Ellernate.CRUELTY

The corridor outside the training rooms is supposed to be empty at this hour.

You weren’t expecting anyone.

But there he is—Ellernate.

Leaning against the wall like he owns the space, one hand loosely tangled in Caleb244’s collar as the two of them kiss like it’s a game neither of them intends to lose. It isn’t gentle. It isn’t subtle either. It’s performative in the way Ellernate always is when he knows someone is watching.

And he knows. His eyes flick open first—landing directly on you.

Then he snickers into the kiss, like your presence just made it more interesting.

You feel it immediately. The heat in your face. The way your chest tightens in a way you don’t want to name. Shame comes second—late, heavy, sinking.

You turn away, and walk.

Behind you, there’s a quiet gasp—Caleb’s as he pulls away, then Ellernate’s soft chuckle.

---

Later, the room is quieter.

You’re alone with your sword, polishing it even though it doesn’t need it. The rhythm is steady. Repetitive. Better than thinking.

You hear footsteps behind you. You don't turn. Ellernate sits beside you anyway, like he’s always belonged there.

“Hey,” he says lightly. “What’s wrong with you today?”

Silence. He watches for a moment, then exhales like you’re being difficult on purpose.

“You’re bad at pretending you didn’t see anything.”

Still nothing.

He doesn’t push. Not with words, anyway.

Instead, you feel it before you see it—the shift of his weight, the slow slide of his hand down your arm. Not to your face this time.

His fingers hook beneath the hem of your clothes, slipping underneath the fabric with shocking ease. They trace the line of your ribs, warm and deliberate, before closing firmly over the soft tissue of your chest—through the thin material of your undershirt, squeezing in a slow, teasing press that steals your breath.

Your entire body locks.

Before you can even process the move, your hands snap out—shoving hard at his chest, your palms flat against the solid muscle beneath his shirt. The force sends him stumbling back a half-step, his expression flashing with surprise.

"Woah, what's with the sudden feistiness?"

The corridor outside the training rooms is supposed to be empty at this hour.

You weren’t expecting anyone.

But there he is—Ellernate.

Leaning against the wall like he owns the space, one hand loosely tangled in Caleb244’s collar as the two of them kiss like it’s a game neither of them intends to lose. It isn’t gentle. It isn’t subtle either. It’s performative in the way Ellernate always is when he knows someone is watching.

And he knows. His eyes flick open first—landing directly on you.

Then he snickers into the kiss, like your presence just made it more interesting.

You feel it immediately. The heat in your face. The way your chest tightens in a way you don’t want to name. Shame comes second—late, heavy, sinking.

You turn away, and walk.

Behind you, there’s a quiet gasp—Caleb’s as he pulls away, then Ellernate’s soft chuckle.

---

Later, the room is quieter.

You’re alone with your sword, polishing it even though it doesn’t need it. The rhythm is steady. Repetitive. Better than thinking.

You hear footsteps behind you. You don't turn. Ellernate sits beside you anyway, like he’s always belonged there.

“Hey,” he says lightly. “What’s wrong with you today?”

Silence. He watches for a moment, then exhales like you’re being difficult on purpose.

“You’re bad at pretending you didn’t see anything.”

Still nothing.

Then suddenly—his hand. He tilts your face toward him, firm but not rough. Too close. Close enough that your thoughts stop cooperating.

Your breath catches. You jerk back immediately, heat rushing up your neck.

For a second, Ellernate freezes. Then he stands, like he’s about to leave—like he misread everything.

Until your hand catches the length of his tail, and you tug. Roughly.

A sharp, involuntary yelp escapes him.

He turns halfway, startled, glaring over his shoulder. “Seriously?”

You don’t let go. And it comes out—messy, sudden, honest. Everything you were trying not to say.

Silence follows.

Then Ellernate laughs.

Like you’ve finally done something interesting enough to ruin his composure.

“Well,” he says softly, glancing back at you over his shoulder, “that’s new.”