"You can take the mask off around me, you know," Brycen says, his voice more tentative than he means it to be. He cringes at how awkward and intrusive it sounds, even to his own ears. "I just mean, this is your home. And I know it can't be easy to eat and drink like that."

Kaylin looks at him over the rim of their cup, their amethyst eyes steady and guarded. The tension in the room shifts slightly, something unspoken hanging in the air between them. They take another small sip of tea, barely moving the mask to reveal a sliver of their lips before setting the cup back down.

"I'm used to it," Kaylin replies lightly, though there's something weary in their tone. Their fingers trace the edge of the teacup, an idle movement that seems more about avoiding eye contact than anything else.  Brycen watches them for a moment, the weight of the conversation hanging in the air. He hadn't meant to push, but the mask has been on Kaylin’s face for as long as he has known them, a constant barrier between them. It is more than just fabric- it is a wall, a way to hide, to protect themselves. He understands why Kaylin wears it, but part of him longs to see them fully, to connect with them in a way that feels real and unguarded.  It's the first major question that he desires to have answered.

Kaylin sighs softly, the sound almost lost in the crackle of the fire. For a few moments, they seem lost in thought, their fingers stilling on the teacup.

"I know it’s...not easy," Brycen says gently, leaning forward slightly. "But you don’t have to hide from me, Kaylin. Not here. Not in your own home."

Kaylin’s eyes flicker up to meet his, and for a second, Brycen wonders if he’s gone too far. There’s a vulnerability in Kaylin’s gaze, something raw and unspoken that Brycen can’t quite decipher. But then, slowly, Kaylin’s hands move to the ties of their mask. Their fingers pause there for a moment, as though they’re weighing some unspoken decision.

Brycen’s heart races. He doesn’t say anything more, doesn’t want to pressure them, but he holds his breath as he watches Kaylin contemplate the gesture.

Finally, Kaylin lets out another soft sigh, as though coming to terms with something. Kaylin’s delicate fingers tremble as they rise to the ties of their mask. Brycen watches in silence, his heart racing with anticipation, but he doesn't speak- doesn't dare disturb the fragile moment. He can sense the internal war Kaylin is fighting, the hesitation in every small movement. Part of him wants to reach out, to tell them they don’t have to do this, that he can wait, that he’ll still be here no matter what.

But then, with a quiet exhale, Kaylin unties the mask and pulls it down from their face.

For the first time, Brycen sees all of them, and the world feels as though it slows. His breath catches in his throat as he takes in the sight before him.

Kaylin’s features are sharp, yet delicate- elegant lines traced over pale skin that seems untouched by the sun, like porcelain. The freckles scattered across their nose and cheeks stand out like constellations against the milky white of their complexion, delicate but distinct, a quiet contrast that speaks of something soft beneath their guarded exterior. There's a small scar just below their jawline, faint but noticeable, a testament to some past pain, some history Brycen doesn't know but desperately wants to understand.

But it isn’t just the scar or the freckles that draw Brycen in- it’s the surprising masculinity of Kaylin’s face. Now, seeing them fully for the first time, the angles of their jawline, the set of their brow, the shape of their lips- it all comes together, a revelation that hits Brycen like a wave.

Kaylin is, without a doubt, a man.

Brycen’s mind spins, trying to reconcile the person before him with the fleeting memories of the argument he overheard between Aaron and Kaylin. Had he misunderstood? His thoughts race back to the heated exchange-Aaron’s overprotectiveness, Kaylin’s insistence on not being treated differently, the constant tension surrounding them being an Omega. But now, Brycen wonders if he had missed something vital, if he had only seen part of the truth.

How can Kaylin be an Omega? he wonders, the question echoing in his mind. But then, Brycen stops himself, realizing that the answer doesn’t really matter, not in the way it might have to others. All that matters is the person sitting before him, their guard finally lowered, their vulnerability laid bare.

The realization must have caused him to fall silent for too long because Kaylin's posture changes. Their shoulders hunch slightly, as though bracing for an impact, and their eyes flick downward, settling on the untouched cup of tea in their hands. They can’t even look at him now, and Brycen can see the uncertainty, the doubt, creeping into their expression. It’s as though they’re waiting for something- for him to speak, to judge, to leave.

But Brycen feels no judgment, no confusion, no desire to turn away.

"You're..." Brycen starts, his voice barely above a whisper, but the words get caught in his throat. He takes a breath, gathering himself before continuing, "You’re...beautiful."

The words slip out before he can stop them, soft and sincere, and they hang in the air between them like a lifeline.

Kaylin’s eyes snap up, their expression shifting from vulnerability to surprise, the flicker of doubt that had darkened their features replaced with something else. Their lips part slightly, as though they hadn’t expected to hear those words, and for a moment, they just stare at him, searching his face for any sign of insincerity.

But Brycen means every word. He watches Kaylin intently, hoping they can see the truth in his gaze. He’s not sure what Kaylin had expected, but this- them sitting here, together, with Kaylin unmasked and raw- it feels more real than anything Brycen has experienced before.

"Beautiful?" Kaylin echoes, the word barely a whisper on their lips, as though they’re testing it out, trying to make sense of it. Their voice is tinged with disbelief, like they can’t quite accept that someone might see them that way.

Brycen smiles, his heart aching at the fragility in Kaylin’s voice. He reaches out, his hand moving slowly, giving Kaylin every chance to pull away. But they don’t. Instead, their gaze follows his movement as his hand brushes against theirs, his thumb tracing the edge of their palm. The touch is light, careful, and he feels the slight tremble in their hand as his fingers gently curl around theirs.

"Yes," Brycen says softly, his eyes lock on Kaylin’s. "Beautiful."

Kaylin stares at him for a moment longer, as if trying to process the words, the sentiment. And then, slowly, cautiously, a smile begins to pull at the corners of their mouth. It’s small, hesitant, but it’s there- a glimmer of something warm beneath the layers of fear and doubt they’ve carried for so long.

"I don’t hear that very often," Kaylin admits, their voice still quiet, but there’s a different tone now- softer, more vulnerable.

"Well, you should," Brycen replies, his voice steady. He squeezes their hand gently, giving them that grounding touch. "Because it’s true."

Kaylin looks at him fully, their eyes no longer avoiding his gaze. There’s something raw and unguarded in their expression now, something Brycen hasn’t seen before. They don’t hide behind the mask of indifference anymore. And for Brycen, that’s the most beautiful thing of all.

Kaylin lets out a breath, the tension in their shoulders easing just a little. It’s as if a weight has been lifted, even if only slightly. Brycen knows there’s still so much they haven’t talked about, so many secrets Kaylin holds close to their chest. But right now, in this moment, it feels like a step in the right direction. A step toward trust, toward something real.

"Thank you," Kaylin whispers, their eyes glimmering with emotion.

Brycen doesn’t reply right away. Instead, he just holds Kaylin’s gaze, his heart pounding in his chest. There’s a quiet understanding between them now, a shared moment of vulnerability that words can’t fully capture. He doesn’t need to say anything more. They’re both here, both present, both choosing to let their walls down, even if just for tonight.

As they sit in the quiet cottage, the fire crackling softly in the hearth, Brycen feels a sense of peace settle over him. This moment, this connection- it’s something he hasn’t realized he needed until now. And for the first time, he allows himself to hope that this, whatever it is, might be the beginning of something real.

"Thank you, for coming back," Kaylin says softly. 

"Thank you for letting me." Brycen responds. "I missed it here. I missed being here, with you." 

"How long are you going to stay?" 

"Just for a few days. It's just a short leave," Brycen says almost apologetically. "But I think we're almost done in Duskbrook. Maybe I could schedule a longer leave after this mission is done."

 "Are you sure that wouldn't cause too much trouble?" 

"I've never taken a leave before, I'm sure my superiors will be eager to let me go," he chuckles.

Kaylin offers a small, almost hesitant smile. "I guess I can’t imagine you not being on duty. You seem like you’re always busy, always doing something important.”

Brycen leans back in his chair, his eyes never leaving Kaylin's. "It’s important, yeah. But so are you. More than anything else right now." His voice softens, the weight of his words lingering in the air.

Kaylin looks down at their hands, their fingers of their hand not holding Brycen's tracing idle patterns on the table. "I’m not sure I’m used to... being important to someone.  Beside my dads and brother that is."

Brycen’s chest tightens at that. He can’t help but think of all the things Kaylin must have endured- growing up with their overprotective brother, isolated in their cottage, always guarded, never allowing themself to trust fully. It makes Brycen want to show them how much they matter, not just in words but in actions.

"You’re important to me," he says gently, leaning forward and catching Kaylin's gaze. "You always have been, since the first day I woke up in your care. And not just because you healed me. It’s... more than that."

Kaylin's eyes flicker with uncertainty, as if they’re not quite sure how to respond to that, as if they’re not used to hearing such things. They shift slightly in their chair, clearly uncomfortable with the vulnerability, but they don’t pull away either. Instead, they nod, acknowledging his words without fully accepting them yet.

"I... I missed you too," Kaylin admits, their voice barely above a whisper. It’s probably the most honest thing they’ve said all night, and Brycen can see the effort it took for them to say it. There’s still hesitation, still a wall between them, but it’s starting to crack, little by little.

A smile tugs at Brycen's lips, the kind that comes from deep within. "Well, I’m here now," he says softly. "And I’m not going anywhere for a few days."

Kaylin nods, their eyes lingering on his for a moment longer before looking away again. "A few days," they repeat, as if trying to savor those words, holding onto them like something precious.

"It’ll be enough time for me to help around here at least," Brycen says, trying to lighten the mood. "I’m not letting you do everything yourself. I’m not your patient anymore, remember?"

Kaylin chuckles, a soft sound that makes Brycen's heart ache in the best way. "I’m not sure you know what you’re getting yourself into. Running this place isn’t as easy as it looks."

"Try me," Brycen challenges playfully. "I can handle whatever you throw at me. Besides, it’ll be nice to have an excuse to stay close."

Kaylin’s smile softens. "Alright then. We’ll see how long you last."

Brycen leans forward, resting his chin on his hand as he looks at them, that same warmth in his eyes. "I’ll last as long as you want me here."

Kaylin’s breath hitches at his words, but they don’t say anything. Instead, they just look at him for a long moment, their expression unreadable, as if they’re still trying to figure him out, still waiting for the other shoe to drop.

But Brycen’s patient. He knows it’ll take time for Kaylin to fully trust him, to believe that his words aren’t just fleeting. And that’s fine. He’s willing to wait as long as it takes.

"I should finish getting dinner ready," Kaylin says after a moment, breaking the silence and standing up.

Brycen watches them as they move around the kitchen, but the air between them feels lighter now, less burdened by unspoken doubts. There’s still so much left unsaid, but for now, this is enough. The fact that Kaylin is letting him stay, that they’re slowly starting to let him in, is more than he could have hoped for.

As he sits there, the smell of whatever stew Kaylin is cooking filling the small cottage, Brycen feels a sense of peace that he hasn’t felt in a long time. He’s here, with Kaylin, and for now, that’s all that matters. The outside world, his duty as a Paladin, even the looming uncertainty of what will come next- it can all wait.

Right now, he just wants to be in this moment. With them.