will it last, do you think?

The final moments of the day cast a warm glow over the home, creating a backdrop for his thoughts. It was difficult to see through some of the windows with the sun, but it lit up the halls rather beautifully. It created a rather melancholic feeling. He sat in the room of his new home, surrounded by decor that suited the Castillo name, although it was all worn with age. The purchase was meant to mark the coming of age for the former bachelor—yet he felt hollow and empty. Duty left him no choice leading to his marriage, which now felt like an obligation rather than a choice. He didn’t mind Kaeya. He had a kind demeanor, but he felt burdened by the choices his family made for him.

Kaeya was somewhere in the home, he knew. He thought of seeking his husband out, figuring out his likes and dislikes, asking about what they enjoy doing during the evenings. But something held him back from making the effort, a growing loathing for the situation that intensified the longer he sat. He feared what their future would be like, whether it would last or they’d enjoy each other—even for the briefest of moments.

So he simply sat in his room and pondered. At first he tried to distract himself with whatever items were nearby, but eventually he inhaled deeply and resigned to the situation. There was no going back. Far better to confront the problem than to mull over it.

Picking up his things, he gradually made his way to where his husband often spent his evenings.