Cyrus cupped one side of his boyfriend’s face, staring into his glowing jean-colored eyes. “Killian, I willneverlet them force that fate on you. I would break every fucking rule my family has to stop it. I just…can’t help but wish you had told me when they started contacting you.”
“Cyrus, tell me what you saw that day, to know that there was never any doubt I would die if you did nothing.”
He flinched at the worddie. “All of the various pathways that used to be around you had converged into one. The thread coming from your heart had begun to turn black. And then I saw the death mask… All of it pointed towards someone who hadtaken a path that had closed off every other possible option. A point of no return.”
“Ah, yes, ‘a point of no return’.” Killian smiled. “Fitting, I suppose. As soon as my father made the decision to do what he did, that’s exactly what it was. And we both know why. Because a pathway where I told you didn’t exist. A timeline where I told anyone at all did not exist, and wouldn’t naturally, not for me. And you know why.”
“I know… You can still tell me again though.”
Killian’s smile widened, and leaned into his hand. “I hate them so much.”
Cyrus smiled sadly at the tinge of pain he heard behind his words. “I know.”
“I hate the drama they bring to my life every single time they step foot near me.”
“You always have.”
“And I hate that they won’t leave me the fuck alone—hah. Over two hundred years have passed and they still won’t stop!” Killian laughed in disbelief. “So, like I always do, I avoided it, and because I tried to ignore them, I was going to die. As instead of telling others, telling you, who would have taken it seriously, I hid it. Which forced you to do something that is against everything you believe in.”
He swallowed, his eyes filling with tears as the Siren reached out and caressed the side of his face. “I’m sorry for being like this, Cyrus.”
He pulled the Cryptid into his arms, hugging him close. “Don’t apologize for who you are, Killian. As much as I wish I could take away the pain that you experienced, I love who you are. I love you. I love everything about you. And your refusal to acknowledge your family is how you’ve fucking survived.” Cyrus pulled back, pressing a kiss to the man’s forehead, before lightly placing one on his lips. Killian was staring sadly now. “Baby, I’dhappily and willingly abandon every single fucking principle I have if it meant you’d get to live freely in this world.”
“They won’t stop. And while they’d be easier to deal with if they were still on Earth, they aren’t. That Ocean planet, it’s far out, and beyond any governments reach. Likely beyond even Severo’s parents’ reach, just due to the distance.”
“We’ll figure it out.” Cyrus pulled the Siren back against his chest, holding him tight.
Killian sagged against him, mumbling soft as can be, “I love you.”
“And I you.” Cyrus smiled, and with Killian still cuddled against his chest, he laid back in bed.
They were quiet for a moment, before Killian rasped, “Cyrus…”
“Yeah?”
“I don’t blame you for what happened, or for not telling me.”
“I wanted to tell you.”
“Did you really?”
“Mm, every single time you asked. I wanted to warn you. Part of me wanted to demand you tell me what you were hiding, though the latter was mostly when I felt a surge of panic. But I was…afraid, Killian. Of what else could happen if I did, and what ways it would change without me ever being able to see it.”
“I know.” Killian looked up, resting his chin on his hands. “But you know what, Cyrus? I’m afraid too…about what is going to happen now, after what you did. I have to say, this world of mine wouldn’t be that great without you in it either.”
“I wish I could tell you things will be fine. But I don’t know if they will. All I know is that I will use every connection I have, and do everything in my power, to protect you. There’s also my parents…and I’m pretty sure that with them always complaining about me adhering to Fates’ rules, they will at least have my back for once.”
Killian scoffed. “Complain, my ass. Your parents have been lecturing you since we met at fourteen, after I secretly moved into your family’s lake. They’ve spent hours lamenting about how horrible it was that their one and only son ended up a brown-nosing, bootlicking, ass-kissing rule follower.”
Cyrus barked out in laughter. “That was definitely one of my mother’s more colorful insults.”
“It’s definitely one of my favorites, of all the ones she’s used.” Killian chuckled, before sighing. “Can you really not see anything? Past or present?”
He winced. “I can pull up things I’ve already seen, the old ones, but nothing new. And when I look at the threads, it doesn’t go further than a few seconds backwards or forward.”
“Maybe they are just mad at you for changing things?” The Siren wrapped his arms around him, and he turned his head to the side, snuggling closer. “Let things settle more. I’m sure it will go back to normal soon.”
“You’re probably right.”
