Brycen paces back and forth in the small bedroom Kaylin lets him stay in, his boots making soft thuds against the wood floor. He’s gone over it a thousand times in his head, rehearsing the words he wants to say, but nothing feels quite right. Every time he imagines Kaylin’s reaction his heart pounds in his chest, as if it is the first time he's about to step onto the battlefield. But this isn’t a battle, not in the usual sense. This is something much more terrifying.
He can’t stop thinking about the last conversation they had, the one where Kaylin had shared about magic. Despite everything, Brycen hasn’t been scared off; if anything, his feelings have only grown deeper with each new piece of information he learns about Kaylin. Kaylin is mysterious, thoughtful, and gentle—yet strong in ways that Brycen can hardly fathom. Every time they are together, it feels like the rest of the world disappears, and Brycen finds himself wanting more of those moments.
Maybe he doesn’t understand everything about Kaylin’s world, but he doesn't need to know everything yet. He knows that he wants to learn.
“Okay,” Brycen mutters to himself, running a hand through his hair as he stands in front of the mirror, practicing for the hundredth time. “Kaylin, I—no. Kaylin, I think...no, wait, not think—I know that I want to...ugh.”
He groans and leans forward, resting his hands on the table as he stares at his reflection. This shouldn’t be so difficult. He is a Paladin, trained to face danger and uncertainty head-on, yet asking Kaylin to court him feels like the most nerve-wracking challenge he’s ever faced.
A gentle knock at the door startles him out of his thoughts, and his heart skips a beat. “Brycen? Can I come in?”
Kaylin’s voice floats through the door, soft and calming as always. Brycen straightens up quickly, clearing his throat as he walks over to open the door. When he does, he's greeted by the sight of Kaylin standing there with a basket of herbs and flowers cradled in their arms, their violet eyes sparkling with curiosity.
“You’ve been pacing for a while,” Kaylin observes, a teasing smile playing on their lips. “You're going to wear out my poor floorboards. Is everything alright?”
Brycen blinks, momentarily caught off guard by how effortlessly Kaylin always seems to read him. If he didn't know better, he would suspect it is magic. He steps aside to let them in. “Yeah, everything’s fine. I've just been...thinking.”
Kaylin gives him a knowing look as they set the basket down on the small table by the window. “Thinking, huh? That sounds dangerous.”
Brycen chuckles, the tension in his chest easing slightly as he watches Kaylin move gracefully through the bedroom, their presence already calming his nerves. They always have that effect on him. “Dangerous is right,” he mutters under his breath.
Kaylin sits down on the edge of the bed, their eyes softening as they look up at him. “What’s on your mind, Brycen?”
That is the question, isn’t it?
Taking a deep breath, Brycen moves to sit beside them, his heart thudding louder with each step. He knows he has to just say it, he has to ask before he heads back to Duskbrook tomorrow, but now that the moment is here, the words seem to catch in his throat. He turns to face them, feeling his pulse quicken when their eyes meet.
“I’ve been thinking a lot lately,” Brycen starts, his voice a little more hesitant than he intends. “About us. About you and me.”
Kaylin’s expression shifts, their brows furrowing slightly in confusion, but they don’t interrupt, waiting patiently for him to continue.
“I know we've only known each other for a few weeks, that we've only really talked for maybe a week of that, but I’ve come to realize something.” Brycen’s hands fidget slightly in his lap as he struggles to keep his composure. “I don’t just want to be your friend, Kaylin. I want...more.”
Kaylin blinks, clearly caught off guard by the admission. Their lips part slightly, but no words come out, so Brycen presses on before he loses his nerve.
“I want to court you,” Brycen says, his voice stronger now, more resolute. “I don’t mean anything like a formal betrothal, but I want to take you out, spend time with you in ways we haven’t before. I want to...date you. Properly.”
The words hang in the air between them, heavy with anticipation. Kaylin stares at him, their violet eyes wide with surprise, and for a moment, Brycen’s heart sinks, thinking he might have read the situation wrong. But then, slowly, a soft smile begins to form on Kaylin’s lips, their eyes shimmering with something warm and hopeful.
“Brycen...” Kaylin begins, their voice soft and trembling slightly. “Are you sure about this? We barely know each other.”
Brycen feels his heart skip a beat. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. We can get to know each other more over time. That's part of courting.”
Kaylin let out a small laugh, their shoulders relaxing as they look down, a faint blush coloring their cheeks. “I...I wasn’t expecting this. I thought...I thought maybe you were still figuring things out. You know, with me being...different.”
Brycen’s gaze softens, and he reaches out to take Kaylin’s hand in his. “I don’t care about the differences. I care about you. Whatever you are, none of that changes how I feel. I’ve been trying to ignore it, to focus on my duties, but I can’t anymore. I want this. I want you.”
Kaylin’s eyes glisten, and for a moment, they look down at their intertwined hands, as if gathering their thoughts. When they look back up, their smile has grown, full of a quiet kind of joy that makes Brycen’s chest swell with emotion.
“I would...I would like that,” Kaylin says softly, their voice trembling just slightly. “I would like that very much.”
Brycen’s heart soars, relief and happiness washing over him like a warm wave. He can’t stop the grin from spreading across his face as he squeezes Kaylin’s hand gently.
“Really?” he asks, still half-afraid he is dreaming.
Kaylin laughs softly, their eyes crinkling at the edges. “Yes, really. As long as you don't mind that I'm a Mage, that I'm a man.”
A soft laugh escapes Brycen’s lips, and before he knows it, he is pulling Kaylin into a tight hug, the tension he’s been carrying for weeks finally melting away. Kaylin’s arms wrap around him just as tightly, their head resting against his shoulder as they both hold onto the moment.
When they pull back, Brycen looks into Kaylin’s eyes, feeling the connection between them grow stronger with each passing second. This is real. This is happening.
“I don't mind in the slightest," he confirms firmly. "I've never courted a Mage before, though. I hope I don't mess it up.”
Kaylin smiles, their eyes shining with warmth. “We’ll figure it out together.”
For the first time in a long time, Brycen feels like he is exactly where he is meant to be. Here, with Kaylin by his side, everything feels right. Then Kaylin pulls away, looking concerned.
"Listen, Brycen, there's something I need to tell you, before we do this," Kaylin says seriously. Brycen's heart drops, a number of terrible scenarios going through his head. "I-I'm an Omega."
Brycen laughs softly in relief, and Kaylin looks offended. "No, I didn't mean to laugh, it's just, I already know that," Brycen explains.
"I use elixirs to keep my pheromones muted, though," Kaylin says. "How can you tell?"
"That doesn't sound healthy," Brycen says, brow furrowing in concern. "But I mean, I overheard you and your brother talking back when we first met."
Kaylin blinks, their expression shifting from surprise to confusion. "You...already knew? The whole time?"
Brycen nods, his expression softening as he reaches for Kaylin's hand. "Yeah, I overheard you and Aaron arguing. You and he were arguing about leaving you alone here with me, you mentioned not being a "Weak Omega" or something like that, and well, it wasn't hard to put the pieces together after that."
Kaylin’s brow furrows, the tension in their shoulders not fully relaxing. "But, why didn’t you say anything?"
Brycen shrugs, his thumb gently tracing circles on the back of Kaylin's hand. "It didn’t seem like my place. I figured you’d tell me when you were ready. And honestly, it doesn’t change anything for me."
Kaylin looks down at their intertwined hands, the weight of Brycen’s words slowly sinking in. "I...I thought maybe it would. That you’d think differently of me. I'm an intersex Omega, a freak."
Brycen’s heart squeezes at the vulnerability in their voice. He tilts his head, trying to catch their gaze. "Why would I think differently? You’re still the same person I’m interested in. Omega or not, that doesn’t change who you are. And you're not a freak. You're a rare, precious gem."
Kaylin hesitates, their fingers tightening around Brycen’s as if seeking reassurance. "I guess I was just...worried. I've been hiding that part of myself for as long as I can remember."
Brycen’s brow furrows with concern. "These elixirs...are they safe? I know you’re a skilled alchemist, but muting your pheromones sounds like it could take a toll on your body."
Kaylin bites their lip, looking away for a moment. "They’re not...ideal. But they help. It’s just- being an Omega around Alphas, it can be...overwhelming. Especially when I’ve had bad experiences in the past. I'd rather struggle with my elixirs than become a target ever again."
Brycen’s heart clenches, understanding dawning on him. He has known from the beginning that Kaylin has been hurt before, that their past is filled with shadows they haven’t fully shared. But hearing the strain in Kaylin’s voice makes it clear that the fear and pain runs deeper than he realized.
"I understand," Brycen says softly. "I know Alphas can be...a lot. And I’m sorry that anyone ever made you feel unsafe because of your subgender. But Kaylin, you don’t have to hide that part of yourself from me. I would never hurt you."
Kaylin looks up, their eyes glistening with emotion. "I know that. You’ve never made me feel like I had to hide, not really. It’s just...old habits. It's not like I can stop taking the elixirs, either, I still have to exist outside of this house. Everyone in the village thinks I'm just a female beta, and I want to keep it that way."
Brycen nods, his heart aching at the thought of what Kaylin has endured. "I get it. But you don’t have to use those elixirs for my sake. I want you to be comfortable, and if that means you keep using them, that’s fine. But if they’re hurting you, I want you to feel safe enough to stop."
Kaylin’s lips tremble into a small, tentative smile. "You’re too good to me, Brycen."
Brycen leans in, slowly enough that Kaylin can push him away if they want, and brushes a soft kiss to Kaylin’s forehead. "I’m just trying to be good enough for you."
Kaylin lets out a soft laugh, their tension finally easing as they relax into Brycen’s embrace. "I’m glad you know, and that you’re okay with it."
"More than okay," Brycen whispers, his hand cupping Kaylin’s cheek. "I’m in this for the long haul, Kaylin. Whatever comes with that, I’m ready."
Kaylin’s heart swells at the promise in Brycen’s voice, and for the first time in a long time, they feel a sense of peace settle over them. Maybe they don’t have to hide anymore. Maybe, with Brycen, they can finally start to be themselves, fully and without fear.
With a soft smile, Kaylin leans into Brycen’s chest, letting his warmth surround them as they whisper, "Thank you, Bry."
Brycen kisses the top of their head, holding them close. "Always."
For a moment, they stay like that- wrapped in each other’s presence, the worries and doubts fading into the background.
"There's more that you should probably know," Kaylin says softly, pulling away, their voice barely more than a whisper. "But...I'm not ready to talk about it yet."
Their fingers absently touch the scar at their jawline, their touch feather-light, as if tracing a memory. Their eyes, though open, seem far away, lost in a place that was neither here nor now. Brycen watches, his heart tightening at the sight of that quiet pain. He wants to reach out, to ease whatever burden Kaylin carries, but he knows better than to push.
Brycen nods, his expression gentle, understanding. "That's okay," he murmurs, his fingers brushing Kaylin's hand in a quiet gesture of support. "I want to know everything about you, but I want you to tell me when you’re ready."
Kaylin glances up, their eyes locking with his, gratitude flickering in the amethyst depths. For a long moment, they don’t speak, the silence between them filled with unspoken thoughts and emotions. Then, with a shaky exhale, they let their hand fall away from the scar, leaning into Brycen’s warmth once again.
"It’s...complicated," Kaylin said, their voice distant as if they are choosing their words carefully. "But I trust you. I just need...a little more time."
Brycen gives a small, reassuring smile. "Take all the time you need," he says, squeezing Kaylin’s hand gently. "I’m not going anywhere."
Kaylin’s lips twitch into a faint smile, their body relaxing just a little more in Brycen’s arms. The weight of whatever they have been holding onto seems a little lighter now, though the shadows linger still.
As they settle back into a comfortable silence, Brycen presses a soft kiss to Kaylin's temple, a silent promise that he will wait. Whatever secrets still linger, whatever past hurt is etched into that scar and any others he doesn’t know about, he will be there when Kaylin is ready to let him in. It doesn’t matter what has happened before, or what challenges lay ahead. What matters is that they are here, together, and that is more than enough.
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