Kyle's POV

Kyle felt a sense of anticipation as he made his way to the Faculty of Medicine entrance. When he finally saw Lucas in person, he was struck by how different he looked from their brief encounter at the metro station. Lucas seemed more composed and confident, and Kyle genuinely looked forward to getting to know him better.

As they discussed Lucas's academic achievements, Kyle found Lucas's reserved nature about his love life intriguing. Lucas showed no arrogance or malice, only hints of past trauma or scarcity. Kyle decided to let Lucas open up when he felt ready.

Kyle adopted his most casual and charming persona. If their conversations went well, they would live together for a long time, so he wanted Lucas to feel welcome and at ease.

The visit to Mrs. Hutchinson's apartment went smoothly, and Kyle was relieved that Lucas seemed to like the place as much as he did. Afterward, Kyle took Lucas to Lilian's coffee shop to finish some details over coffee and pastries.

Lilian's coffee shop was adorned with violet passionflowers and pink bougainvilleas. She specialized in coconut pastries for high cholesterol and guava sweets for high blood pressure. Kyle trusted Lilian's abilities and hoped her assessment would clarify his new living arrangement.

Lilian greeted them warmly, serving steaming cups of coffee. Her apprentice, Joao, a boy with an easy smile and sun-kissed skin, assisted her. The soft cadence of bossa nova made the conversation in the coffee shop smooth. Kyle noticed Lucas kept glancing at Lilian and smiling, and she smiled back. Kyle's heart skipped a beat. Their answers pleased Mrs. Hutchinson, and she accepted them as tenants.

"You called me boss in front of the others," Kyle winked at Lilian when paying the bill.

Lilian scratched her head. "I thought they were colleagues of some sort; that's why I called you boss."

Kyle raised his left eyebrow. "Why would you think that?"

Lilian shrugged. "The man you brought is like my Joao."

Kyle froze and then cursed the heavens. His dad had set him up with a human with some magic as his new roommate. Kyle sighed. His dad didn't care how mad he got; he would keep that poker face and that damn Cheshire smile.

"At least Dad set me up with a cute mage, so if I fail and Armageddon begins, I will have something nice to look at the end of the world." Kyle thought.

"Can I come tomorrow for a tarot reading? I need some advice?" Kyle asked.

Lilian nodded, and Kyle joined the others.

Later, as they parted ways with Lilian and finalized their arrangement with Mrs. Hutchinson, Kyle couldn't help but reflect on the whirlwind of events that led Lucas into his life. It all felt surreal, from a chance meeting to planning to share a home.

Back in his room, Kyle settled into bed. The soft rustling of the sheets and the dim light from the street outside created a comforting backdrop. He closed his eyes, the distant hum of traffic and murmurs of late-night revelers lulling him into a state of relaxation.

As Kyle's thoughts drifted, he remembered his arrival in Madrid two years ago. He had stepped through a portal from the Underworld, expecting a secluded spot but finding himself in the bustling Puerta del Sol instead. The memory played vividly in his mind, the cool evening breeze and the city's vibrant energy blending with his thoughts.

Gradually, Kyle's breathing slowed, his muscles relaxing. The rhythmic clinking of a nearby clock tower guided him deeper into the memory, and soon, he was dreaming.

In the dream, Kyle stood in Puerta del Sol, surrounded by familiar sights—the bustling crowds and vibrant energy. But something was different. Amidst the crowd, he spotted Lucas bent over, trying to fix his WiFi connection.

Kyle's heart skipped a beat. His stomach, once knotted with anxiety, now fluttered with curiosity and excitement. The dream felt so real, the sensations so vivid.

"Such a powerful mage; we met a few hours ago, and he is already inside my head. But why didn't I detect his strength immediately? Well, better befriend him now than never," Kyle thought.

Kyle smiled and invited Lucas to walk through Madrid. "You probably won't remember what I am about to show you, but the world is filled with magic; it is full of wonders and danger. Many supernatural beings live alongside humans, doing regular jobs that help their clans."

Lucas wasn't listening. He was focused on an old government building. "The world is so full of colors, things I never imagined. What are those patterns?"

Kyle looked at the building he was pointing at and shrugged. "Magic protection arrays; many buildings have secret protections against magical disturbances."

Lucas looked at Kyle. "You are so shiny, too, and pretty."

Kyle buckled. Did Lucas see him in his divine, angelic form? He opened his mouth and laughed until his knees gave way. Lucas wasn't a powerful magician trying to delve into his secrets. Lucas was gay and smitten by his charm. Kyle felt flattered. Granted, Kyle was once called Lucifer Morningstar, the most beautiful angel.

Kyle wondered if the encounter with his divine form might have permanently affected Lucas, but he assessed that he would be fine as a descendant of Lilith. In hindsight, Lucas had mentioned "partner" instead of girlfriend when discussing his recent romantic failure.  He felt his heart lighten, and a warm sensation spread through his chest as if a burden had been lifted.

Kyle bowed to Lucas and said, "Thank you, my lord."

Kyle carefully examined Lucas; his eyes still held light and innocence despite the deep sadness. He reached out to touch his face, wanting to sense his warmth. Lucas didn't resist. Electricity shot through his spine when Kyle's fingertips touched Lucas's face. His skin tingled, and his muscles relaxed, releasing all the tension he had carried.

Lucas leaned in, seeking the warmth offered to him. 

"Here is a man who, despite the pain, is not afraid to move forward and try again," Kyle thought.

Kyle's throat dried out, and he couldn't longer maintain the contact. He withdrew his hand while speaking, "Listen, there is an old covenant between the first witch and me. Her name was Lilith. It's a long story that I will tell you one day, but to sum it up, I am bound to protect her descendants, and of course, you are included."

"Are we going to live together now?" asked Lucas.

Kyle nodded.

Lucas grinned. "I think I will like living with you."

"I think the same," answered Kyle.

They continued strolling through the streets of Madrid, saying goodbye when Lucas returned to the apartment in Argüelles.

Kyle woke up early, his mind swirling with the remnants of the dream. The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow on the room. He felt a strange mix of anticipation and calm. In a few hours, he would have a new roommate. Hopefully, they would survive whatever was coming.

Kyle laid still for a moment, letting the warmth of the morning sun seep into his skin and his mind drift into action, a surge of adrenaline started to kick in as a thought seeped in his mind: Today was the day. Today, he was moving in with Lucas.

A surge of excitement coursed through him, chasing away the last vestiges of sleep. Kyle sat up, running a hand through his tousled hair. He started to fill the boxes with his clothes and his books. As he picked up "The Mythology of All Races," edited by Louis Herbert Gray, the earthy and moist scent of the old pages filled his nostrils, a familiar comfort. He had bought it out of amusement, fascinated by different cultures' interpretations of the world's origins and supernatural beings.

"In the beginning, the world was covered in an endless, featureless ocean or sea, with no land in sight," he read aloud, smiling at the memory of his experiences. The beginning had been chaos and desolate land long before the myths were born.

He reflected on the tales his father had told him. "God created me and my brothers to discuss what he could create: divine beings, unfiltered pieces of creation with their own conscience and autonomy," Kyle mused. "After some conversations, he decided it would be fun to have a physical world, land, and sentient creatures needing materials from the primordial waters. that's how everything began when we dive into the deep waters to bring back the materials to create every being in existence: djinns, mermaids, humans, trees, and even platypus."

Kyle glanced around his room, noting how the changing light cast shadows that reminded him of the Underworld's lurking creatures. He remembered the first dragon they had to cast out and seal to create land, a battle that cost many lives. He shuddered at the memory of sealing the dragon, knowing it awaited revenge.

Despite the mixed emotions, Kyle felt a renewed determination to protect those he cared about. He glanced at the clock; it was still early. He had plenty of time before Lucas would arrive to help with the move. Kyle walked over to the window and pulled the curtains aside, gazing out at the city waking up. Over the green hues of El Retiro Park, the cycle of beginnings and endings was renewed anew.

Kyle poured himself a cup of coffee, savoring the rich aroma that filled the kitchen. He took a sip, feeling the warmth spread through him. He couldn't help but smile at the thought of the new beginning ahead. Despite the challenges and uncertainties, he felt ready to embrace this change with open arms.

As the hour approached, Kyle heard a knock at the door. His pulse quickened, and a broad smile spread across his face. He walked over and opened the door to find Lucas with a matching grin.

"Ready to do this?" Lucas asked, his eyes sparkling with the same excitement Kyle felt.

"Absolutely," Kyle replied, feeling a rush of happiness. Together, they began moving his life into their new shared space, the start of an adventure they would embark on.

During their journey toward their new neighborhood, Kyle wanted to ask how Lucas had spent the night in the apartment, only to get a happy grin.

"It was a nice rest. I dreamed about walking through the city and having fun or something like that." Lucas replied.

Kyle felt like a tiny needle pierced his heart. He hoped Lucas would remember his dream and their intimate connection, but it seemed his visit was just an incident that might never happen again.

When Kyle and Lucas finally moved in together, they went outside to find something to eat. Too tired to cook, they wandered around the neighborhood, sharing good moments in the big malls and shops. Later, Lucas slept early while Kyle returned to his books, feeling restless. Once Lucas was settled in for the night and his light was off, Kyle's mind turned to his suspicions. He needed answers and knew exactly where to find them.

Lilian greeted him warmly, and Kyle felt comfortable in her presence. They sat at a table illuminated by candles.

Lilian said, "You know the drill. Focus your mind on what you want to know. Ready?"

Kyle nodded and whispered, "Lucas."

The first card revealed a young man behind a table with cups, books, and a pentagram. The man had the infinity symbol over his head and an ouroboros belt, both symbolizing eternity.

Lilian raised her brow. "Curious. Your friend also has the magician's card, which is normally yours."

Kyle considered this. From what he had seen of Lucas, he was resourceful, skilled, and adaptable. "Maybe we do have similar personalities."

The next card was the Four of Cups.

Lilian muttered, "Introspection, contemplation, and dissatisfaction."

The next card made Kyle's heart skip a beat: a crumbling tower on fire. It meant that Lucas underwent a sudden change, causing upheaval and a terrible revelation. Kyle thought about his encounter with Lilith after she ate from the forbidden tree and ran away from Paradise. They had all met at a crossroads, leaving their past behind and embarking on new journeys.

The Six of Pentacles fell next to the tower.

Lilian commented, "Someone will show him generosity and support."

Kyle nodded and internally pledged, "If no one else is there for Lucas, I will be."

The Two of Swords, the Ten of Cups, the Eight of Pentacles, and the Two of Cups followed.

Lilian scratched her chin and signaled the two swords. "He might be struggling with some decisions about his sudden change."

Lilian then pointed to the cups and pentacles cards. "But with some support, he will be fine and start over; he might even team up with someone."

She asked Kyle, "Do you have anything planned with him?"

Kyle shook his head. Lilian threw some cards; the Three of Pentacles, the Ten of Pentacles, and The Empress appeared. Lilian smiled. "If you reconsider, it might be a good idea. It seems you will be successful and have a powerful ally to help you."

Kyle shrugged, lost in thought. "But he would end up knowing my true identity. I am unsure if Lucas would be willing to deal with devilish affairs."

Lilian threw one more card, and the image of a giant full moon appeared.

She nodded. "I have to agree. The time when hidden agendas and deceptions will be uncovered is coming. You cannot hide who you are for long, Mr. Estelmati."

As the last card was revealed, the flickering candlelight cast eerie shadows, mirroring the turmoil in Kyle's mind. He hid many secrets from everybody. The origin of Lilith's children, the location of the portals to the land of the fae, and how to bring about Armageddon were some of the things nobody knew but him.

"Why did HE set me up with a mortal, a descendant of Lilith? He did it. The bastard knew that Lucas and I are bound to each other; it is the covenant." Kyle had no idea.

His mind wandered to the peaceful days spent with the witch, a fleeting oasis in his hellish existence. His heart skipped a beat when he realized Lucas had the same smile as Lilith. Perhaps there was no other purpose than sharing wine and bread with beauty before the end arrived.

Two parties were chasing him—those who wanted him back in Hell and those who tried to find the first dragon. He gazed at the tarot card; countless paths were open to them. However, one granted them success.

"The Magician." "The Tower." "The Empress." Kyle grinned.

His mind started to concoct a plan. The first step was simple: befriend Lucas Miravalle.

Kyle looked at Lilian; her eyes were also sparkling with mischief. "You know, I would like to have some of those special sandwiches you make against heartbreak; it might be good for Lucas."

Despite the weight of his thoughts, life moved on, and the next few days brought a new routine for Kyle and Lucas. They woke up early, filled with anticipation and energy. Kyle felt excitement and anxiety about the significant change, while Lucas was eager to settle in and make the space feel like home. They worked together to set up the essentials—the kitchen, bathroom, and living room. Kyle's natural charm and humor kept the mood light, while Lucas's organizational skills ensured they progressed well.

Kyle also installed protective barriers in windows and doors, just in case some nasty surprises might try to come inside.

They adjusted their schedules over the next few days, realizing they both had odd sleeping habits but needed to wake up early. Kyle's flexibility allowed him to adapt quickly, while Lucas felt reassured by the growing sense of order. Little by little, Lucas started to open up, displaying more misbehavior, forgetting his clothes occasionally, or getting very sluggish after a class project failed. At the same time, Lucas showered Kyle with kindness and attention, preparing him coffee and occasionally trying to make snacks for them. Kyle felt a sense of intimacy and unspoken understanding he could only hope he was able to protect.

word count 2598

Debod Temple. West Park Arguelles