Kyle POV
Lilian was the first to arrive on opening night, bringing the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee as she stepped inside. The rustic, hand-painted wooden sign of "Empanadas Haven" outside glowed warmly under the neon lights, casting vibrant hues across the street. The evening was gently cooling, and the warm amber of the sunset bathed the storefront in a golden glow. Lilian took a moment to appreciate the subtle fragrance of coriander, rosemary, and basil drifting from the mismatched pots lined the entrance as she sipped her coffee. Inside, she discreetly checked the magic barriers Kyle had installed, nodding approvingly as she felt their strength.
Later, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting deep oranges and purples across the sky, Lucas's friends arrived. Manuel was the first of Lucas's friends to walk in. He was a regular guy with an easy smile. Kyle liked him instantly, especially when Manuel reserved a few empanadas to take home for his family.
The warm, savory scent of chicken empanadas filled the room as Victor and Tatiana entered next. Kyle welcomed them with his most charming smile, handing them each a plate. He noticed how Victor's hand lingered just a moment longer than necessary, and with that small gesture, he understood why Tatiana might be worried about Victor's closeness to Lucas.
Through the window, Kyle caught sight of Lucas laughing with his friends, their faces illuminated by the warm glow of the lanterns. It was a scene of warmth and camaraderie, contrasting sharply with the chill of the evening air outside. Kyle stole brief, intense glances at Lucas when he was not looking, his eyes filled with deep emotion that he was not ready to voice.
Kyle's thoughts drifted to a life that felt just out of reachâa simple, mortal existence where he could share laughter, good food, and the warmth of companionship. He longed to be beside Lucas, to wrap his arms around him and steal a kiss, savoring the comfort of ordinary moments. But he knew it was a dream he couldn't afford. Not yet. For now, the only way to protect Lucas was to keep his distance, even if it meant enduring the loneliness that came with it.
As the day faded into twilight, Kyle glanced out the window. The sun had dipped below the horizon, leaving a sky streaked with deep purples and oranges. Streetlights flickered to life, casting long shadows that danced across the pavement, mingling with the silhouettes of trees and the occasional passing car. The scene was tranquil, almost comforting in its familiarity, but an undercurrent of unease simmered beneath the surface of his mind.
His gaze wandered absently, but somethingâor rather, someoneâcaught his attention. Across the street, a man stood in the growing darkness. At first, Kyle thought it was a trick of the light, a reflection perhaps. But as he focused, he felt a jolt of recognition. The man looked exactly like him.
A cold knot formed in his stomach, his earlier contentment evaporating as a sense of dread crept in. His instincts screamed that this was no mere coincidence. Kyle hurried outside. The cold night air stung his skin, sharpening his senses as the city's noise faded into a distant hum.
The man waited in the shadows, his form illuminated only by the faint glow of the streetlights. The figure stepped forward as Kyle approached, revealing Uriel's familiar, solemn face. The tension building inside Kyle snapped taut as he met his brother's gaze.
"Brother," Uriel began, his voice low and heavy with the weight of whatever he was about to say. "I have some bad news."
Kyle's heart skipped a beat, his anxiety spiking as the cool breeze sent shivers down his spine. "Has something happened to Dad?"
Uriel blinked, momentarily thrown off. "What? No, Dad's fine. It's... well, it's Hell. We've received intel from our double agentsâapparently, management has voted to start Armageddon. They've completely lost it."
Kyle's frustration boiled over, and he let out a growl reverberating through the quiet street. "Of course they have. This is exactly why I walked away. The CEO and her team made reckless promises."
Uriel's lips twitched in a faint smirk. "So, not interested in making Hell great again?"
Kyle snorted, his eyes narrowing as they caught the flicker of neon lights. "Hell's never been great. It's a wasteland full of monsters, and that's on a good day."
Uriel chuckled, but the amusement was brief. "They also rebranded, though it's not sitting well with everyone."
Kyle raised an eyebrow. "Rebranded?"
Uriel nodded, struggling to keep a straight face. "They're calling themselves the Directorate of Eternal Suffering and Torment in Netherworld Yonder... or DESTINY, for short."
For a moment, Kyle was stunned into silence. Then, to Uriel's surprise, he burst into laughter. "DESTINY? Seriously? That's so absurd, it's almost perfect."
Uriel stared at him, expression torn between concern and disbelief. "This is how you cope, huh? Laughing at the madness?"
Kyle wiped his eyes, the last chuckle fading. "Maybe. But it just confirms what I already knewâI can't let them win. I'll go underground tomorrow after I explain everything to Lucas. It'll buy us some time to come up with a plan. Until then, I need you to keep an eye on him."
Uriel's face softened, the gravity of Kyle's words sinking in. "I will. Leaving him behind is hard for you, but this won't be forever. Once we stop them, you'll have a chance to return."
Kyle stepped forward and embraced his brother, the weight of the moment pressing on his chest. Uriel returned the hug, patting his back reassuringly. "Lucas is inside, right? I'd like to see him. And... could you grab me some empanadas while you're at it?"
Kyle pulled back, managing a small smile. "Seafood?"
Uriel grinned. "Nah, pineapple this time."
Kyle led Uriel back inside, where the warm aroma of food greeted them. Uriel focused on the photographs of traditional markets and streets that adorned the walls. He nodded approvingly at the decoration while Kyle got him his empanadas. Still, they heard Lucas praising Kyle, saying he was his best roommate before Professor Ortiz, and Kyle couldn't resist teasing him, asking if he considered his friend.
Lucas flashed him a genuine, disarming smile that sent warmth through Kyle's chest. "Of course, you are one of my dearest friends."
Fortunately for Kyle, the flickering lanterns cast dancing shadows on his face, and the slight reddish colors of his cheeks were unnoticed by everyone except Uriel.
Beside him, Uriel chuckled. "I guess you're in good hands, brother. I'd better leave now. Nice to meet you, Lucas."
Still computing the situation, Lucas replied politely, "Nice to meet you, too."
Kyle hugged Uriel, the scent of spices and freshly baked dough lingering in the air. "Thanks for coming by, Uriel, and for the warning."
After opening the door for Mrs. Hutchinson, Uriel nodded and gave his brother a final look before disappearing into the cold night.
Kyle returned to the warm interior, joining Lucas and their friends in celebrating. Kyle kept glancing at Lucas, letting his admiration, protectiveness, and deep, unspoken love escape for a few seconds when nobody was watching. The cozy chairs, the lanterns, and the aroma of their food created a lovely ambiance for the evening.
Prof. Ortiz bid farewell to Kyle at the door. "Prof. Sanchez told me you took some time off your studies to help a friend. I didn't expect this. You are taking good care of Lucas."
Kyle beamed, "Lucas is great. I was drawn to him since the beginning."
"It seems it is the other way around, too. I am very happy for you two. Is Prof. Sanchez coming? I want to speak with him soon." Prof. Ortiz asked.
Kyle shook his head. "Nah. His child got sick, and he won't come. But he will probably be in the laboratory next week."
"Next week will be then. See you later, Kyle." Professor Ortiz left with his wife and walked through the streets, disappearing into the crowd.
After saying goodbye to Professor Ortiz, Kyle stepped outside for a cigarette. The air was now crisp, the night fully settled in, and the streetlights flickered as they cast long shadows on the pavement.
Lucas soon came to join him, concern etched on his face. Kyle tried to ease his worries, but the tension grew when Mr. Teufel arrived. The sudden shift in the atmosphere was palpable, and Kyle tensed. The comforting sounds of laughter inside faded as his mind raced, searching for a way to protect everyone. The cold night air felt sharper, more dangerous.
Just when it seemed a confrontation was inevitable, Fatima and Ahmed arrived, their presence defusing the immediate threat. The threat of Teufel loomed too large, and the risk to Lucas was too significant. But Kyle knew the clock was ticking. He wouldn't be able to stay with Lucas much longer. It was better to give Lucas beautiful memories when they still had time.
Kyle spent the rest of the night trying to charm everyone, but he couldn't hide his despair from Lilian and Fatima, who offered him a tender hug when they left.
"I am so sorry, Kyle," Lilian muttered.
"We will keep an eye on Lucas," Fatima offered.
"Go home, my man. Time is running out. Better use it to spend time with Lucas." Ahmed advice.
Kyle gulped, trying to control his emotions. "Thanks, everyone. We will close soon. I better head home."
The witch and the djinns mixed in the crowd, and Kyle remained alone in the entrance, contemplating the streets. He inhaled deeply the cold air and closed his eyes. The city was alive, the distant chatter, the hum of passing cars, and the occasional laughter from passersby. Lucas was cleaning the counter inside the restaurant, not knowing the danger ahead of them. Kyle exhaled deeply, having made up his mind.
When cleaning the store before closing, Lucas took over the kitchen cleaning while Lucas organized the tables. After finishing the cleaning, Kyle handed Lucas a glass of water. Lucas came closer to him while drinking the water and leaned in.
The sight of Lucas's neck transfixed Kyle, but before he could say anything, Lucas gave him a small smile and a silent nod. Kyle took the glass with him and washed it. He sighed as he saw Lucas put on his jacket and locate the keys to the store. Kyle smiled; they had just had a few more hours together before he had to leave.
Some people were still trying to get home in the dying hours of the night. When roaming the streets, Kyle kept his smile in place as he watched over the street, looking for Teufel or his men. He felt someone was observing them.
When Kyle arrived home, he looked for a few beers in the kitchen. The warmth of the apartment contrasted with the cold night outside. A few dishes and cups in the sink were remnants of their busy mornings. He opened the fridge, took one, and handed the other to Lucas. His eyes traced Lucas's features, reflecting admiration and yearning.
They settled on the worn-out couch, the familiar comfort of the space easing the tension. The conversation flowed easily, with Lucas's soft laughter and quick wit filling the room. But beneath the surface, Kyle's mind churned with unspoken questions. When the moment felt right, he asked, trying to sound casual, "So, you trust me even though we've only known each other for two months?"
His jaw tightened slightly as he waited, his heart racing. He longed to confess everythingâto reveal his feelings, his truthâbut fear held him back. Protecting Lucas was his priority.
"I trust you," Lucas finally said, his voice low and gaze steady. "Your actions speak louder than words."
Relief washed over Kyle, though it did little to soothe his deeper worries. He hesitated, then pushed further, his voice barely above a whisper. "Even if someone told you I'm the literal devil?"
The words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of what Kyle couldn't yet reveal. What would Lucas do if he knew? The fear gnawed at himâfear that Lucas would flee, that he could never accept the truth.
But when Lucas's answer came, it was unwavering. "Yes, I would."
Kyle's heart soared. He clung to that promise like a lifeline, his doubts momentarily silenced. If Lucas could trust him despite everything, he could face what was coming. He glanced around the apartment, the mismatched furniture, and the books piled haphazardly, and felt a warmth settle in his chest. This placeâthis connectionâwas worth fighting for.
Kyle leaned in, looking for Lucas's warmth. He smelled like the earth and forest dew. Kyle made a toast to their partnership:Â "To this love that might be able to conquer everything or destroy us all."
Lucas reciprocated the toast by quoting an old movie, which made Kyle laugh. He always thought Rick matched better with Louis than with Ilsa...
As they sat together in silence, Kyle let out a barely audible sigh, a soft expression of contentment and peace from just being near Lucas. At that moment, Kyle allowed himself to feel the warmth of the connection without overthinking it. As the conversation grew more personal, the refrigerator's hum and distant traffic could fade into the background, making the silence between them more pronounced and charged with meaning.
When Lucas commented about finding a sense of belonging, Kyle hesitated briefly before answering as if weighing his words carefully. He also felt like their apartment was a home, just like the small cabin in the woods he once shared with a woman with stars in her eyes. His response was warm but with an undercurrent of something unsaid, something more profound. "I never expected to find you, Lucas; I thought I would never love someone like the love you, even if it is just for a fleeting moment in eternity; this home is ours; this love is ours." he thought.
The distant city noises gradually quieted when the night deepened as if the world outside held its breath alongside them. Yet time was running out for Kyle as he weighed his options. Two scenarios worried him: getting killed or captured before he could tell Lucas the truth. He didn't want to die, so he would try to escape as soon as possible.
If he were captured, they might try to get his information about the dragon's location, and he would deny it, but they might reach it somehow. When the world began, Kyle fought that beast and locked it in a cave so that it didn't destroy the world. The dragon was pure chaos and would show no empathy for God's creation. Only maddened creatures would like to eradicate everything, but that's how the CEO of DESTINY was. However, They would need the key to open the mountain entrance to free the beast.
Kyle needed to hide the key, the words to open the door he only knew. But he didn't have time to hide it with Lilian or Uriel. To work, they should also see the location of the cave. However, there was someone who knew the location; deep down, as he had entered his dreams in the past, he knew about his past battles, though he had concealed that memory. Kyle realized, though he didn't have the prophetic gift or divine knowledge, that Lucas wasn't only meant to be his love or his partner.
As this was a world inhabited by humans, it was fair for the humans to decide what to do with it.
He recalled, "Didn't I fight with my dad because of that at the beginning of time?"
Kyle carefully retrieved the silver pendant from his room, his fingers trembling as he held it. It was his most valuable treasure, and he entrusted it to Lucas. The air between them seemed to thicken as he approached, charged with unspoken tension. With deliberate slowness, Kyle leaned in, draping the necklace around Lucas's neck. Kyle thought, "My dear Lucas, I have entrusted you my heart; now I also entrust you to keep the key to keep the world safe."
The pendant caught the light, sending a fleeting reflection that danced across the wallsâan echo of their delicate, fragile bond.
As Kyle's fingers brushed against Lucas's skin, a shiver of anticipation ran through him. He let the contact linger, his touch light but deliberate, savoring the warmth of Lucas's skin beneath his fingertips. The sensation was electric, sending a jolt of awareness through his body. He could feel Lucas's breath hitch, the subtle catch of air as their closeness became almost unbearable. The room seemed to shrink around them, every detail sharp and focused, like the world outside had ceased to exist.
Kyle's heart pounded in his chest, the moment's intensity nearly overwhelming. He struggled to maintain control, knowing he needed to tell Lucas the truth before his desires overtook him. But as his fingers grazed Lucas's, he couldn't help but draw in a sharp breath, his pulse quickening at the unspoken connection. The contact was brief but enough to ignite a fire deep within him.
Lucas's quiet moan, soft but unmistakable, sent a shiver through Kyle's spine. The sound was intoxicating, heightening the tension between them. He felt Lucas's body quiver beneath his touch, and Kyle's resolve wavered momentarily. His eyes widened as he saw the desire mirrored in Lucas's gaze, dark and intense, teetering on the edge of control.
The warmth radiating from Lucas was almost too much to bear. Kyle knew that if he pushed, Lucas would yield to him. But he couldn't. Not like this. Not when he was still hiding so much. If he seduced Lucas now, he would be no better than Jacobâusing deception and temptation to make Lucas fall for him. Kyle couldn't take advantage of Lucas's desire, not when he was lying about who he really was.
Yet, holding Lucas's gaze, he couldn't suppress his heart's longing. He wanted to surrender to the moment, to let Lucas take control. If Lucas made the first move if he took Kyle, it wouldn't be the sameâit would be real, honest. Kyle's thoughts raced, a desperate plea echoing: "Come on, Lucas, make me yours. I'm ready for you."
Lucas raised his hand, and Kyle's breath caught, his body tensing in anticipation. But the touch never came. Instead, Lucas hesitated, his hand faltering in the air before slowly lowering it. Kyle's heart sank as he watched Lucas step back, a flicker of confusion and regret passing over his face.
"Was he hesitating? Please, Lucas, don't stop now. Make me yours," Kyle silently urged.
But Lucas turned away, his voice soft as he thanked Kyle for the gift. He headed to his room, his movements unsteady, nearly tripping over the desk. A stack of books trembled, mirroring the turmoil inside them both.
Kyle stood there, his voice hoarse with desire and frustration. Relief warred with disappointment inside himâthey hadn't crossed a line they might regret, but the longing still burned fiercely. The night was almost silent outside, just the murmur of a few cars outside and the fridge's hum inside the apartment. The streetlight cast shadows in the living room over the forgotten books and clothes in the dryer. Kyle had to remind himself that there were still things worth fighting for. He cleared his throat and retired to his bedroom to rest.
Finally, Kyle wrapped himself in the warmth of his blankets. He knew the future was uncertain, but he had done what he could for now. If the worst happened, at least Lucas and the pendant's secret would be safe. Uriel would protect him, and that knowledge was enough to bring Kyle a semblance of peace.
Kyle soon drifted into a deep sleep, recalling his immense struggle to defy his father in the past. In his dreams, Kyle was again in Heaven, locked in battle with a blonde man with almost identical facial features.
Michael.
Kyle closed the gap while Michael held his hands out in defense.
Michael had no idea just how furious Kyle was. Kyle surged forward, slashing diagonally across Michael's chest. Michael quickly stepped back to evade the strike, shifting to the side. Kyle followed up with a swift cut from left to right across Michael's chest, forcing him to retreat once more, hands raised defensively.
Kyle aimed a low thrust, slicing from left to right across Michael's lower abdomen. Michael managed to dodge again, but this time with a clear intention. Kyle then reversed his strike, slashing in the opposite direction across Michael's stomach. Michael countered by angling his blade downward, twisting his body as he tried to catch Kyle off guard with his left elbow. Their swords met with a resounding clash.
Kyle heard a voice behind him. Lucas gasped in horror at the fight unfolding in front of his eyes. Kyle continued fighting; he roared, "That's right, my love. This is who I was. Who I truly am." Lucas again entered his memories, but Kyle wouldn't stop himself from reliving this memory. It was best if Lucas knew.
Kyle hammered his left fist into Michael's jaw, which cracked and dislocated with a sharp, explosive sound. Michael's mouth hung open, his jaw misaligned. He staggered backward as Kyle relentlessly pushed him across the field, landing rapid punches. Punch. Punch. Punch. Michael wobbled, and Kyle's blade sliced into his bicep, causing blood to gush out, vivid and red. The spark of the divine coursed through the blood like a pulsating electric current.
Kyle let his memories flow, not holding back the darkness of his rage. He hoped that he would be able to confront Lucas about everything the following day. Yet, when he woke up, the morning sky was uncharacteristically grey, and the sun was already illuminating everything around. The city was awake, and Lucas was already gone.
Before leaving, Lucas had washed the forgotten cups and prepared breakfast for the two of them. Kyle sat on the couch, wondering if he had missed his chance to tell the truth. Would Lucas still forgive him if he didn't talk to him this afternoon? He lit a cigarette; the smoke swirled like a silent prayer.
There was no other choice. Kyle had to wait for Lucas in the apartment. Hopefully, he would still have time to clear things up.