Work Text:
The first sign was not a fight. Which, for Domina Blowelive and Lévis Rosequartz, was deeply unnatural.
Normally, whenever they shared a room, sparks flew, sometimes literally. Lévis would snap, Domina would answer calmly, and everyone else would instinctively move furniture out of the blast radius.
But lately? Nothing.
Kenny noticed it during afternoon break, chin propped in his hands as he watched the common room.
Domina stood by the window, as usual. Still. Observing. Lévis was at the table, flipping through a spellbook far more aggressively than necessary.
The strange part wasn’t that they were quiet. It was that Lévis kept glancing up. Not glaring. Not challenging. Checking. And every single time, Domina’s eyes were already on him.
Kenny slowly smiled. “Oh...”
Galuf burst in next, dumping his bag on the floor. “Why is Lévis not yelling,” he demanded. “And why does Domina look like he’s guarding him?”
“He is not guarding me!” Lévis snapped on reflex.
Domina answered calmly, “I am merely aware of his location.”
Galuf blinked. “That’s worse.”
Charles entered with perfect timing, teacup in hand. He took one look at the room and hummed thoughtfully. “My, my. The atmosphere feels… charged. Yet tender.”
“It is NOT tender!” Lévis barked, lightning snapping weakly around his shoulders.
Malcolm adjusted his mask from the corner. “Data suggests Subject Lévis exhibits reduced hostility toward Subject Domina over the past week.”
Lévis froze. “You’re keeping data on me?”
“Yes.”
Kenny leaned forward. “Okay, but explain this.” he said, pointing. “Why do you only calm down when Domina talks?”
“That’s coincidence,” Lévis shot back.
Domina tilted his head. “When you are upset, my presence appears to stabilize you.”
Dead silence.
Charles gasped softly. “Oh dear.”
Galuf’s grin spread wide. “OH. I GET IT NOW.”
Lévis looked between them, alarm rising. “Get what?! There is NOTHING going on!”
Kenny stood, dramatic. “Buddy. You haven’t electrocuted him in weeks.”
Lévis opened his mouth. Closed it. Lightning fizzled out. “That’s because he’s too irritating,” Lévis muttered.
Domina nodded. “I am glad to be.”
Charles nearly dropped his teacup.
Malcolm scribbled furiously. “Conclusion: Mutual fixation confirmed.”
Lévis pointed accusingly at all of them. “STOP LOOKING AT US LIKE THAT.”
Kenny clapped his hands once. “Alright, team. We have an emotionally constipated lightning mage and a stoic water mage who clearly like each other and have no idea.”
Galuf cracked his knuckles. “Which means…”
Charles beamed. “…Intervention.”
Malcolm closed his notebook “Recommended method: social pressure via controlled game environment.”
Lévis’s eyes widened. “Why do I feel like I’m about to regret being alive?”
Kenny grinned and produced an empty can from his pocket, letting it spin across his fingers. “Oh don’t worry,” he said cheerfully. “You will.”
And just like that, the trap was set.
The common room of Walkis Magic Academy had never felt so dangerous. Not because of combat magic, or mythical monsters breaking in, but because Galuf Gargaron had declared: “We’re playing Truth or Dare. And we’re not leaving until someone regrets it.”
The game began harmlessly - embarrassing stories, small dares, silly questions.
Then Kenny grinned mischievously and spun the empty can in the center of the circle. It clicked to a stop. Pointing at Domina.
Kenny smirked. “Your fate is sealed.”
Domina blinked, emotionless. “Very well.”
“Truth or dare?” Kenny asked.
“Dare,” Domina said, without hesitation.
Galuf slammed his hands down. “FINALLY. Someone with guts!”
But Kenny lifted a finger. “Oh no, Galuf. I have the perfect one.”
The room leaned forward. Kenny’s grin turned wicked. “I dare you… to kiss Lévis.”
Lévis choked on his own breath.
Charles calmly took out a napkin to dab his forehead.
Malcolm tilted his head like a curious insect.
Galuf screamed laughing.
Domina stood still for a moment, expression unchanged, but his aura rippled faintly with surprise. “A kiss?” he repeated.
“Rules are rules,” Kenny sang, swinging his legs.
Lévis glared at him. “This is ridiculous. I refuse. Absolutely not. There is no scenario in which—”
Domina stepped closer. Lévis froze.
Domina spoke softly: “It is only a dare. Avoiding it would be dishonorable.”
Lévis sputtered, face heating despite himself. “I-I’m not scared, but—”
Galuf shouted, “THEN PROVE IT!”
Malcolm tapped his mask. “Statistically, resisting only increases embarrassment.”
Charles clasped his hands sympathetically. “Best to be swift about it.”
Lévis gritted his teeth. Lightning crackled, sparks flying. “Fine,” he muttered. “Make it quick.”
Domina leaned in. Not teasingly. Not nervously. Just calm, composed, and frustratingly direct, as if this was just another task. Their lips touched, brief, soft, warm.
Lévis jerked back like he’d been struck by his own lightning. Domina, however, blinked with mild curiosity. “That was not unpleasant,” he said simply.
The room erupted. Galuf rolled on the floor screaming. Kenny shrieked with laughter. Charles flapped his hands in scandalized excitement. Malcolm muttered, “Fascinating biological reaction". Lévis covered his face, cheeks glowing bright red. “DON’T COMMENT ON IT!” Lévis yelled. “WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT OUT LOUD?!”
Domina tilted his head. “Was I not supposed to?”
“NO!”
Kenny wiped a tear. “Best dare I’ve ever given.”
The chaos eventually died down, though Lévis still looked like he wanted to throw himself out a window.
The others moved on, shouting dares and laughing, but Domina stayed quiet. He sat a little apart from the circle, fingers resting lightly on his lips, the same place where they had briefly touched Lévis’ moments ago.
He wasn’t blushing. Domina Blowelive didn’t blush. But something inside him felt off. Unfamiliar. Warm.
Charles eventually noticed and slid closer. “You look thoughtful,” he said gently. “Something on your mind?”
Domina stared at the floor for several seconds before answering. “It was only a dare.”
Charles nodded. “Of course.”
Domina continued, voice low: “But I did not dislike it.”
Charles blinked. “Oh.”
Domina’s hand curled slightly. “I thought it would be… meaningless. Just something to complete. But when it happened, I felt... something. A pleasant sensation. Unexpected. I do not understand it.”
Charles smiled softly. “Oh, Domina. That’s called liking something.”
Domina looked almost alarmed. “Liking? Why would I like that? I have no logical reason to.”
Charles gave a patient hum. “You don’t need a reason. You’re allowed to enjoy things, you know.”
Domina lowered his gaze again.
Across the room, Lévis was still recovering, pacing angrily, muttering, cheeks stubbornly pink.
Domina watched him for a long, silent moment.
Lightning flickered around Lévis’ shoulders as he hissed, “Stupid Kenny, stupid dare, stupid..., WHY IS MY FACE STILL HOT?!”
Domina felt that warm flicker in his chest again. He pressed his fingers to his lips, almost absently. “I would not mind doing it again.”
Charles choked on air.
Domina blinked innocently. “Was that an inappropriate thought?”
“No, no, not inappropriate, just surprising!”
Domina looked back toward Lévis. And for the first time, a very faint, very tiny smile touched the corner of his mouth. Not wide. Not obvious. Just there. Warm. Curious. Quietly pleased. He didn’t understand the feeling yet. But he wasn’t afraid of it.
The empty can spun again. Everyone held their breath, some with dread, most with chaotic anticipation. It slowed, clicked, and pointed directly at Lévis.
He stared at the can as if it had personally betrayed him.
Galuf immediately threw his hands up. “YES. JUSTICE!”
Kenny licked his lollipop thoughtfully. “Oh, this is perfect. My masterpiece continues.”
Lévis gritted his teeth. “I swear, Kenny, if you even think about—”
Kenny wiggled his eyebrows. “Truth… or dare?”
Lévis glared so hard the lights flickered. “Truth.”
Galuf booed. Malcolm shook his head in disappointment. Charles tutted softly. But Kenny leaned forward, eyes gleaming.
“No, no, no. You don’t get to hide behind the truth option after kissing someone. That’s coward energy. Pick dare.”
Lévis sputtered. “That’s not... that’s not an actual rule!”
“Yes it is,” Kenny said instantly.
“No it isn’t,” Malcolm said, checking a nonexistent rulebook.
Kenny stomped on his foot.
“Argh... It is now.”
Lévis threw his hands up. “FINE. Dare.”
Kenny snapped his fingers triumphantly and pointed straight at him. “I dare you to sit on Domina’s lap for one full minute.”
The room fell silent. Charles’s hands flew to his mouth. Galuf choked on his own spit. Malcolm whispered, “Statistically escalating.”
Lévis’s face turned a shade of red so intense it could have been classified as a magical phenomenon.
“ARE YOU INSANE?!” he shouted, sparks exploding around him. “ABSOLUTELY NOT! NO, NO, NO!”
Domina blinked once. “If the dare requires it, I do not mind.”
Lévis froze. Dead still. Not breathing. Not thinking. Just processing the fact that Domina, stoic, unbothered, emotionally confusing Domina, had just invited him to sit on his lap.
Kenny grinned. “Come on, Lévis. Can’t chicken out now.”
Galuf added, “He already kissed you. This is nothing.”
“That’s not helping!” Lévis snapped at him.
Charles gave a sympathetic pat on Lévis’s shoulder. But his eyes sparkled with delighted chaos. “Go on, dear. You’ll be fine.”
Domina sat calmly, hands resting on his knees. He looked like he wasn’t bothered, but his eyes followed Lévis closely. Almost expectantly.
Lévis’s heart hammered so loudly he was certain it was audible. He stepped forward. “F-fine,” he muttered, voice cracking. “But only because I refuse to look weak.”
He turned, slowly lowered himself, and sat on Domina’s lap.
The entire room exhaled.
Domina’s hands hesitated, then lightly rested at Lévis’s waist to steady him. Just a gentle touch. Lévis tensed so hard he might actually shatter.
Domina tilted his head slightly. “You are surprisingly warm.”
Lévis nearly levitated off the chair from sheer embarrassment. “ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME?!”
Kenny started the countdown. “60… 59… 58...” Galuf cackled. Charles giggled behind his hand. Malcolm nodded sagely. “This is optimal data.”
Domina just quietly observed Lévis’s burning ears, gaze softening almost imperceptibly.
For Lévis, it was the longest minute of his life.
For Domina? It was unexpectedly… nice.
The minute finally ended.
Kenny declared, “TIME!” Galuf threw imaginary confetti. Charles sighed dreamily. Malcolm scribbled notes about “emotional combustion vectors.”
Lévis practically launched himself off Domina like a startled cat. “I did it. It’s done. We’re done. Nobody speak to me ever again.”
He marched to the far end of the room, faced the wall, and began mumbling curses under his breath. Lightning snapped off him in tiny, embarrassed sparks.
Domina, however, watched him quietly. Something warm lingered in his chest. Something pleasant. So he stood up and walked toward Lévis.
Everyone leaned forward, whispering like gossiping teenagers.
Lévis stiffened as soon as Domina came near. “What do you want?” he snapped, refusing to make eye contact. “If this is about the dare, shut up. Don’t say anything. I don’t want to talk about it.”
Domina tilted his head. “Your hand.”
“My what?”
Lévis only then realized, Domina was holding it.
Sometime between standing up and confronting him, Domina had absentmindedly taken Lévis’s hand into his own.
Their fingers were laced together. Not lightly. Not accidentally brushing. Deeply interlocked, like it was natural.
Lévis’s brain stopped functioning. He squeaked. Actually squeaked. “WHY ARE YOU?! WHEN DID YOU?! WHY ARE WE?!”
Domina looked down at their joined hands, calmly. “It is warm,” he said simply. “And steady. I find it... comforting.”
Lévis’s face reached a level of red that threatened to ignite the room. “COMFORTING?! WE ARE NOT... THIS IS NOT... THAT’S... YOU CAN’T JUST..."
Domina gently squeezed his hand. And Lévis made a noise only dogs could hear.
“I apologize,” Domina said softly. “Should I release you?”
Lévis opened his mouth. No words came out. His fight-or-flight instinct wrestled with something softer, more terrifying. The truth was: He… didn’t want to pull away. Not that he’d ever say it out loud.
“N-no,” he muttered, barely audible. “It’s… fine. For now. Only because it would look stupid to yank my hand away suddenly.”
Domina’s eyes softened. “A reasonable justification,” he said calmly, but there was a small, unmistakable smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
From across the room:
Kenny whispered, “Ohhh they’re HOLDING HANDS.”
Galuf screamed, “BRO THEY’RE ACTUALLY DOING IT!”
Charles fanned himself. “This is sweeter than tea.”
Malcolm nodded. “Physical intimacy acquired.”
Lévis promptly exploded in lightning. “STOP WATCHING US!”
They didn’t. But Domina simply held Lévis’s hand a little more firmly. And for once, Lévis didn’t pull away.
Domina and Lévis were still standing there, hands intertwined, when the room went silent, the kind of silence that means everyone is plotting something dangerous.
Galuf was the first to break. He slapped both hands on the table. “WE NEED A PLAN.”
Kenny nodded dramatically. “A matchmaking plan.”
Charles clasped his hands with sparkling eyes. “Oh, I love team projects!”
Malcolm adjusted his mask. “I suppose we should optimize conditions for courtship rituals.”
Lévis nearly fainted. “STOP. RIGHT. THERE.” he yelled, lightning crackling dangerously. “There will be NO courtship and NO rituals! Stop making this sound like a biology experiment!”
Domina looked at their joined hands, then at the group. “What is matchmaking?”
Charles gasped. “Oh dear, you sweet innocent boy.”
Kenny threw an arm around Galuf. “Okay, team, what’s our first step?”
Lévis pointed at them accusingly. “THE FIRST STEP IS LEAVING US ALONE!”
“No,” Galuf said instantly.
Malcolm raised a finger. “Objective: Increase intimacy between subjects A and B.”
“Who’s A and B?!” Lévis shouted.
Malcolm pointed at Lévis. “You are B.”
“And Domina is A,” Charles added proudly, “because alphabetical order.”
Domina blinked. “That seems logically structured.”
“STOP AGREEING WITH THEM!”
Plan A: Forced Proximity
Kenny dragged two chairs together. “Sit here,” he commanded, “closer.”
“We’re already close!” Lévis protested.
Galuf shoved him down. “CLOSER.”
Domina sat beside Lévis, knees touching his. Lévis went rigid.
Charles sniffled. “They look so cute.”
Lévis screeched. “I WILL ELECTROCUTE ALL OF YOU.”
Plan B: “Accidental” Compliments
Galuf cleared his throat loudly. “Domina! Say something nice about Lévis.”
Domina turned to Lévis without hesitation. “You are warm. And your hair is aesthetically pleasing.”
Everyone froze. Lévis’s soul left his body. He made a strangled noise and looked away so fast he got whiplash.
Kenny whispered, “Bro he said aesthetically pleasing!”
Charles fanned himself. “That was practically poetry.”
Malcolm nodded. “Heart-rate spike detected.”
Lévis grabbed a cushion and screamed into it.
Plan C: Holding Hands, Again
Kenny clapped. “Okay. Final step. Hold hands.”
“We ALREADY DID THAT!” Lévis snapped.
“Yes,” Kenny said smugly, “but this time do it because you want to.”
Lévis sputtered so intensely he might combust.
Domina simply reached out his hand. And waited. Calm, patient, gentle.
The entire room leaned forward, holding their breath.
Lévis glared at all of them. Then at Domina. Then at their hands. “Fine,” he muttered. “But only to get you all to shut up.”
He slipped his hand into Domina’s.
The room erupted. Galuf howled. Kenny whooped. Charles teared up. Malcolm scribbled down “Successful bonding achieved.”
Lévis shouted over them, face glowing: “THIS DOESN’T MEAN ANYTHING!”
Domina squeezed his hand softly. “It means something to me.”
Lévis’s mind short-circuited so hard his lightning fizzled out entirely.
And the matchmaking squad cheered like they’d just won the world championship.
They finally calmed down enough to sit back in a circle.
Lévis was still holding Domina’s hand, even though he absolutely refused to acknowledge it.
“ANYWAY,” Kenny said, spinning the can again. “Game continues!”
The can whirled, clattered, slowe, and pointed at Domina.
Everyone held their breath. Lévis flinched.
Charles whispered, “Oh no.”
Galuf whispered louder, “OH YES.”
Kenny grinned. “Domina. Truth or dare?”
Domina didn’t even blink. “Dare.”
Lévis whispered, horrified, “He’s getting used to this. That’s bad. That’s very bad.”
Kenny tapped his chin. “Alright, Domina. I dare you to...”
Domina cut him off. “I prefer a dare that involves Lévis.”
Silence. Absolute silence. Kenny’s jaw dropped. Charles gasped. Malcolm scribbled furiously. Galuf practically levitated with excitement. And Lévis? Lévis short-circuited, sputtering sparks.
“WHY DO YOU?! WHY WOULD YOU?! DO NOT REQUEST ME AS PART OF A DARE!”
Domina turned to him calmly. “I enjoyed the previous ones.”
Lévis made an unidentifiable noise somewhere between a shriek and a malfunctioning kettle.
Kenny regained function first. “Well… if YOU insist…” He smirked wickedly. “Domina, I dare you to—”
Lévis interrupted, pointing a furious finger at Kenny. “IF YOU SAY ‘KISS’ AGAIN I WILL END YOU.”
“Relax!” Kenny said, hands up. “Sort of.” He looked at Domina, eyes gleaming. “I dare you to whisper something into Lévis’s ear. Something genuine.”
Lévis froze. “NO. NO EAR WHISPERING! THAT IS INTIMACY LEVEL 500. ABSOLUTELY NOT!”
Domina was already moving. He leaned in. Slowly. Deliberately.
Lévis backed up until his shoulders hit the wall. “DOMINA! WAIT! HOLD ON! I DIDN’T AGREE TO—”
Domina placed one hand beside Lévis’s head, caging him in without touching. His voice was soft, low, warm as he leaned close to Lévis’s ear. So close Lévis’s breath caught. Domina whispered “I really like being close to you.”
Lévis froze solid. A heartbeat passed. Another. Then Lévis exploded in lightning so bright half the room dove for cover. “AAAAAAAHHHHH!!!”
Kenny rolled on the floor laughing. Charles fanned himself rapidly. Galuf screamed, “HE DIDN’T EVEN HESITATE! DOMINA’S A NATURAL!” Malcolm murmured, “Confidence level rising. Experiment success.”
Domina stepped back, calmly observing the human lightning bolt that was Lévis.
He tilted his head. “Was that too forward?” he asked.
Lévis, face scarlet, hair fizzing with static, wheezed: “YES. YES IT WAS. STOP BEING SO... SO CALM ABOUT THIS!”
Domina blinked once. Then smiled, small, warm, and undeniably bold. “I am only expressing what I feel.”
Lévis nearly melted into the floor.
The room was still recovering from Domina’s whispered attack when Kenny shakily spun the can again. It pointed to Lévis.
He made a sound of pure despair. “NO. I’m done. I retire. I quit. I’m switching schools.”
Galuf grabbed him by the shoulders. “You’re staying right here, lover boy.”
“I AM NOT... STOP CALLING ME—”
Kenny cracked his knuckles dramatically. “Well, Lévis… truth or dare?”
Lévis squeezed his fists. He refused to look at Domina, who was quietly standing too close to him again. “Truth,” Lévis muttered, defeated.
Kenny smirked. “Okay. Truth: Did you like whatever Domina whispered to you?”
Lévis nearly combusted. “WHAT KIND OF QUESTION... I’M NOT ANSWERING THAT!”
Kenny shrugged. “Then you have to take dare instead.”
Lévis froze. He was cornered. His pride wouldn’t let him admit anything. But his sanity wouldn’t let him take another Domina-related dare. He stared at the ceiling like it might save him. “Fine. Dare.”
Kenny clapped. “Excellent.” He leaned in with malicious delight. “I dare you to sit as close to Domina as physically possible… for the next two rounds.”
Lévis stared, horrified. “WHAT?! NO! TWO rounds?! That’s... that’s an eternity! I can’t...”
Domina gently took him by the wrist. “Come,” he said softly.
Lévis’s soul left his body.
They sat. Or rather, Lévis sat, and Domina sat so close their knees, shoulders, and thighs touched. Touching wasn’t even the word. Fused might have been better.
Lévis was stiff as a board. “C-could you… move a little?” he croaked.
“No,” Domina said simply.
Lévis let out a strangled squeak.
Charles sniffled. “They grow up so fast.”
Galuf shouted, “TURN IT INTO A DATE!”
Malcolm wrote, ‘Physical distance: minimum. Emotional distance: decreasing.’
Kenny, delighted, spun the can again.
The can landed on Malcolm.
Kenny pointed. “Truth or dare, Malcolm?”
Malcolm tapped his mask. “Truth.”
Galuf groaned. “BORING!”
Kenny smirked. “Okay, truth… Which pair do you think is most likely to get together first in this room?”
Malcolm didn’t even hesitate. “Domina and Lévis, obviously.”
Lévis made the sound of a dying toaster.
Domina blinked once, then looked at Lévis with mild curiosity, and maybe a hint of satisfaction.
“We are not... That’s not... STOP SAYING THAT!” Lévis shouted.
Domina spoke calmly. “It is a reasonable assessment.”
Lévis’s entire face combusted.
The can spun again, turned slowly, dramatically, and pointed at Charles.
Charles giggled. “Oh dear. Truth or dare… hmm... dare!”
Galuf cracked his knuckles. “Charles, I dare you to—”
“No,” Kenny interrupted, “let me handle this one.” He pointed at Charles. “I dare you to pick someone here and describe their aura in the most romantic way possible.”
Charles brightened. “Oooooh!”
He turned to Domina instantly.
Lévis tensed.
Charles spoke with theatrical flair. “Domina’s aura is calm moonlight over deep waters… gentle, soothing, and quietly intense. The type that pulls you in before you realize you’ve stepped too close.”
Lévis stared at Charles like he’d committed a war crime. “WHY ARE YOU DESCRIBING HIM LIKE THAT?!”
Charles smiled sweetly. “Because it’s true, darling.”
Domina blinked and looked at Lévis. “Do you think so too?”
Lévis made a noise so high-pitched it became ultrasonic.
Kenny clapped gleefully. “Okay Lévis, only ONE more round to sit glued to Domina!”
Galuf elbowed him. “If he survives.”
Malcolm took notes. “Probability uncertain.”
Domina simply rested his shoulder more comfortably against Lévis’s. Lévis froze again.
Kenny grinned. “Oh, the next part of the game is going to destroy him.”
Kenny spun the can again with a flourish.
Lévis sat pressed against Domina, every muscle in his body locked in place.
Domina, meanwhile, sat comfortably, and very intentionally close.
The can slowed… clicked… and pointed at Galuf.
Galuf grinned like a man about to commit a crime. “YES. FINALLY. MY TURN.”
Kenny rubbed his hands together. “Truth or dare, Galuf?”
“DARE!” Galuf yelled before the question was even finished.
Malcolm sighed. “Predictable.”
Kenny opened his mouth to suggest something reckless, but Galuf raised a hand. “NO! I want Domina to give me the dare!”
Lévis whipped his head toward him. “Why does EVERYTHING come back to DOMINA?!” he shouted.
Charles laughed. “Because he’s the main character of this evening, sweetie.”
Domina blinked. “A dare for Galuf.” He looked at Galuf, calm, composed. “I dare you to choose someone in this room… and place them on your lap.”
Everyone stared. Even Galuf paused.
“Wait,” Galuf muttered, “that’s kinda tame.” Then he realized.
He looked at Kenny. At Charles. At Malcolm. Then his eyes landed on Lévis.
Lévis sat bolt upright. “Don’t you DARE.”
Galuf grinned wider. “Oh, I dare.” He lunged.
Galuf grabbed Lévis under the arms like a misbehaving cat.
Lévis shrieked. “PUT ME DOWN! PUT ME DOWN RIGHT NOW!”
Domina stood up instantly. Not panicked. Not angry. But possessive in a quiet, terrifying way.
“Galuf,” Domina said, voice low and even.
“That dare was not intended for Lévis.”
Galuf froze mid-kidnap, holding Lévis awkwardly. “But he’s the funniest option!”
Lévis flailed. “I AM NOT AN OPTION!”
Domina stepped closer. Very close. “I would prefer,” he said calmly, “if you did not pick him.”
For the first time in his life, Galuf actually hesitated. “Okay, fine,” he muttered. “Jeez. Didn’t know you were that into—”
Lévis screamed, “DON’T FINISH THAT SENTENCE!”
Galuf let go. Lévis immediately stumbled back toward Domina on instinct. And Domina, without thinking, placed a steadying hand on Lévis’s waist.
Lévis froze. Again. Everyone stared.
Kenny whispered, “Oh my god, they’re doing this WITHOUT a dare now.”
Charles clasped his chest. “Domina is getting bold!”
Malcolm nodded. “Scope of experiment expanding rapidly.”
Domina looked down at Lévis, hand still at his waist. “Are you alright?” he asked softly.
Lévis, unable to form a single coherent word, squeaked: “I... YOU... STOP TOUCHING, BUT ALSO DON’T LET GO... I MEAN, LET GO... I MEAN, SHUT THE HELL UP!”
Domina didn’t move his hand. “I will wait until you decide,” he said gently.
Lévis turned scarlet from the ears down.
Kenny, grinning like a devil, spun the can. And the can pointed at Domina. Again. Everyone gasped.
Galuf jumped up. “MY TURN TO DARE HIM!”
Lévis grabbed Galuf’s arm. “No, no more dares involving me. I swear I will electrocute you if you—”
Galuf ignored him, eyes gleaming. “DOMINA,” he said dramatically, “I dare you to do something that will make Lévis blush.”
Lévis’s soul departed his body. Domina blinked. Then, with calm certainty, he said: “I know what to do.”
And he turned fully toward Lévis… Slow, deliberate. Eyes steady. Presence warm in that way that made every nerve in Lévis’s body light up.
Lévis backed up a step. “No, no, don’t look at me like that. I don’t even know what that dare means!”
But Domina reached out gently and cupped Lévis’s cheek with one hand.
Lévis froze. The room stopped breathing. Domina’s thumb brushed lightly beneath Lévis’s eye.
“You blush here,” he murmured softly, “when you are flustered.”
Lévis’s face exploded into crimson. Galuf screamed. Kenny dropped his lollipop. Charles made a faint squeaking sound. Malcolm whispered, “Peak reaction achieved.”
Lévis stared at Domina like he’d been struck by divine lightning. “You... you can’t just TOUCH MY FACE!” His voice broke. “You can’t do that!”
Domina’s hand remained right where it was. “I only wanted to make you blush,” he said calmly. “Do you... dislike it?”
Lévis opened his mouth and something inside him cracked. Something tired of running, tired of pretending, tired of exploding every time Domina got close.
He grabbed Domina’s wrist, not to push away, but to hold it there. His eyes trembled. And before his brain could stop him, he choked out “No. I don’t dislike it. I… I LIKE IT! More than I should.”
Silence. Actual silence. The others looked like they’d just witnessed a meteor strike.
Kenny whispered, “Holy... HE SAID IT!”
Charles fanned himself aggressively. “CONFESSION! CONFESSION ACHIEVED!”
Galuf yelled, “I KNEW HE LIKED HIM!”
Lévis immediately realized what he’d just said. His entire body locked. “I... I MEANT... I DIDN’T... THAT WASN’T... FORGET IT! FORGET EVERYTHING!”
But Domina only looked at him. Not shocked. Not confused. Soft. Warm. Almost… happy.
“Lévis,” Domina said quietly, “I liked hearing that.”
Lévis combusted into sparks so bright the ceiling lights flickered.
Seeing Lévis about two seconds from passing out, Kenny raised his hands. “OKAY, OKAY. GAME OVER. Officially. Emotionally. Spiritually. Everyone OUT.”
Charles gasped. “But—”
“Nope!” Kenny said, grabbing Charles and Galuf by their collars. “We’ve caused enough romantic trauma for one night.”
Malcolm shut his notebook and nodded. “Agreed. Optimal results obtained.”
They dragged themselves out the door, chattering loudly. The chaos faded down the hall. And then, the room was suddenly, absolutely, terrifyingly quiet. Just Domina and Lévis. And the soft sound of Lévis trying very hard not to hyperventilate.
The silence stretched. Not awkward. Not empty. Heavy, like the moment before rain finally falls.
Lévis stood there, shoulders tense, sparks flickering weakly around him, staring anywhere except at Domina. His hand was still wrapped around Domina’s wrist. He hadn’t let go.
“They’re gone,” Lévis muttered, mostly to convince himself. “They’re actually gone.”
Domina glanced at the closed door, then back at Lévis. “Yes,” he said. “It is quiet now.”
Too quiet. Lévis swallowed. His grip loosened just a little, not enough to release Domina, but enough to admit he was aware of it.
Lévis leaned against a table, covering his face with the other hand.
“Why did I SAY that? Why... Why did you let me say that?!”
Domina stepped closer. Gently. Giving Lévis room to move away. Lévis didn’t.
Domina spoke softly. “You told the truth. I am glad.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” Lévis said quietly. “Back there. The face thing. The… talking.”
Domina didn’t pull away. Instead, he turned his hand slightly, so Lévis was holding his palm instead of his wrist.
“I wanted to,” Domina replied honestly.
That did it. Lévis’s lightning fizzled completely, leaving only warmth behind.
“You’re unfair,” he muttered. “You say things like that like they don’t matter.”
Domina tilted his head. “But they do matter,” he said. “At least… to me.”
Lévis finally looked at him. Domina wasn’t teasing. Wasn’t smug. Wasn’t even particularly confident. He just looked… sincere. Open. Like he’d made a discovery and didn’t know why anyone would hide it.
“I don’t understand you,” Lévis admitted, voice low. “I’m loud. I’m angry. I mess things up. And you just... sit there calmly and make it worse by being nice.”
Domina considered this. Then he stepped closer. Not crowding. Not trapping. Just close enough that Lévis could feel his warmth again.
“I do not think you are messy,” Domina said gently. “I think you feel things strongly. That is… impressive.”
Lévis’s breath hitched. “Don’t say it like that,” he whispered. “You’ll make me think you actually—”
“I do,” Domina said simply.
Lévis froze. “Do what?”
Domina hesitated, just a fraction of a second, then lifted his free hand and rested it over Lévis’s chest, right where his heart was racing.
“I like you,” Domina said. “I enjoy being near you. I notice you. And when you are not close… I kinda miss it.”
Lévis’s heart slammed so hard he thought it might actually explode. “You... you can’t just confess like that!” he whispered fiercely. “There’s rules! There’s buildup! You’re supposed to be embarrassed!”
Domina blinked. “I am a little embarrassed,” he admitted. “I simply do not wish to run away from it.”
Lévis laughed, a short, breathless sound. “You’re unbelievable.”
He finally, finally let go of Domina’s hand, only to grab the front of Domina’s robe instead, fist tight.
“I’m not good at this,” Lévis said quietly. “I panic. I shout. I don’t know what I’m doing.”
Domina placed his hands over Lévis’s, steady and warm. “That is acceptable,” he said softly. “Me either.”
Lévis looked up at him, eyes bright and unsure. “You promise not to disappear if I freak out?”
Domina didn’t hesitate. “I promise,” he said. “I will stay.”
For a long moment, they just stood there. Close. Breathing the same air. Then Lévis leaned forward and pressed his forehead lightly against Domina’s chest.
“Just... don’t tell anyone,” he muttered. “I have a reputation.”
Domina smiled, small, fond, unmistakably real. “It will be our secret,” he said.
Lévis stayed like that for a few seconds longer than he meant to. Forehead against Domina’s chest. Hands still fisted in his robe. Breathing slowly, like if he moved too fast the moment would shatter.
“Your heart’s not even racing,” Lévis muttered, half accusing. “How are you this calm?”
Domina glanced down, thoughtful. “I am nervous,” he said. “I simply experience it quietly.”
Lévis snorted weakly. “Must be nice.”
He hesitated, then finally pulled back, just enough to look up at Domina. Up close, Domina’s eyes were softer than Lévis remembered. Less distant. Focused on him in a way that made Lévis’s chest tighten.
“So...” Lévis said, trying very hard to sound normal. “What happens now?”
Domina considered the question seriously. Then, with absolute sincerity: “I would like to spend time with you. Voluntarily. Without dares.”
Lévis’s ears burned. “You say things like that like it’s a tactical decision.”
“It is,” Domina replied. “You are important to me.”
Lévis groaned and covered his face with one hand. “You’re killing me. You know that, right?”
Domina gently moved that hand away. “I do not wish to harm you.”
“Emotionally,” Lévis muttered.
Silence fell again, but this time, it was lighter. Comfortable. The kind of quiet that didn’t press in, but wrapped around them.
Lévis glanced toward the door, then back at Domina. “They’re definitely going to spy,” he said. “Kenny especially.”
Domina nodded. “I anticipated that.”
Lévis blinked. “You did?”
“Yes,” Domina said calmly. “Which is why I believe we should leave.”
“Leave?” Lévis echoed. “Where?”
Domina gestured toward the window. “The balcony is empty at this hour. Fewer witnesses.”
Lévis stared at him. “You’ve thought about this, right?”
“A little,” Domina admitted.
Lévis laughed under his breath, soft, incredulous. “Unbelievable.”
But he didn’t pull away when Domina offered his hand. After a second’s hesitation, Lévis took it.
The Walkis balcony was quiet, the night air cool against their heated faces. Lights from the academy glimmered below, distant and harmless.
Lévis leaned against the railing, arms folded, pretending very hard not to be affected by Domina standing close beside him. “You know,” Lévis said quietly, “I don’t usually let people see me like this.”
Domina turned toward him. “I am aware,” he said. “That is why I am honored.”
Lévis swallowed. “You make it really hard to stay guarded.”
“That is not my intention,” Domina replied. “But I am glad you feel safe.”
The word "safe" hit harder than any lightning. Lévis exhaled slowly. “I do. With you.” He didn’t look away this time.
They stood there, shoulder to shoulder, watching the lights flicker in the distance, no longer sparring, no longer performing, just existing together.
After a moment, Lévis spoke again, quieter. “Can I... try something?”
Domina turned fully to him. “Yes.”
Lévis hesitated, then stepped closer and rested his head lightly against Domina’s shoulder. Just that. Nothing dramatic.
Domina stiffened for half a heartbeat, then relaxed, tilting his head slightly so it fit better. “…This is acceptable,” he said softly. Lévis smiled, small and genuine.
“Good. Because I don’t think I’m ready to stop.”
Domina stayed right there, exactly where Lévis needed him.
Lévis stayed leaning against Domina’s shoulder, pretending, very poorly, that his heart wasn’t trying to break free from his chest. He could feel Domina’s warmth through the fabric of his robe. Steady. Unmoving. Reassuring.
“You’re thinking again,” Lévis muttered, eyes half-lidded.
Domina glanced down at him. “Yes.”
“That’s dangerous,” Lévis said quietly. “Every time you think, you say something that ruins me.”
Domina considered that. Then he asked, voice low and careful: “May I do something?”
Lévis stiffened slightly. “What kind of something?”
“Something I would like to do,” Domina replied. “But only if you permit it.”
Lévis lifted his head to look at him. Domina wasn’t leaning in yet. Wasn’t touching him. He was waiting. That alone made Lévis’s chest ache.
“You don’t have to ask,” Lévis whispered.
“I want to,” Domina said.
Lévis swallowed. “Okay,” he said. “You can.”
Domina’s hand rose slowly, fingers brushing Lévis’s jaw, not claiming, not trapping. Just guiding. He leaned in. This time, Lévis didn’t panic. Didn’t jerk away. He met Domina halfway. Their lips touched again, longer than before, softer, intentional. Not a dare. Not a joke. A choice.
Lévis’s hand slid into Domina’s sleeve, gripping lightly as if grounding himself. Domina’s thumb rested warm at Lévis’s cheek, steady and careful.
When they finally parted, it was only by a breath.
Lévis exhaled shakily. “That was...” He stopped, searching for the right word. “…Nice.”
Domina’s eyes softened. “Really?”
Lévis huffed a quiet laugh and rested his forehead against Domina’s. “You’re dangerous, you know that?”
“If so,” Domina said gently, “I will be careful with you.”
Lévis closed his eyes. “Good.”
They stayed like that for a moment, close, quiet, real. Then Lévis muttered, barely audible: “We’re definitely not telling others.”
Domina smiled. “No,” he said. “This one is ours.”
The balcony became quiet. Too quiet. They stood close, shoulders brushing, the night cool and peaceful, which, unfortunately, should have been the first warning sign.
Lévis sighed contentedly, arms folded on the railing. “You know,” he murmured, “this is actually nice. No yelling. No dares. No—”
A creak sounded behind the door. Both of them froze.
Domina tilted his head slightly. “I believe,” he said calmly, “we are being observed.”
Lévis stiffened. “No. Don’t say that. If you say it out loud it becomes real.”
From behind a decorative pillar:
Kenny whispered, far too loudly, “OH MY GOD! THEY’RE STANDING SO CLOSE!”
Galuf’s voice followed, unrestrained. “BRO. THEY KISSED AGAIN! I SAW IT!”
Charles gasped dramatically. “THE FOREHEAD TOUCH... THE INTIMACY... THE GROWTH...”
Malcolm’s muffled voice: “Confirmed. Lip contact occurred. Duration exceeded previous trial.”
Lévis whirled around. “I KNEW IT. I KNEW YOU IDIOTS WERE SPYING!”
The door burst open. All four of them tumbled out in a heap: Kenny on top, Galuf half-fallen over a chair, Charles clinging to the doorframe, Malcolm standing upright somehow with a notebook already open.
“We weren’t spying,” Kenny said instantly.
Galuf nodded. “We were strategically observing.”
Charles clasped his hands dreamily. “I just wanted to see if love would bloom!”
Malcolm adjusted his mask. “Hypothesis confirmed.”
Lévis’s face turned nuclear. “I AM GOING TO ELECTROCUTE ALL OF YOU.”
Lightning cracked violently across the balcony. Domina stepped forward calmly and placed himself slightly in front of Lévis.
“Please do not provoke him,” he said evenly. “He is emotionally vulnerable.”
Lévis froze. “Why would you SAY it like that?!”
Kenny squinted. “Wait. Hold on. Did Domina just... defend Lévis?”
Galuf’s jaw dropped. “Oh my god. He’s in deep.”
Charles wiped a tear. “He’s protecting him already…”
Malcolm scribbled furiously. “Bond strength escalating.”
Lévis grabbed Domina’s sleeve. “Don’t encourage them!”
Domina glanced down at Lévis. Then, deliberately, he laced their fingers together.
The spying squad screamed.
Kenny fell to his knees. “IT’S REAL.” Galuf howled. “I WAS HERE AT THE START—THIS IS MY LEGACY!”
Charles fanned himself so hard he nearly fainted. “MY HEART!”
Malcolm nodded once. “Conclusion: Relationship established.”
Lévis buried his face in his hands. “This is a nightmare.”
Domina squeezed his hand gently. “I believe,” he said calmly, “it is merely embarrassing.”
Lévis peeked at him. “You’re not letting go, are you?”
“No,” Domina replied without hesitation.
Lévis sighed, defeated, then leaned just slightly closer anyway.
“Fine,” he muttered. “But if anyone breathes a word of this tomorrow, I’m blaming you.”
Domina smiled. “A reasonable compromise.”
Behind them, Kenny whispered loudly: “Guys. We did this.”
Galuf nodded solemnly. “We’re heroes.”
Charles beamed. “Matchmakers of destiny!”
Malcolm closed his notebook. “Experiment concluded. Success.”
Domina and Lévis walked back inside together, hands intertwined, pretending very badly that this hadn’t been inevitable all along.
They didn’t let go of each other walking back in.
That, more than the spying, more than the screaming, more than Kenny loudly whispering “HANDS STILL INTERTWINED.” was what finally broke Lévis.
He noticed it halfway down the corridor. Their fingers still laced. Natural. Easy. Unargued.
“Hey,” Lévis muttered.
Domina glanced down. “Yes?”
“We’re still...” Lévis gestured vaguely with their joined hands. “...doing this.”
“Yes,” Domina said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Lévis stopped walking.
The others, still trailing behind like feral paparazzi, nearly crashed into them.
Galuf blinked. “Why’d we stop?”
Lévis turned slowly. Very slowly. Lightning flickered, not wild, not explosive. Controlled. Dangerous.
“We are not,” Lévis said through clenched teeth, “parading this through the halls.”
Kenny raised his hands. “Whoa, hey, we’re just walking!”
Charles tilted his head. “You are glowing, dear.”
Malcolm observed, “Electrical output reduced compared to anger state. Emotional embarrassment confirmed.”
Lévis growled. “OUT. ALL OF YOU. GO AWAY.”
Domina looked at Lévis, then at the group. “I agree.”
Everyone froze.
Kenny squinted. “Did he just—”
“Yes,” Domina said calmly. “You have interfered sufficiently. Lévis is overwhelmed.”
Galuf stared. “Bro...”
Charles covered his mouth. “He’s advocating…”
Malcolm nodded. “Protective behavior escalating.”
Lévis’s ears burned. “STOP ANALYZING IT!”
Domina stepped half a pace closer to Lévis, subtle, but unmistakable. A quiet line drawn.
“I will escort him,” Domina said evenly. “You may, you know… leave.”
For a long beat, no one argued.
Then Kenny sighed, dramatically. “Okay. Fine. We’ll go.” He pointed accusingly. “But this isn’t over.”
Galuf wiped a fake tear. “I raised them right.”
Charles smiled softly at Lévis. “Be gentle with each other.”
Malcolm added, “I will not publish my findings.”
“Thank you?” Lévis muttered, unsure how to feel about that.
They finally dispersed, footsteps echoing away down the hall. Silence returned. Real silence.
Lévis exhaled shakily and leaned back against the wall. “I can’t believe they saw everything.”
Domina turned to him. “They did not see everything,” he said. “Only what we allowed.”
Lévis glanced at their hands again. Still linked.
“You know,” Lévis muttered, “for someone who was ‘embarrassed,’ you’re being incredibly bold.”
Domina considered this. “I believe my embarrassment lessens when I am with you.”
Lévis stared at him. “That’s illegal. You can’t say things like that.”
Domina’s lips curved faintly. “I apologize.”
“You are not sorry.”
“No.”
Lévis huffed a laugh despite himself. He slid down the wall until he was sitting on the floor, back against the stone.
Domina followed without comment, sitting beside him, close, but not crowding.
They sat there for a moment, shoulders touching.
“So,” Lévis said quietly, staring at the opposite wall. “Are we… what are we actually?”
Domina turned toward him. “We do not require a label immediately,” he said gently. “If that causes distress.”
Lévis relaxed a fraction. “Good. Because my brain is fried.”
Domina nodded. “Understandable.”
Another pause.
“But,” Lévis added, quieter, “you do like me. Like, on purpose.”
“Yes,” Domina said.
“And you’re not going to suddenly realize this is inconvenient and retreat into stoic nothingness.”
“I will not,” Domina said. “If I am uncertain, I will communicate.”
Lévis blinked. “You’re terrifying.”
Domina tilted his head. “Is that negative?”
“No,” Lévis admitted. “It’s just, different.”
He leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. “I’ve never had someone just… stay.”
Domina’s hand shifted, resting palm-up between them. Not demanding. Just there. After a second, Lévis placed his hand in it. Domina’s fingers closed gently, grounding.
“I will stay,” Domina said quietly. “As long as you wish me to.”
Lévis swallowed. “You might regret that.”
“Possibly,” Domina said. “But I believe it is worth the risk.”
Lévis opened his eyes and looked at him. Really looked. “You’re serious about this?”
“Yes.”
“Even if I yell?”
“Yes.”
“Even if I panic?”
“Yes.”
“Even if I shock you?”
Domina paused. “Well, I would prefer minimal electrocution.”
Lévis snorted, laughter breaking through at last. “Deal.”