***
His smile settled into something both cunning and charming. He blinked once or twice before letting go of my shoulders and finally spoke.
"Fancy seeing you."
I shook my head, snapping back to my senses, and shot him another glance - this one laced with confusion. The instincts within me reluctantly urged me to act as if nothing had happened mere seconds ago. I felt my composure return, my breathing growing lighter, before I huffed out a reply tinged with annoyance.
"Of course you'd see me here."
Contrary to my irritation, he remained boastful, brimming with energy. His thin, long lips curved along with his eyes as he glanced around, searching for any other entity beside me. Finding none, he tilted his head slightly, trying to catch a better glimpse of my face.
"Alone?"
I nodded in reply.
He immediately offered an assuring smile, though there was no one to assure.
"Oh?"
His right hand rested softly over his chest while the other extended toward me as he bowed his head slightly, a passionate glint in his eyes.
"Allow me to escort you, then."
I stared at him for a full minute, unable to grasp what was unfolding. Then, a sudden laugh escaped my lips, triggered by his smile that mimicked a foolish jester.
He breathed out a laugh along with me, keeping his eyes fixed on mine.
"See? His antics are funny - even you find them bizarre,"
he said, almost mockingly.
I wiped away the small tear threatening to spill from my eye due to laughter and nodded once more, the smile still glued to my face.
"So?"
he uttered, his hand still suspended in the air, waiting for me to take it.
"You can't be serious!"
I replied excitedly before placing my hand in his and then looping it around his arm- like royalty.
"I forgot to mention - you look good."
His tone shifted abruptly, now composed and gentle, filled with soft smiles. He seemed relaxed, his guard completely lowered unlike other times. It was refreshing to have him as company. His playful act was very entertaining. He joked without pushing any boundaries as well.
So I played along.
"My face has lost its gleam, and my hair has stopped glistening. You call that pretty?"
I replied with a mischievously prepared smile.
I could see his expression falter immediately - the face of someone who had made a mistake or didn't know how to handle the situation. His eyes darted back and forth before he stuttered out a reply.
"Ah- I… I didn't mean it like that -"
"Hahah, I'm messing with you."
I smiled freely, cackling even.
He sighed softly, smiling despite himself, then muttered, his measured voice slipping out of tune.
"I should've known!"
"Oh, look at that!"
I pointed toward a group of ladies wearing matching pastel-red hoods pulled over their heads, their faces completely concealed. I knew they were women only because of the way they moved as they entered a small shopfront named Tamor.
"Tamor?" he questioned.
"Women…"
"Where are they going?"
"Shall we take a peek?"
He glanced at my side, catching a rare glimpse of my mischievous smile, which made him shake his head with a light grin.
We didn't dare enter - only stealing a slight peek from a corner. The door had left ajar. Inside, the darkness was lit by small, fiery lights, just enough to see.
"Di! All hail the Red Dragon!!"
"Di! All hail the Red Dragon!!"
They chanted, their voices cracking midway from the strain of repetition. It was a group - one who seemed thankful to the Red Dragon for his curse.
I immediately pulled Dermis aside and asked,
"Do you know the curse?"
Instead of responding, he chortled, clutching his stomach. The laughter was infectious, attacking me instantly as well.
"Won't you join them as well?"
he bantered between laughs.
"Should I?!"
My eyes widened as I threatened him, but he only laughed harder. Our chortles echoed through the street, earning awkward glances from passing townsfolk - yet it was far too humorous to stop.
"Please don't. We still have a long journey."
He said this while wiping the tears from his eyes, then gently brushing away mine. I felt his soft touch against my cheeks. It didn't feel awkward or wrong - quite the opposite. It felt natural, neither of us making it uncomfortable.
I could only grin before admitting,
"I couldn't mention it before… but you look really charming."
He chuckled, widening his eyes dramatically.
"How late!"
Giggles filled the air once more, and the surroundings seemed to soften. Somehow, a wall had once existed between us - yet a simple exchange like this was enough to break it. I found it hard to speak with him before he reached out. I never understood the cause of that silence.
But now, I knew one thing for certain. I never wanted it again.
It would be a blessing if we remained like this from now on.
A small prayer I kept to myself.
[Tael, you better thank me later.]