The morning light filtered through the half-closed blinds, casting warm stripes across the wooden floors of San's apartment. In the kitchen, the clinking of utensils was a quiet symphony—until Hyme threw a spoon at Lys.
"I told you," Hyme growled, "don't touch the soy milk. That one's mine."
Lys dodged with ease and narrowed his eyes from across the kitchen counter. "I didn't realize you'd branded it. Maybe you should put a bell on it next time, little prince."
"I'm not the only one with bells in their closet, royal mutt."
San pinched the bridge of his nose. "It's too early for this."
Kai entered, rubbing his eyes and yawning. "Wow. Is this what mornings are like in a war zone?"
Lyra padded in after him, tail swishing. "No, war zones have more manners."
San placed a plate of eggs and toast in front of Lys. "Eat. And stop provoking each other."
"I'm not provoking anyone," Lys muttered, stabbing his toast. "He started it."
Hyme crossed his arms from the other side of the counter, still in a too-cute oversized pajama shirt that said Don't Touch My Tuna. "He exists, that's what he started."
"You two sound like siblings," Kai mumbled, chewing a banana.
"Don't insult me," they both said in unison—then glared at each other.
Lyra slid into a seat beside Kai, tail curling gracefully. "By the way, San," she said lightly, sipping her tea, "someone's watching your building."
San looked up. "What?"
"Two different hybrids near the intersection. Not locals. Not regulars either. They smell like blood and cigarettes."
San's face hardened. "Is it Lys's mess?"
Lys paused mid-bite. "…Unlikely. I severed ties with the Crimson Circle a week before the conference."
"Crimson Circle?" Hyme echoed. "That underground hybrid enforcement group? The one that used to answer to your uncle?"
Lys nodded once. "They've been on their own since the royal council fractured."
Lyra looked thoughtful. "Then it's someone else. But they're not friendly. And they're not just here for a visit."
Kai frowned. "Wooyoung's been acting weird too," he added. "Said she's working on something secret, even from me. She only gets like that when politics are involved."
Hyme's ears twitched. "If she's hiding something from Kai, it must be serious."
San stood, grabbing his jacket. "I'll check the perimeter. Lyra, keep watch on the windows. Hyme, don't let Lys out of your sight."
"What am I, a dog walker?" Hyme muttered.
"More like a cat babysitter," Lys drawled, lounging smugly.
"I will shave your tail in your sleep."
San was already at the door. "If either of you breaks something, I'm putting both your tails in time-out."
The door slammed behind him.
---
Later, with San gone, the silence settled heavy over the apartment. Lys leaned back in the chair, sipping his tea, while Hyme stood near the window, arms crossed.
"…Do you really hate me that much?" Lys asked after a moment.
Hyme didn't look at him. "I don't know. I should."
"But you don't?"
"I don't trust you. That's not the same thing."
Lys's voice was quieter now. "I didn't grow up with options, Hyme. I was trained to think of people like you as dangerous."
"And I was raised to prove people like you wrong."
Their eyes finally met. Something raw passed between them—too fleeting to define, but too real to ignore.
Lys looked away first.
Hyme smirked. "You really do suck at being a villain, you know."
Lys gave a soft, bitter laugh. "Yeah. I'm starting to realize that."
---