Chapter 66 - Soft kiss

Kui's eyelids felt so damn heavy, like someone had glued them shut. Even opening them a sliver took all his effort. His whole body felt like it was made of stone, stiff and unresponsive. "Where... where am I? What happened?" His voice came out hoarse, barely a whisper, as confusion swirled in his mind.

Before the panic could fully set in, something small and warm touched his face. A hand. Gentle but steady. That simple touch somehow made all his tension melt away, grounding him in a way he couldn't explain.

"You're such a troublesome fellow," a soft, annoyed voice mumbled.

Kui wanted to laugh at the scolding tone, but he couldn't. His throat was dry, and his body refused to cooperate. Suddenly, something soft pressed against his lips, and cool water trickled into his mouth. He drank it instinctively, the relief washing over him like a soothing wave.

"You'd better get well soon," the voice said again, quieter this time. A small hand brushed against his forehead. "Your fever's down. I'll go get more water." Kui heard light footsteps retreat into the cave, leaving him alone.

His foggy mind slowly cleared, and his eyes shot wide open. Wait... was that a kiss? He stared up at the rocky ceiling, the realization hitting him like a ton of bricks. Oh no. Oh no no no. Does that make me—no! No, it doesn't! It was just water!

Turning his head slightly, Kui caught sight of the boy crouched by the cave entrance, carefully setting up leaf cups under dripping water. The kid looked so focused, completely unaware of Kui's growing inner turmoil. Oh my god. What if someone finds out? Kui shut his eyes tightly and tried to calm his racing heart.

Before he could fully panic, the boy came running back. Kui froze and quickly pretended to be asleep, his chest rising and falling a little too deliberately. It wasn't like that! He was helping me! It was an emergency! he screamed internally, hoping that somehow his guilt would evaporate.

A soft hand pressed against his cheek again, and Kui almost flinched. "Humans are so weak," the boy muttered under his breath, like he was talking to himself.

Kui peeked an eye open and found the boy's face hovering close. "You're awake!" he said, sounding both relieved and smug.

"Mm…" Kui groaned, his voice scratchy and tired. "Where… where are we?"

"In a cave," the boy said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "You got sick."

Kui's throat burned as he tried to speak again. "Your gills… you'll collapse if—"

"Oh, stop worrying," the boy cut him off, rolling his eyes. He sat back a little, revealing something Kui hadn't noticed before—legs. Slender, human-looking legs.

Kui blinked in shock, forcing himself to sit up despite his body's protests. "Legs? How?"

"I told you, I was just weak before. My body recovered, and now I can use at least ten percent of my powers." The boy crossed his arms, looking way too proud of himself. "I'm telling you, I'm a powerful mer. These humans don't stand a chance against me."

Kui let out a tired chuckle, his hand reaching out to ruffle the boy's hair. "Good," he said softly, but his smile faltered as his thoughts drifted. He glanced away, his chest tightening. "Aok…"

"What?" The boy tilted his head, his shimmering eyes locking onto Kui.

"You… you…" Kui's voice caught, unsure of how to say what was on his mind.

The boy frowned, leaning closer. "What are you stammering for? Did the fever fry your brain?"

Kui took a deep breath. "no. nothing." He had wanted to tell the kid not to do something intimate like that with anyone else. But the words seem to fail him. 'he wont do it with anyone… ill make sure to protect him well.'