The party was still echoing in your ears by the time Alhaitham walked you home under the soft lights of Sumeru City. People had genuinely believed the two of you were the ones who got engaged, not your friends. Somehow, you’d become the center of a rumor that refused to die.

And Alhaitham hadn't exactly denied it.

—“You didn’t have to kiss me,” you grumbled, arms crossed as the two of you stood in front of your door.

He glanced sideways at you, calm as ever.

—“It was the simplest solution.”

—“That’s not simple.”

—“It stopped the questions, didn’t it?”

You rolled your eyes.

—“Still, you didn’t have to—”

Before you could finish, he took a small step closer. Not rushed. Not hesitant. Just… certain. His gaze lowered to yours, sharper now but strangely soft.

—“You’re right,” he said quietly. “I didn’t have to.”

And then he leaned in and kissed you again—slower this time, more deliberate. Less "crowd-pleasing," more something else.

When he pulled away, your breath caught. He didn’t move far. His hand lingered near your jaw like he wasn’t ready to let go of the moment just yet.

—“Good night,” he said simply, voice low.

You blinked.

—“That—was that still part of the act?”

He smiled faintly, a rare curve of his lips that was hard to read.

—“Let’s just say I’m growing fond of the role.”

Then he turned and walked off, leaving your heart beating way too fast and your mind tangled in every possible meaning behind that kiss.