Night settled over Aurelion gently
The city didn't darken the way Earth's cities once had—there were no sudden blackouts, no harsh contrasts. Instead, mana-lanterns bloomed one by one along the streets, their light soft and steady, casting long amber shadows across stone paths etched with ancient runes
Leon and Elena walked in silence
Not an awkward silence—just a quiet one, filled with too many thoughts that didn't yet have names. To anyone watching, they looked exactly as they were expected to: a newly married couple returning home after a long day. Elena kept close to him, fingers occasionally brushing his sleeve. Leon matched her pace without thinking about it
Their residence stood at the edge of the assigned district, modest compared to noble estates but far larger than anything either of them had owned on Earth. Pale stone walls, a tiled roof faintly glowing with warding sigils, and a wooden door carved with simple protective patterns
Inside, the air was warm. Safe
Elena lit a small mana-lamp and set it on the table. Its glow revealed a clean, thoughtfully arranged space—one bedroom, one sitting room, a narrow balcony overlooking the lantern-lit street below
Leon set his cloak aside and paused
"I'll take the floor," he said naturally, as if it were already decided
Elena turned, startled. "Leon—
"It's fine," he added calmly. "We don't have to force anything.
He took one of the spare blankets from the storage chest and laid it neatly on the floor beside the bed, keeping a deliberate, respectful distance. Then he lay down, hands folded behind his head, eyes already half-lidded
Elena stood there for a long moment
The bed felt too big
The room felt too quiet
She sat on the edge of the mattress, watching the rise and fall of his breathing. This wasn't fear or embarrassment twisting in her chest—it was something heavier. Sadder
"Leon," she said softly
He opened his eyes at once. "Yes?
"…You don't have to do that.
He frowned slightly. "Do what?
"Put distance between us," she said. Her voice wavered despite herself. "We're already sharing a name. A bond. A home." She hesitated, then added quietly, "It feels wrong to let you sleep on the floor.
Leon was silent
Then he sat up, resting one arm on his knee. "Elena, I don't want you to feel pressured. Not because of the city. Not because of the System. Not because of a lie that became real.
She met his gaze. "I'm not asking because of any of that.
A beat passed
"…I just don't want to be alone tonight," she finished
That did it
Leon exhaled slowly, the tension leaving his shoulders. He rose, folded the blanket, and placed it aside. When he sat on the bed, he kept space between them at first—careful, controlled
Elena lay down, turning slightly toward him. After a moment, he did the same. They didn't touch, but the distance was smaller now. Human
The lamp dimmed automatically
Sleep came quietly
And with it
a dream
Leon stood in an endless white expanse. No ground, no sky. Just space
Someone stood before him
Himself
Older
The man's hair was longer, streaked faintly with silver. His golden eyes were sharper, deeper—carrying the weight of centuries Leon hadn't lived yet. Power rolled off him without restraint, calm and absolute
"You keep pretending," the older Leon said, voice steady. "That you're something smaller.
Leon clenched his fists. "I'm surviving.
The older version stepped closer. "You're hiding.
"I don't want to become a monster.
A faint smile crossed the older Leon's face—not cruel. Understanding
"Accepting what you are doesn't make you one," he said. "Running from it does.
Leon swallowed. "What if they can't stand beside me when I do?
The older Leon looked past him—somewhere far away
"Then you give them the choice," he said. "Not the illusion.
The white space began to crack, like glass under pressure
"Accept yourself," the older Leon said one last time. "Before the world forces you to.
Leon gasped
—and woke
The room was dark. Quiet
Elena was there, breathing softly, turned toward him in her sleep. At some point, her hand had found his sleeve, fingers curled lightly into the fabric as if anchoring herself
Leon stared at the ceiling, heart still pounding
Accept who you are
Slowly, carefully, he reached out—just enough to rest his hand over hers
She didn't wake
Outside, Aurelion slept
And somewhere deep within Leon, something ancient stirred
not awakening yet
but no longer silent.,—.....—"."."".""""...—...."".""""...""......