The Royal Military Academy's Impostor Owns a Dungeon [BL] novel Chapter 312

Chapter 312: Fair

OH.

The word slipped out unbidden—barely more than a breath—but it carried enough weight to make his entire body go still.

His eyes widened.

His face flushed.

The kind of bright, full-bodied embarrassment that lit up every inch of him from his collarbone to the tips of his ears.

His lips parted, though no words came. Only a shallow breath as the realization of exactly where he was, and how close they were, sank into his chest like a slow burn.

Xavier didn’t move. Didn’t speak.

Just looked at him.

He remained perfectly poised, balanced above him in the tight cockpit, one hand braced beside Luca’s head, the other resting lightly at his waist. The space between them was nearly nonexistent. One of Xavier’s legs had slipped between Luca’s, their thighs pressed close in the cramped angle the cockpit allowed.

Patient. Composed. Dangerously serene.

And far too pleased.

Too composed and pleased, really. Especially for someone who had just been climbed like a mountain and kissed like a final meal.

Or maybe it was something else entirely, but the little guide was unable to focus on anything because of being too flustered.

Especially not when he looked up and made the mistake of meeting Xavier’s gaze.

There was a subtle curl to his mouth—it wasn’t a smirk, but something quieter. Warmer. Something caught between affection and quiet want.

His eyes tracked every flinch, every shift, every twitch of Luca’s fingers like they were the most fascinating things in the universe.

Xavier wasn’t teasing him. But he wasn’t hiding his thoughts either.

And it was unsettling. It hit low, curling deep in Luca’s stomach, hot and tight and entirely unwanted, except for the part where it absolutely was.

Xavier’s expression didn’t mock him. But it certainly didn’t let him off the hook, either.

These were not the eyes of a man who had forgotten what had happened earlier. Nor were they the eyes of someone trying to forget.

And every inch of awareness stretched tight in the few inches of space between them. They were still face to face, limbs tangled, knees brushing in the cramped space of the cockpit.

There was nowhere to look that didn’t feel intimate.

Luca’s breath hitched.

Then he did what any self-respecting person in his position would do.

He attempted to hide his face.

Which was absurd, because Xavier was still on top of him, and there was no space to go anywhere. But Luca tried anyway, turning his face toward Xavier’s shoulder, burying his hands between them, even trying to wiggle down slightly into the seat.

None of it worked.

"Don’t," Xavier said softly.

His fingers brushed over Luca’s temple, brushing his hair back with a gentleness that made Luca’s stomach tighten further.

The little guide wasn’t sure what to do or where to place himself.

His thoughts were racing in circles.

He was partially mortified at how he could get like this after mauling his poor husband.

Until Xavier took his hand.

He did it slowly, with intent.

Their fingers slid together, warm and steady, as Xavier gently guided Luca’s palm downward between them.

Luca felt it—felt him.

There was no mistaking what he found.

Luca’s entire body stilled.

His eyes flew open. He turned his head to look at Xavier, stunned, lips parting.

Xavier met his gaze directly, his voice low and clear.

"It wasn’t just you."

Luca blinked.

Surprise flickered across his face, followed by something warmer. His hand trembled slightly, and he pulled it back against Xavier’s chest.

Xavier leaned down a little more. The space between them was nearly nonexistent now, foreheads brushing, breath shared.

"May I?" he asked.

That was all.