The Villain’s Aide Has Run Away

“What is that look in your eyes right now?”

Though his tone was playful as usual, Kailos’s gaze stayed fixed on Leslun without wavering.

There was a strange heat in that look. Leslun unconsciously drew in a breath.

“I do not know what you mean.”

He tried to appear calm, but the slight rise in his voice and the tremor in his breathing gave him away. The excitement from meeting his parents had yet to subside.

“It looks like you are about to kiss me.”

Kailos tilted his head. The slow, deliberate movement tightened Leslun’s chest.

“Well, if you are going to, I will close my eyes for you.”

Though he spoke as if joking, Kailos’s voice was low and serious.

“I never said I would.”

Even as he pressed the words out, his voice trembled slightly.

Kailos’s lips curved as he tapped his own lips twice with two fingers. The casual gesture felt far too provocative.

“Do you not want to?”

“……”

The words of denial refused to leave his mouth. Instead, his lips went dry and his eyes began to waver. An awkward silence pooled between them.

“Is it because you are embarrassed?”

Kailos tilted his head back slightly and spoke in a near whisper.

“Then I will close my eyes first.”

True to his word, Kailos closed his eyes. To make it even easier for Leslun, he opened his arms wide as if inviting him closer. Leslun had not expected him to go that far.

Surprised and flustered…

Leslun stared at him for a long moment before taking a step closer. His eyes darted briefly around them. The hallway was empty. Even Robin, who always trailed behind, was nowhere to be seen.

‘Is it just coincidence that we are alone?’

Quietly, Leslun reached out and gripped the edge of Kailos’s coat. His fingers tightened ever so slightly. Then he rose just a little on his toes.

Their lips brushed.

The instant they touched, Leslun felt as though a current ran through his whole body.

It was only the faintest touch, yet the tips of his lips tingled.

More than anything, it was soft and warm—and at the same time, it felt too fleeting to end there.

Leslun placed a hand on Kailos’s shoulder.

He drew in a small breath, then lifted himself up once more.

With his eyes closed, nothing was visible, but he did not stop. He moved forward boldly, and because Kailos lowered his upper body slightly, their lips met naturally.

Kailos’s lips, pressed against his own, were shockingly soft and pliant.

A faint breath passed between them, warming the space and letting the heat at the point of contact spread slowly outward.

When Leslun gently closed his lips, Kailos’s hand came to rest against his back.

Leaning into that touch, Leslun cautiously wrapped his arms around Kailos’s neck.

Kailos’s breath was so close that its warmth slid down the bridge of Leslun’s nose.

When Kailos parted his lips just slightly and brushed his tongue forward, Leslun unconsciously opened his mouth.

Their tongues met and tangled like ripples folding over one another.

The sensation of them touching, pushing, and curling together was strangely sweet.

By the time his lungs felt empty and his heart felt as though it might burst, their lips finally parted.

He did not dislike that Kailos had stolen one last quick kiss before letting go.

On the contrary, it startled him and left him oddly pleased.

“I knew this would happen.”

Kailos spoke with utter confidence.

“What do you mean?”

Leslun furrowed his brow as he asked, his gaze unable to settle anywhere. His breathing had not yet steadied, and his cheeks were flushed with a faint heat.

“That you would realize how charming I can be.”

Kailos smiled smugly, and that smile made Leslun’s heart jolt once again.

“It was simply a promise I made.”

Leslun tried to answer as stiffly as possible, though with his face so red, it was obvious he was forcing himself to appear calm.

“My mother… she said I look better.”

He had meant to tell Kailos how glad he had been to see his parents, yet somehow he blurted out something completely unrelated and ducked his head.

“Did she?”

Kailos cupped Leslun’s cheek in his palm.

His thumb brushed casually along Leslun’s temple, then he studied his face carefully as if to see whether he truly looked healthier.

“You do look better. Still a bit too thin, though.”

“I have been eating very well lately. Better than ever before. I even put on weight.”

With both cheeks caught between Kailos’s hands, Leslun’s lips jutted out slightly as he muttered, though his tone made it clear he was proud of the fact. His eyes shone brightly.

“Do not lie just to make me feel good.”

Kailos looked at him as if the very idea was absurd, but Leslun shook his head firmly.

“It is true.”

He shook his head once more, determined.