Like fog, the air in the room thickened. Aaron leaned against the wall, his wide sapphire eyes fixed on Kris, swimming with confusion. Something deeper lingered there, a subtle pleading Kris could not ignore.
"Let me go," Aaron's voice emerged with effort, soft like a whisper.
Hearing Aaron's words, Kris stumbled slightly in surprise, glancing down to realize his grip on Aaron's arm was too tight. Guilt washed over him, bringing back the awkwardness he had tried to shake off.
Quickly, he withdrew his hand, not wanting to offend Aaron. His actions seemed foolish, leading to further misunderstandings.
Whenever he was near Aaron, Kris's confidence vanished. The impression Aaron had of him as icy and aloof would not hold if he suddenly turned warm.
This troubled Kris, making it difficult to open up with his delicate senirips. He needed to tread carefully, navigating the complications that made his mind sigh.
His larger hand lingered on Aaron's, but due to the awkwardness, he released it, then took the delicate wrist again.
Unlocking the door, he guided Aaron into a green-furnished room adorned with wooden decorations.
The beauty of the space was secondary; all his attention rested solely on Aaron.
With rushed steps, he led Aaron further into the room, sitting him down on the bed before taking a seat beside him.
Now, Kris was at a loss for what to do next. His face remained stoic, masking the awkwardness brewing within.
As he glanced at Aaron, he noticed the little guy observing him from the corner of his eye. Kris hoped Aaron wasn't conjuring more strange scenarios in his mind.
"What did you come to my room for?" Aaron's words were barely audible, laced with uncertainty.
Kris shrugged, adopting the indifference he had learned over the years.
"It is ours. Not yours." His tone sounded calm, with long eyelashes fluttering as if he might spill tears.
This pained Kris; he wished Aaron wouldn't overthink everything, turning every incident into something more significant.
Silence stretched between them, lingering like an unwelcome guest. Kris needed to break it, so he did.
"How about my beautiful senirips describe themselves in their own city?" Kris watched as Aaron flushed deep crimson.
The little guy fidgeted with his fingers, lips parting and closing as if searching for words.
"Why are you nervous? Don't be. You can say whatever you want. You can talk to me," Kris coaxed gently, trying to pry Aaron open.
Yet, Aaron remained silent, his thoughts still locked away. Kris wondered if Aaron was still upset, whether misunderstandings lingered in his mind.
He couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry at this situation.
Kris knew he should have left his mate on their wedding night, but he had never intended to make Aaron feel trapped or alienated.
He hadn't been mean when he said Aaron should stay in his room, avoiding certain areas of the mansion.
Some things Aaron was not meant to see.
This person Aaron called a friend...who were they? If these people posed a potential danger, Kris preferred his senirips remain friendless, unsure of their true nature.
If they were safe, he wouldn't have any issues allowing Aaron to make friends.
"What is the name of the person you saw in the mansion?" Kris asked, seeking clarity.
"I don't know their name," Aaron muttered, voice barely audible.
"Excuse me?" Kris replied.
It was unbelievable. How could his senirips not know the name of someone he considered a friend? It didn't add up.
Kris observed Aaron's silence, the way the little guy bit his lip, fingers fidgeting. He wondered what was happening in his head.
"Please, would you leave the room?" Aaron mumbled again, voice oddly strong and clear.
The request hit Kris like a blow. Did Aaron see him as a monster? Was the little guy so uncomfortable that he couldn't bear to stay in the same room?
Or was Aaron simply cold by nature?
Why hadn't his senirips forgotten about the misunderstanding?
Aaron was his new wedded mate, and Kris wanted to know him, to be more than just a chosen senirips.
That seemed impossible, as Aaron remained reserved and awkward, much like Kris himself.
They were both introverts...a perfect match.
"Aaron, do you really want me to leave?" Kris asked softly, moving closer until their noses almost touched.
His breath mingled with Aaron's as he sought an answer. "Do you want me to leave? Are you truly sure about that, my little senirips? You want your husband to leave the marital room?"
His voice held a low tone, cold yet warm, difficult to explain or identify.
Kris searched Aaron's eyes, hoping for a different answer, but his senirips looked away, unwilling to draw near.
"Yes, I want you to leave the room. I don't want you to stay here with me," Aaron finally said, voice firm despite its quiver.
Here goes Aaron again, overthinking everything.
Kris's heart sank. What had he done for Aaron to feel this way?
He hadn't meant to hurt Aaron, yet the little guy turned every minor incident into something monumental, something painful.
So complicated!
So fragile!
Aaron had always immersed himself in melodramatic fantasy books, and now it seemed those made-up scenarios seeped into their reality, driving a wedge between them.
This emotional turmoil stemmed from that.
Kris lay there, staring at Aaron's back as he pushed him away.
He couldn't help but wonder about the future lives he and his senirips would share.
If this continued, would reconciliation ever be possible, or would the misunderstandings grow until they became insurmountable?