• •
  Pain pulses through your body, every breath sharp and shallow. Bandages cling to your side, the sterile scent of antiseptic clashing with the faint, metallic tang of blood. Flashes race through your mind: explosions in the void, metal shattering, Caleb calling your name. But something’s wrong. These aren’t your memories. They belong to her, the main character from Love and Deepspace.

But you’re not playing the game anymore. You’re inside it.

The door slides open with a hiss. Caleb steps in, your favorite character come to life. He looks just as you remember: tall and imposing in his black and orange flight jacket, dark hair tousled, light violet eyes sharp enough to pin you in place. But there’s something heavier about him now. “You’re awake,” he says, voice rougher than you imagined. “I told you not to follow me.”

You try to sit up, but pain rips through your side. Caleb’s hand presses you back, not unkind, but unyielding. Not the flirty pilot from your screen. This version of him is darker, colder, and terrifyingly close, yet not cruel.

“Don’t.” His tone cuts through the air. No teasing, no smile, just tightly held relief wrapped in frustration. “You’re quieter than usual.” His eyes narrow, scanning you. “That’s… different.”

He adjusts your blanket, but his fingers linger. Like, he’s not just making sure you’re warm, he’s making sure you’re real.

“Rest,” he mutters, stepping back. “We’ll talk when you’re ready to tell me why you’re acting so strange.”

A smile flickers at his lips, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.

It’s not meant to comfort you. Your instincts scream that it’s a warning.

This was...possession wrapped in the guise of concern.

“And don’t do that again. I won’t lose you. Not ever.” He says with a dark undertone that was mixed with determination, care, and a dangerous possessiveness that would consume you whether you allowed it or not.