The Invisible String

“Yami?”

“Hmm?” Yami looked up from his book, blinking up at the tall and simply dressed monk standing before him.

Kaelin smiled gently, “May… I speak with you?” The softness of his tone was one of seriousness, and it worried the Prince of Aurora. Silently Yami set the book aside, giving his friend his complete and undivided attention. Kaelin sighed softly sitting in the others lap and reaching his arms around Yami’s neck before resting his head in the crook of the princes’ neck. Yami blinked in surprise, but quietly embraced the other unquestioningly.

There was a long silence that was neither awkward nor unneeded. Kaelin was obviously collecting his thoughts and surely he had something he wanted to tell the other. Yami wasn’t particularly sure of anything that could be troubling the kind-hearted monk…

The crimson-eyed prince could feel the other’s chest rise and fall with deep, even breaths. For some reason it was a comforting feeling. He enjoyed feeling the other in his arms.

“…Do you remember the day we met?”

The question was in itself not very startling, but the sudden words coming so softly into his ear caused Yami to jerk slightly. His heart began to race under his ribs and the man quietly tried to reassure himself that there was nothing to be frightened of. “Yes…” He finally replied at length, hesitantly. The memory wasn’t all together pleasant, it had, in fact, marked the day he had bloodied his hands with countless sins of murder.

“That… was only ten years ago… and yet, I feel like I’ve known you forever.” Kaelin continued quietly. He waited for Yami to respond and when he didn’t he lifted his head slightly. Their eyes met, magnificent violet and mysterious crimson searching each other silently. “…Remember how I couldn’t explain that feeling I had? All of those years ago?”

“…Yes.”

“….I think I know what it is,” Kaelin whispered. Yami shifted slightly, but did not break the others gaze. His hands reached up tenderly to stroke the other’s cheek in a comforting manner. The monk closed his eyes and seemed to drift quietly, a gentle smile touching the corner of his lips. After a moment he raised his own hand up to rest over the one stroking his face. Their fingers unconsciously locked together and they sat peacefully. “Yami… I think that feeling was love…  A pure love… A love that I couldn’t quite understand at the time because I had just met you and to feel such a wonderful, beautiful feeling just couldn’t make sense.”

Yami’s lips parted slightly and his eyes softened. Yes… it was a feeling he had grown to accept and to cherish. He had never felt such a strong bond with anyone before. He loved his brother, of course, and his mother dearly as well. He had even forged deep loving (and sometimes frustrating) friendships with Ryshar and Mathais. Yet, this was a love that no other could rival. Something so innocent, perfect and brilliant that he had been so afraid to break it by speaking of it. Yami had never been one to divulge his emotions, but hearing someone speak exactly how he felt made something in his heart ache with happiness… He wanted to hear… He wanted to hear the other say the words he hoped so desperately he was thinking.

“…Yami, I… I think we are destined to be together.” Kaelin blushed slightly, burying his face into the others collar. “I… love you and I want to be with you… forever.”

Something tugged at Yami’s heart and he felt tears welling in his crimson-eyes. He reached his other hand up and his fingers wound their way into the others long blond locks. Their interlaced fingers held each other, not desperately, but with a certain air of understanding that no one else could possibly comprehend.

“Kaelin… I was nothing before you. I know I existed, but I could never understand why.” The prince closed his eyes, sighing softly. He knew Kaelin hated when he spoke like this, but he couldn’t help himself. He had speak his thoughts, “When I was a young child I always thought I was to live only for myself because I knew that no one else would care enough for me… When I grew older I could only strengthen those beliefs; that no one would ever fill this void…” He let out a shaky breath,  “When I met you, I felt this wonderful, unexplainable ache in my heart that pressured me to re-think my existence…” His eyes blinked opened; fighting back tears that he wasn’t quite sure why were there. He licked his lips before continuing softly, “I read once… long ago of a little invisible string that bound together destined soul mates… One that would never break nor fray… A string that would never grow taut or too loose, that would always bind the two together… In life and in death.” The last word escaped his lips in a breathy rush. What would have happened if he had decided to end his life like he had planned all those years? Would Kaelin have suffered that same empty void for eternity, unable to meet his soul mate? The thought was guilt wrenching.

“Yami…” Kaelin’s hands reached up to brush the tears from the demon’s cheeks. The prince swallowed thickly, unable to meet the others gaze directly. “I believe that we share that bond you speak of… My soul feels at such peace when around you… When you are sad, I feel your sadness. When you smile it brightens my heart and I can’t help but smile with you. When I touch you…” He let out a soft, rushed sigh that seemed relaxed, appreciative. “…I just can’t get enough.” He continued to run his fingers over the others face, admiring the softness of the demon’s skin. The monk thoroughly enjoyed the way the other fingers were tangled in his hair. Kaelin loved the way he could feel the others warmth, how he could feel the others breath soft on his face, and the gentle way his body moved as he simply continued existed. Yes… Kaelin was maddeningly in love. “Yami… I want you to marry me.”

There was a moment of silence before Yami let out a soft laugh, “You do?”

Kaelin couldn’t help but smile, but his eyes narrowed slightly, “Yes. Why is that so funny?”

“I…” Yami’s fingers lifted, some blond hair trailing between them and he cupped the monks’ face, “have never even kissed you…  Yet, that simple fact just makes my love for you all the stronger… all the more beautiful. I know this isn’t shameful lust, because I would wait for you forever. There is so much… satisfaction being able to hold you like this… These moments… They are the ones that only reinforce my love for you…” He laughed quietly again, and it was one of simple admiration. “To be your husband would please me so greatly, Kaelin. It would make me a very happy man.”

Kaelin smiled shyly, a blush complimenting his pale face. “…You really have a way with words, Yami.” The two shared a laugh. The monks hands rose to in turn take the others face and he leaned forward, “Your words are so true… and yet I can’t help but want to taste you… Let us seal our commitment with a kiss?” His voice raised slightly, questioningly, maybe even a little embarrassed.

Nonetheless Yami readily agreed—sure he could have waited as long as Kaelin wanted, but this invitation was just far too much.

It was a gentle kiss, nothing forceful and in no way over earnest.  It was tender, but firm with subtleties of love and passion.

The kiss was the making of a new beginning.  One that the two knew would last a lifetime and beyond.