The evening was grand, as expected. The chandeliers above cast a golden glow over the hall, illuminating the finest of Bellemont's elite gathered to celebrate generosity under Theo’s name. Diplomats, royals, business magnates—each one had played their part in funding his foundation’s efforts, and now, they basked in an evening of refinement and luxury.
Standing at the head of the hall, Theo lifted his glass. The room quieted, all eyes turning to him.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began smoothly, his voice carrying over the elegant murmurs, “tonight is not about status, nor power. It is about change—real, tangible change. Because of your generosity, countless lives will be improved, opportunities created, futures secured.” He let the words settle, offering a measured smile. “For that, I thank you. Please, enjoy the evening.”
A polite applause followed, glasses clinking as guests turned back to their tables. Theo exhaled, stepping away from the spotlight, letting the evening take its course.
But, of course, he never got too long a reprieve.
“You’re starting to sound like a proper royal,” came a familiar voice behind him.
Theo didn’t have to turn to know who it was. Cassius.
“Careful,” Theo mused, taking a sip of his wine before glancing over his shoulder. “Someone might think you mean that as a compliment.”
Cass was already smirking. “And if I did?”
Theo gave him a slow, knowing look. “Then I’d have to assume you were feeling sentimental. Which, frankly, would be deeply concerning.”
Cass chuckled, stepping beside him, his own drink in hand. The air between them hummed—charged, like the aftershocks of a storm neither of them wanted to name.
“I mean it, though,” Cass said after a pause. “This entire event, the turnout, the donations—it's impressive. You're impressive.”
Theo hummed. “I should have someone record that. Wouldn’t want you to deny it later.”
Cass tilted his head, eyes glinting with something unreadable. “I never deny the truth, Theo.”
Theo felt that look like a slow burn against his skin.
And just like that, it was too much.
“Come on,” he said, setting his glass down. “Walk with me.”
Cass arched a brow but followed without hesitation.
---
Bellemont at night had its own rhythm. Away from the grand halls and the weight of politics, the city breathed with quiet life. Street vendors still lingered, their carts filled with late-night treats. Children ran through the squares, laughing under the glow of hanging lanterns. Musicians played in the open air, their melodies weaving through the cobblestone streets.
Cass hadn’t expected Theo to lead him here.
“Didn’t take you for the type to stroll through festival crowds,” Cass mused, walking a step behind as Theo weaved through the narrow streets with the ease of someone who belonged.
Theo glanced at him over his shoulder. “You thought I spent all my time in gilded halls?”
Cass smirked. “No, but I assumed you preferred places where people aren’t constantly bumping into you.”
As if on cue, a small child darted past them, nearly colliding with Theo’s side. Instead of stepping away, Theo crouched slightly, catching the boy’s shoulder before he could tumble.
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“Careful,” Theo said, voice light. “Where are you running off to?”
The boy blinked up at him before grinning. “The lanterns!” He pointed ahead, where dozens of glowing paper lanterns swayed in the air. “Papa said we can write wishes on them.”
Theo nodded solemnly. “Sounds important. Go on, then.”
The boy beamed, then tore off toward his waiting family.
Cass watched as Theo straightened, his expression unreadable. “You do this often?”
Theo shrugged. “I grew up here, Cass. Not in a palace. Not in a world of royals and dignitaries.” He gestured toward the street vendors. “These people remember me. Not as a Bellemont prince—but as Theo.”
Cass studied him for a moment. “And you like that?”
Theo’s lips quirked. “Wouldn’t you?”
Cass didn’t answer.
Instead, he let the moment stretch, the sounds of the festival wrapping around them, folding them into something softer.
They kept walking, their pace unhurried.
Cass, ever observant, noticed the way Theo’s fingers brushed against the fabric of his sleeve absentmindedly—a restless habit. He noticed the way the warm lantern light softened the sharp lines of Theo’s face, how his usual guarded expression was just a little looser here.
“You’re good at this,” Cass said suddenly.
Theo arched a brow. “At what?”
“Being a prince. Even when you pretend you’re not.”
Theo scoffed. “You think this is me pretending?”
Cass tilted his head, watching him. “I think this is you showing a side no one in that royal hall ever gets to see.” He stepped closer, voice dipping lower, teasing. “Tell me, Theo—how many of them know you sneak out to midnight festivals and chat with children about lantern wishes?”
Theo rolled his eyes but didn’t step away when Cass moved beside him, their shoulders brushing.
“You talk as if I live in hiding,” Theo muttered.
Cass smirked. “Don’t you?”
Theo didn’t answer.
Instead, he turned toward one of the stalls, reaching for a skewer of roasted chestnuts. Cass watched as he handed a few coins to the vendor without hesitation, nodding in thanks before breaking off a piece and popping it into his mouth.
Cass crossed his arms, amused. “Should I be honored you’re showing me this side of Bellemont?”
Theo hummed. “I didn’t plan to.”
Cass grinned. “Yet here we are.”
Theo broke off another piece of chestnut before, without thinking, holding it out toward Cass. An offering. A silent challenge.
Cass hesitated for only a second before leaning in—not taking the food from Theo’s hand, but biting into it, his lips just barely brushing Theo’s fingertips.
Theo stilled.
It was brief. Fleeting. But the shift was unmistakable.
Cass chewed slowly, eyes locked on Theo’s. “Not bad.”
Theo exhaled sharply, pulling his hand back. “You’re insufferable.”
Cass smirked. “And you love it.”
Theo shook his head but didn’t argue.
---
They walked in silence after that, but the air between them was different now—thicker, charged.
Cass’s hand brushed against Theo’s once. Twice. A third time, slower.
Theo didn’t move away.
Cass glanced at him, catching the way Theo’s gaze flickered—not to his eyes, but to his lips.
Theo’s throat bobbed as he looked away, feigning interest in a passing lantern stall. Cass hid his smirk.
“You know,” Cass said lightly, “if you keep looking at me like that, I might start thinking you actually enjoy my company.”
Theo scoffed, glancing at him. “I tolerate your company.”
Cass grinned. “You tolerate it quite well, then.”
Theo huffed but didn’t pull away when Cass bumped their shoulders together in a deliberate, slow press of warmth.
The night stretched, and neither of them made the first move to leave.
Because neither of them wanted to.
---
They took their time walking back.
Neither of them acknowledged it, but neither of them hurried either.
The streets of Bellemont had quieted, save for the occasional laughter from a nearby tavern or the distant hum of a carriage passing through. The lanterns lining the roads cast long, flickering shadows, stretching across cobblestones worn smooth by time.
Cass walked just a little too close. Theo didn’t move away.
They spoke, but the words meant nothing.
“Well,” Cass finally broke the quiet, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “That was a successful night for you.”
Theo smirked. “You sound almost proud.”
“Oh, I am,” Cass replied easily, tilting his head toward him. “There’s something oddly charming about watching you charm an entire room of political figures into giving you their money.”
Theo hummed. “If you call it charming, you weren’t paying attention.”
“Oh, I was paying attention,” Cass countered, voice low. “Trust me.”
Theo flicked his gaze toward him, catching the sharp gleam of amusement in Cass’s eyes.
Then, just as quickly, Cass nudged him, shoulder to shoulder. “Still, you could have warned me how much I’d enjoy seeing you in action.”
“Wouldn’t have made a difference,” Theo said smoothly. “You’d have come anyway.”
Cass laughed, tipping his head slightly in agreement. “True. I do enjoy a good show.”
Their hands brushed as they walked.
Neither of them pulled away.
They reached the steps of the foundation hall far too soon.
Edric stood waiting at the doors, speaking with the last remaining dignitaries. When he caught sight of them, his eyes flickered between them—too perceptive, too knowing—but he didn’t comment.
Cass sighed dramatically. “And here I thought we’d have a few more minutes before your brother ruined the moment.”
Theo huffed a laugh. “Oh? Was this a moment?”
Cass turned to face him fully, smirking. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
Theo rolled his eyes, but Cass only grinned wider, the same infuriatingly self-assured smirk Theo had come to know far too well.
Silence stretched again.
This time, heavier.
Theo exhaled through his nose before finally offering his hand.
Cass hesitated—just for a fraction of a second—before clasping it.
And not letting go.
Theo felt the warmth of Cass’s fingers, the way they fit around his palm a little too well, a little too easily. Their grip was firm but reluctant. As if neither of them wanted to acknowledge that this—this simple parting—felt more difficult than it should.
Cass tilted his head, studying him. “Try not to miss me too much.”
Theo smirked, but it was quieter now. “Not likely.”
Cass squeezed his hand slightly. “Liar.”
Theo didn’t answer.
Didn’t let go, either.
The moment stretched, their hands still locked together. And for the first time, neither of them masked it with a joke or a tease.
Eventually, Cass sighed, his thumb ghosting over Theo’s wrist before he pulled away.
Theo’s fingers twitched at the absence.
Cass took a step back, then another, his usual smirk returning. But there was something softer in his gaze now—something neither of them dared name.
Theo swallowed, clenching his fist.
Cass hesitated for just a second more before finally turning and walking away.
Theo exhaled, forcing himself to look away.
But even as he stepped toward the hall, even as Edric’s sharp gaze lingered on him, Theo could still feel the ghost of Cassius Hartwell's touch lingering on his skin.
