Lux said, "So, the Gluttony House…"

His voice came out steady.

Too steady.

Like he was presenting a quarterly report instead of talking about someone choosing to help him in a quiet, risky way that didn't come with contracts, guarantees, or interest rates.

"…might help."

Lullaby nodded softly from her seat.

"Mm… might."

That word lingered longer than it should.

Lux's fingers tapped once against the table, slow, controlled.

"Might," he repeated.

Not will.

Not agreed.

Not secured.

Just… Might.

His instinct didn't like that.

Didn't like uncertainty.

Didn't like variables that didn't obey logic.

But the part of him that had been shifting lately?

The part that wasn't purely Greed anymore?

That part understood.

"They're trying to keep their hands clean," Lullaby added quietly.

Lux looked at her.

She didn't meet his gaze immediately, her fingers gently tracing the rim of her plate.

"Gluttony and Sloth… we're kinda the same," she murmured. "We don't want to get tangled in politics too much."

A pause.

Then…

"But…"

She looked up.

"…we know if we don't move now…"

Her voice softened.

"This time it's Greed."

Another pause.

"…next… might be us."

Silence.

Not awkward.

Not tense.

Just… Heavy.

Lux felt it.

That quiet weight settling into his chest.

Because yeah.

That was the truth.

This wasn't just his problem anymore.

It never was.

He exhaled slowly.

"…Thank you," he said.

A beat.

"For your… work."

Another beat.

"…and effort."

And there it was.

The tone.

Clean.

Polished.

Professional.

CFO.

The table didn't react.

Not immediately.

But Lullaby did.

Her brows furrowed slightly.

Not annoyed.

Not upset.

Just displeased.

And before Lux could process that… She disappeared.

A soft flicker and suddenly, she was on his lap.

Again.

Of course.

Because apparently his lap had become public property tonight.

Her arms wrapped around him without hesitation, her body settling against his like it belonged there, which, at this point, it kind of did.

Lux blinked.

"…Lulla."

She leaned back slightly, just enough to look at him.

And her eyes… Soft.

But focused.

"There it is again," she said.

Lux stilled. "What?"

"The business," she murmured. "The formality."

Ah.

Yeah.

That.

His lips pressed slightly.

Because she wasn't wrong.

And the worst part?

He didn't know how to fix it.

"I didn't mean that," he said quietly. And he meant it. "But I really am happy with the news," he added.

That part was real.

Solid.

Unfiltered.

"But…"

He hesitated.

Actually hesitated.

"…I don't know how to say thank you without sounding like a CFO talking to his subordinate."

There.

Said it.

Lullaby blinked.

Then…

She smiled.

Soft.

Playful.

And before he could react… She leaned in and kissed him.

Not deep.

Not demanding.

Just warm.

Quick.

Enough to interrupt his thoughts completely.

Her lips brushed his ear as she whispered, "You can just say… I'll give you a nice reward~"

Lux froze.

"…What?"

She giggled softly, her fingers playing lightly with the collar of his shirt.

"Or maybe…" she added, voice even softer now, teasing.

"You can tell me…"

A pause.

"…Good girl~"

Lux's brain?

Yeah.

That paused again.

Not crashed.

Just paused.

Because that wasn't in any of his negotiation scripts.

That wasn't in any system prompt.

That wasn't… His lips curved slowly.

"…I see."

His voice dropped slightly.

"So you prefer it that way."

Lullaby didn't answer.

She didn't need to.

Her expression said enough.

Lux's hand moved.

Slow.

Deliberate.

Sliding along her back, pulling her just a little closer, not rough, not forceful, just enough to shift the dynamic.

His head tilted slightly, his breath brushing against her ear now.

"Good girl…"

The words came out low.

Controlled.

But warmer than anything he had said all night.

Lullaby stilled.

Not frozen.

Just…

Feeling it.

Her fingers tightened slightly against his shirt.

Lux felt it.

Of course he did.

His other hand came up, brushing lightly against her cheek, thumb tracing the soft curve there before moving down to her jaw.

"Shall I reward you?" he murmured.

Her eyes half-lidded.

"What do you want?"

He leaned closer. "My good girl…" he purred.

A dangerous question.

Because it wasn't a contract.

It wasn't structured.

It wasn't limited.

It was open.

His fingers traced slowly along her neck, not rushing, not claiming, just… exploring.

Her breathing shifted slightly.

Subtle.

But noticeable.

Lux leaned in closer, his lips brushing lightly against her temple, then lower, toward her cheek.

Not kissing fully.

Just grazing.

Testing.

Letting the moment stretch.

Build.

Lullaby's body softened further against him, her usual sleepy demeanor melting into something warmer, something more aware.

Lux's thoughts flickered briefly…

And yeah.

It felt… good.

Dangerously good.

His hand slid lower along her back, fingers pressing just slightly, grounding her against him as his lips hovered near hers.

Close.

Too close.

He could feel her breath, warm, slow, brushing against his skin in soft, uneven waves that betrayed how aware she was of every inch between them.

His thumb traced upward again, slow and deliberate, gliding along the curve of her spine before settling at the nape of her neck. He didn't grip, just held, letting his fingers rest there, warm, steady.

Then he moved.

Not forward.

Sideways.

His lips brushed just beneath her ear, barely touching, the contact fleeting but intentional. A pause. Then again, slightly firmer this time, lingering just enough to make her feel it.

His breath followed, warm against her ear, before drifting lower, grazing the sensitive line of her neck.

His fingers shifted, sliding from her neck to her shoulder, tracing the edge slowly, almost absentmindedly, but never careless.

And for a second…

He almost gave in.

Almost.

But… Lux exhaled softly.

And pulled back.

Just enough.

Just enough to break the moment without destroying it.

"…Eat your dinner first."

The words dropped casually.

Like nothing just happened.

Like he didn't just…

Lullaby blinked.

Once.

Twice.

"…Lux."

He smirked faintly.

"Priorities."

A beat.

"Even rewards have scheduling."

Naomi choked on her drink.

"…Oh my god, he's flirting like a corporate manager."

Ely covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.

Sira leaned back in her chair, grinning.

"Yeah… that's our Lux."

Rava shook her head slowly, though there was the faintest hint of amusement in her eyes.

Mira's tail swayed lazily.

"…I kinda like it."

Lullaby pouted slightly.

But didn't move.

Still on his lap.

Still close.

"…You're mean."

Lux shrugged lightly.

"Efficient."

But his hand didn't leave her back.

"Don't worry I will make up for you tonight."