Natalia floated through the blissful darkness of sleep. She couldn't remember the last time her body felt this thoroughly relaxed, this deeply satisfied. A small smile played on her lips as she burrowed deeper into the warmth surrounding her.

Then, like a bucket of ice water dumped over her head, a single thought jolted her awake.

Mom and Dad.

Natalia's eyes flew open. She bolted upright, the sheet falling away from her naked body. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she stared wild-eyed at the unfamiliar walls of Satori's bedroom.

"Oh my god," she whispered, hand flying to her mouth. "Oh my god."

Her parents were coming home tonight. And the condo—their perfect, pristine condo—looked like... like...

She jumped out of bed, wincing at the delicious soreness between her thighs. The clock on Satori's nightstand read 6:23 PM. How long had they been asleep? How long did they have before her father's key turned in the lock?

Natalia grabbed Satori's discarded t-shirt from the floor and yanked it over her head. It hung nearly to her knees, the collar slipping off one shoulder. She caught a whiff of that subtle cologne he'd started wearing.

She hurried into the living room, only to stop short at the sight of Satori lounging on the couch—the same couch where hours earlier he'd bent her over the armrest and—

"No," she hissed to herself. "Focus."

Satori scrolled casually through his phone, wearing nothing but a pair of loose basketball shorts. His hair was a mess, his neck peppered with marks from her lips and teeth. He looked completely, infuriatingly unbothered.

"What are you doing?" Natalia demanded, her voice rising to a panicked pitch.

Satori glanced up, his eyes traveling lazily from her bare legs to her flushed face.

"Checking Hunter Net. Veronica Cabana is streaming her C-Team clearing a B-rank Gate. Pretty sick moves." He patted the cushion beside him. "Wanna see?"

Natalia gaped at him. Was he serious? Did he not understand their situation?

"Are you out of your mind?" She gestured wildly around the room. "My father could walk through that door any minute! The whole place smells like... like..."

"Like what?" Satori's grin widened.

Heat rushed to Natalia's cheeks. "Like your stupid cologne and... and sin! We have to clean this place. Now!"

She stomped forward and grabbed his wrist, trying to haul him off the couch. He didn't budge. Instead, he tugged her off balance, sending her tumbling into his lap with a startled squeak.

"I like you in my shirt," he murmured, nuzzling her neck. "You should wear it more often."

"Satori!" She shoved at his chest, though her body betrayed her with a shiver at the feel of his lips against her skin. "This isn't a joke. If my dad finds one hint of what we've been doing, he'll murder you. Slowly. With his bare hands."

Satori sighed dramatically against her throat. "Fine. I'll help you erase our very fun, very loud crimes." His hand slid up her thigh, fingers toying with the hem of the shirt. "But you owe me."

Natalia scrambled off his lap, pulling the shirt down. "I'll owe you nothing if we're both dead. Now move!"

For the next hour, they transformed into a hurricane of cleaning activity. Natalia directed operations sending Satori to fix the furniture while she attacked the living room with disinfectant wipes.

She was on her hands and knees, scrubbing furiously at a spot on the hardwood floor where a vase had tipped over during their earlier... activities... when she felt Satori's presence behind her. The heat of him reached her before his touch did. He crouched, his chest brushing her back as he reached around her with a cleaning cloth.

"You missed a spot," he whispered, his breath tickling her ear.

Natalia let out an embarrassing squeak, her body instinctively arching back against him before her brain caught up.

"I can do it myself!" She snatched the cloth from his hand. "Go check the kitchen."

His low chuckle sent another wave of heat through her body as he moved away. She watched him go, those basketball shorts hanging dangerously low on his hips, the muscles of his back shifting as he walked. How had she never noticed how broad his shoulders were before?

Focus, Natalia!

The kitchen presented its own set of challenges. Natalia wiped down the marble countertop where Satori had sat her, legs spread wide as he—

She shook her head violently, attacking the counter with fresh vigor. The sound of Satori's footsteps approached, and suddenly he was behind her again, caging her against the counter with a hand on either side of her.

"This counter has seen some things, huh?" His voice was a low rumble that she felt in her core. "Brings back memories."

He leaned in close. Natalia's breath caught in her throat, her eyes fluttering closed as she waited for his kiss. Instead, he reached past her, plucking a grape from the fruit bowl. The smug grin on his face when she opened her eyes made her want to smack him.

"Just... clean," she managed, pushing him away with a hand to his chest.

Finally, they faced the final challenge: the bedroom. The sheets were a twisted, rumpled mess, bearing undeniable evidence of their activities. Natalia held them at arm's length, her nose wrinkling.

"Laundry. Now."

Satori laughed, taking the bundle from her hands. "Smells like victory to me."

"You're disgusting," she said, but couldn't suppress a smile.

He dropped the sheets and lunged for her. Natalia shrieked as he tackled her onto the bare mattress, his fingers finding the ticklish spot beneath her ribs. She squirmed and laughed, trying to escape his grasp.

"Stop it! We don't have time!"

Their playful wrestling match ended with Satori pinning her wrists above her head, both of them breathless with laughter. His eyes darkened as he looked down at her, and for a moment, Natalia thought he might kiss her again. Instead, he released her wrists and rolled off the bed.

"You're right. Back to work, Princess."

Two hours later, the condo smelled aggressively of lemon cleaner. Every surface gleamed, every piece of incriminating evidence had been washed, dried, and put away. Exhausted, they collapsed onto the couch, Natalia now properly dressed in leggings and a tank top.

"I'm starving," Satori announced, reaching for his phone. "Ramen?"

Natalia nodded, too tired to argue. As Satori placed their order, she found herself watching him. The way his fingers moved across the screen. The curve of his jaw. The playful light in his eyes when he caught her staring.

This was the same man who had pinned her to his bed last night, who had commanded her body with a dominance that still made her blush to remember. The same man who had looked into her eyes and called her his queen, who had spun a ridiculous, grandiose story about a "Sovereign's Covenant" and building a kingdom.

It was the most narcissistic, self-serving explanation she'd ever heard. A convenient Aspect that required him to sleep with powerful women? Please. She wasn't an idiot.

And yet... something about it resonated with a hidden part of her. The idea of being his Keystone, his first and most important. The one who would help him select the others, who would reign beside him. It fed a possessive, prideful part of her soul she hadn't known existed until he awakened it.

Their food arrived, and they ate in companionable silence, shoulders touching on the couch as they watched a movie neither of them paid attention to.

"We should probably get some sleep," she said, collecting their empty containers.

Satori walked her to her bedroom door, hands in his pockets. Natalia lingered, one hand on the doorknob, waiting.

"You could stay," he said finally, his voice surprisingly soft. "My bed's warmer."

Every cell in Natalia's body screamed at her to say yes. To follow him back to his room, to curl up in his arms and wake with his heartbeat under her ear. But the image of her father's face if he found them together was too terrifying to ignore.

"And have my father walk in on us in the morning? Are you insane?" She spoke quickly, avoiding his eyes. "I... I need my own space. Goodnight."

She turned to her door, waiting for his protest, for the teasing remarks or the persuasive touch that would weaken her resolve. Instead, she heard:

"Okay. Goodnight, Natalia."

She froze, hand still on the doorknob. That was it? She glanced over her shoulder to see him already walking away, heading for his own room.

She abandoned her door and marched after him, catching him just as he reached his own room.

"Wait!"

He turned, one eyebrow raised in question. Natalia couldn't meet his eyes, her face burning with embarrassment and frustration. She swung her arms, lightly hitting his side with her fists.

"Is that all?" Her voice came out higher than intended, almost a squeak. "After... after everything today, you're just going to say 'goodnight' and walk away?!"

A slow smile spread across Satori's face, transforming his features. He stepped toward her, cupping her face in his hands, thumbs stroking gently over her cheekbones.

"Never," he murmured, and lowered his mouth to hers.

This kiss wasn't like the others. It wasn't hungry or desperate or demanding. It was sweet, tender, full of a warmth that curled her toes and made her heart flutter. When he pulled away, Natalia felt lightheaded.

"Goodnight, my queen," he whispered against her lips.

Natalia retreated to her room in a daze. She closed the door and leaned against it, pressing her fingers to her tingling lips. Her heart raced, her thoughts a chaotic tangle of emotions she couldn't begin to sort through.

One thought rose clear and unmistakable above the rest: I'm in so much trouble.

Despite everything—the risk, the fear, the absurdity of it all—a small, secret smile curved her lips.

Trouble had never felt so worth it.

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