The night grew later, and the three of them went down to the dining room to have dinner.
The atmosphere at the dining table felt much more alive than usual. Elisa, sitting at the head of the table, looked confused yet relieved seeing the drastic change in the dynamics of the young people. A few hours ago they were fighting fiercely to the point of ice magic threats, but now they were sitting close together chatting intimately.
Thank goodness the two of them have made up, thought Elisa while slicing her roast meat. She smiled faintly seeing her son laughing with Kazien. I thought their relationship would never improve after the incident in the living room earlier. Turns out blood is indeed thicker than water.
In between dinner, Allen put down his fork and looked at his two brothers with sparkling eyes.
"Kazien, Alvin..." said Allen enthusiastically. "Hopefully the three of us can be in the same class at the academy tomorrow! It would be very fun if we could study together."
Kazien stopped eating for a moment, then smiled faintly.
"Yes, Alvin and I also hope the same as you, Allen. That would simplify a lot of things." answered Kazien.
Once they finished dinner together, the three of them walked up the stairs towards Allen's spacious bedroom.
However, as their footsteps went down the hallway, Kazien's steps suddenly stopped. His calm face suddenly turned pale, as if he had just remembered a grave sin.
Kazien remembered his oath. The sacred oath he had once sworn to Alvin and his older sister in the past that he would not praise anyone other than his partner.
Oh my gosh, I forgot! screamed Kazien inwardly in panic. I broke my oath! Earlier in the bathroom, I consciously praised Allen's cute face in front of Alvin. How could I be this careless?
Guilt immediately seized his heart. He immediately turned to Alvin, holding both of his fiancé's shoulders tightly.
"Alvin, forgive me!" exclaimed Kazien suddenly.
Alvin became puzzled. He tilted his head with a confused expression seeing the panic on Kazien's face.
"Why are you apologizing to me, my dear?" asked Alvin gently.
"I have broken my oath to you!" confessed Kazien with a tone full of regret. "Earlier... I praised Allen's face in front of you. I said it clearly. I don't mind if you want to punish me right now for my impudence!"
Hearing that reason, Alvin actually chuckled softly. He stroked Kazien's cheek, staring into his future husband's eyes with deep affection.
"I know very well your character which always speaks bluntly and honestly, my dear." said Alvin with a gentle smile. "Just praising someone's face like that, especially your own cousin, won't hurt my feelings. I know your heart belongs only to me."
Kazien was stunned. He didn't know what to say to respond to Alvin's magnanimity. He truly felt ashamed and at the same time loved Alvin even more because of his extraordinary understanding.
They continued their steps into the room.
Allen's room was very spacious with a king-size bed that was more than enough to accommodate three people. Without awkwardness, they arranged their sleeping positions.
As per his habit, Alvin climbed up and slept on top of Kazien's body, making his fiancé's broad chest his personal mattress. Meanwhile, Allen laid his body right next to Kazien.
Allen stared at the unique sleeping position next to him with rounded eyes.
"Alvin..." called Allen curiously. "Do you always sleep on top of his body like that?"
Alvin nodded firmly, his chin resting on Kazien's chest.
"Of course," answered Alvin. "Sleeping on top of his body like this can make me feel comfortable and peaceful. His heartbeat is my lullaby. My sleep also becomes very sound like this."
Allen nodded understandingly, although to him it still looked unusual. However, the surprise for Allen hadn't ended yet.
Before closing his eyes, Alvin lifted his head slightly. He kissed Kazien's lips gently.
"Good night, my dear."
"Good night, Alvin."
They exchanged a brief but intimate kiss, followed by warm good nights from both.
Allen, lying beside them, was surprised seeing that scene from such a close distance. Allen didn't understand the same-sex relationship he was witnessing. For him who grew up alone, such intimacy felt foreign and confusing, but on the other hand, he could feel the sincerity of love between them.
The night passed peacefully.
....
Morning sunlight broke through the gaps in the window curtains, illuminating the silent room.
Morning came, and Allen woke up first before the two of them. He blinked his eyes, adjusting to the light. He turned to the side and found a peaceful scene.
Alvin was still fast asleep on Kazien's chest, while Kazien slept on his back with one hand hugging Alvin's waist protectively.
Allen looked at Kazien's face which was fast asleep. In silence, he admired his cousin's facial features.
If I look closely again, turns out his face is really handsome, Allen admitted inwardly. Seeing him fast asleep like this, without a cold expression or sharp gaze, his handsomeness becomes even more apparent. He is truly blessed with a perfect physique.
Allen sat up on the bed, stretching his muscles. He then gently shook Kazien and Alvin's shoulders. "Wake up!" shouted Allen cheerfully. "It's already morning! We can't be late on the first day!"
Kazien and Alvin groaned softly, then opened their eyes. And the first thing they did when their consciousness returned was to look at each other and share an intimate kiss as the opening of the day.
"Good morning, my dear."
"Good morning, Alvin."
Allen, seeing that morning routine, fell silent again. He couldn't hold back his curiosity anymore.
"Why do you two always kiss like that every time you open your eyes?" asked Allen innocently.
Alvin released his lip lock, then turned to Allen while smiling. "We always do it just for self-satisfaction," answered Alvin casually responding to the question. "It's like... recharging energy to go through the day."
After hearing the simple yet straightforward answer, Allen didn't ask again. He got out of bed and immediately invited the two of them.
"Alright, let's get ready. The bathroom is empty!"
Kazien and Alvin got up from the bed. They looked so enthusiastic walking side by side towards the bathroom with Allen.
On the way to the bathroom, Kazien suddenly whispered seriously to Alvin. "Alvin, today we will become academy students," said Kazien, his eyes staring straight ahead. "So, I ask you... don't do your best during the entrance test later! Hold back your strength for the sake of my plan!"
Alvin nodded obediently. "I don't know what you are planning in detail. But I will follow what you say! I will hold back."
Allen, hearing that conversation, immediately chimed in. He realized something.
"I understand!" responded Allen excitedly. "If you hold back so you don't get into a separate elite class, then I will also do what you do so we can be in the same class! I will adjust my grades!"
That idea sounded perfect for the three of them.
"Good!" exclaimed Kazien.
The three of them high-fived each other, then laughed together, enjoying that little conspiracy in the morning.
A few moments later, Kazien stood tall in front of the large mirror in his room. He looked at his reflection now clad in the academy uniform, an elegant black suit with bold red lines symbolizing courage. The uniform fit his body perfectly, making him look dashing.
He tidied his collar, his gaze sharpening as he looked at his own reflection in the mirror.
Today, I will become an academy student, thought Kazien with determination. No matter what, my plan must succeed!