CHAPTER 254: 254: BORING AT IT

"Huh?" Eden was confused.

"I think you do," Adrian smiled. "You’ve been wanting to sleep with me since day one."

Eden rolled his eyes as Adrian scoffed. "Presumptuous," Eden muttered.

He smiled as he said, "But... thanks again."

Eden stared at him. "Huh?"

"For saving me back then. Thanks."

Eden stared at him. Their eyes locked as Eden felt the warmth run through him. The same warmth he felt when the two of them spent moments together at his place.

The same feeling of warmth that had his heart fluttering.

The two of them had always been bickering or playing a game of wits whenever they met. It had become a part of their dynamic now. Something they were used to. So whenever they got soft with each other, whenever Adrian grew soft and genuine with his words towards him, Eden always felt it.

Soft, fluttering and almost enamoured. Eden was certain of his development towards him. And it had added to his thousand other insecurities in this new world.

"So.. when are you giving me the cure next?" Adrian asked.

"Huh?"

"We made a deal. You cure and I won’t kill you. So?" Adrian raised an eyebrow.

"Oh," Eden nodded. "Don’t worry, you’ll get it."

Adrian smiled. "Maybe tonight?" He asked as he drew closer to his face, his voice low. "At your room...?"

Eden rolled his eyes. "Dream on."

The melody was changing. The switch was coming and so the two knew they’d have to switch partners soon.

"It was fun talking with you, Mr. Marquis," Eden said. "Or not."

"Can I not let you go? I want to keep dancing with you till the end indeed. Those ladies are boring."

Eden scoffed. "You’ve been dancing with thousands of them at balls, remember? Now go continue your straight life," Eden said as they switched.

An abrupt switch. He had the last words before he fell into the arms of his next partner.

Luckily for him, he never got a lady as a partner. He wouldn’t know what to do and they’d just stand there staring at each other properly till the next switch. Or maybe they could just talk about the latest gossip in town, like who the duchess of the south was sleeping with recently or something.

But Eden had fallen into another familiar arms. Tall, nicely built, brown hair, glasses instead of a mask.

He knew this nerd.

Eden smiled as Leo found his arms on his waist. He enjoyed the panic on Leo’s face as he stared at his own arms around Eden’s waist.

Leo hesitated, staring at Eden’s face to confirm that it was a man.

"I guess fate is on our side, we are certainly destined to have a gay moment tonight. The Yaoi gods do listen to prayers," Eden teased.

Leo wanted to pull out his hands. But Eden pressed his hands firmly to his waist while holding onto his other arm, preventing him from escaping.

"What?" Eden asked. "You can’t just ruin the flow of the dance. That wouldn’t be so ethical of you, My lord."

Leo stared at him. They weren’t moving yet. They stood there, Leo’s hands forcefully held to Eden. Others were already dancing.

"I’m not interested in dancing," Leo said. "Let me go before I force you."

Eden scoffed. "It’s not up to you to decide. It’s a tradition, so keep it," Eden smiled. "So let’s dance now, or I’ll use my powers to make you do more than dance with me here."

It was a threat. And Eden guessed he had learnt it from Adrian. He’d always learn the most shameless thing from him. That’s what happens when you put two shameless people in the same room.

Leo paused, staring at him for what seemed like seconds. He said nothing within these moments, and after a long while he held Eden. Holding his waist firmly and taking his hands to his own shoulder. And so he began dancing voluntarily.

Eden smiled. "What? It was that easy? I guess you really don’t want to sleep with me in the open here."

"Shut up," Leo muttered, staring into Eden’s eyes. "And dance."

Eden smiled. He could swear he saw Leo’s face redden in that moment.

And so they danced, quietly for a while before Eden spoke after staring at him all through their dance. "Have you been able to sleep well since then?"

It was random, but Leo still managed to answer. "None of your business."

"Of course it’s mine. I’m your physician. Your therapist. And if you haven’t been such an asshole and tried killing me, then maybe I would have helped you with your trauma."

Leo was quiet for a while. They were dancing, but he wasn’t even staring at him. His eyes moved everywhere but his face. "Mind your business. I don’t need your help, you don’t have to pretend to care."

"I mean it," Eden said, genuine. Leo stared at him, their eyes met. "I mean it. I want to help you."

Their eyes slowly lingered on each other for a while as they danced without words.

"I only need answers from the task I gave you, and not your sympathy," Leo finally said. But Eden couldn’t help but sympathise with him.

Even though he was being a jerk like the previous time, a part of him pitied the poor kid. He could understand his reaction to him considering what he had been through since childhood.

He was certain all he wanted was to get justice for his parents. His health certainly didn’t matter until he achieved that. Even though it meant going down to gain it, he would do it.

"Okay," Eden said. "I’ll give you the answers you need."

Leo was silent as he stared at his face. Eden could read the curiosity in those eyes. Eyes that were curious to hear all he had to say, desperately.

Eyes that most certainly read; Really?

He stared at Eden quietly, obviously waiting to hear what he had to say. And Eden hesitated too, taking a deep breath in and out before he spoke again.