As Kieran returned to the grand castle after the triumphant night of the research breakthrough, he couldn't help but notice a subtle shift in Lucian's behavior. He immediately noticed how Lucian, who had always maintained a certain distance from the human staff, took a sudden interest in a particular human butler.

Kieran's keen observation and intuitive nature picked up on the change. It wasn't just the frequency with which Lucian interacted with the butler Sebastian but the warmth and familiarity in his tone. Kieran couldn't ignore the discomfort that brewed within him.

He decided to keep a close eye on the two for now. He noticed their frequent small talks, shared laughs, reluctant touches, stolen glances, and flustered looks.

He tried his best to understand what was happening between those two. He spent weeks simply watching them from afar but couldn’t figure out what was happening, so he finally decided to confront Lucian.

- - - 

One evening, as Kieran and Lucian sat together in the lavish library, their place of solace, Kieran finally broached the topic.

"Lucian," he began carefully, "I've noticed something... different in how you interact with that human."

Lucian engrossed in a book but ever-attuned to Kieran's words, looked up slightly perplexedly. "What do you mean, my love?" He asked in a soft tone.

Kieran chose his words with care. "It's just that I've never seen you take such a keen interest in any of the human staff before. Your attention to this… Sebastian, it's... unusual."

Lucian regarded Kieran with a mixture of understanding and hesitation. He had anticipated this conversation, but it didn't make it any easier. 

"I meant to talk to you about this for a while myself, but I didn't know how to bring the subject up without you thinking anything negative about it," he said calmly and steadily.

Kieran looked at him, a little skeptical and confused, waiting for him to continue, not knowing where this conversation was going. 

"I don't understand it myself, but there's something about Sebastian that I can't explain," Lucian admitted. "Every time I'm around him, I feel this, this unexplainable pull towards him… I am overcome with some unknown emotions. I can't even put the feelings I have around him into words… I have never felt like this around anyone before."

Kieran patiently listens to him speak without interrupting. "Where are you going with this, Lucian?" he asks in a calm tone once Lucian’s done talking.

"I'm not going anywhere with this, my love. I just don't want to keep anything from you." He replied honestly, looking over at Kieran with a tender gaze.

"Are you attracted to him?" Kieran asks in a quiet tone. The question catches Lucian off guard, and a brief silence hangs between them. 

His hesitation was evident as he carefully considered his response. As much as he wanted to be honest with Kieran, he didn’t want him to get any wrong or damaging ideas.

Kieran watched Lucian closely, his furrowed brows revealing his unease. He had asked the question, but some part of him feared the answer. The jealousy that stirred within him wasn't something he wanted to admit.

Finally, Lucian spoke, his voice low and measured. "I can't say it's just attraction, Kieran. It's more complex, more profound than that. It's like an inexplicable connection that defies understanding."

Kieran nodded slowly, his expression a mix of emotions. "I understand that we can't always control our feelings, Lucian. But where does this leave us?" He asks, emphasizing ‘us’.

Lucian reached out to gently touch Kieran's arm, his eyes filled with affection and regret. "It leaves us right where we've always been, Kieran. Our bond is unbreakable, and nothing can change that. I just wanted to be honest with you about my feelings. You're my lover, and nothing will change that. I promise you that I will never let anyone come between us."

Kieran tried hiding the turmoil but couldn't help the unease gnawed at his heart. His thoughts are in a tumultuous flurry of emotions, questions, and uncertainties. 

He struggled to reconcile his deep love for Lucian with the situation's complexity that had suddenly arisen. The green-eyed monster of jealousy raged within him, and he battled to keep it at bay.

He locked eyes with Lucian, searching for something, some assurance, a sign that Lucian's newfound interest in Sebastian wouldn't evolve into something more. Yet, he could see the conflict in Lucian's gaze, the profound feelings that even Lucian himself couldn't entirely comprehend.

Sensing Kieran's internal struggle, Lucian took a deep breath before speaking, his voice filled with sincerity. "Kieran, I can't promise you a definite answer because I don't entirely understand these feelings. But I can promise you this: I am in love with you, and you have been my lover, my partner for centuries, and I would never want to betray that trust we've built together for anyone, not even in the face of these new and strong emotions. My connection with you is irreplaceable, and nothing can change that."

Kieran's heart ached with a mix of doubt and longing. He wanted to believe in Lucian's words, to trust in their love, but the shadows of uncertainty still loomed. 

Kieran sat silently, trying to process his thoughts and Lucian’s words. He was looking for answers, but he also dreaded finding them. His jealousy started to turn into desperation and anxiety. 

His internal turmoil and unyielding love for Lucian led him to a difficult decision. He knew he didn't want to lose Lucian, but he could sense that 'inexplicable pull' Lucian was talking about himself from his observations of the two. 

He knew it would be just a matter of time before Lucian could place a name to those feelings himself. With a heavy heart, Kieran decided to address the issue head-on, even though it wasn't what he truly desired.

“How can you be so certain he wouldn’t come between us, Lucian?” He asks, his voice laced with a hint of vulnerability.

Lucian sighs as he takes Kieran’s hands into his own, soothingly running his thumbs over the back of his hands. “I may not be sure about my feelings for Sebastian yet, Kieran, but I am sure about my feelings towards you. And I will never do something to hurt you in that way.”

“What if… what if you fell for him?” Kieran asks, his voice laced with uncertainty.

“Then that’s that, but I’ll never choose those feelings over us or our relationship. I will never pick Sebastian over YOU, Kieran. You mean the world to me, and I promise never to leave your side, no matter what.” Lucian says reassuringly.

Taking a deep breath, Kieran spoke, his voice filled with vulnerability and determination. "Lucian, I appreciate your consideration, but I don’t want you to feel trapped or tied down to me. I don't want these feelings to come between us, and I don't want to lose you either. So if you think your connection with Sebastian means so much to you, then I… I'm willing to consider a different path."

Lucian looked at Kieran, regarding him with a mixture of surprise and concern, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Kieran, what are you saying?"

"Polyamory." He replied.