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Taking advantage of the commotion and unusual festivities in his dormitory, the prince locked eyes with his target like a hungry tiger: a reptile lurking in the shadows. He was keeping a low profile. For someone who had savoured the victory of beating the Prince of Scalding Sands himself, he didn’t seem to want much more than the bare minimum of attention. False modesty for someone who, in addition to being the winner, had cooked most of the food there, supervised the rest, and, on top of that, could also dance.
And if Minajael had agreed to his cousin’s outlandish idea, it was for one reason alone: bringing Jamil into his territory as soon as possible. Fascination and intrigue as a shield, whatever arose as a sword.
Finally, he managed to position himself beside him without him slipping away. After all, in the kitchen, few people were going to come in with so much food out. Even fewer with the bolt locked. With his back to him, the snake who sought so much social escape looked at him resignedly.
Hm, didn’t he have any more masks to put on that day?
“Prin… Minajael-senpai. Good evening. A splendid party.”
Yes, he still had one left.
“Jamil.” He stepped toward him. “I see that, despite the splendid evening, you’ve stepped away for a moment.” Jamil’s shoulders tensed at Minajael’s determined footsteps. However, there was no escape. “Though I appreciate it. This way we can be, well, alone.”
“What do I owe the... pleasure?”
Once in front of him, Minajael rested his hand on the counter behind Jamil. A sly look and a smirk framed his face.
“You’ve been my rival before, and not only that; you’ve beaten me.” The swallow of saliva was like a bow. Minajael realised that Jamil still wasn’t seeing them as equals. So he took a small step back. “And the guys who beat me—well, let’s just say it doesn’t happen often, so they intrigue me.” Minajael tried to steer the conversation toward interest rather than the power dynamic. “You’ve done everything perfectly; I’m fascinated.”
Ah, finally a decently sincere smile. Oh, how cute; he’d even blushed. However, that barrier was still there. Wait, it was a fake smile, right? But the blush couldn’t be faked. Intriguing, no doubt.
“I’m glad my talents are appreciated, especially by someone… You know.” Oh, no, that was still the same cordial tone. The prince wanted him to shed his skin just as he had done at the tournament.
“Yes, you haven’t held back despite our origins, and I’ve felt that firsthand. But…” Minajael licked his lips. He was cautious as he placed his other hand on him, technically capturing him. “I wouldn’t want that to be the only thing we do as equals. And I think…” Tilting his head, he looked him up and down. Hmm, goosebumps, dilated pupils… “That we’re on the same page, actually.”
“I don’t know what you mean, Minajael-senpai.” Oh, so not yet, huh? “I’m afraid I still don’t see any light shed on the matter.”
“You know? Actually, the moon in Dunasmina’s bedroom shines on its own. It’s said that everything it casts…” With a deft wave of his wand, the kitchen lights went out. “Ends up in a shadow dance.”
Grey eyes scanned the surroundings. Crossing his arms, he raised an eyebrow. “And what about the lit areas? We’ll have to take those into account.”
“But we’re not in one, are we?” Turning his head, Minajael brushed his bangs away from his eyes. With that same hand, he took the opportunity to cup Jamil’s chin. “Unless, like the Moon, you have a hidden side you want to reveal to me.” He emphasised suggestively. But his gaze softened as he reiterated, “I guarantee it won’t get out of here, if that’s the case.”
Jamil swallowed again—yes, but this time it wasn’t like before. Finally, he used his hands. With his palms resting on his shoulders, anyone would say he was going to push him away, but he just stayed at a safe distance for now. Unable to tell if he was going to pull him in completely or end it all.
After exhaling through his nose in exasperation, he grumbled. “You’ve always been a…”
“I don’t want titles tonight. Not yours, not mine.” Which made Jamil roll his eyes.
“Were you rehearsing that for anyone who might beat you? Which drew a small laugh from the prince. Did he really have such a reputation as a womaniser? And yet he usually wasn’t interested in anyone… Jamil was an exception. Although he wanted to have more experiences, not everyone dared to kiss the prince.
“Oh, I beg your pardon; I only have one moon. A moon that shines no matter how far away it is. A beautiful moon. Unreachable. With sides that any restless human would want to explore. But today…” He looked at Jamil’s lips, pressing his thumb against the corner. “I am a man who allows himself to bring fantasies into reality and finally reach them.”
Jamil had always caught his eye. He was magnetic. The moon of his waves. And the tides could only respond to him. Today, after so much buildup, the high waves had crashed over them like a tsunami.
The fingers holding the folds of his jacket closed completely.
“So, will the sailor keep his mouth shut?”
“You have my word. You know that, like me, it would be a scandal.”
“A scandal. And yet, you still want to.”
“Well, I’m not the one who’d be scandalised." From his chin, he moved to cradle his cheek. Minajael shuddered too, feeling it against Jamil’s skin. “And I’m only worried because you’re worried. Besides, I’m not stupid. I know that if we leave here, the repercussions won’t be the same.”
Minajael was heartbroken by his mistrust. Far from fearing rejection, it stemmed from understanding everything Jamil had been through. The search for why he was this way. After all, who knew how many layers lay on the dark side of the Moon? And even without knowing, Minajael wanted to make things better for him wherever he could.
And now, perhaps, was the perfect opportunity.
“Just for tonight, like I told you. No roles, no burdens. Just… you and me, if that’s what you want too,” Minajael added. “You have my word.”
With that lovely face looking at him, he almost wanted to cover it with kisses. Hold back, Minajael; you don’t have his consent yet.
The final decision had to come from Jamil, then, from his hands. They drew him toward him. Yet their lips still weren't touching.
“Coming here, cornering me, and proposing crazy things despite how rational you are. Royal blood runs through your veins, no doubt about it.”
“Yes, it’s clear you’re… experienced with our family.”
“I’d rather rip my tongue out first.”
Ah, he had indeed assumed the worst from his words. Even so, faced with the confirmation that Minajael was the first and apparently the last, well then, he would take advantage of that.
“And with me?” He brushed the long strand of hair falling across his forehead behind his ear so it wouldn’t get in the way. “What are you going to do with your tongue?”
Minajael’s pulse raced when Jamil tilted his face to give him a demonstration on his lips. From the creases, he raised his hands until his palms cupped Minajael’s cheeks, taking the lead in their kisses. Minajael happily let himself be orchestrated.
Who was the one trapped now? Definitely not Jamil. A snake that had let itself be caught as false prey before snaring its predator. Instead of a scaly body, it was Jamil’s legs coiled around his waist, pulling him close to press their bodies together. Now, sitting on the countertop with the prince subtly hunched over him.
With every kiss, Minajael enjoyed a different kind of freedom and desire. The kind that had always slipped through his fingers because of his position in high society. Now, he was just another boy succumbing to one of thousands of mundane experiences. Something as simple as a few kisses, and Minajael, unable to take his hands off the matter. Feeling an inner fire that he could count on one hand the times it had been awakened.
It didn’t take long for Jamil to put that tongue to use. Now, clutching his hair, he wrapped his arms around his neck. Just as Minajael had said before, two lovers dancing in the moonlight behind the shadows.
Surely they would be missed at any moment by their students. But until that happened, they would stay like this a little while longer, reaching for an idyllic moon that was now more tangible than ever.