“You want to be on one of those ships?”
“As long as we can get a room, I don’t care which ship it is.”
Basel’s eyes widen, “So he is going with you.”
Azure glances towards Ocher, “Unless you want to keep him here with you.”
“Nah,” he leans back, tapping his fingers on the arm of the couch. “He looks like trouble. Cute, but troublesome.” Basel looks at him, silently asking if he’s really keeping the other boy around and he can only shrug lightly, even as he feels the heat of Ocher’s gaze on the back of his neck. It’s pointed and obvious, just like most of his actions.
Basel nods, “What’s with him anyway? He looks like he wants to punch you. I mean I wouldn’t be surprised if you deserved it, but still.”
Azure looks over at Ocher and gives him an unexpected two handed shove backwards, putting space between them. “He’s jealous, don’t mind him.”
“I am not!”
“He’s also prone to violence,” Azure continues. “So, don’t provoke him. He almost strangled me in my sleep.”
Basel laughs, “You mean you almost let him strangle you in your sleep, there’s no way you weren’t in control the entire time.”
“True, it’s just easier to let him think he has some kind of control.”
Ocher grabs his arm, “Then why were you so mad at me?”
“I could have stopped you, but you still shouldn’t have done it and I didn’t like it,” Azure tells him plainly.
“But that was because you-”
“Okay,” Basel cuts in quickly, “Argue on your own time. Are you two staying the night?”
“Yes.”
“Then, you can have your usual room and I’ll work on the tickets. If I can get them, they should be ready by tomorrow evening.”
“I appreciate it.”
“I’m glad.” Basel smiles. “So long as you know that all your favors are definitely adding up and I want a very good return on them.”
Azure inclines his head, “We’re in agreement.”
He watches as Basel disappears off down another hallway after pointing out a guest room for Ocher, then heads to his own familiar room. Staying in Basel's home became a common occurence back when they were working together. Now, having his own room here is almost a given.
“I love this bed,” Azure sighs, falling onto the mattress and grabbing one of the soft, overly stuffed pillows. He peeks open an eye when he feels an additional thud on the bed. “What are you doing in here? Basel has other guest rooms.”
“Why do they keep calling me that?” Ocher demands as soon as he reaches the bed where he’s thrown his bag.
“Calling you what?”
“Pet or stray.”
“Well technically I did find you...kind of like a stray.”
“Azure.”
He shrugs, “Maybe they’re just not used to me bringing someone around without a reason.”
“There is a reason.”
“They don’t know that. I didn’t say ‘hey I picked up a soldier to help me commit crimes,’ so they just see you following behind me for no reason. Although if you want to admit why you’re here, so they won’t call you that, by all means. It makes no difference to me.” Azure drops a pillow over his face. “Also, get out because I’m tired of seeing your grouchy face and I want a nice visit with my friend. He’s great company unlike other people.”
Instead of leaving as he’d hoped, he feels a dip as Ocher climbs into bed next to him and wraps an arm around his waist before settling down.
“Ocher. What the hell are you doing?”
“Resting. Like a pet.”
“Get off me,” Azure protests, attempting to pry the other boy’s tightening arm off him and when that fails, he blinds him.
Ocher freezes for a brief moment, then relaxes, “Well, now I’m not going to move if I can’t see.”
“You’re definitely getting too spoiled,” Azure mutters as he feels Ocher’s grin pressing into his arm.
“I’m not complaining.”
Azure sighs, of course he isn’t complaining. He’s getting what he wants with minimal effort and sticking extremely close. It’s not all bad though, because when Ocher finds out the truth, a tenuous link between them may not last.
◆◆◆
The noise of the city fades into the background as Azure relaxes behind Ocher on the balcony. His fingers clasp together around the younger male’s waist and his head rests against his shoulder, humming lightly as Ocher stumbles through the basic words of his beginner book. He’s not sure if Ocher is actually managing to get through the book or not, but at least he’s trying.
“Azure, you’re not even listening,” he complains.
“Sure I am, you’re doing well.”
“What’s the last thing I read?”
He hums in thought, letting his fingertips trail over the firm muscles of Ocher’s torso, smirking when he feels Ocher take in a breath. At least all his training came with a perk. “I don’t know, I was focusing on your voice, not what you were reading.”
Ocher huffs out a breath, pushing Azure’s hand away from his stomach. “Don’t force me to practice this if you’re not going to pay attention.”
Azure laughs against his neck, “Don’t act like you’re uncomfortable in the least. I could say stay here for two more hours and you’d do it.”
“There’s no way I’d read that long.”
“I didn’t say read,” he responds lightly.
Ocher turns to squint at him, a frown marring his features. “I really don’t get you,” he mutters, shoving Azure’s wandering hands away again.
“Isn’t this a nice moment?” Basel chuckles, interrupting them and stepping out onto the balcony with a cup in his hand.
Azure perks up immediately at the sight, “Is that froth?”
“Yep, just for you.”
He nudges Ocher aside to stand and accept the drink, swallowing it down easily. The liquid flows smoothly, an explosion of flavors, followed by a familiar calmness. Too calm. Azure stares at the cup then back to Basel, “Is this stronger than usual?”
“They made it stronger since some people were too stressed for the regular relaxants to be effective,” Basel answers with a repressed smile. "Some even says it's like being drugged."
Azure stares back at the empty cup in his hand, already feeling his muscles shift into lethargy. “You did that on purpose.”
“I did,” Basel confirms, lifting the cup from his hand. “It’s payback for last time you were here and I wanted to get to know your ‘friend’ better without you interfering. Consider it a welcome back gift.”
“I’d give you one too, but I might find myself kicked out on the streets,” Azure replies.
Basel laughs, “I wouldn’t kick you out, just make your stay very unpleasant.”
“So a drink is all it takes to win you over,” Ocher comments and there’s a hint of annoyance coloring his tone.
“Ah, don’t worry, I’m sure he’ll be back over to cuddle with you in a minute.” Ocher freezes, body going rigid as he turns away with another frown. “He’s funny, Azure.”