Levine stood in the middle of the massive bedroom, wide-eyed. His neck craned up as he looked at the towering ceilings, the huge crystal chandelier glimmering above, and the walls lined with sleek modern art. Everything screamed wealth. Power. And yet, all Kallen did was toss his keys on the marble table and walk toward him like none of it mattered.
"Kallen... this room is as big as my whole house," Levine said quietly, still stunned.
Kallen smiled lazily, approaching him from behind. "It's just a room."
"It's not just anything," Levine muttered, rubbing his arms. "Why are we here? What if your dad-"
"He already knows," Kallen interrupted, his lips already brushing against Levine's shoulder, sliding up toward his neck, his cheek, and finally grazing his lips. His voice was husky and calm, like always. "He doesn't care."
Levine turned, blinking in surprise. "He does? He knows about us?"
"Yeah," Kallen said nonchalantly, tugging Levine by the waist closer. "In return, he asked me to take over the business. So I agreed."
Levine stepped back a little. "Wait, what? You hate that stuff. You told me you didn't want to be CEO or follow anyone's rules."
"I didn't," Kallen admitted, hands still resting loosely around Levine's waist. "But I do now."
"You're lying," Levine said quietly, almost annoyed. "You're only doing it because you think if you obey him, he'll let us be together."
Kallen's smirk faded slightly. He looked Levine in the eyes, voice low, serious-dangerously calm. "I'm not doing it for him."
"Then why-"
"I want power," Kallen said simply. "Enough to twist the world around my finger. Enough to ruin anyone who dares look at you the wrong way. I want it all... so you never have to bow your head again. So you can walk freely. So no one ever hurts you."
Levine's breath caught in his throat.
The words hit hard-not just because of what Kallen said, but how easily he said it. Like he'd already decided. Like he'd already burned every other path just to make one for Levine.
Goosebumps crawled up his arms.
Kallen took his silence as permission, leaning down to kiss him again, this time slow, deeper... purposeful. His hands slipped beneath Levine's shirt, dragging up gently along his back as he whispered against his lips, "This is my world now... and I want you in the center of it."
Levine clutched onto his shirt tightly. "You're so dramatic."
"I'm in love," Kallen replied, unbothered. "It comes with the madness."
After a long journey, they decided to take a bath and of course, Kallen dragged Levine inside the bathroom to do it together.
Kallen leaned back against the smooth edge of the oversized tub, water warm around them, steam gently fogging the glass walls. He let out a soft sigh, watching the way Levine's eyes lit up every time he grabbed a new body wash, mixing it like he was brewing some magical potion.
Levine, covered in bubbles and scented foam, was completely focused, tongue peeking out the side of his lips as he examined two different bottles. "Okay... if I mix the vanilla almond with the ocean breeze... maybe it'll smell like dessert by the beach."
Kallen chuckled under his breath. "You're not in the chemistry lab, genius."
Levine just grinned, squeezing both into the water with a bubbly explosion of foam that made Kallen's chest rise with silent laughter. Then Levine leaned back slightly against him, hair damp and messy, sticking to his forehead, covered in soft lather.
"This smells so good," Levine mumbled, sniffing the air. "I could eat it."
Kallen leaned in slowly, brushing the wet strands from Levine's face, his fingers gentle and slow. "I'd stop you," he murmured, planting a feather-light kiss on his forehead, "but if you looked at me like that and said you wanted to eat me instead... I might not say no."
Levine blinked, then groaned, face going red. "You're so shameless."
"You started it," Kallen smirked, his arms slowly circling around Levine's waist, drawing him back against his chest. "Playing in a bathtub, covered in foam, straddling me like that... and you expect me to behave?"
"It's a bath," Levine mumbled, trying not to show how flustered he was, "not a scene from your fantasies."
Kallen hummed again, this time lips grazing the shell of Levine's ear. "It's both now."
Levine covered his face. "God, why am I in love with a menace..."
Kallen's laugh was soft against his skin. "Because you're mine."
The water rippled gently around them, foam floating like clouds, and for a while... all that existed was warmth, the soft scent of vanilla, and two hearts beating quietly against each other.
After their bath, Levine slipped into one of Kallen's oversized shirts, the fabric swallowing him up. He looked adorably out of place in it, but his eyes sparkled with determination. "I'm cooking tonight," he declared, enthusiasm in his voice.
Kallen raised an eyebrow, his arms crossed. "I don't think that's a good idea."
Levine ignored the warning and proceeded to the kitchen with a focused expression, clearly ignoring Kallen's doubts. Kallen followed behind him, skeptical, but it was obvious that Levine's excitement was too infectious to deny. However, Kallen didn't ease up.
Lighting the stove? Kallen did it.
Cutting vegetables? Kallen took over before Levine even reached for the knife.
Using the microwave? Again, Kallen's hands were already there, controlling the situation.
Levine scowled, frustrated at how Kallen kept stepping in. "You stay there. Don't come near," Levine said, pushing him gently away. Kallen sighed but remained obediently at the counter, watching Levine, his protective instincts kicking in.
Levine continued working, not bothering to explain what he was making. He was clearly determined, but Kallen could see the small moments of tension in his movements. The worry gnawed at him.
Then it happened-Levine, distracted, slightly burned his finger on the hot stove. Immediately, Kallen was by his side, pulling his hand into the water before applying balm.
"I'm fine, really," Levine muttered, trying to pull away. "Go sit down."
But Kallen's expression remained serious. "I'll sit, but only because I have to." He gently pushed Levine back into his seat and watched, his sharp eyes never leaving him.
Levine took a deep breath, adjusting his hair and getting back to work, cutting vegetables with focus, his brow furrowing slightly as he concentrated. Kallen couldn't help but admire the effort, his gaze softening as he noted every small, graceful motion, but still, he couldn't let his guard down. His attention was on Levine at all times, ensuring he didn't get hurt again.
After what seemed like forever, Levine finally finished, beaming with pride as he plated the dish. Kallen, though, was more interested in how Levine was feeling, if he was exhausted or frustrated-but the real surprise came when he looked down at the plate. The dish was none other than Kallen's favorite, one he'd mentioned once in passing, and Levine had somehow found the recipe, learned it, and worked tirelessly to cook it for him.
Kallen stared at the plate, stunned. He hadn't expected this, but the warmth spreading inside him was undeniable.
Levine, eager and hopeful, looked at him with sparkling eyes. "How is it? Taste it and stop staring at it like that."
Kallen took a bite slowly, savoring the flavors. Levine sat across from him, waiting, his hands fidgeting nervously. When Kallen didn't immediately react, Levine's expression faltered. He started to worry. "Is it really that bad?"
Then Kallen's voice cut through the tension. "Let's get married."
Levine froze, his eyes wide with shock. He coughed loudly, choking slightly. "What? Seriously, Kallen? What are you saying?"
Kallen simply watched him, completely serious.
Levine's face turned bright red, and he almost stood up in surprise. "Wait, wait-what? I don't understand... You want to marry me...for what? It wasn't even that good. I didn't add proper salt... This isn't fair."
"It is." Kallen raised an eyebrow, his tone casual. "Once we're married, you'll have all the time in the world to cook for me. I'll be the one tasting it, and you'll get better with every meal."
Levine blinked, feeling the rush of emotions flood in. He wasn't sure what to say, his heart racing. "But Kallen... first of all, we're both guys-"
"Exactly," Kallen interrupted, his voice steady. "That's exactly why I want power. Don't waste your time thinking about irrelevant opinions or other people-I couldn't care less about them. Tell me yours, and don't avoid it."
Levine bit his lip, glancing away, conflicted. "What will you do if I say no?"
Kallen's eyes darkened for a brief moment, an unreadable look flashing across his face. "Burn the world. Then you. Then myself."
Levine's eyes widened, his throat going dry. "What the hell? What are you talking about?"
"The truth," Kallen said with a shrug, as if it were the simplest thing in the world.
Levine blinked, stunned for a moment, before a soft chuckle escaped him. "My God, you're crazy."
Kallen watched him, amusement flickering in his eyes. "I'm only crazy for you."
Levine smiled, his heart swelling with warmth. He took a deep breath, then looked at Kallen with a more serious expression. "You should be grateful. I love you too much to say no, and... I don't want to die just yet. I want to live longer with you."
Kallen's lips curved into a soft smile before he leaned in, capturing Levine's lips in a kiss-a kiss that felt like a promise, a vow that they would figure everything out together.