover. Not as a brother."
The words struck like lightning across Ren's heart. His eyes widened, lips parted in awe, as if he couldn't believe he was awake.
"You mean it, Denial?" he asked, breath catching.
Denial didn't answer with words at first. He leaned in, kissed Ren once more, and whispered, "I mean every word."
But then, Denial paused. A flicker of something darker crossed his face — jealousy.
"By the way…" he began with a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, "I saw you yesterday. With that girl outside your university."
Ren's eyes flew open. Panic. He immediately sat up.
"Wait, Denial, it's not what you think. That girl — she likes me, yes, but I don't feel anything for her. She keeps proposing, and I keep turning her down."
Denial didn't reply. He only leaned forward, brushing Ren's hair aside and gently began unbuttoning his shirt.
"Denial…" Ren gasped, heart racing. "What you said earlier… do you really love me? For real?"
Denial stilled his hands. His eyes burned into Ren's as he said, quietly but fiercely:
"Yes, I love you. But not as your big brother. As a man who wants you. Who loves you. Who needs you."
Ren could hardly hold back the tears as he whispered, "Then stay with me. Forever. Be mine, Denial. Not just for now. Always."
Denial cupped his face, kissed him deeply, then promised:
"I swear, I'll never leave you. No matter what comes. I'm yours."
And then, with the weight of all their unspoken feelings finally crashing over them, they melted into each other's arms — body and soul — as if the world outside no longer existed.
Denial forgot everything in that moment —
The curse.
Rika and Matthew.
The warnings.
The past.
He didn't care anymore.
Because for the first time, he was truly in love.
Continue....