No Ads
Chapter 12
Buying a guy boxers? Yup, total first.
Caitlyn peeked at the underwear order on her phone, then at Leon, her cheeks going pink
“Hmph,” she muttered, lips twitching.
Leon raised an eyebrow. “What’s her problem now?”
He rubbed his jaw, brain ticking. Probably that time of the month. How else to explain her snappy vibo lately?”
Though, okay, Caitlyn was always kinda fiery.
Her thumb hovered over the shopping app, when it hit
it her. ‘Wait–this dude’s got no phone.
Caitlyn’s jaw clenched, and she shot Leon a look, irritation mixing with a flicker of something softer she wouldn’t name.
“What’s with the death glare?” he asked, flashing a lopsided grin.
Her lips quirked, half scowl, half–smirk. “Can I charge interest? Scratch that I’m so charging interest
Muttering, she swiped her phone open and shoved it at him, her pulse doing a little hop. “Pick one, genius. You’re in my debt now, and I’m piling on interest. Pay up when I feel like it!”
“Nice,” Leon said, cool as a cucumber.
Caitlyn froze. ‘Nice? Really?‘
Her eyes narrowed, suspicion prickling. Is this guy gonna stiff me? Why was he smirking like that?”
Leon glanced at the phone models, then locked eyes with her, calm and infuriating. “I’ll take the same one you got
She tilted her head. “For real? You don’t want your old model or, like, the latest fancy one?”
“Nope. Yours works fine, right?”
“Uh, yeah, I guess…” Caitlyn’s voice trailed off, her fingers hesitating over the screen.
She tapped through the options, chewing her lip, and picked the same model in black.
Hers was white–matching phones felt way too couple–y, and the thought made her stomach twist in a way she didn’t want to unpack
Leon’s grin widened, like he was in on some private joke,
“What’s so funny, dude?‘ Caitlyn’s eyes narrowed again, her mind racing. “He’s broke as a joke, borrowing cash for freaking underwear, and he’s acting like he won the lottery”
Shaking her head to clear the mental fog, she spun on her heel and headed for her bedroom
Having a guy bunking at her place was straight–up bizarre.
And not just any guy–her sworn enemy, currently nursing wounds and crashing on her cough, Yeah, that was next–level weird.
Leon didn’t seem to care about her internal meltdown. He propped himself cross–legged, TV blaring in the background, and shut his eyes to channel mystical healing juice.
A faint glow flickered around him, patching up his cuts. The surface wounds were easy; it was the law–infused gunk in his system that made hi
1/4
Chapter 12
Inwardly. That crap would take forever to shake.
His battered look screamed he
hot mess, but a cocky part of him grinned inside. He’d to through that fight like a beast, and damn, it felt good.
Still, a dark cloud settled in his gut.
Leon’s eyes flicked opri, staring blankly at the ceiling. The fire in his gaze was gone, replaced by a dull, mopey have.
Betrayed. Stabbed in the back. The sting hit harder than any punch, and no amount of bravado could dodge it.
But he’d never regret swinging his blade.
Night crept in, and a soft rain tapped the windows, Last shower for a bit, the weather app claimed.
In the bathroom, the shower’s steady hiss could unravel even a saint,
Leon’s brain took a dangerous detour–her under the spray, water gliding over soft curves, skin shimmering
His checks burned, and he shook his head hard. “Chill, dude!”
He gulped down water, trying to smother the dumb heat sparking in his chest.
Meanwhile, Caitlyn stood in the shower, her mind on anything but fantasy. Her brow creased as she tallied her bank account.
Almost tapped out. Great
Minutes later, she strutted out, towel scrubbing her hair, and fixed Leon with a stare that could cut steel.
He blinked up, all innocent, though his pulse did a little traitor’s skip, “What? Want me to blow–dry your hair or something?”
Caitlyn’s eyes narrowed, lips twitching. “You’ve got zilch, don’t you? No card, no SIM, nothing?”
Leon rubbed his neck, sheepish. “Yeah… no ID either.”
Caitlyn groaned, tossing her head back to scowl at the ceiling. Frustration flared in her eyes, but her fresh–from–the–shower glow was distracting. That smooth jawline practically dared someone to touch it.
“Fine,” she huffed. “Tomorrow, we’re fixing this. Use my cards for now. I’ll get Kathleen to hook you up with an Ekavine citizen card.”
Leon frowned, unease flickering across his face. “Won’t the Alliance flip?”
He was, like, wanted wanted, after all.
Caitlyn snorted, waving him off with a smirk. Confidence sparked in her gaze. “Oh God, screw them. Ekavine’s the City of Chaos–neutral turf You’re not the only outlaw here.”
Leon grinned faintly. “True. Even the Demon Lord gets a pass…”
Her glare could’ve sparked a fire. “You’re throwing shade now! When I’m bailing out your sony ass?”
“No shade!” Leon backpedaled, hands up, His voice softened, eyes locking on hers. “For real, Caitlyn… thanks.”
The room went quiet, the air thick with something neither dared name.
Caitlyn’s cheeks flared pink, her heart doing a le fip. With a quick Thriph, she whirled around and darted into her bedroom, labies light but hurried, like she was dodging a spell.
214
12:55 Fri, 13 Jun
Chapter 12
Leon’s voice trailed after her, teasing “What, no blow dry sesh with me?”
She didn’t bother answering
“Ugh, total dunce: She flopped onto her bed, mentally groaning. Does he seriously not gett
A girl letting a guy dry her hair after a shower was huge–like, Demon–level sacred.
For her kind, it was basically a neon sign blinking, “Marry me, we’re forever.”
So. Caitlyn not chucking a slipper at Lean’s head? Yeah, that was her being way too chill about his obliviousness.
Morning snuck in with soft rain, the kind that made her bed feel like a cloud.
Caitlyn shuffled out, yawning, eyes half shut. Her gaze crashed into Leon’s, and she frose.
“Still sore?” she asked, voice low, eyes sharp.
He rubbed his shoulder. “It heal. Gimme time.”
“I’m just waiting for you to bounce back and start hustling to pay me back.”
“A“good morning wouldn’t hurt, y’know.”
“Pth.” Caitlyn grinned, chin up.
A solid creditor always kept the debtor on their toes. Basic rules.
The rain had cleared, leaving a sunny day perfect for a stroll.
But at the door, Caitlyn sighed. ‘Legs, don’t bail on me…
Moving felt like a chore.
Leon tailed her, quiet as a ghost.
They hit a breakfast spot, grabbing milk, sandwiches,
es, and egg–cheap, tasty, and filling
The shop’s owner, a nosy old guy, eyed Leon looming behind her like a brooding knight. He grinned at Caitlyn. “Well, look at you, missy! Got a boyfriend? This guy’s a catch, even if he looks like he needs a nap.”
Caitlyn’s lips twitched, her brain screaming. ‘Why’s everyone so freaking gossipy
Leon stayed cool, but he was probably smirking inside. Bet he was eating this up.
“Just roominates,” she said, voice flat.
“Ohhh, shacking up? That’s the juicy stuff” The owner’s grin widened, like he’d struck gold
Caitlyn’s brain blue–screened. Words, where you at?” She paid, snatched the food, and bolted.
“Stupid humans. Whatever–explaining’s for suckers, she thought.
She was Caitlyn, unbothered queen. I’m good. She squared her shoulders, flat light.
Lean nudged her pointing at the bag. “Hey, I’m starving.”
12:55 Fri, 13 Jun OG
Chapter 12
Her confidence popped like a bubble. She gave him a look–hall–exasperated, hall–confused. “Why’s this feel like I’m babysitting a giant?
She had to tip her head back to even meet his eyes.
“Don’t tell me I gotta feed you too,” she teased, eyebrow raised.
He grinned, lazy and siting. “Wouldn’t say no.”
You’re messing with me, right?”
