Aiden tightened his grip on Yuuto's hand as they walked through the city streets under soft golden sunlight.
It had been weeks since they confronted Lucas.
Since then, things had been… peaceful.
Lucas had backed off, his threats disappearing as suddenly as they came.
Yuuto now worked quietly in Aiden's company, his days filled with steady routines and soft laughter. They cooked together, slept tangled in each other's arms, and made love in ways that felt less desperate and more like… home.
Yuuto had never felt this kind of happiness.
Sometimes, when Aiden kissed him softly in the morning, Yuuto would almost forget the dark days.
Almost.
"Do you think we can stay like this forever?" Yuuto asked one evening as they sat on their balcony, watching the stars.
Aiden smiled, pressing a kiss to his hair. "Even if fate is cruel… I'll fight for our forever."
Yuuto's heart squeezed. He wanted to believe that.
He really did.
---
But fate was already moving.
One evening, Aiden went for a routine health check-up.
The doctor's face was pale as he reviewed the reports.
"Aiden… we miscalculated."
Aiden's throat tightened. "What?"
"You… you don't have ten years."
The doctor's hand trembled as he slid the paper across the desk.
"Your condition has accelerated. You might… you might only have a few months left."
Aiden's world collapsed in an instant.
He thought he had time.
He thought they had years.
But fate had other plans.
---
Meanwhile, Yuuto found an old letter that Aiden had hidden.
A letter from his mother, written years ago.
It said:
> "Aiden… our family has always been cursed. No one in our bloodline escapes their destined death. Love will only bring you closer to your end."
Yuuto's hands shook.
Aiden had known all along.
He had been fighting not just his illness… but a fate that had hunted his family for generations.
Yuuto fell to his knees, tears falling on the letter.
> "I thought we escaped this…"
But fate wasn't done.
---
That night, Aiden wrapped Yuuto in his arms, pretending everything was normal.
"Tell me," Yuuto whispered against his chest, "if you could do one last thing before the world takes you from me… what would it be?"
Aiden kissed his forehead.
"I would love you so fiercely that even fate would have to kneel before me."