I Will Fulfill the Role of the Villain

Theo’s fingertips tingled from the soft, pliant sensation against them, a warmth curling low in his stomach. It was just a fleeting touch, and yet, it felt strangely electrifying.

If his lips actually touched—

Theo stared down at Luke, caught in a web of thoughts he knew were absurd. He was well aware that touching another person without permission was unacceptable, yet when it came to Luke, these intrusive, reckless thoughts surfaced more and more.

Years of discipline and etiquette drilled into him by the ducal family seemed to crumble in moments like this. He bit his lip, shifting slightly. As he did, Luke’s brow furrowed ever so slightly, his face smooth yet subtly expressive even in sleep.

Even that was… strangely endearing.

They had known each other since their academy days. It wasn’t a short time by any means. But never before had Theo found himself thinking about touching Luke—constantly, incessantly, as if it was an itch under his skin. Luke had once half-jokingly suggested that they get entangled properly one day, but he surely had no idea that Theo had already gone far beyond that in his thoughts.

A slow, steady breath tickled his fingertips as Luke exhaled. The sound, the way it softly carried in the silence, made Theo feel restless.

Without realizing it, Theo leaned in.

His only thought was how close he could get. He wanted to feel more of that warmth, to hear those faint breaths against his lips.@@novelbin@@

Just as the space between them dwindled to a mere fraction, Luke’s eyelids fluttered open.

Their gazes locked—deep brown clashing with obsidian black.

For a moment, neither moved.

Luke’s long, delicate eyelashes trembled as he blinked, his eyes still hazy from sleep, unfocused at first. But then, clarity returned, and his expression shifted.

“…What the hell—”