Home to Roost. [Florian]

[Eitan Angevin]

The grip on his hand, the ask, the look in his eyes — the rebellious Lysanrin was always flipping the table, changing the rules. It was exciting on one hand, terrifying on the other. Angevin know how to swim the waters of Zaichaeri politics from high society to the Order of Reconciliation to the Air Defense Corps, knew how to thread the eye of the needle to get what he wanted in the end. Albrecht never had the patience for it, always left Angevin picking up the pieces and trying to reform a strategy to get them where they wanted to go. It was frustrating, but it was comforting too, knowing Albrecht would fuck things up and they would figure it out.

Angevin used his unoccupied arm to pull Albrecht close, crushing him around the shoulders with manly affection.

"They are your treasures," he acknowledged. "I will guard them with my life."

Albrecht's eyes were always changing colors. He was glad the rainbow was back, that grief wasn't so all-consuming anymore. He knew it was still there, of course, and there would be difficult times to come, but Albrecht had survived the worst thing and that which did not kill him would make him stronger.

He smiled down, but it started to waver. He wondered whether, with Ava gone, Albrecht would have no reason to remain in Zaichaer. The world wasn't a welcoming place to Lysanrin in general, but he knew there were places where he wouldn't have to try as hard as he did in the High City. He leaned down slowly so Albrecht could stop him if he wished, but he leaned down with the intent to kiss him.

[Florian]

On a shortlist of things he did not expect to happen was for Eitan to pull him back and lean in for a kiss. But where he seemed cautious, Florian was not. He hadn't been waiting for it or expecting it, but that didn't mean it was unwelcome. It was as soon as he realized what the intention was that he dropped Eitan's hand, and it was just as quickly that he used his now-freed hand to speed things up, placing it on the back of his head and pushing him into the kiss. He may not have expected such a move, but that didn't mean he didn't want it.

But even a kiss was going to make leaving the next day even harder. He wanted to tell Eitan what he was going to do. He didn't want to keep the secret from him, even if he was going to know soon enough. Would he be sad? Did Eitan love him like he did? What else did he bury away that he refused to acknowledge or talk about or deal with? He almost wanted to ask, or say it, and see how he reacted. He wanted to tell him that he was one of the only things that made him even hesitate leaving.

At some point he had closed his eyes, but he opened them again, and if Eitan happened to look, any doubt as to what the lighter blue could mean would be dashed. Past this, he made no other move beyond the kiss.

[Eitan Angevin]

Albrecht came into his life like a wrecking ball. He toed the line enough that he didn't get into trouble with the captain or the crew of the Noble Gambit, hadn't called the wrath of Vigilant Richter down upon their heads, nor destroyed Angevin's social capital when it came to high society, but he was a little rebel, always testing the limits of his carefully defined role in the Air Defense Corps, in the Order, and in the society of the High City. He was a fucking handful and a half. But at least Albrecht was honest: his defiance had grounds and he didn't defy him when that defiance would put them into undue jeopardy. That was why he had tried to champion the man, giving good reports to their captain, to the Vigilant, and bringing him along on the expedition that might garner all of them the praise of the Brass City's brass. Time would tell.

Perhaps time would tell what would become of them. Working with Albrecht had made his own magic stronger, which was problematic. He could only hope they both proved worthy enough investments that the Order didn't seek to destroy them before they could bring destruction upon Zaichaer. Angevin would die to prove his loyalty, but perhaps Albrecht would escape and make good for himself elsewhere. Perhaps that was why he had mentioned the covens to him back on the Nachtherr, planting seeds to help him escape if the time came.

He would rather they exile him, but he knew they would not. So he could only hope Albrecht would escape if Angevin proved he couldn't keep him under control. He hoped he would just forget Zaichaer rather than become its enemy, if only for Angevin's sake.

The kissing didn't clarify anything, but the shocking blue of Albrecht's eyes told him the kiss had made an impression. His smile was half shit-eating grin and half vulnerable. Perhaps clarity would never belong to this strange relationship.

"What does light blue mean?" he asked. "I ask for scientific inquiry."

[Florian]

"Ah. So that's the color it takes." Florian said, more to himself than to answer Eitan's question. Instead of answering his question, actually, he was quiet. He lowered his eyes and counted his breaths, an attempt to quell the anxiety that welled up in his stomach. Really, he had nothing to lose. It's not like Eitan would tell anyone, and no one would hear, either.

"Normally it shows up when I'm very happy. I don't think I really have to explain why it's not really, ah, not really been around." He paused to collect his thoughts and, perhaps, bolster himself. Florian could've ended the explanation there, but he realized that regardless of outcome, he'd rather he say something than potentially-probably leave forever without. Maybe Eitan wouldn't know the difference, but he would. His eyes flicked back to the man's face.

"But I thought you were supposed to be good at figuring things out. It's not just that." He smiled, and paused again, letting the teasing jab sink in. He was taking a long time to just spit it out. He wasn't being annoying on purpose, at least, but anxiety was a difficult thing to surmount, even when you convinced yourself it wasn't yet the end of the world. Part of him definitely wished that they were still kissing, and that he didn't have to answer the question at all. He was half prepared to be told to fuck off in any case. They'd only known each other for a few days less of a season, but so many things had happened in that span. He forced himself to look not just at his face, but in his eyes.

"Right now it means I love you."

[Eitan Angevin]

About a thousand responses went through his head like a flash of lightning, none of which he uttered.

It was certainly inconvenient, but he couldn't deny that he had unprofessional feelings for the Lysanrin. He was an asshole, but there had been countless little kindnesses that he had gone out of his way to do for Albrecht. While he had attempted to have him speak to a therapist, he hadn't pushed him out of bed when he needed a warm body to cling to in the night. That first kiss had been blood-smeared; this one was tamer, but less clear.

I love you. Three simple words that could mean a million different permutations. He might be getting married soon. Could Albrecht want to work around that? Would Albrecht want to work around that? He didn't bear the yoke of Zaichaeri expectations lightly. Publicly acknowledging a relationship would be ruinous for their careers, and the career was the only thing keeping Albrecht safe in Zaichaer. If he wasn't practicing his aether siphoning for the State, he would be executed. It was a simple bit of maths.

Angevin couldn't help his mind's calculations. He had grown up in a caste where every look and word and action was scrutinized by everyone all the time. It was exhausting, but he had grown and adapted to fit that biome.

Now he didn't have any good answers, so he offered a true one.

He leaned down and kissed Albrecht again. A part of him wanted to bite his lip and make that delicious mistake again, but then, Albrecht had needed a release from all his anxieties.

"Wait, are you sure you aren't just happy because I'm not wearing a shirt?"

He laughed and then claimed Albrecht's mouth before he could answer.

[Florian]

If Eitan had said anything serious, Florian would have been concerned. The joke and the kissing was as close as he figured Eitan would ever get to admitting reciprocal feelings. It wasn't like anything between them would have been possible in any official capacity, or even beyond closed doors. Still, it was almost like a weight was lifted from his chest, only to be immediately replaced with more. But while the new weights were just as contradictory and complicated and heavy as the first, they were things he could worry about later. It was not until tomorrow that the house of cards would tumble down, and he could wait until then to figure it out. He didn't want Eitan to be hurt or punished because of him, but that was something else he couldn't change. He was his responsibility, after all, but Florian had to make the choice to maybe, hopefully, possibly figure his way out of the clutches of this wretched city.

It would have been so much easier if Eitan had told him to fuck off.

Florian pulled back from the kiss enough to speak, and he smiled. "No, asshole, I don't think that's it." Not that he didn't appreciate Eitan shirtless, but it was different now. He also wanted to apologize for being a complicated disaster that marred the lives of everyone around him, but it felt too similar to saying goodbye. At least he was happy he managed to say I love you before he couldn't anymore. It may have made everything worse, but at least he wouldn't regret it later.

"I'm sorry for interrupting your exercise, though." Any feigned sincerity in the apology was ruined by his immediate return to the kiss. It would be up to Eitan to step away, though, because he was not so eager to put a stop to things.

[Eitan Angevin]

Angevin snickered at Albrecht's insincerity; he had come to expect nothing less than that.

They kissed and they kissed and he thought it was good. Something was up, but he wasn't going to needle the man for information. They had built up a trust and he had to trust that he would come to him when the time was right, and not withhold things until it was too late. But it was getting late and he did have things to do. He broke it off finally but didn't pull away.

"All right, no sit-ups, but I really ought to shower."

He reached down to tug his exercise pants down, playing quite the tease. All his Searing training in preparation for the expedition had been kept up; while he might never put on the bulk that Stefan could, his work did show.

"I wonder what color they'll turn when I'm not wearing trousers?"

He turned around in Albrecht's arms and then gave him a little shove with his bum before walking toward the bathroom, naked as the day he was born. Whether he wanted Albrecht to follow or not was up to debate; chances were good that he cared more about the Lysanrin weighing the pros and cons than what he actually decided.

"We should go out tomorrow. Dinner. Drinks. Maybe a Warren dive to aid in digestion. You know, if the night is boring?" His laughter echoed in the bathroom as the water came on. He knew places that had the good Ash brews and not the ones that just tasted like pumpkin and sugar. A few such brews and he was certain Albrecht would fly off the handle, and they could have a proper fistfight and fuck. At least, if the last time they screwed was any indication how such things came about between them.

[Florian]

"You say you wonder like you haven't already seen it." He remarked, but his smile wavered, and disappeared as soon as Eitan turned around. He had considered following him and pretending nothing was wrong. But as he walked away, Florian felt the full brunt of the guilt and regret over his impending betrayal. Because that was what it was — they would both be in trouble because he was selfish and sought potential freedom over anything else. To hear him discuss a dinner and drinks, which after his admission would be what, a date? It overwhelmed him beyond belief.

Florian said nothing in response. He didn't say goodbye, but he didn't cry either. Not a noise escaped him as he left without even the book. Instead, he slipped out of the room as quietly as possible, down the halls, through the foyer and out the door. He didn't acknowledge anyone if they even saw him. It was rare that he was a coward, and this was that rare occurence. He hoped that Eitan was just humoring him, or curious. If the man had any real feelings, he hoped they were weak. It was his own choice, his own fault, and he was already heartbroken enough.

Florian caught the first cab that would pick him up, and it was there that he broke down, again. He would not be able to keep the secret if Eitan decided to show up at his apartment, and so he also hoped that the man was too busy to investigate. Too busy to investigate today, at the very least. Eitasn had friends, and family, and people close to him. He would be fine. Florian had nothing but him, and maybe in any other city that would have been enough to keep him, but Zaichaer was hostile and dangerous. He knew that, and maybe it would be enough to understand.

[Eitan Angevin]

Angevin was surprised to discover that Albrecht hadn't followed him, but he didn't let it bother him overmuch. He wasn't overly dirty, but didn't want to sweat through his uniform while he was seeing to his business. People trusted officers who looked the part, at least until said officer could prove his worth. His shower was quick, his toilette quicker, but Albrecht wasn't around to tease with his nakedness.

He dressed, gathered what he needed, and did a quick tour of the place to see if the rebellious Lysanrin had gone exploring. There was no sign of him, so he frowned. Perhaps his mood had turned. Things had seemed marginally better since the expedition, but he knew the weight of loss still afflicted him. Ava Albrecht had been an interesting woman and he was said he would never get to know her better, but of course, she had meant the world to her son.

The young commander wasn't glad she was gone, but he was glad that the young private was proving resilient. He didn't think the man had known he could survive this pain, but he was surviving it. Angevin was only glad he could help in some small way, even though he was shit at emotions, his own or anyone else's.

But if his mood had soured, if he needed some time alone, Eitan would give that to him. He was, in his way, striving to be a better friend. He didn't know yet what to do with the word love, but they had learned to succeed together, so he had faith in their ability to figure this out as well. Tomorrow, they would have dinner, drinks, and speak of things at more length. He didn't want to dismiss things out of hand, say the wrong thing—he really had to figure out how he felt about all this as well.

He walked down the drive with a spring in his step anyhow, whistling something as he went.

"Have it your way, Florian," he murmured. "Until tomorrow, then."

fin.

[Torin Kilvin]

R E V I E W

Lore:

Eitan
Survival:
Proving Your Worth
Knowing That Power Causes Change

Bodybuilding:
Push-Ups
Working Out Without a Gym
Keeping Hydrated
Supine Bridges
Sit-Ups

Investigation:
Retrieving Evidence
Keeping Up With New Information
Recognizing What Is Important
Assessing Lysanrin Eye Color

Politics:
Manipulating Multiple Sides
Military Politics
Magical Politics
High Society Politics


Points: 8 each, not for magic

Injuries/Ailments: None

Loot: None

Notes: Why would you hurt me like this? Good read, wondering if these two will ever see each other again.
If Florian comes back and wants lores or to ask for magic experience just let me know.