Black Magic

For a Reason

Chapter 17: For a Reason

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Kris settled his elbow onto the table and placed his chin in the cup of his palm, studying his second-in-command with interest.

Joonmyun had been acting weird lately.

The Water Dragon was usually very composed and organized, always attentive and on top of things.

But ever since yesterday....

Kris watched as Joonmyun slowly stopped writing, his quill stilling on the page and his gaze focusing on one spot with an intensity that meant Joonmyun was probably lost somewhere in his own mind.

They were supposed to be planning for the EXO tryouts that were coming up in just a few short months. Kris and Joonmyun were deciding the brackets and the challenges that would represent each new level of tryouts; as in the past, the further the candidates managed to progress through the tryouts, the tougher the trials would become.

The Council, of course, had to finalize it all. Nothing was done without their seal of approval. Even the EXO leaders weren't given that much free reign.

But so far the planning was... a work in progress. Kris had some ideas, but everybody knew it would be Joonmyun who pulled the whole thing together. And with Joonmyun being so scattered lately, well, there wasn't much getting done.

Kris finally sighed and stood, his chair scraping across the stone floor obnoxiously.

Joonmyun jumped and blinked, staring around in surprise.

"I think that's enough for today," Kris intoned.

The Water Dragon looked up with a frown. "But we hardly started..."

"I know," Kris sighed. He'd gotten up so frickin' early for this too. What a waste. "But I can't do this by myself, and you're clearly too preoccupied to concentrate." The tall male snorted at the color that immediately flooded Joonmyun's cheeks. "We'll try again tomorrow morning. "

Joonmyun lowered his head to the table with a defeated thunk and Kris couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corners of his lips. He'd never seen the Water Dragon act this way before, and while it was slightly concerning, it was mostly entertaining.

He was sure Joonmyun would work it out, whatever it was.

The tall EXO leader bid an amused goodbye before turning toward the door. Tao fell into stride behind him like a stealthy shadow.

Speaking of weird behavior.

Joonmyun wasn't the only one acting strange lately.

Kris ceased walking and turned to face his slave. They were alone in the hallway, but Tao kept his eyes downturned, chin tilted toward the floor. Kris reached out as though to brace a hand on Tao's shoulder, and Tao flinched at the action, drawing away ever so slightly.

Almost as though he were scared.

Kris withdrew his hand and studied the younger male in confusion.

Maybe Tao wasn't feeling well and didn't want Kris too near, though Kris highly suspected this was not the case. Because, despite his skittish actions, the slave looked fine, the circles under his eyes no darker than usual, movements as precise as always.

Had Kris said anything offensive lately? He didn't think so.

He watched as Tao's downturned eyes slipped toward a nearby window, the early morning sun lighting the planes of his face.