Chapter 15: Little Pieces of Light
Kai didn't completely understand what had changed in him. Maybe it was the way they looked at him, the shadows in their eyes, a silent plea for something only he could provide. Or perhaps it was just his curiosity, that spark that always made him do things others considered strange. So, little by little, he started giving them what he could manage—a fleeting touch here, a gentle pat on the head there, an approving nod when they served him well.
At first, it felt odd. Affection, or anything like it, was not something he typically went out of his way to show. But there was something undeniably satisfying about seeing their faces light up at even his smallest gestures, as if his praise was a kind of rare treasure they'd been searching for all their lives.
One morning, after breakfast, he caught Edward polishing his daggers with a meticulous focus, as he always did. Kai observed him quietly for a moment, then spoke softly. "Edward, you're very skilled at that." The words were simple, unembellished, but Edward froze, his heart catching in his chest. That slight acknowledgment, so rare from Kai, felt like a reward far greater than any he'd ever received.
"Thank you, my lord," Edward replied, his voice thick with barely-contained emotion.
Kai simply nodded, unbothered by the reverence in Edward's gaze. To him, it was just a simple truth. But to Edward, it felt like being seen, like Kai was slowly pulling him from the depths of his silent longing.
Noah, too, was rewarded, though in his case, it was something as innocent as an idle touch. Kai had taken to using Noah's tentacles as a kind of utility, sometimes reaching out to steady himself with one or using them to fetch a nearby book. For Noah, each casual touch sent a surge of electricity through him. Just once, Kai had briefly patted one of his tentacles after he'd handed him a cup of tea, murmuring, "Good work, Noah."
It was a simple, absentminded phrase for Kai, but for Noah, it was everything. He could feel the praise echo through his veins, feel his heart pound with a mixture of pride and euphoria. He lived for those moments, waiting for any chance to be of use to Kai, to feel his gentle hand, even if only for a heartbeat.
As for Charles, Kai found himself instinctively reaching out more often. He couldn't say why, but something about Charles' soft, shy presence felt soothing. When they walked through the gardens, Kai found himself gently brushing a hand over one of Charles' nine tails, marveling at the softness. "Your tails are always so clean and nice," he commented once, as though making a casual observation.
Charles nearly choked on his response, his cheeks flushed as he stammered a quiet, "Thank you, Kai."
Each touch, each nod, each subtle acknowledgment felt like water to a parched soul, fueling their devotion, feeding a hunger they barely dared to hope would ever be satisfied. Yet, even with Kai's hesitant gestures, it was never quite enough. The attention he gave was like a drop in an ocean, their thirst too deep, their longing too all-consuming. Kai's rare praises and casual touches filled them with hope, yet left them craving more with an intensity that bordered on madness.
Their obsession only grew stronger. Every small gesture fed their desire, even as it left them wanting. They understood they couldn't push him, that even the faintest hint of possessiveness would send Kai retreating once more. But in their hearts, they clung to the promise of each touch, each word, hoping that one day, Kai might fully understand just how deeply they felt for him.
To Kai, these gestures were just the smallest of acknowledgments. But to Edward, Noah, and Charles, they were tokens of devotion, embers that kept the fire of their obsession burning bright. And as they shared quiet glances, each of them felt that same gnawing need—an ache they knew could only be satisfied by Kai's full acceptance.
But for now, they would wait, content with the slivers of affection Kai offered, even as their need grew stronger, tightening its grip on their hearts.