The Weight of a Possibility

* * *

Carlos decided to leave early that morning.

Calix hadn’t said a word, but his silence came with far more persuasive gestures. He’d covered Heesoo with his own coat at night, kissed her face, gently bit her fingers—intimate acts so startling, Carlos had to convince himself he hadn’t imagined them.

‘He must’ve thought I was asleep.’

God, please let that be it. Because if Calix had done all that fully aware Carlos was watching... then he had no right to call himself a paladin—he wouldn't even be worthy of serving one.

No matter how oblivious Carlos pretended to be, there was no staying between the two of them anymore.

Heesoo and Calix were clearly close—‘too’ close. And Calix’s attitude made it painfully obvious that Carlos was no longer welcome.

“Stay healthy, Calix. I’ll smooth things over as best I can, so don’t worry about it.”

But even after Carlos left, Calix couldn’t shake the lingering unease.