Betrayed, I Knocked Demon Lord's Door - Chapter 49: Chapter 49

Hearing Leon's voice snapped Caitlyn out of her mental spiral.
She took another bite of bread, her cheeks puffed out as she mumbled, "I'm not cold. I'm wearing thermal underwear."
But as she spoke, her eyes drifted toward Leon and narrowed slightly.
Maybe it was time to buy that dummy some proper winter clothes.
After breakfast, she disappeared into her room and emerged again holding a thick coat.
Without a word, she walked up to Leon and handed it to him.
She said, "There's not much that fits you—your size is a disaster. This one will have to do for now. It's warm enough. After work, I'll get you something more suitable for winter."
Leon took the coat and stared down at it, lips tightening, saying nothing.
Caitlyn frowned, assuming he didn't like how feminine it looked. Her voice dropped slightly. "It was the only color left... if you're not cold, don't wear it."
"Caitlyn," he said softly, lifting his gaze to meet hers.
She blinked. "W-What?"
His eyes were unusually serious. The intensity made her glance away without meaning to.
"Can I hug you?"
The question struck her square in the chest. Caitlyn froze, caught off guard by the sudden directness.
But when she looked into his eyes, she couldn't find it in herself to be annoyed. He looked lost.
"This is the first time in my life someone's shown me this kind of care," Leon murmured, his gaze dropping.
Technically speaking, it was true in both lives.
He had never known what warmth really felt like. Not from family, not from anyone.
Clutching the coat tightly, he drew in a breath and forced a smile. "I'll wear it. I won't take it off all day."
"You really don't have to go that far..." Caitlyn licked her lips, went quiet for a moment, then turned for the door. "I'm heading to work."
Jeez... it was just gratitude? She thought he was about to confess something.
Leon perked up a little, responding with a quiet "Okay," and watched her leave.
When she was out of sight, he lifted the coat and pressed it to his face, taking a slow, indulgent breath. Then he pulled it on and zipped it up tight, as if trying to trap the lingering warmth inside. His eyes shimmered with a soft joy that almost overflowed.
Caitlyn, walking ahead, could feel him close behind.
He was back to his usual cheerful self.
She glanced sideways.
He didn't bring up the whole "hug me" thing again, which for some reason made her feel a little weird.
First time being cared about, huh? She frowned.
She had been taking care of him for over a month!
What did he mean first time? Dummy.
Still... she smiled.
At the door, a damp wind blew through as rain pounded the pavement outside. The gray sky wept heavily, sending thousands of droplets splashing across the concrete.
Caitlyn inhaled deeply. It really was cold.
Then, a large warm hand quietly reached for hers.
She turned. Leon asked, "Should we take a cab or the bus? I've got a poncho in the scooter's storage, but it'll still be cold."
"We'll ride. It's faster, and traffic will be hell in this weather."
Leon nodded and popped open the umbrella, glancing at her.
Caitlyn pressed in closer without a word—there was only one umbrella, after all.
She'd definitely need to buy a few more.
But before she could finish the thought, Leon reached around and gently wrapped an arm around her waist. She stiffened instantly, her eyes fluttering.
"If you don't stay close, the rain's gonna soak you," he murmured, guiding her into the downpour.
Raindrops drummed against the umbrella like a sudden storm of marbles.
Caitlyn walked stiffly, feeling the heat of his body pressed against hers.
She snuck a look up at him. He was calm. Too calm.
But something flickered deep in his eyes... something unreadable.
His coat was warm, the faint scent clinging to it familiar—her scent?
That thought struck her and flustered her all over again.
Before she could chase the feeling, they reached the parking shed.
Leon folded the umbrella and pulled out a large rain poncho. It looked big enough for two.
He glanced at her. Caitlyn quietly stepped closer. No backing out now.
Leon slid the poncho over himself, then turned and waited. Caitlyn hesitated for just a moment before ducking under, fidgeting slightly.
The plastic smelled weird, and it was cold. Really cold.
The space was cramped. She ended up pressed flush against Leon's back, her face brushing the thick coat.
Her cheeks flamed. The moment was way too intimate.
"You good?" Leon asked.
"Yeah," she replied in a small voice.
Suddenly, he reached down, grabbed her hands from around his waist, and pulled them forward to rest over his stomach.
The movement tugged her whole body forward until she was basically hugging him. "Leon," she hissed, face burning.
"It's warmer this way," he said calmly and revved the scooter to life.
The rain fell in sheets, pounding the plastic like waves on a tarp. Caitlyn shivered at the sudden chill as the cold crept under the poncho.
She glanced down at her hands wrapped around his waist, hesitated for a beat, then slowly slid them back up until she was hugging him fully.
"There. So stop talking about it. I did it."
Leon said nothing, but Caitlyn swore his stomach tensed ever so slightly.
Her cheek pressed against his back. It was warm. Really warm...
She didn't know how much time passed—maybe it was forever, maybe just a blink—but by the time they reached the academy, she was still clinging to him in a dreamy daze.
The scooter stopped. She blinked, momentarily confused.
The world inside the poncho felt separate—a quiet, blue cocoon of warmth and safety.
Leon carefully lifted the edge, but a few drops still splashed onto her face.
She squinted. It was cold.
Leon quickly reached over and gently wiped the water off her cheek. She opened her eyes—just in time to meet his gaze.
Their breaths mingled in the air, close—so close—their lips and cheeks brushing faintly. They froze.
Outside, rain hammered the metal roof in a deafening racket, yet in that suspended second, the world went silent.
Caitlyn's crimson eyes quivered, her lashes trembling like she'd been caught mid-spell.
Her reflection shimmered in Leon's pupils, and for a moment, he could count every lash.
She sat there, unmoving, stunned.
Leon found himself dazed, unsure of what he was even doing. His fingers brushed gently across her soft cheek as he stared at her, lost in her gaze. The space between them melted away—inch by inch, breath by breath—until there was almost nothing left.
A shriek shattered the moment. Both of them jumped, pulling back as if electrocuted, hearts pounding, faces flushed.
The world snapped back into motion.
Some poor girl, thinking she'd stumbled upon a lovers' moment, squeaked and scurried off under her umbrella.
Caitlyn and Leon exchanged quick, embarrassed glances—then promptly looked away, their ears turning red.
Caitlyn bit her lip and touched her face. It was burning.
What... what just happened?
And this feeling—this flutter in her chest—what was that?