I wrapped my arms around myself, battling the bone-deep chill that seeped into my very soul.
This was my new existence, akin to a bumpy ride I never signed up for, and it was proving to be more challenging than I had ever imagined.
Aaron, found himself alone in a space meant for him and his new husband. Instead of the magical ambiance he had envisioned, this whole marriage endeavor felt more like a life sentence.
Loneliness and uncertainty entwined like a thorny vine, choking the light from his soul. particularly since he could not vent his frustrations or seek answers.
As a Senirips, questioning his husband, Kris...who had left him alone on their first night...was simply not an option.
This created a dull ache in his heart, and all the swirling thoughts surrounding the marriage, his newly adopted identity, and the crushing solitude amplified his sadness.
Desperate to silence the pain gnawing at him, Aaron forced himself to focus on anything else. Just then, the door creaked open, and in strolled a weary-looking maid. Her face bore the marks of years spent serving others,
her demeanor steady and unyielding. Aaron steeled himself and offered a faint smile, attempting to muster a sliver of courage to engage her.
"Excuse me, do you have any idea where my husband has gone?" Aaron asked quietly, hope seeping into his words
"Is he attending to something important? When do you think he will return?"
The maid regarded him with a hint of compassion in her gaze. She had witnessed countless bewildered brides and grooms pass through those doors, all filled with dreams and anxiety,
just as Aaron was now. However, experience had taught her that some matters were better left unsaid.
"I am sorry, Master Senirips, but I fear I do not have any information," she replied gently. "I am certain he will return when he is ready."
Aaron nodded, his smile evaporating with her words. They provided little comfort. With a polite nod,
she exited the room, shutting the door softly behind her. And just like that, Aaron was alone once more, left with nothing but his thoughts for company.
Feeling restless, he drifted over to the window. Leaning against the cold glass, he gazed at the world outside.
A dog barked somewhere in the distance, its joyful barks a painful contrast to the heaviness in Aaron's heart.
He watched the dog frolicking, tail wagging as if it were on cloud nine, and a bitter, self-pitying thought crossed his mind.
"You are living the dream, aren't you, pup?" Aaron muttered under his breath, fogging up the window with each sigh. "I wish I could switch places with you. Are you even married, dog? Because I am, and my husband has just ghosted me. It is our first day, and he has already left."
The dog continued barking, completely oblivious to Aaron's despair. Moments later, its owner called out, and off it bounded, leaving Aaron alone with his echoing thoughts. He sighed gloomily, feeling the isolation wrap around him like a suffocating blanket.
Minutes dragged on, and soon enough, another knock interrupted the silence. This time, the door swung open to reveal a novelist,
her smile bright and her arms laden with books. She entered the room, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
"Greetings, Master Senirips!" she chirped. "I brought some books just for you.
Your husband mentioned you might enjoy some good reads, and I thought we could discuss your favorites. I can even write something specifically for you!"
Aaron felt a heavy sigh well up within him as the weight of his situation pressed down. Another person to distract him, yes, but not the company he truly desired.
Nevertheless, he put on a smile out of sheer politeness. "I enjoy sweet fantasy escapades," he murmured, wishing for an escape from it all.
The novelist's smile broadened, clearly pleased with his response. She was eager to delve into whimsical discussions about enchanted worlds and magical quests, but Aaron was in no mood for lighthearted banter. The frustration and isolation seeped into his voice.
"I also appreciate stories that delve into darker themes," he confessed, his tone dropping as he glanced away. "You know, narratives where characters lose everything, and the hero is not always virtuous."
The novelist hesitated for a moment, taken aback by this unexpected revelation from the seemingly innocent Senirips. She had anticipated someone more like a lost child, not someone yearning for the complexities of life. "Oh, I see… Well, I can certainly craft something with a bit of an edge," she replied, though her enthusiasm faded slightly.
Aaron shrugged, feeling no obligation to explain further. He was not attempting to unsettle her, but he was unwilling to suppress the complexity of his emotions. The tension in the air made her uncomfortable; after a moment's hesitation, she nodded and stepped back toward the door.
"I will begin working on something immediately," she Promise and doubt entwined like tender shoots, fragile and unsure.. After a polite bow, she exited the room, leaving Aaron alone yet again.
Silence descended like a heavy weight. Aaron felt weariness settle into his bones,
swirling thoughts colliding—the emptiness surrounding him,
the endless stream of visitors, and the aching absence of Kris.
Without consciously deciding to do so, he made his way to the bathroom.
Slipping into a steaming bath seemed an irresistible refuge.anything was preferable to the persistent ache in his chest.
He shed his heavy clothes, allowing them to pool on the floor. As he sank into the warm water, it enveloped him, soothing his tense muscles.
Longing for a moment's tranquil reprieve,
A moment's freedom from the heavy shackles of loneliness.
His breathing slowed, and he allowed himself to drift toward the edge of sleep.
The warmth and silence created a deceptive cocoon, tempting him into a false sense of security.
But then, a shift in the energy around him pricked his senses.
Fear's chill breath caressed his skin. Warm breath brushed against his nose, and Aaron jolted back to reality, his eyes flying open.
His vision blurred through the rising steam,
but he could make out fierce blue eyes locking onto his.
Aaron gasped, his heart racing as if it were about to leap from his chest.
He tried to rise, but before he could react, Kris leaned in, crashing their lips together in a soft yet shocking kiss.