The shot rang out — louder than Charles expected.
But Kieran didn't fall.
He stumbled back, hands raised in surrender, a shallow graze dripping red along his temple. Not fatal. Not yet. Charles hadn't missed by accident.
"Move again, and I'll make the next one count," Charles growled, lowering the gun just enough to keep Kieran trembling.
"Weren't you beating the boss to a pulp a while back?!"
Kieran dropped to his knees, crying harder now. Not for himself — not really. For Caelum. For the blood. For the pieces of himself he couldn't understand anymore.
"I didn't mean to…" he whispered. "I didn't… mean to hurt him…"
"You meant it every damn time," Charles spat. "Every bruise. Every cry he swallowed. You just liked how small he looked when he was afraid."
"YOU MONSTER "
The doctor, silent all this time, worked feverishly over Caelum's body. Tubes. Compresses. Injections. The scent of iodine mixed with blood. Machines beeped in a fragile rhythm that sounded too much like a countdown.
Charles's voice cracked. "Do you even know what it's like to be trusted by someone like Caelum? To have him smile at you like you matter?"
Kieran had never heard him call Caelum by name. He called it with care, admiration...love.
He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. Just a sob. A wet, choked thing that reeked of guilt and confusion.
Charles knelt beside him, grabbed his face roughly, forcing their eyes to meet. "You broke someone kind," he said. "You don't walk away from that."
And Kieran… didn't even try to run.The real punishment was just beginning. He walked to where Caelum laid and Charles was behind him.
He pushed Kieran and said "You think love is enough to excuse what you did? You don't get to cry now, Kieran."
Charles leaned in close.
"You get to watch what love looks like when it bleeds."
Days turned to weeks and weeks turned to months. Caelum was still unconscious. He had to be taken into intensive care.
Kieran was not allowed to see or come close to Caelum for the time being and the distance was taking a hold on him. Kieran kept calling Charles but he blocked him.
Kieran decided to resume work. "I need Caelum to be comfortable when he's coming back home" he said as he got dressed for work.
"I should try to look different for him when he wakes up. I'll not disturb him while he's recovering" he said innocently.
The doctors had spoken to Charles, letting him know Caelum's survival was a 50/50 chance.
Charles called other workers to inform them about the unfortunate news. Charles had to be strong for them all.
Kieran goes to work and resumes fully. He still keeps a smile on as he attends to his duties. He had slacked off for a long time, he had to get serious.
A month later, His secretary, Nessa, approached him and asked
"Can I take a seat?"
He smiled "sure Ness"
She hadn't exactly spoken to Kieran before. So it seemed awkward. He was staring at his laptop with his glasses on.
"How're things between you and Caelum?"
She asked.
Kieran stopped typing a look up at her. His whole expression changed. He took off his glasses and responded
"I messed things up with him, now I can't even get close to him. They've taken him away from me"
His voice trembled and Nessa realised that was a sensitive topic.
"It'll be fine. If he's yours, he'll forgive you. Just stay strong for him" she said with a reassuring smile.
"Thank you Ness. I should gift you for this advice and friendship you've giby me" he said with a soft chuckle.
"Maybe a raise?" She said with a smirk .
And they both laughed.
Kieran lost track of time and realised it was quite late. He rushed out of the building to his car and Charles was standing in front of his car.
Kieran had no idea what to do so he greeted Charles normally.
"Hi Charles, it's been a while" he said with a welcoming smile.
"You're smiling and Caelum has a 50/50 chance of survival? Did you ever even love the boss?!" He yelled out.
"You didn't let me see Caelum. You think I never loved him? I value Caelum and I care about him very much. So if you'll excuse me, I'll be heading home" as soon as Kieran passes Charles, he whispers
"If anything happens to the boss, I'll kill you "