Kain slept soundly, sprawled out in the most undignified position possible, one arm dangling off the bed, his orange hair messier than ever.
Tsuki watched him from her spot on the windowsill, her golden tails swaying lazily. She had been watching him sleep for a while now, but not out of concern—oh no, she was far too entertained for that.
"My, my~. You really do move fast, little thief," she murmured, tapping a finger against her lips.
"First, you steal a kiss from the princess…"
Her golden eyes twinkled mischievously as she gazed at his sleeping form.
"Then, you come straight for me. So bold~."
Kain let out a soft snore, utterly oblivious to the trouble waiting for him when he woke up.
Tsuki giggled to herself. "Oh, I do wonder how you'll react when you realize what that kiss actually did."
She leaned forward, close enough that her breath could have tickled his ear.
"Shall I tell you, little thief? Or shall I let fate… surprise you?"
She stretched her arms, letting out a lazy yawn. "Mmm~. Decisions, decisions~."
Kain twitched in his sleep, muttering something incoherent.
Tsuki smirked. He really had no idea.
She hadn't been lying—a divine kiss did have consequences.
What kind? Well, that was something for Kain to figure out on his own.
And she was going to enjoy every second of it.
---
Kain woke up with a jolt, heart pounding. Something felt… off. He wasn't sure what, but there was that strange, nagging sensation at the back of his mind.
His groggy eyes darted around the room, scanning for danger.
Then he saw her.
Tsuki was still perched on the windowsill, watching him with barely contained amusement. The moment their eyes met—
She smirked.
Kain groaned. "Oh gods, what now?"
"Good morning, my dear thief~. Did you sleep well?"
He rubbed his face. "I would've, if I wasn't constantly dealing with bullshit."
She tilted her head, grinning. "Aw, still grumpy? You should be happy, Kain~."
He gave her a suspicious look. "…Why?"
Tsuki giggled. "Because I've decided to keep our little kiss a secret."
Silence.
Kain blinked.
"...What."
Tsuki beamed. "Oh, you don't remember? Well, let me remind you~!"
She held up a hand, counting off on her fingers.
"One: You tried to grab me, because you were throwing a tantrum."
"I was NOT—"
"Two~! You tripped like a fool and fell right on top of me."
He winced. "That part's… technically not wrong."
"Three! You kissed me again!"
Kain's soul left his body.
He stared at her. "That… that was an ACCIDENT."
Tsuki clasped her hands together, eyes sparkling. "Oh my, was it~?"
Kain groaned, falling back onto the bed. "Kill me."
She grinned. "Now, now. You should be thanking me! I haven't told the princess about it. Imagine her reaction~!"
Kain shot up again. "DON'T."
Tsuki laughed. "Ohhh, you're so fun to tease."
Kain exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Okay. Look. I have a job now. I have to be semi-respectable. So let's just—move on."
She pouted. "You're no fun."
He glared. "I have plenty of fun—just not when it involves being set up for accidental kisses by a fox demon."
Tsuki gasped. "Goddess," she corrected, flicking his forehead. "And you'll find that fate is a funny thing, my dear thief~."
Kain rubbed his forehead, muttering under his breath. "Fate can go screw itself."
A knock sounded at the door.
Kain blinked. "Huh?"
Tsuki stretched lazily. "Ooooh~, looks like duty calls."
He sighed, standing up and moving toward the door.
When he opened it, a palace attendant stood there, stiff and professional.
"Sir Kain," the man said, his tone strained, like he didn't quite approve of addressing a thief as 'sir'.
Kain grinned. "Sir? Fancy."
The attendant's expression didn't change. "Princess Lysara has summoned you. Your first mission awaits."
Kain raised an eyebrow. "Already?"
Tsuki clapped her hands together. "Ooooh~. How exciting!"
Kain sighed, cracking his neck. "Alright, fine. Lead the way."
As he stepped into the hallway, Tsuki floated beside him, grinning.
"My, my~. I wonder what your first mission will be? Something easy, I hope."
Kain snorted. "You and I both know that's not happening."
Tsuki chuckled. "Oh, absolutely not."
Kain sighed, running a hand through his hair.
He had a very bad feeling about this.
And knowing his luck?
He was probably right.