Keo Bonus Story: A Convincing Cover (nonbinary Keo)

The airy salon sparkles with multicolored light. Pinks and reds, blues and purples dot the sunlight streaming in through the sheer curtains in a way that reminds me of the sprites that come out at night in the wilds. It’s beautiful, and a fitting decoration for the celebration of art this party was ostensibly thrown for. The glassworks of the artist-of-the-day are responsible for the effect, the pieces hanging from the ceiling and reflecting the natural light.

“Well, at least we’re schmoozing in style,” I say as I join Keo. I’ve crept out to join them on a balcony, far from the crowds. I cast a quick deafening spell on the threshold between us and the larger party – there’s no one to overhear us, but better safe than sorry.

“How long do I have you for?” they ask in reply, not looking away from where they're inspecting the outer wall. They tug unconsciously at the neckline of their waitstaff outfit.

“Forever and a day, if it’s up to me,” I quip, taking a sip of my champagne and appreciating the view of the mansion’s gardens below. “Right now, though? The fire spinner’s going to be performing for a few minutes; I’ll have to go back after that.”

Keo pauses before responding. Their back is turned to me, but when they move to face me they look conflicted. “Are you safe in there?” they ask. I don’t get the feeling it’s really what they want to say, but they don't elaborate.

“Of course,” I nod. “It’s just a party.”

“One in which you play a vital role.”

“True,” I agree. “But keeping this crowd occupied is easy. They’re all in a tizzy over a big, fancy agent like me making an appearance. Half of them think I’m here to spy, and the other half think I’m here to steal something.”

“Then half of them are right,” they frown. “Keep your wits about you.”

“Technically you’re the one here to steal something,” I laugh. “I’m just the shiny distraction. The worst I’ll need after this is a nap. You’re the one who should be careful, poking through a noble’s trapped study.”

“If I can even break into it,” they let out a frustrated breath, turning back to the facade of the building. “This will have to be my route in. I believe I can pass beneath the wards, if I move slowly.”

“Slowly, huh?” I squint up at the window they're eyeing, two stories up. “So it’s about to become real important that nobody comes out onto this balcony for the next, what, ten minutes?”

“If you can manage that, I would be grateful.”

“You got it. I...” The sentence I’m about to utter vanishes from my throat as I see a couple, clearly tipsy, stumble out to join us.

“Come on,” a brunette noblewoman giggles, tugging her blonde haired companion out with her, pausing to meet her lips in a quick kiss as they go.

“Shit,” I mutter, realizing there’s no way they won’t see us in less than three seconds. And what reason would I have, a guest of this party, for being out on a balcony with Keo in waitstaff clothes?

I can only think of one: a rendezvous similar to the one we’re witnessing between the two women. Lovers stealing a kiss away from the party. I quickly reach out to Keo.

“What are you–?” Keo begins in a hushed whisper.

“Just go with it!” I hiss. If they think we’re here for the same thing, it’ll only be a gossip scandal, not a political one.

I pull Keo close, tilting my head as though going in for a kiss and trying to ignore the way my heart pounds at the act. It’s just a cover, it’s for the mission, I remind myself as I stop an inch before my lips meet theirs – convincing enough for the angle we’ll be seen from.

But Keo doesn’t get the memo. They go along with it, just as I’d asked. After a second of hesitation they meet me halfway, and before I know it we’re sharing a kiss. A shiver runs up my spine at the feeling, and my eyes close on instinct. It’s light, barely there, but even so my mind goes blank when their hand traces the line of my jaw, the touch as light as the kiss.

“Oh!” I hear a surprised squeal from one of the woman. She’s noticed us, I should pull away and act like stealing a kiss is the only crime we’ve been caught in the act of – but my body doesn’t seem to hear my mind’s order. I linger for a long second, and when I finally pull back Keo’s other hand anchors me, firm on my waist as I turn around.

“Apologies, Agent. We didn’t realize this balcony was... occupied,” the blonde noble smiles conspiratorially at us from behind her hand.

“So sorry,” the brunette bows, looking as amused as her lover. “Please, don’t mind us. We’ll find another spot.”

I do my best to look flustered and mildly thrown off-guard. It requires absolutely no acting. When they've left I exchange a look with Keo. They look as unsure of what to say as me, and when they realize their hand is still on my waist they pull back like they've been burned, clearing their throat and avoiding my eyes.

“Sorry,” I grimace. “It was the only cover I could think of.”

“I need no apology,” they say stiffly. “We do what we must for the mission. You... should reenter the party. I can handle the infiltration from here, if you are able to keep this area clear for a few minutes.”

“Right,” I nod, remembering what we’re here to do. A piece of me still feels weirdly in limbo. I don’t know what I want to say, exactly. What is there to say? They're right; we did what was necessary, and the mission’s still in progress. Time to get back to it.

“Keo,” I stop just before I leave, knowing I have to go but feeling like I have to say something, anything more. “Be safe?”

They stop, looking at me with an expression that for a fraction of a second softens from the usual all-business demeanor they wear for our jobs. “I will,” they nod. “Go on. I will meet you in the alley three blocks from this estate.”

I take a breath, plaster a fake smile on my face, and waltz back into the salon. I thank the gods the people here aren’t hard to entertain – I’m distracted by the memory of that kiss, and have a feeling I’m going to feel that way for days.