World's Best Protagonist [BL]

I scratched my head and just turned my back on him. Then, I took off my coat after letting out a loud sigh, one loud enough for him to hear, with the hope that it might knock some shame on him.

How can he say I’m not familiar with this world’s clothes, when we’re both outsiders? Is his world similar to this setting?

I heard clothes rustling from behind me, so I instinctively looked back to check. Something sinful blinded my eyes, yet they stared, unable to look away.

I didn’t mean to ogle.

Truly. I raised myself better than this. But the moment the captain peeled that shirt off like a caveman infuriated by too much fabric, my morals took a coffee break and left my eyeballs unsupervised.

Good lord.

His back looked like it bench-pressed planets for fun. Broad shoulders, lean waist, muscles rippling in ways that made my brain short-circuit and my mouth go dry. If sin had a shape, it was that V that disappeared into his waistband.

I mentally slapped my face for thinking like that. What the fuck have I become? But wait, what is that?

Was that a bead of sweat or a personal attack?

I blinked. Once. Twice. Yep, still there. Still glistening. Still the reason I was questioning all my life choices—especially the one that didn’t involve reaching out to touch, wiping away that teasing crystal drop of sweat on his broad back.

And you still deny it, Jade?

Okay. I have to admit it. I’m attracted to this guy. If this is not an attraction, then my eyes would just stare at his back and question why the heavens are so unfair for giving him that chiseled, proportional body naturally, while I have to be a certified gym boy to be like that.

But instead of that, this heart of mine was racing, and my face was on fire.

That means I’m gay.

I blankly stared at the floor upon that sudden realization. Admitting it sent my thoughts spiraling.

Does this mean I’m gay all along, since I was never attracted to any girl? Wait, then, am I using my nonchalance and disinterest in relationships as an excuse because I was in denial that I like men?!

Oh, fuck! I’m gay?!

Then, what am I supposed to be? Am I the top or the—

"—w-wait! Wait a minute, I’ll do it!"

My trembling hands touched Claude’s bare chest, but instead of pushing him away, my mind overheated after feeling his muscles under my palms, and I froze. I couldn’t push him away. He was suddenly on me before I realized it.

He was scowling, but there was no hesitation on the way he played with the hem of my shirt.

"I told you I’d undress you myself if you don’t."

His voice barely registered in my mind.

Wait a minute, lord. I’m still not over coming out to myself, and you’re sending me into temptation already. I swallowed hard and tried to focus my senses on him, but it seemed as if he was deliberately shoving his naked body on me.

"Wait, hands off. I can..."

My voice trailed off when he stepped closer, making my hands press harder on him. I could feel his beating heart underneath my skin. The thought that I was the reason it was racing only made me more flustered and nervous.

Still, I was convinced he was doing this on purpose.

I looked up with a suspicious glare...and I was fucking right after catching that little smirk on his face. My blood boiled, but it was forced. A distraction I created to keep my mind away from sinful thoughts.

I pushed him away again, but to no avail.

"Okay. I’ll do it. Let me go now, captain."

"You should make up your mind whether to call me ’Captain’ or ’Claude’."

I was about to answer when, instead of letting go of my tight black tee, he pulled it up and proceeded to undress me, with a poker face. His long fingers brushed my arms lightly, while he unabashedly roamed his gaze all over me.

I was too stunned to move, therefore, he easily did it. After that, he put a green tunic on me, tied a black belt around my waist, and threw a black cloak over my head. And I was still frozen like a stone statue.

"You’re done," he said with finality. Then, he wore the brown one, a brown belt, and a cloak similar to mine, as if he had not just made me gay panic inwardly.

We didn’t change our tight pants and combat boots, so now we both look like Peter Pan in military shoes.

Claude paid while I stashed our old clothes in the bag. Until we left, I could feel the stares of the other girls on me. I glanced back at them, a victorious smile on my face. It was gratifying when I saw them grimace.

"What are you grinning about?"

My smile disappeared instantly, and I gave Claude that ’what are you talking about’ look, blinking at him with my clueless eyes.

He eyed me suspiciously. I cleared my throat and changed the topic.

"So, where are we headed? What did the saleslady tell you?"

"There’s a guild," Claude replied, his expression turned sour for a moment. "Just a bit west of the square. Let’s see if we can get reliable information from them."

"We need to pay for it. Do we still have enough money?"

"We have enough to pay for an inn, but not to buy intel from a guild."

"Are we going to steal again?"

"Let’s see what we can do first."

As we approached the weather-beaten door of the guild, I spotted something tacked to the wooden board beside it—two pieces of parchment. One glance was enough to stop me cold.

Clear sketches of handsome faces.

Our faces.

Me, with my scowl, and Claude, somehow still looking smug even in pencil, with a short description of our clothes and distinctive features below. We were under the wanted section. A bounty on our heads—a prize from the noblewoman whom we stole gold coins from.

I cursed under my breath. I knew for sure she wasn’t aiming for the gold, but for my head because I stepped on her noble ego.

I nervously looked at Claude, who glared at the two papers. He took my sketch and crumpled it in his hands. At the same time, the door burst open.

I didn’t say anything.

I just grabbed Claude’s arm and yanked us both into the nearest alley without looking back.