Chapter Five
1186 Words
The night air was thick with the lingering scent of grilled bangus, smoke curling lazily into the sky as the soldiers settled into their evening meal. Sapphire sat with an air of grace, effortlessly poised at the end of the long wooden table, an almost ethereal presence amidst the rough company. His features, softened by the dim firelight, made him appear like a creature carved out of moonlight—untouchable, otherworldly, yet undeniably captivating. His clothes, though simple compared to his usual attire, only enhanced his allure, as if the fabric itself was charmed by his beauty.
The other soldiers stole glances at him, their rough, battle-hardened expressions faltering as their gazes lingered a little too long. They pretended not to notice, shifting uncomfortably in their seats, their casual conversations faltering as Sapphire's mere presence dominated the space. Cruz, seated across the table, watched this unfold with a growing tension gnawing at him. He had seen the way men—strong men—were rendered silent around Sapphire, unsure whether to approach or retreat, as if drawn in by a force they didn't understand but couldn't resist.
Sapphire, of course, was either oblivious or uninterested. He surveyed the food in front of him with a quiet elegance, eyebrows arching slightly as if the sight of simple fare perplexed him. His fingers, delicate but assured, toyed with the edge of the grilled bangus.
"Is this safe?" he asked, a hint of genuine curiosity in his otherwise refined tone, his voice barely above a murmur. He tilted his head toward Adrian, who sat next to him, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
Adrian, who had long grown accustomed to Sapphire's quirks, chuckled. "It's grilled bangus. Local staple. You'll survive."
Sapphire's eyes flicked back to the plate. "Hmm." The skepticism was palpable, but he lifted a small portion of the fish to his mouth, testing it as if it were a foreign delicacy. As the flavor hit him, a look of pleasant surprise crossed his face—brief but noticeable to those paying attention. He took another bite, this one with a little more confidence.
Cruz, who had been observing silently, felt a twinge of something he couldn't quite place. It was as if watching Sapphire discover the taste of simple food for the first time was a private moment he wasn't meant to witness. There was something... adorable about it—Sapphire's obliviousness to the world outside his own privileged bubble, his sheltered upbringing evident in every graceful, innocent gesture. The soldiers continued to eye him, more intrigued than ever, but none dared approach him. There was something almost forbidding about Sapphire, a sharpness beneath his softness that warned them to keep their distance. His beauty, while breathtaking, was edged with an aura of untouchability.
He took a few more bites of his meal, each taste drawing a more satisfied reaction. Sapphire turned to Adrian with a faint smile. "You weren't lying. It's... interesting."
Adrian smirked, amused by his phrasing. "Told you. There's a whole world of food you're missing out on, Sapphire."
Sapphire gave a delicate shrug. "Maybe you're right."
As dinner wound down, Sapphire placed his utensils down with a soft clink, stretching in a way that managed to be both elegant and casual. He sighed, as if the effort of being in such an unfamiliar setting weighed on him. "I feel like I'm coated in grime," he muttered, brushing his hands lightly together. "Where do we take a bath here?"
Adrian glanced at him, already sensing the inevitable discomfort that would follow his answer. "There's a river nearby. That's the best you're going to get."
Sapphire blinked, his perfect posture faltering just slightly. "A river?"
Adrian nodded, clearly entertained by the prospect of Sapphire in such an environment. "It's not as bad as it sounds. I went earlier, and it's refreshing."
Sapphire stared at him for a moment, digesting this information. He looked at Cruz briefly, then back to Adrian. "Will you come with me?"
Adrian raised an eyebrow. "I already took a bath before dinner, but I'll walk you there if you're nervous."
"I'm not nervous," Sapphire replied, a touch defensively, but there was something in his tone that suggested otherwise. "Just—lead the way."
Cruz remained silent, his gaze following the pair as they stood and made their way toward the river. He had no real reason to follow, no obligation to check on Sapphire, but something in the way Sapphire moved—an unconscious grace that seemed out of place in this rugged landscape—drew him in. Reluctantly, he stood and followed, maintaining a discreet distance.
The river, when they reached it, was illuminated by the soft light of the moon. The water flowed gently, its surface rippling like liquid glass. Sapphire stood at the edge, gazing at the scene before him with mild distaste. He glanced over at Adrian. "You can go back now. I'll manage."
Adrian gave him a curious look, clearly unsure if leaving Sapphire alone was a good idea. But, with a nod, he conceded. "Alright, if you're sure."
Sapphire waved him off. "I'll be fine."
Once Adrian disappeared into the trees, Sapphire sighed and began undressing, his movements fluid and unhurried. He slipped out of his clothes, one piece at a time, folding each garment with meticulous care as if even out here, surrounded by nothing but nature, he couldn't abandon his usual rituals.
Cruz, watching from the shadows, stilled. He hadn't expected this—hadn't anticipated that Sapphire would simply strip down without a second thought. The moonlight played over his bare skin, highlighting the lines of his body, the delicate curve of his waist, the long expanse of his legs. Sapphire's beauty, in the dim light, was almost otherworldly—sharp and soft, dangerous and delicate all at once.
Cruz should have turned back, should have respected his privacy, but instead, he stood frozen, watching as Sapphire stepped into the water, his pale skin glowing against the dark river. His breath caught in his throat, and a familiar warmth pooled low in his stomach.
What the hell is wrong with me? He thought, trying to shake the feeling that settled uncomfortably within him. This was wrong. Sapphire—despite how frustratingly beautiful he was—was still someone he disliked, someone who had wormed his way into his thoughts without invitation.
Sapphire submerged himself in the water, sighing in relief as the coolness washed over his skin. He tilted his head back, letting the water slip through his hair, completely unaware of the figure standing in the shadows, watching him.
Cruz clenched his jaw, finally forcing himself to look away. He had no business being here, no reason to stay. Sapphire was safe. That was all that mattered. But as he turned to leave, the image of Sapphire's bare form bathed in moonlight lingered in his mind—haunting him in a way he couldn't quite shake.
With a final glance over his shoulder, Cruz made his way back to camp, his heart pounding harder than he cared to admit.
- Writer
