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The gala had ended like a dream. Hyme's tail was still twitching with emotion, even as they walked hand in hand toward the car. The world had seen it—the dance, the kiss, the chemistry. Whispers had followed them out, not just from humans but from hybrids too.
Hyme was silent. Not the cold kind of silence, but the overwhelmed, quietly blushing kind. He didn't pull his hand away from San's, even as the chauffeur opened the car door.
San had no idea what had possessed him. That kiss—on the cheek—was it a mistake? Was it too much? But the way Hyme had looked at him afterward, his wide golden eyes shining under the chandelier, that wasn't hate. That wasn't discomfort.
They settled into the backseat. San leaned his head back against the leather cushion, trying to steady his thoughts. Hyme sat beside him, his tail curling slowly across the seat, brushing San's thigh like it had a mind of its own.
The ride was quiet… charged.
San turned his head just slightly and caught Hyme staring at him.
Not sharply. Not judgmentally. Just… staring.
And then Hyme started leaning in.
It was slow, hesitant. Not the spoiled hybrid prince vibe he usually gave off. This was softer, uncertain—like he was giving San a chance to pull away.
San didn't.
Hyme's eyes dipped to San's lips.
San's heartbeat was thundering.
He leaned a little too.
And then—
RING! RING!
San's phone exploded in sound, cutting through the tension like a dull knife through a silk ribbon.
Hyme immediately pulled back, blinking hard, face turning redder by the second.
San cursed under his breath and yanked the phone out of his pocket, not even looking at the screen before answering. "What?!"
"Yo, it's me," came his friend Kai's voice, way too loud and casual. "I heard you were at the gala! Dude, are you getting married to a cat or what? I saw that kiss. Bro, trending on hybrid gossip blogs already—"
San hung up mid-sentence.
The silence returned, but now it was awkward. Hyme was looking out the window, arms crossed. His tail was stiff.
"…Sorry about that," San said, voice low.
Hyme didn't answer.
"…Hyme?"
"Was that your boyfriend?" Hyme asked, voice perfectly calm but eyes slightly narrowed.
"What? No!" San sat up straighter. "He's just—he's annoying."
"Mm." Hyme's ears twitched. "Humans are often annoying."
San sighed and ruffled his own hair. "Look, about earlier…"
"You kissed me in front of half the elite hybrid population," Hyme said softly, turning his golden eyes back on San. "Do you know what that means?"
San hesitated. "No. Should I?"
Hyme leaned in slightly again—this time without any romantic air. "You've made it public. You're my human now. Whether you like it or not."
San blinked. "Wait, what?!"
Hyme huffed, looking forward. "You'll need new clothes. You can't wear that cheap suit again. And you'll attend the conference with me in ten days."
"Whoa—whoa! Hold on! You said I'm your what?"
Hyme turned his head, a smug little smile curling on his lips. "Nanny by contract. Date by accident. Property by default."
San's jaw dropped.
Hyme's tail flicked playfully across San's lap as he gave a lazy yawn and leaned back, clearly satisfied.
"…You're enjoying this," San muttered.
"Immensely," Hyme purred.
And as the car drove off into the night, one thing was clear—
San's peace had officially been shattered.
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