Kyle's lips met Lucas's. At first, his kisses and movements were paused, hesitant, and shaky, but then his grip tightened on Lucas as if afraid to let go. The familiar scent of Lucas dragged him closer, a reminder of their shared moments. Kyle cupped Lucas's face with tender hands and pulled back slightly to gauge Lucas's reaction, his eyes reflecting the plea for forgiveness. 

Lucas unconsciously pulled Kyle closer, seeking comfort while being overwhelmed. He was still processing Kyle's identity, and everything seemed surreal. Lucas had put his doubts aside, trying to focus on the moment, but something in his mind tugged at him. It wasn't enough to feel Kyle's desire—he needed more. His heart thudded in his chest, craving reassurance, searching for proof. Did Kyle honestly love him, or was it lust?

Lucas's grip on Kyle's shirt tightened; he let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. The tender yet urgent kisses seemed to suggest love, but doubt gnawed at him. Lucas's hands paused mid-touch as the weight of uncertainty pressed down. The cold metal of the pendant with the word eternity engraved on it pressed against his skin. Was Kyle aiming to love him until the end of time?

Yet, the warmth of Kyle's body and the tenderness made Lucas relax; his tense shoulders softened, and he leaned into Kyle's embrace as if unconsciously seeking stability. Kyle smelled like sandalwood and citrus, male and intense. The scent triggered his memories of their time together sharing the apartment; the gentleness he now enjoyed had always been there. Slowly, he let the doubts drift away. There was only one path forward for them: to love each other unconditionally. The physical intimacy they were now sharing was also their way of confirming how much they meant to each other.

Although the smooches were tender and soft initially, when Lucas opened his mouth, looking for air, Kyle couldn't resist the urge to explore further. He started to suck Lucas's lower lip, making him moan softly. Kyle shivered in response. As if on cue, their gazes met. Lucas's pupils were also darkened by desire.

"Am I allowed to do more?" Kyle thought, and Lucas's tongue came to play with his. Kyle didn't need further confirmation to join the sensual dance. Their tongues swirled and caressed as a warm wave washed over them, bringing them to the edge. The raspy edges sent waves of pleasure through their entire bodies, and Kyle's movements became more erratic, his breathing heavier; he pulled Lucas closer without realizing how tightly he was holding him.

Kyle's gentle hands moved slowly over Lucas's back; his lips brushed softly over Lucas's. Lucas closed his eyes and melted into the kiss. With each small gesture, Kyle reassured Lucas further. However, Lucas started to feel greedy and wanted more. Was Kyle willing to give him everything? Would he surrender to the moment? The soft moans had become heavy breathing, and their embrace had become soft caresses over their clothing.

Lucas broke the kiss and started depositing soft, hesitant pecks on Kyle's cheeks, forehead, and neck. Kyle's breath hitched, and he closed his fluttering eyes. Their eyes met this time not with lust but tenderness. Then, Lucas's hands unbuttoned Kyle's shirt, and Kyle did the same. They had been holding their emotions for a long time. 

Lucas's fingers traced the contours of Kyle's back; his rough skin felt like well-worn leather, softened only at the edges by warmth and the occasional beating of his pulse. His heart skipped a beat with each touch. Each ridge felt like a reminder of the battles Kyle had fought, the years spent in the darkness of the Underworld. It wasn't just his skin that carried the weight of the Underworld—it was the burden Kyle held inside. The steady heat of Kyle's body anchored him in the present. Lucas placed tender pecks close to Kyle's scars across his abdomen as if to say, "I see you, all of you, and I'm still here."

As Lucas's lips touched Kyle's scars, Kyle's muscles tensed beneath Lucas's touch, and his breathing became shallow as memories and fears surfaced, contemplating whether Lucas could embrace not just the physical remnants of his past but also the darker, more dangerous aspects of who he was. He stilled for a moment. He wondered, "Would you still love me when I told you about all the rage, arrogance, and destructiveness of my early years? After all, the monsters we will face are even more twisted than me."  

Kyle had spent lifetimes mastering restraint; his fingers tightened and released on Lucas's body, yet as Lucas's lips found his scars, his resolve crumbled. This moment was more than physical release; it was about Lucas seeing all of him—the pain, the darkness, the vulnerability. Would he still want him once he saw it all?

Lucas's touch was grounding and electrifying, each caress stirring deep sensations in Kyle. Despite his worries, he lost himself in the moment, feeling Lucas's skin—firm yet smooth, each ridge and muscle defined. The sight of Lucas's pendant reminded Kyle of the fragility of their situation. Kyle deposited soft pecks on his skin to avoid Lucas's injuries, and each touch was a promise of their love. Lucas responded with a happy grin, his hums of pleasure sending Kyle into a frenzy.

Their kisses became more fervent as their bodies heated, their movements growing frantic with desire. But when Lucas moved too quickly, a sharp pain radiated from his injuries, causing his body to tense beneath Kyle's touch. Kyle froze, his breath catching as he saw Lucas wince. The pleasure in Kyle's eyes turned to concern.

"Your injuries..." Kyle murmured, his hands stilling over Lucas's chest. The scars were a stark reminder of their fragility and the tumultuous journey they had been through. Kyle cursed himself internally, realizing that Lucas wasn't in a condition for such passion, and it was his own actions that had led to this moment.

"We need to give your injuries time to heal," Kyle pleaded softly, struggling to control his urges. Despite his deep desire to be with Lucas, he knew it wasn't the right moment.

Kyle sighed and gently held Lucas's hands. "I'm so sorry. We need to postpone this," he said, his voice laced with genuine regret. He winked at Lucas and brushed his hair back affectionately. "For a little while."

Lucas gripped the couch's fabric as if grounding himself while enduring the discomfort and deciding whether to endure the pain or accept the reality of his injuries. The confrontation with Teufel had proven his strength, and he wanted to show Kyle he could handle the pain. Despite his discomfort, Lucas pulled Kyle closer, capturing his mouth in a passionate kiss.

Lucas's thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and resolve as the kiss deepened. He felt the raw intensity of the moment but also the weight of their reality. He wondered how they would navigate the dangers that lay ahead.

Kyle surrendered to Lucas's advances, his heart aching with desire and concern. "If that's what you want, I will be yours, my love," he thought, deepening the kiss. Yet, he could feel Lucas's whimpers of pain; remembrances of the painful sight of Lucas's bruised body floured his mind.

Kyle's mind raced with the knowledge of the threats they faced and the need for Lucas to be prepared. His expression hardened momentarily before softening, knowing their journey together would be challenging. His eyes flickered with concern when separating slightly from Lucas. His fingers traced the scars on Lucas's body before giving him soft pecks on the cheek.

Lucas's pouty expression was both endearing and frustrating. "Maybe you're right," he admitted with a sigh. "It doesn't feel fair."

Kyle leaned in, wrapping his arms around Lucas and pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. "I don't need anything more than knowing you feel the same. That we finally stopped holding back."

There was a moment of pause between them as they caught some breath; Kyle traced his fingers on Lucas slowly, going from his abdomen to his neck and then to his cheeks. Lucas had a slight smile in the meantime. He remembered that on that same couch, Kyle revealed to him he was aware that Lucas was gay and stated he didn't mind. He should have noticed, then.

Lucas smiled, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "I have a question. If I had kept hiding my sexuality and past, would you have smashed your way into my closet to get to me?"

Kyle chuckled, the sound a mix of humor and vulnerability. "I thought I was the horny one. Turns out you're just as bad."

Lucas shrugged, his playful demeanor softening. "It's not like I've shown you all sides of me. You might be surprised."

The playful banter hung in the air. Kyle tilted his head, teasing, "How many "sides" are we talking about here? Do we need the couch fixed soon so you can show me some?"

Lucas's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Well, if you keep tempting me, I suggest the table could be fixed faster. But I'll save that trick for later."

The air between them was thick with anticipation, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was tension-filled with the desire to be fully known and accepted. Kyle's chuckle was soft, yet his gaze lingered on Lucas with an affectionate warmth.

"Well, surprise me then," Kyle said with a half-smile, his eyes sparkling with affection and apprehension. He wanted to know Lucas in all his complexity, beyond just the physical.

Lucas raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Oh, I intend to." His voice softened as he leaned closer, resting his forehead against Kyle's. "But not today. Today, I just want to be here. With you. And maybe clean the apartment a little because we can't live with just half a couch and bedrooms."

Kyle's shoulders relaxed, and his smile softened. His hands gently cradled Lucas's face, reassuring him that despite the whirlwind of their lives, they were in this together. He felt a lump in his throat as he held Lucas close, grounding himself in this moment of peace.

Kyle looked around the apartment, now starkly aware of their chaotic environment. His thoughts drifted to the practical aspects of their situation. It wasn't just about their feelings anymore; there were real-world issues they needed to address—like their living conditions and the supernatural challenges they faced.

Kyle raised an eyebrow. "We could, but then we'd have no food or place to work or study." He gently cradled Lucas's head against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. "I'll clean up, and you can rest."

Kyle's expression softened as he brushed a peck on Lucas's cheek. "You can have the rest of the food. Here, we have bananas."

Lucas stretched lazily on the torn couch, peeling a banana. Kyle stared at Lucas for too long, a smirk playing on his lips as he swept glass shards into a pile. Lucas, oblivious, raised an eyebrow. "What's so funny?"

Suppressing his thoughts, Kyle shrugged, his smirk widening. "Nothing, you just... surprise me. I never thought I'd see you eating a banana like it's a treasure."

Lucas's gaze locked with Kyle's as he took a deliberate bite of the banana, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "If you keep teasing me, I might just have to start throwing bananas at you."

Kyle chuckled, moving toward the shattered furniture and sweeping broken glass, but his mind drifted back to Lucas peeling something very different. He sighed. Maybe it would have been best not to challenge him. 

Although Kyle felt Lucas's adaptability was one of his most important qualities, he wondered how he could bring home the supernatural elements of his life. He tried to control his protective nature and his pull to hide Lucas in a place where nobody could harm him again.

As Kyle knelt to sweep the glass near the couch, Lucas's gaze drifted toward the entrance tickets to the Irish pub. He picked them up. As Lucas picked up the tickets, the worn edges felt rough under his thumb, softened from all the times they'd been handled. The faded print blurred under the dim light as if time had gradually erased part of its history. A faint, lingering smell of beer clung to the paper, pulling him back to the pub's lively atmosphere—now laced with an undercurrent of something unseen.

Now that he knew Lilian was a witch and Uriel an angel, he couldn't help but wonder how many other supernatural beings had passed him by unnoticed. A strange chill swept over him as he thought of all the times he'd walked the streets of Madrid, laughed at the pub, or grabbed spices at the store—how much of it had been touched by magic? How much had he missed?

Lucas thought."This is terrifying, but I've survived worse. And I'm not alone—I have Kyle."

Lucas's realization about the supernatural world started to hit home. He felt a growing sense of curiosity and urgency. If he was going to be part of this world with Kyle, he needed to understand it better and be prepared for whatever came next.

Lucas waved the tickets toward Kyle, his voice uncertain. "Kyle, the people we've met... Are they all like you?"

Kyle dumped the shards of glass into the trash with a soft clink, the faint scent of detergent lingering in the air as he rinsed his hands. He stood there, the cold water rushing over his fingers, grounding him as he tried to steady the sudden tightness in his chest. The weight of the truth pressed on him, and even the rhythmic splashing of water felt oppressive.

Lucas looked at Kyle, who stood with his back to him, rinsing his hands, acting so calm in the face of all this chaos. "Was this any different from Jacob's lies?" Lucas's breath hitched. He could leave—turn around, grab his jacket, and walk out. It would be easy. He'd done it before. But this... This was different. This wasn't about avoiding pain; this was about facing it head-on, trusting again when trust had already been broken once. He closed his eyes, a wave of fear crashing over him. "I could leave," he thought, but the idea left him cold and hollow.

Holding his breath, Kyle considered conveying the world's reality with Lucas. He hesitated, his heart tightening as he realized how much Lucas had already seen. He didn't want to burden him with more, but how could he keep holding back the truth? Lucas deserved to know everything—but would he be able to handle it? A small smile formed on his lips, full of affection and pride. "Have I ever told you I admire your smartness, darling? I guess you already know the answer deep down."

Kyle took a step closer to Lucas, eyes full of love, "I will start by saying that the pub has its share of patrons with... unique qualities. Some are just regular folks, though."

Kyle's chest tightened as he dodged the full truth. He didn't want Lucas to see the pub or their life the same way again, but he deserved to know. Keeping him in the dark might only hurt them both more.

Lucas blinked, caught off guard, "Wait... did you just call me darling?"

Kyle softened his tone, realizing he needed to be more sincere, "I guess I did. But seriously... it's hard to say exactly. Some are hiding; others blend in so well I'd never know. Madrid has always been a gathering place for them. I can't blame them. The tapas are good, and the wine is fine."

Magic had been around them, woven into ordinary moments. But who? How many? Lucas stared at the floor, feeling the pulse in his throat. His mind spun with questions, but his stomach twisted with fear. But was it any more dangerous than any other human? Grandma had been aware of the supernatural, yet what hurt her was a human. And Kyle... he wouldn't let anything happen to him.

Lucas doubled down as Kyle kept silent. "It's scary, Kyle, but I need to know. I need to understand how deep this goes."

Kyle glanced over at Lucas. "People like Sullivan, Fatima, and Ahmed... let's just say they're not exactly what they seem. There are signs if you know how to look."

Lucas's pulse quickened. A strange chill ran down Lucas's spine as he remembered walking the bustling streets of Madrid, the warm breeze that often carried the scent of grilled meats and fresh spices, and the familiar clatter of the pub. Now, every sound and scent felt like it had been hiding something beneath the surface. The hum of the city was no longer just life—it felt like it was charged with hidden magic, just out of reach.

"Wait..." Lucas swallowed hard. "Are they working with Hell?"

Kyle's playful tone vanished. "Not everyone with magic is tied to Hell, Lucas. It's more complicated than that. Some... well, they're best avoided, especially in lonely places at night."

Lucas's breath hitched. "So... those guys at the station weren't from Morocco, were they? That day, I..." His voice trailed off, realization hitting him.

Things could have been worse if Kyle hadn't stepped in. Lucas's chest tightened at the thought, mingling disbelief with sudden fear. How often had danger lurked out of sight, shielded from him only because of Kyle?

His stomach churned. "You... saved me, didn't you? And I didn't even know." The idea was unsettling; he had been in danger more than he realized.

Kyle's gaze was steady, but he didn't deny it. Kyle's heart ached. He had never wanted Lucas to see the worst of this world. The weight of protecting him, of balancing love and danger, felt heavier than ever.

Lucas's emotions warred inside him—fear, gratitude, and the unsettling sense that the world was far more dangerous than he ever imagined. Kyle was the only thing standing between him and that unseen darkness. Lucas's breath caught in his throat. It was more than he had bargained for.

"Why did you introduce me to so many supernatural beings?" Lucas mumbled.

Kyle smiled softly. "I thought it would be good for you to meet my friends. I was interested in you, and they could protect you if I ever got into trouble."

"Protection?" Lucas repeated, confusion mingling with worry.

Kyle lingered for a moment, brushing his hands lightly against Lucas's. "The world we live in is dangerous but also wonderful. Like you, there is only one Lucas. And I'm happy you're here."