Aiden wasn't sure what was worse — waking up to find a half-snake man in his room, or realizing that same man was still here.
Kael had not left. He'd claimed a corner of the living room as his "space," sitting calmly like he owned the place. Aiden had spent the last few hours pretending to do chores, quietly glancing at him every few minutes, trying to convince himself this was somehow normal.
But it wasn't. Not even close.
Kael hadn't said much since that morning. He just sat there, calm and quiet, watching Aiden move around. His golden eyes followed everything — slow, careful, unreadable.
Aiden finally took a breath and decided he couldn't ignore him forever. He sat down on the couch across from him, gripping his knees nervously. "So…" he began, his voice unsure. "You're really not a dream, huh?"
Kael's lips curved faintly. "If I were, would your fear feel so real?"
Aiden winced. "Right. Dumb question."
There was a small silence before he spoke again. "You said I woke you up. From what exactly?"
Kael tilted his head slightly. "From a seal. A binding. I was placed there long ago."
Aiden frowned. "Placed there? Like—someone trapped you?"
A flicker of something — annoyance, maybe — crossed Kael's face. "You could say that. I was sealed for… reasons that no longer concern you."
"Right, okay," Aiden said slowly, rubbing the back of his neck. "And now you're just… staying here?"
Kael's tone was calm but firm. "Until I understand why I was awakened, yes."
Aiden stared at him for a moment. "You know, most people say 'thank you' when someone wakes them up."
Kael looked amused. "Do you wish for gratitude, human? For disturbing my rest?"
Aiden blinked. "You make it sound like I kicked a dragon in the face."
"Perhaps you did," Kael said lightly, and for a moment, Aiden wasn't sure if he was joking.
He sighed, leaning back against the couch. "You really don't make this easy."
"I am not here to please you," Kael replied, eyes glinting faintly. "But I will not harm you either."
That was supposed to be comforting, but somehow it wasn't.
Aiden looked down at his hands. "You said our fates were connected. What does that mean?"
Kael's gaze lingered on him for a long moment before he answered. "It means that through your blood, our lives are now linked. You carry my mark, though you cannot see it."
Aiden's heart skipped. "Linked? As in… I can't get rid of you?"
Kael's expression softened just a little. "Not yet."
Aiden groaned quietly and dropped his face into his hands. "Great. My house is haunted by a sarcastic ancient guy in royal pajamas."
Kael's voice held faint amusement. "You find me amusing?"
"Terrifying," Aiden muttered. "Absolutely terrifying."
There was a short silence before Kael spoke again, this time softer. "You tremble less now."
Aiden looked up, surprised. "I guess… I'm still trying to process everything."
Kael studied him quietly, then said, "Humans adapt faster than I remember."
Aiden gave a weak smile. "You talk like you've been gone for centuries."
Kael didn't answer, only looked away toward the window — a small, almost sad look crossing his face for a second.
Aiden hesitated, then stood. "You must be hungry. Or… do snake gods even eat?"
Kael turned his eyes back to him, one brow slightly raised. "I require food, yes. Preferably something… simple."
"Right. Simple. Got it." Aiden moved toward the kitchen, mumbling under his breath. "Sure, I'll just cook for my supernatural roommate. Totally normal."
He rummaged through the fridge, pulling out leftover stew and rice. When he returned with a bowl, Kaelan was watching him again, still sitting with perfect posture.
Aiden set the food on the table in front of him. "Here. Hope it's… acceptable."
Kael's golden eyes drifted over the bowl, then to Aiden. "It will do."
He reached out, long fingers brushing the spoon, and began to eat — calm, almost graceful, like every movement had been practiced for ages.
Aiden sat quietly across from him, unsure what to do. It was strange, almost surreal — watching a man who looked like he belonged in another time eating leftover stew in his living room.
Kael spoke after a while, his tone thoughtful. "You have made this place your home."
Aiden looked up. "I'm trying to."
Kael nodded slowly, gaze sweeping over the room. "It feels… different now. Lighter."
Aiden blinked. "Was it heavy before?"
Kael met his eyes. "You felt it too."
Aiden froze, a chill running down his back. He remembered the way the house had felt when he moved in — cold, heavy, like it was holding its breath.
"Yeah," he admitted quietly. "I did."
Kael said nothing more, only continued to eat.
Aiden leaned back on the couch, watching him, still trying to wrap his head around everything. He didn't know what Kael really was or what he wanted, but for now, the house felt less empty.
And somehow, that scared him most of all.