The party was alive with glittering lights and the soft hum of music, laughter echoing in the grand ballroom. Dino had brought Hibari along reluctantly, knowing it wasn't the younger man's scene. Hibari had agreed for reasons Dino couldn't quite understand, though Dino suspected it had more to do with maintaining their connection than any real desire to attend.

The Cavallone boss had been keeping a subtle eye on Hibari all night, watching as he stood near the edge of the crowd, cool and unapproachable as ever. Dino was about to excuse himself from a conversation with a group of allies to join him when a woman approached.

She was striking, her presence commanding attention as she stepped into his line of sight. She smiled at Dino, her lips painted in a bold shade of red that matched the shimmer of her sleek dress.

"Cavallone," she purred, her voice smooth and inviting. "It's been too long."

Dino blinked, momentarily thrown off. She looked familiar, though he couldn't quite place her. Before he could respond, she leaned closer, her perfume wrapping around him like a silken fog.

Hibari, watching from a distance, frowned slightly but didn't move. Dino's casual nature with people wasn't new to him, but something about this interaction felt… off.

The woman whispered something in Dino's ear, too soft for anyone else to hear. Dino's eyes widened slightly, his expression flickering between confusion and a dazed sort of calm. Then, as if compelled by an invisible force, Dino leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.

Hibari froze.

The air around him seemed to still, the noise of the party fading into a dull hum. His sharp eyes narrowed as he took in the sight — Dino, his Dino, kissing a woman he barely knew in front of a room full of people.

For a moment, Hibari's chest tightened, an unfamiliar ache blooming there. Without a word, he turned on his heel and left, his movements brisk but controlled. He wouldn't give anyone the satisfaction of seeing his emotions crack through his calm facade.

--

Dino blinked as the kiss ended, his mind swimming with an inexplicable haze. He stepped back slightly, his lips parted as if to say something, but no words came.

"Good boy," the woman murmured, her smirk widening.

Dino's instincts screamed at him that something was wrong, but his body wouldn't respond. He glanced toward where Hibari had been standing moments ago and saw only an empty space.

"Kyoya…" he whispered under his breath.

But he didn't move.

The woman's hand slid around his arm, and Dino found himself staying rooted by her side, unable to shake the strange hold she had over him.

--

Hibari stormed out of the ballroom, his steps quick and purposeful. The crisp night air bit at his skin, but he welcomed the chill. It helped temper the heat of frustration — and something else — burning in his chest.

His mind raced with questions he refused to voice. Had he misjudged Dino? Was this all a mistake?

His footfalls echoed against the cobblestone street until he abruptly collided with someone tall and solid.

"Ah," a deep, smooth voice said. "My apologies. I didn't see you there."

Hibari looked up, his sharp glare meeting the calm gaze of a stranger. The man was striking, with dark hair slicked back and piercing gray eyes that seemed to see right through him. He was dressed impeccably in a black suit, a faint, amused smile playing on his lips.

"No harm done," Hibari muttered, stepping back.

"You're in a hurry," the man observed, his tone light but curious. "Running from something?"

Hibari's eyes narrowed. "None of your business."

The man chuckled softly, his gaze lingering on Hibari for a moment longer than felt comfortable. "Fair enough."

He stepped aside, but as Hibari brushed past him, he spoke again.

"Sometimes, it's worth pausing to reconsider what—or who—you're running from," the man said, his tone cryptic.

Hibari didn't respond, his steps never faltering. But the man's words echoed faintly in his mind as he disappeared into the night.

--

Back in the ballroom, Dino stood in the corner, the woman's arm still looped through his. His golden eyes, usually so vibrant, were clouded with confusion and a strange heaviness.

The woman smirked, her gaze flickering toward the door Hibari had exited through.

"Such a fragile thing, trust," she murmured, almost to herself.

Dino's brow furrowed slightly, but he remained silent, his body stiff under her touch.

And somewhere in the distance, the wheels of a larger, darker game began to turn.