Chapter 288 - 286: Silent seduction.

Chapter 288: Chapter 286: Silent seduction.

"Is that so?"

(It’s a pity Loac’s not that generous.)

"...You sure got a funny definition of nothing."

How there’s enough heat left in his body to rush to his face Khobi’s not sure, but he feels the back of his neck start to redden regardless, and he shoots Loac as withering of a glare as he can muster.

Even at close range, loaded with so little heat it just glances right off and Loac shoots him a smirk, chewing on the edge of a grin.

"Yeah, well." It’s not Khobi’s greatest comeback, but he’s running on about three remaining brain cells this morning so it’s a miracle he comes up with anything. "...Hope you made the most of it, coz it won’t happen again."

It should never have happened in the first place, he berates himself internally, although as he’s discovered, there’s no turning back time.

And if he was hoping his emphatic declaration would have some sort of introspective effect on Loac, he’s severely disappointed.

"Suit yourself," he shrugs, "S’your loss."

Khobi is both impressed and flabbergasted by the boundless depths of this guy’s ego.

Was this seriously the same guy who’d kissed him like his life depended on it and burned so hot against him it had felt like the entire goddamned world was on fucking fire?

"You’re unbelievable," he states stonily, and while he doesn’t mean it as any kind of compliment, Loac chooses to take it as one; voice dropping to just shy of suggestive as he whickers, "So you’ve said."

Kagami swallows, and pretends he doesn’t.

It’s an absolutely bitter time to be out in the world, but the cold air actually does him a world of good and by the time they’re nearing the castle his head’s no longer swimming.

His arms are a little numb but at least it’s not snowing, and even with the overcast sky there’s plenty of moonlight to see by, with signs of daylight starting to creep over the horizon.

Drogger would be so proud.

Then again, maybe he wouldn’t be.

Khobi never thought he’d see the day when he was glad he didn’t have training.

He’s pretty sure that running laps today would be the end of him.

If it’s even possible, Loac’s secret little tunnel back to the castle is so much darker today.

And while Khobi’s strong stomach is usually a matter of pride, he honestly does not remember it smelling this bad the last time they came through it.

He’s inclined to put it down to an aftereffect of that gross, sweet ale –that vile drink is clearly nothing but trouble.

What possessed him to drink so much of the damn stuff?

"Are you comin’ or what?" Loac demands, and Khobi suddenly realises that he’s been staring blankly at the hand thrust out to him for an inordinate time.

Ah, right.

It’s cold out, but Loac’s hand feels surprisingly warm, and when his fingers curl loose and steady around his and lead him into the darkness and through, Khobi finds himself thinking that it probably would’ve been better to just feel his way in the dark.

...

At least there’s no climbing this time. In fact, once they’re back on castle grounds Loac abandons all attempts at stealth and heads pretty much straight back towards their room.

Khobi supposes it’s more suspicious to be caught sneaking around late at night than early in the morning and while it would be weird if someone came across him out and about at this hour, it’s not entirely unheard of.

They’ve been thrown out of the training grounds for fighting in the middle of the night after all. More than once, even.

​But they barely see a soul.

The halls are still mostly wrapped in darkness but they pass by a handful of servants – although Khobi’s sure that there are more out there that he doesn’t see –and the few roving guards that they do cross paths with look more surprised to see them than suspicious.

​Barely a word passes between them, but that’s just fine.

Ideal, even.

Khobi’s head is feeling vile, and honestly the less Loac says to him in the state he’s in, the better.

Even the way he ghosts up against him as they walk the halls, fading moonlight trickling in through the gaps in the walls, is suddenly too close; too much, and heat gathers on Khobi’s skin like dust with every brush.

​(It was doing that last night, too.)

​It’s strangely hard to shake off.

The moment they reach their room, Loac makes a feeling straight for on the bed and flops down.

On Khobi’s side, no less. Not that he has a side. Because that would imply that this was their bed.

​It’s just a bed.

​One that they both happen to sleep in.

And while usually it’s big enough that sometimes Khobi forgets that there’s even anyone in there with him, he has a nasty feeling that’s going to be harder now.

​" –Hey, get back on your side," Khobi warns anyways, heading over towards his chest of clothes to find something fresh to change into.

As freezing as he is and how much he wants to bury himself in those blankets and never come out again, he feels too disgusting as is; coated in stagnant layers of old, dried sweat and newer, clammier hangover sweat.

A bath would be amazing, but a change of clothes will do. ℯ

​On the table next to the chest he finds a tray with two mugs of water and two small loaves of plain bread.

The water’s cold, and the bread is still slightly warm to the touch.

​For a second there, Khobi seriously contemplates marrying Binny.

The water tastes fresh and washes away the dust that’s gathered in his mouth after too much ale, and the bread is chewy and just the right amount of sweet and probably the only thing his stomach would have accepted.

​The guy’s outdone himself this time.

After some deliberation, he biffs the second loaf at Loac.

It lands squarely on his chest, and he makes an irritated noise from where he’s still sprawled out to his full length, unmoving.