The short, flat roofed buildings haven’t changed at all, everything still has the slightly damp look from the constant exposure to water and sea air. The fishing boats lining the port bring back phantom aches from when he used to haul fish up from the sea in giant nets when he was a child. His arms were ridiculously sore all the time until he became accustomed to the work.
“Azure!” Pale arms encircle his waist and he flinches at the unexpected contact before looking down to see brown eyes staring up at him in glee. “You’re back in town!”
“Hey Sara,” he relaxes. “I had to drop something off.”
“Yeah, right.” Her eyes flick behind him and she stares curiously, fingers twisting in one of her signature frilly dresses. It makes her look small and delicate. “Oh, who’s this? Did you bring a stray back with you, Azure?”
“Something like that,” he laughs and shoots her a sly look which she returns in kind before flipping her waist length red hair back and giving Ocher a knowing grin.
“I wish I could go with you now, but I’m still in school. Will you be at the house later with Savanta?”
“Of course.”
“Make sure!” Sara lifts onto her toes and he kisses her cheek. She hugs him once more and disappears back inside the school.
He makes it a few steps until he realizes Ocher isn’t following him anymore. Azure frowns and looks back to where the other boy stands motionless, “Come on Ocher, we don’t have all day.”
“Who was she?”
“Her? Sara, my friend’s sister. Why? Did you think she was cute?”
“No, I just didn't think you had friends.”
“Just because you hated everyone in the army doesn’t mean that’s the same for everyone else. Who knows, someone probably out of their mind,” he mutters before continuing in a louder voice, “May have even wanted to be friends with you.”
“I know that,” he replies with a glare that quickly slips into confusion. “It’s just...why are you rejecting only me?”
Azure pauses and raises one eyebrow at him, “What?”
“You saved that whole town, you helped out whoever wanted to bomb the base, you took Irisa with us, and you were nice to the redhead girl, but me, you haven’t done anything except tell me how much of an inconvenience I am. But I’m more helpful than all of them!”
Azure fights not to roll his eyes skyward, is that what this stupid guy has been thinking about this whole time? About why he’s not nicer to him? He helped the town because he wanted to stay there and he wasn’t going to leave an innocent child alone in a ruined town, but Ocher is only focused on the act, not the why.
“Ocher, I really think you’re overthinking this.”
“I’m not,” he argues back, voice rising on the last word. “You treat me worse than everyone else when I haven’t done anything except help you!”
“Did you want me to let the town burn when we arrived? I saved the town as a whole, I wasn’t treating them better than you. I couldn’t pick and choose who I helped there.”
“But…” he trails off, then stares back. “Are you one of those guys whose only nice to girls?”
And now, we’re having this conversation. Azure sighs, “What are you talking about?”
“In the army, it’s all guys, but I’ve heard some of the ones who go into town talk. They prefer the company of women and are easily manipulated by them. That’s why you’ve only been nice to that girl and Irisa.”
Azure laughs internally. If he was interested in a relationship, Ocher would have more to worry about than she would. “Her name is Sara.”
“Am I right?” Ocher demands.
“Do you want me to be nice to you Ocher?” He questions instead of answering.
“That's not the point.”
“Oh,” he pretends to consider for a moment, then grins. “You're jealous! You want me to treat you like them.”
“No...you just don't have to be such an ass to me, we're on the same side.”
“Hmm,” Azure steps forward and pinches one of Ocher’s cheeks, only to have his hand slapped away immediately. “You are jealous.”
“No, I’m not. I just don’t like the way you treat me.” He steps around Azure like he actually knows where he’s going, “Let’s go.”
“Don’t pout,” Azure wraps an arm around Ocher’s waist and squeezes. “It’s not nearly as cute on you as it would be on a girl.”
Ocher gives him a frosty look, yet surprisingly doesn’t push him away and he guesses there’s something to be said for giving him companionship, especially if it increases loyalty. He supposes it wouldn’t hurt to be a little kinder to his fallen soldier.
◆◆◆
Azure knocks on the familiar sea blue, the color at Sara’s insistence, door of his previous home. He’d just walk in, but he gave up his key when he left. Now he’s a guest depending on the hospitality of the residents.
The door swings open and they’re met with the face of an older version of Sara except her hair is pulled back in a tight red braid.
“Savanta!”
“Azure.”
He folds his arms and laughs, “That’s such a cold welcome. Sara would be nicer.”
“As much as I wish she wouldn’t.”
“All that frowning will give you wrinkles.”
She frowns deeper, “I can’t help it when it’s you. You’re always bringing trouble.”
“Not this time! Can we come in?”
“We?” Savanta looks away from him for the first time and stares at Ocher who drops his eyes, wilting under her gaze. She shakes her head, “Azure...come in.” She steps out of the way and lets them pass by her into the house. “I suppose you want to stay the night here.”
“If you’d be so kind?”
“I guess it’s fine, since unlike you, I try to actually be considerate of my friends.”
“That’s why you’re the best!” He leans forward and pulls Savanta into a quick hug, “Is my room still open?”
“Of course not,” she answers, shrugging him off. “Did you think we wouldn’t find a new roommate?”
“Who is it?”
“Calliston.”
“Calliston?” Azure groans. “Seriously, of all people, it had to be him?”
“He can be trusted to pay his rent on time. We needed a third when someone left us.” She shoots Azure a withering look.
“Fine, I guess I’ll share with you then.”
“Not a chance, take the floor!” She ignores his protests and turns to Ocher instead. “Forgive me, Azure brings out the worst in me. I’m Savanta.”
“Ocher.”
“He’s shy around girls,” Azure teases, enjoying the sight of Ocher bristling next to him.
“Would you like something to drink?” Savanta questions, ignoring him.
“Yes, please.”
“So polite.” She sends Azure another look in her peripheral vision. “How did you ever end up with him?”
“He was desperate and alone. I kindly took him with me.” Savanta glances over to Ocher and he shrugs in response, not providing any details.