Thank the fucking gods. Yussa sidesteps his foolish slip of the tongue, hopefully meaning that as long as they ignore it, he isn't put off by the implications. Caleb is more than happy to pretend it was never said, relieved that he hasn't ruined everything with a few too-honest words. Heart still pounding, he allows himself to lean into the stroke of Yussa's fingers across his cheek.

"Be careful which wizards you give out your teleportation circle to," he quips with a tired, wry smile. "Some might take it as an invitation."

He doesn't know how to interpret the sharper feeling in the kiss they'd shared a moment ago--almost like longing, but not quite. But if Yussa is still willing to kiss him with any amount of real emotion behind it, that in itself is a relief.

Tentatively, his nose brushes Yussa's as he leans in for a kiss himself, short and gentle. An apology and a test. I'm sorry for asking too much. I know what I should keep to myself. It won't happen again. He is happy with how things are between them. He doesn't need anything more.