"And me too."
Misha added, softly, nose brushing against Ru's in a gesture that made time hesitate.
"I like you."
No one heard the cracking sound rising from Claude's heart.
But it was there—sharp, splitting, silent.
Ru didn't move. Not yet.
He stood frozen, eyelids fluttering closed as Misha's breath warmed his skin. The moment stretched unbearably gently. For a second—just one—he let himself believe it.
He wanted to believe that this could happen.
To believe that he was truly loved.
He wanted to believe that he was capable of love, which he did not consider perverted or wrong.
Then his fingers trembled. His shoulders tightened.
He stepped back as if he had touched a curse.
Misha's smile faltered. Claude didn't look up.
"I'm bewitching you," Ru whispered. The words were quiet but laced with shame. "That's what the matter is."
Misha frowned. "Ru, what are you talking about—?"