"A-are you even listening to yourse— hmmph..!"

Ardashir's tongue invaded the Endministrator's mouth before he could finish his sentence or protest again. He felt his back pressed against the wall and wished it would swallow him — or, at least, give them better coverage from any possible passerby. They continued to make out for another second, then another and other. The Endministrator felt his chest tightening, desperately needing air, but he couldn't stop.

A soft, barely audible cry escaped their kiss. The Endministrator pushed Ardashir with the little strength he had left and slumped back against the concrete, gasping like an athlete out of a marathon.

"A-Ardashir!" He hissed, the visible parts of his cheeks flushed red. His lips were slightly swollen and he could feel drool dripping down the corner, but feared that Ardashir would latch himself back onto him if he dared to let go of his shoulders. "This is t-too much— ahh, y-you said you just wanted to talk!"

"We were talking," Ardashir hummed, his palms flat against the wall as he battled the urge to hold the Endministrator's body. "But you kissed me. It would be rude to not return your expectations."

"I did not!" The Endministrator hissed and stomped his feet a little. He couldn't really remember how they got in this situation, but he wouldn't start it like this, would he? "A-and this is not 'talking'!"

Since the very start of their mission in Wuling, all Ardashir asked him for was a "proper discussion". It didn't feel like an honest request, nor something that could be trusted. The Endministrator's better judgment told him so, told him to avoid that mysterious and dangerous-looking man, but something about Ardashir was simply too hard to… ignore.

One thing led to the other, and as if he was monitoring the Endministrator's every step, Ardashir made a new offer: past the moon's rise time, away from people's eyes. Taking the risk of putting himself at danger or simply handing himself to Wuling's most wanted enemy, here the Endministrator was. "Properly discussing" whatever matters Ardashir had to discuss with him.

The Endministrator held Ardashir's face by his chin, unable to put as much force as he would like to in his grip. He turned the other man's face away to break the eye contact with him. "Don't start making things up, you dragged me here."

"I thought you wanted to avoid being seen with me," Ardashir smiled as the Endministrator's fingers pressed into his face. "Isn't that why we need 'discreet' locations to meet at?"

The Endministrator clenched his jaw. His grip faltered as soon as Ardashir reached for his hand and pried it off his face, daring to kiss the Endministrator's palm before he stared back into the dark mask that covered his eyes. "Shall we resume? Don't you have any other things to ask me—"

"No," the Endministrator muttered. He tried to pull his hand back, but Ardashir held him by his wrist before he could move it away. Their eyes locked again and silence filled that brief moment. The Endministrator felt Ardashir's tail shifting, pressing their legs together as much as it could. "Ardashir, let me go," he sighed, trying to sound impatient while his heart still drummed against his ribs.

"…You said we didn't talk. I should at least fulfill my word before you depart, no? We can 'just talk' this time, if you wish," he suggested and moved his fingers to stroke down the Endministrator's arm. "Didn't you say you have questions? I can answer them—"

"I-I'm not falling for that twice!" The Endministrator hissed, pulling his hand back and close to his body. It was hard to even look at Ardashir in his eyes and it made him question if this was the same man he met in Jingyu Valley. The way he looked now would make the Endministrator believe he was just a traveler instead of someone plotting a disaster along with Nefarith. "…You are dangerous, I shouldn't be here."

"But you are," Ardashir insisted, his tone more gentle this time. His lips curved into a small pout, his eyes soft as if he feared the fact they were approaching the moment of departure. "You could test for yourself that I mean no harm," Ardashir teased and looked down at the space between their bodies, "why the hurry all of the sudden?"

"Don't put words in my mouth," the Endministrator muttered, hoping that the surging heat around his cheeks would go unnoticed. Just because there was no harm done this time, it didn't mean there wouldn't be in the next and— why was he even thinking about a next time?!

The Endministrator shook his head and pressed one hand against Ardashir's chest. "I'm sorry, but I have to go."

Ardashir slowly closed his mouth and pressed his lips together into a thin line, leaving his words stuck in his throat. For a moment, it all felt like that time ten years ago, but the feeling didn't seem to be accompanied by the memory. He sighed, and smiled after a short moment. "And if I hold you here? You can still call for help."

"I'm asking you," the Endministrator insisted, pressing his hand against Ardashir's body, "let me go."

"I'm 'dangerous' and 'evil', no? Why would I listen to you?" Ardashir giggled under his breath and the Endministrator could feel the tip of his tail brushing the underside of his calf, as if it was wagging excitedly. "Isn't it best for you if I play into the role, 'Endmin'?"

"Don't be ridiculous," the Endministrator groaned, hitting Ardashir's chest weakly, "I— I have my part of the deal to live up to. I said I could meet you as long as you behaved!"

"And you believed me?" Ardashir's grin grew wider. He wrapped a hand around the Endministrator's waist, pulling him impossibly close and trapping him against the only surface that surrounded them. "I could've lied, as far as it concerns you."

He savored the slightly scared, but mostly shy reaction in the Endministrator's face, it looked like the one of a kid caught doing mischief. Was he worried about his reputation? Or just scared because he couldn't read through Ardashir's words?

"I don't want you to go, 'Endmin'. Stay, a little more, at least."

"I can't do that— ah! W-wait, whahat are you— A-Ardashir! Stohop!"

"Stay a little more, 'Endmin'," Ardashir insisted, hoping that his cheap tactic would make his words more persuasive. He tickled the Endministrator's side with his free hand, sneaking it inside the other's coat and wiggling his fingers over the soft fabric. "Or I will tickle you more."

"T-thihis is nonsehehense!" The Endministrator groaned through his laughter, trying to sound angry despite the forced smile pulling at his lips. He pushed down at Ardashir's arm, putting up his efforts in shielding himself from the 'attack'. "A-Ardahashir! Stohop, thihis is stupid!"

"But it works on you," Ardashir nodded, letting a small chuckle along his 'victim' as the Endministrator pushed him and flailed his hands around, resorting to everything he had at hand in the hopes of making an escape. "You don't look like you can take it for longer."

"S-Shuhut it! It's jujust— ahaha, s-stuhuhupid!"

The sound of his laughter made Ardashir feel a strange, but almost painful warmth inside his chest. Maybe it was one of the things he didn't know he missed until he realized how long it had been since the last time he got to listen it himself. If he really thought about it, the Endministrator was still reacting like he remembered he did, and was still ticklish in the same places as back then.

Maybe he should try tickling him under his arms? That would make him laugh really loud — at least, it used to. The Endministrator also giggled whenever he kissed him behind his ears or near his neck… Ardashir sighed, reminiscing about how cute it sounded and—

"F-FIHINE! AHAhah, d-dahahamn it! A-Ardashir, plehease!" The Endministrator begged, his voice a little ragged. His cheeks looked redder than before and Ardashir could see his skin gleaming a little under his mask. Where those little tears of mirth?

He smiled, knowing it would be hard to stop himself if he dared to push it on. "Is that so? Do we have another deal, 'Endmin'?"

"Y-YEHEhes! I-I wihill stahahay, j-juhust quihihit it!"

"Very well," Ardashir said, back to his polite and tender tone. He moved his hand up and his heart skipped a beat when the Endministrator didn't evade his touch, letting him brush off the little damp spot near his cheek. "Just until the sunrise."

"…and not a second more," the Endministrator added, carrying his defeat in his tone, but still trying to sound as if he had any control over his current situation.

He hesitated and stared at Ardashir again. After seconds that seemed like an eternity, the Endministrator wrapped his arms around the man again, welcoming Ardashir in an awkward hug — both apprehensible and fond. "You hear me?"