Kalix reflexively looked around, then immediately realized it was directed at him and cautiously waved his hand. At that sight, Alexander seemed to be saying something with his lips, but that wasn’t clearly visible.
Alexander seemed to know that too and shrugged his shoulders once, then tried to gesture something, but was blocked by the person next to him. Only then did Kalix realize there was someone next to Alexander. Actually, it was natural. There were people next to Alexander, in front of him, and behind him too. Kalix had just been looking only at Alexander.
But another blonde. It was someone he’d never seen before. He naturally didn’t know what year they were either. He could only see that the hair neatly tied under the cap was golden. The woman grabbed Alexander’s arm as if to stop him. Why grab his arm? Then when she said something, Alexander leaned toward the woman. They were already close, so why? His mood suddenly soured. When I grab him, he immediately stops me, but when someone else grabs him, he just leaves it alone.
When the woman let go of Alexander, Alexander straightened his posture again, then turned his head slightly to look at Kalix again. Then he glanced around cautiously and touched his wrist. He probably meant his watch. So what was he supposed to do about it? Just looking at him, Alexander softened his expression slightly.
At that expression, his annoyance subsided ridiculously quickly again. When Kalix nodded as if to say he would wait, Alexander smiled. Though his eyes weren’t clearly visible because he had pulled his cap down again, the corner of his mouth that showed underneath rising gracefully definitely caught the eye. He was handsome.
Alexander composed his expression again and looked straight ahead, but Kalix continued to look at Alexander. Opportunities to openly observe Alexander like this weren’t common. It was disappointing that his forehead, brow bone, and eyes weren’t clearly visible because of the cap, but his nose bridge below was sharp. His skin had good color, and his lips that usually seemed indifferent but softened when he smiled, his well-defined jawline, his straight neck, his firm shoulders even though they were covered.
And he remembered this morning. They had kissed this morning too. Even so, Alexander said that although there was no training today, they all had to prepare together and eat together, so he had to leave first. Then, saying Kalix kept grabbing Alexander, he had tied their hands together with cloth. Even so, he let the tied hand rest around his neck, so they were actually closer than usual. Close enough for their chests to touch.
Kalix looked at his watch. Time moved too slowly.
* * *
After the Academy director’s sermon ended, another sermon from someone from a neighboring country who was specially invited followed, and then another sermon from some high official of their own country followed again. It was quite boring, but Alexander maintained his posture without faltering. Seeing that, Kalix could endure it too. Besides, unlike Alexander who had to keep looking straight ahead, Kalix could just look at Alexander, so it was easier on his eyes.
When noon came and the ceremony finally ended, Alexander said something to the students from the same department around him, then immediately approached Kalix.
“You waited.”
“It’s okay.”
Kalix stared intently at Alexander. Last year during the harvest festival, he had really only glimpsed him in his dress uniform. He had seen it during his coming-of-age ceremony too, but even then he just thought it suited him and didn’t really take it in. Perhaps because of that, even though he had been watching continuously until just now, it seemed fascinating and unfamiliar, and maybe a little thrilling.
“What did you do last year?”
The straight legs that hadn’t been properly visible because he was sitting were also perfectly wrapped in the uniform. It was a well-maintained body no matter when he looked at it. Alexander probably already knew that Kalix was scanning his body, but Kalix tried to answer as if nothing was wrong.
“I didn’t do anything. What did you do?”
“Always the same. Just looked around casually.”
With whom? That question suddenly came to mind, but he didn’t ask. If it was last year, it would naturally have been Skylar. Or maybe friends, or perhaps both. Among those friends, was that blonde from just now there too? Or maybe Rose?
Still, Kalix walked quietly with Alexander without asking, then when he saw Alexander moving toward the temporary shops, he lightly grabbed his sleeve.
“Sasha, we can’t go there.”
Though the Academy restricted outsiders’ entry, during the harvest festival, merchants could rarely enter. So temporary shops would be lined up in one area, but for Kalix, it was one of the places he shouldn’t even look at.
“Why?”
“They sell strange things there.”
It really was like that. They sold some strange things.
“They can’t sell strange things, can they?”
All merchants who could enter had to get permission, and the list of goods they brought in was all inspected, so Alexander’s words were natural. But still, strange things were mixed in.
“But they still sell them.”
From Kalix’s perspective, they were probably aphrodisiacs, but they sold them under the name of some bizarre elixir. Besides, accessories and such things all claimed to have some effect and pulled strange scams.
“Alright, then let’s not go.”
But instead of asking more or being suspicious, Alexander turned his steps to another place at Kalix’s words. Kalix slightly moved the hand that had been holding Alexander’s sleeve to cautiously touch his fingers, then held his hand. Accurately, he tried to hold it. But before that, Alexander glanced at Kalix and pulled his hand away.
“No physical contact while wearing this uniform. For maintaining dignity.”
And at the following words, Kalix answered without having time to organize his thoughts.
“What strange rules there are.”
“Exactly.”
Kalix didn’t know much about his own department, and even less about the military studies department. So it was really the first time he knew there was such a rule. Of course, even adults were prohibited from drinking while wearing Academy uniforms, which applied to everyone, but not being able to even hold hands while wearing dress uniforms was too much.
“Can’t you take it off?”
The opening ceremony was over anyway, so now he could change into comfortable clothes. Originally, Kalix and students from other departments all did that.
“Take it off?”
Alexander glanced at Kalix just like that.
“Want to see?”
Then at the subtle voice that followed, Kalix tried not to be swept away. Of course he wanted to see, but Kalix wanted to like Alexander purely. Not like sexual desire or anything. Since Kalix really cherished Alexander and thought of him as important, he wanted to only act responsibly.
“I meant can’t you change clothes.”
“There’s no reason I can’t.”
Alexander didn’t seem to particularly expect anything special either, as he continued casually.
“I was wearing it because you seemed to like this outfit.”
Then his gaze met Kalix’s.
“Do you like it?”
Kalix looked around cautiously for a moment, then answered.
“Yes.”
Because it really was like that. That didn’t mean he particularly liked this appearance more than others. Whatever Alex wore, he liked it all. He just looked more closely at this appearance because he couldn’t see it often. At his honestly spoken voice, Alexander moved his steps toward the dormitory.
“Let’s go get undressed.”
“It’s called changing clothes.”
Alexander always had a talent for saying things strangely for no reason. Kalix corrected him while obediently following Alexander toward the dormitory. The closer they got to the dormitory, the higher they climbed the floors, the closer they got to their room, the faster their steps became.
As soon as they entered the room, Alexander pushed Kalix against the wall and kissed him. Kalix tried to pull Alexander closer, then reflexively held back. Alexander clearly knew such signs, as he could feel his lips curving up through their contact.
Alexander intertwined his fingers with Kalix’s hand and moved while their lips remained touching, seating Kalix on the bed. Though Alexander was leaning down, he was still standing, so naturally his head tilted up and their breaths mixed more deeply.
When he unconsciously pulled Alexander closer this time, Alexander pulled his lips away as always.
“Stay still.”
Alexander had Kalix lean against the headboard, then tied Kalix’s wrists again with the cloth he had used to bind Kalix’s hands that morning. When Kalix impatiently tried to kiss him again, Alexander turned his head to avoid it.
“Sasha.”
At that call, Alexander looked at Kalix.
“You’re really.”
With his wrists bound, Kalix wrapped his arms around the back of Alexander’s neck and pulled him close. Kalix stared at Alexander sitting on his bed.
“Mean.”
He had said Kalix could do whatever he wanted, but in reality it wasn’t like that at all.
“Look who’s talking.”
Alexander kissed him again. The slow mixing of tongues and ravaging of his mouth was frustrating. As he naturally pulled Alexander closer, their chests touched before he knew it. Then Alexander pulled his head out from between Kalix’s arms and made Kalix place his hands obediently on his chest.
“Why.”
His tone was naturally displeased from the frustration.
“If we keep doing this, I think I’ll have to end it quickly.”
Alexander held Kalix’s hand and gently stroked it soothingly with his thumb.
“But today I want to take it a bit more leisurely and do it for longer.”
Then he respectfully kissed Kalix’s hand, and his bound wrist.
“Be good and endure it.”
His gaze wavered at the voice that lightly bit the inside of his wrist wrapped in cloth.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
