Calian stared back, his expression flat but his eyes honest.
"Because you are my partner!" answered Calian simply. "A body that isn't maintained won't work optimally. I need you in 100% condition. So, eat. Don't make me feed you to get you to eat."
The last sentence was meant as sarcasm or a light threat.
But to Wolvin's brain, short-circuited by love, it sounded like an offer. His face instantly exploded into a tomato red color.
"I-I can eat by myself!" Wolvin shouted in panic, immediately grabbing the spoon and scooping the hot broth quickly. "See! I'm eating! Nom!"
Calian smiled thinly, very thinly, then returned to his own food. "Good."
Wolvin chewed while suppressing a stupid smile on his face. Calian's knee was still touching his under the table, and Wolvin had absolutely no intention of moving his leg away.
The peak of all that frustration and hidden admiration happened a few days later, at sunset.
The sword training session had just finished. The backyard of the West Pavilion was bathed in dramatic reddish-orange light.
Calian stood in the middle of the yard, leaning on his wooden sword. He was panting, his chest heaving rapidly. His white training shirt was soaked with sweat, clinging tight to his body, clearly outlining the pectoral and abdominal muscles that were starting to form perfectly.
His usually neat purple hair was messy, a few strands sticking to his wet forehead. He wiped the sweat on his neck with the back of his hand, a movement that somehow looked very masculine and sexy in Wolvin's eyes.
Wolvin himself sat cross-legged on the grass not far away, hugging his water pouch. He should be drinking, but he forgot how to swallow.
His eyes were locked.
He watched how the sweat flowed from Calian's temple, down to his jaw, then to that slender neck. He watched the sharp look in Calian's eyes staring at the sky, full of determination.
He is so handsome, beautiful, and elegant, Wolvin thought, admitting defeat. Before, he was just an arrogant skinny noble kid. Now... look at him. He shines.
Wolvin propped his chin on his hand, smiling small unconsciously. He was like a secret fan staring at an idol from the front row. He didn't care anymore; he kept staring because he assumed Calian was a human who would never be perceptive.
Suddenly, Calian turned.
His movement was fast and sharp. Those amethyst purple eyes met directly with Wolvin's golden eyes, which were daydreaming with longing.
Gasp!
Time stopped. Not because of magic, but because of shock.
Wolvin was caught red-handed. He froze, his mouth slightly open.
Calian didn't look away immediately. Instead, he squinted, staring at Wolvin intently. He straightened his body, then started walking closer.
Calian's steps were firm. He walked straight toward Wolvin.
Wolvin panicked. Damn. He realized. He must be disgusted seeing me stare at him like a crazy person. He will scold me, or maybe he will stay away from me or kick me out of here.
Wolvin wanted to stand up and run, but his legs were weak.
Calian stopped right in front of Wolvin. Since Wolvin was sitting and Calian was standing, Calian towered over him. His shadow covered Wolvin.
"Wolvin..." called Calian, his voice hoarse from fatigue.
"Y-Yes?" squeaked Wolvin. He looked down, not daring to look into those eyes.
Suddenly, Calian squatted down. Their faces were now level. The distance was dangerous. Wolvin could feel the heat radiating from Calian's body post-workout.
"You're doing it again!" said Calian softly.
Wolvin squeezed his water pouch. "Doing what?"
"Staring at me!" said Calian. He tilted his head, his expression very serious, as if solving a difficult puzzle. "Since this morning. In the bathroom, in the reading room, at dinner, and now. You keep stealing glances at me with those eyes of yours."
Wolvin's heart felt like it was going to explode. His wolf ears drooped. His tail curled in fear.
He knows. I'm finished.
"Calian, I..." Wolvin tried to find an excuse, but his tongue was tied. "Forgive me. I didn't mean to be presumptuous. I just..."
"You must be very hungry, right?" interrupted Calian suddenly.
Silence...
The evening wind blew past, carrying the sound of crickets.
Wolvin lifted his face slowly. His eyes blinked in confusion. "Huh?"
Calian sighed deeply, then smiled understandingly, a smile full of pity.
"Don't lie, Partner. I know that look. It's the look of a predator spotting prey. Intense, focused, and unblinking."
Calian patted the top of Wolvin's head, stroking his fine black hair gently.
"You're staring at me like a wolf staring at the most delicious premium steak in the world. You must be heavily starving after this training, but you were too shy to ask for extra rations because you said you were on a diet, right?"
Wolvin's jaw dropped. His brain tried to process the information. He... he thinks I'm staring at him because I want to eat him? Literally? As food?
Relief, frustration, annoyance, and the urge to laugh mixed into one confusing emotion. Wolvin stared at the handsome face in front of him looking so confident with his own deduction.
"You..." Wolvin's voice trembled. "You think that 'hungry' look... is because of my stomach?"
"Of course!" answered Calian confidently. "What else? It's natural if you stare at me as if you want to bite my neck out of hunger. If not for hunger, then, what are you looking at me like that for?"
Calian stood up, then reached out his hand.
"Come on, get up. Nutritional issues are my responsibility. I will cook a double portion for you tonight. Roasted venison with honey sauce. You can eat until you're full. As long as you stop staring at me with those scary eyes."
Wolvin stared at the outstretched hand.
He laughed. A small laugh escaped his lips. He couldn't believe how dense his genius partner was. But at the same time, that density saved him.
Wolvin took the outstretched hand. His smooth hand was gripped tightly by Calian's warm hand. Calian pulled him up easily.
Since their heights were almost the same, standing face-to-face like this, their eyes met again.
"You really are dense, Calian..." mumbled Wolvin with a crooked smile, a smile that made his cute face look a bit mischievous.
"What?" Calian raised an eyebrow.
"I said, I want a triple portion!" exclaimed Wolvin, masking his feelings with childishness. "And I want you to cut the meat for me! My hands are sore!"
Calian snorted in amusement but didn't let go of Wolvin's hand. They walked side by side toward the back door of the pavilion.
"So spoiled. You have your own knife, Wolvin."
"My hands hurt, Calian! This is your asset speaking!"
"Alright, alright. So noisy."
From behind, Wolvin's black tail wagged excitedly left and right, betraying his entire protesting attitude. Wolvin looked at Calian's side profile and smiled softly.
Stupid partner! thought Wolvin. I am indeed hungry, Calian. But it's not the venison I'm looking at.
Let my partner stay dense for now. At least, I can keep staring at him with the excuse of "hunger". And who knows, one day, that dense rock will realize that the wolf beside him wants more than just dinner.