Spring Month: 3 
Night 
Clear Moon: 
Feo froze mid-step at Lucius’s words, still leaning heavily against the door. His chest was rising and falling rapidly, his heart hammering more from nerves than the mad dash he’d just made through town. Slowly, he turned his head to meet Lucius’s gaze, one hand still resting on the doorframe as though he needed the stability.
-
The soft accusation about the kiss hit him like a sudden gale, and he couldn’t stop the faint heat that rushed to his face. Of all the things Lucius could have brought up... Feo’s lips parted, but no words came at first. He shut them again and gave a quick, nervous laugh, his fingers tugging at the edge of his now-rumpled shirt. “Oh. So, uh... we're starting with that, are we?”
-
His voice wavered just slightly as he pushed off the door, clearing his throat and moving toward the suitcase he’d dumped onto the floor. “Okay, first of all,” he started, gesturing vaguely toward Lucius without looking at him directly, “insufferable doesn’t mean bad, alright? You’re a good kind of insufferable, if that’s a thing. I didn’t mean it as a total insult.” He crouched down by the suitcase, undoing the zipper with a faint metallic sound, his movements sharper than usual. “But if you must know, essentials include—” Feo yanked the suitcase open with a flourish, motioning to the chaotic mess inside, “—clothes, food, water, and, uh...” His voice faltered slightly as his eyes landed on the gun that he'd just placed in there when he opened it, tucked just underneath a bundle of shirts. “A... contingency plan. You know, just in case.”
-
He glanced over his shoulder at Lucius, whose expression made it clear the kiss wasn’t a subject that was going to be dropped anytime soon. Feo let out a slow, controlled breath, straightened up, and wiped his palms against his pants as though he needed something to do with his hands. “Look,” he said carefully, standing tall and facing Lucius fully now. “About that kiss. I—” He stopped, running a hand through his hair and tugging at the strands near the back of his neck. “Okay, fine. I panicked. Happy? You were spiraling, and I—I didn’t know what else to do to get you to stay put. I didn’t exactly think it through. It was, uh... impulsive.”
-
Feo crossed his arms over his chest, his fingers tapping restlessly against his elbows as his gaze shifted to the floor. “I’m not saying it was the smartest move, and yeah, I get it. First kiss and all that. Not exactly the most romantic setting, huh?” His voice softened slightly, almost apologetic. “But it worked, didn’t it? You stayed. And that was the point.”
-
He lifted his head, his eyes meeting Lucius’s again. The blush on his face deepened, but there was a steadiness in his gaze now, something quietly resolute. “Look, I don’t regret it, alright? I don’t. Maybe it wasn’t perfect, but I had to do something to keep you safe. And if that meant being... I don’t know, forward? Fine. I’d do it again if I had to.”
-
Feo’s shoulders sagged slightly as he exhaled, his expression softening further. “But I get it. You’re mad because it wasn’t fair. Because it wasn’t planned. And you’re right—it wasn’t. You deserved better. You do deserve better.” He hesitated for a moment, his fingers tightening against his arms before he uncrossed them and took a step closer to the bed. “So let me make it up to you. I mean it. We’ll get through this madness, and when we’re not running for our lives or looking over our shoulders, I’ll do it right. Proper first-kiss territory. You have my word. Or, y'know," he regained a little confidence, offering a small smirk, "you could just fix it here."
-
Feo leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on his knees as he tilted his head to one side. “And for the record,” he added with a small, teasing smile, “you didn’t exactly complain in the moment, did you? So maybe I’m not the only one at fault here, hmm?” He kept his voice soft, his words more playful than pointed, watching Lucius carefully for a reaction.
