Work Text:
Thump. Thump.
Billos made his footsteps louder on purpose so Cale knew he was coming to the third storey of the tea shop. Despite his actions, however, Cale had zero intentions to make himself presentable.
Billos was met with the sight of Cale lying down on the soft rug, looking incredibly content to be there. He was surrounded by books, one of which acted as a pillow, and another was held between two hands, resting against his ribcage as he read it. Cale shamelessly acted like he was at his own home. He was surrounded by the smell of old books and sweet peach tea, and rain softly pattered against the glass windows in the background, barely audible.
“Why did you come up?” Cale asked, not looking away from his book. It was a new fantasy book, one Cale had asked to be reserved for him.
“I came to see if you needed a refill of the tea... What are you doing, young master Cale?”
“Reading?” Cale replies like it’s obvious.
"The rug is a little dusty.”
“Well, dust gets everywhere. It’s fine, a little dust won’t kill anybody.”
Incredible. Billos had never seen such a sight. Incredulously, Billos asked, “Aren’t you supposed to be a noble?” Nobles cared about their appearances and lived according to etiquette, being taught them from a young age. Even though Billos knew Cale was unorthodox, Cale continued to defy expectations, again and again, throwing all of those rules out the window as if they never existed.
“I’m trash, you know, trash. You can’t put me in the same category as the other nobles.” Cale’s words were a little slurred and lazy, sleep-laden and tired. Concerned, Billos came closer to take a better look. There were faint eyebags under Cale’s eyes.
With a soft sigh, he settled down next to Cale. He would never win Cale when it came to a verbal fight.
Billos started patting Cale's head with a thick hand, carding his fingers through the silky, red strands of hair. Cale didn’t react, save for the tensing of his fingers around the edges of his book.
"What are you doing?"
"There was some dust in your hair. Should I stop?"
"...Do what you want."
For a quiet minute, Billos continued to pat Cale’s head as though Cale was one of the cats. Cale continued to hold his book in his hands, staying on the same page the whole time.
Eventually, Cale asked, “Are you sure you can just hang around? Don’t you have customers to serve?”
“It’s a rainy day, so there are no customers. You’re the only one who comes on rainy days.”
“Hmm... is that so? I hate rainy days, and this place is almost soundproof, so I barely hear the sound of rain and thunder. You did a good job building it.”
“Really? I’m surprised. Isn’t it especially nice to sleep and laze around when it’s raining?”
“...”
The silence cut deep since Cale was a man who always had a witty retort. Billos turned his head to look at Cale and saw the way Cale’s eyes were clouded over. There was a furrow in his brow, a tight clench of his jaw that ended with a twisted frown, a deep inhale— and then all of it left Cale like a passing memory.
With well-practised light-heartedness, Cale replied, “Well, when the rain is too loud, I can’t sleep. Do you know how painful it is to want to sleep but you can’t?”
“...I do. Do you usually have trouble sleeping, young master Cale? I can purchase some herbal remedies for that.”
“It’s fine. It’s only on rainy days.”
Although they often talked like they knew each other for a long time (it has been a really long time, hasn’t it?), sometimes Cale held back at moments like this — holding back unsaid words that felt like soul-deep wounds, hidden beneath layers upon layers and held tightly under multiple locks. Billos wondered if Cale told them to Choi Han or Alberu, the people he seemed to be closest to.
Part of him wanted Cale to have someone to confide in.
Part of him wished Cale didn’t, so he could become that person.
He remembered that conversation they had years ago.
“Can’t I help as well?”
Cale shook his head at Billos’ question. “Unfortunately, all the spots are full already.”
Billos wanted to be one of Cale Henituse’s people, to be part of his inner circle. He didn’t know how to do that but he never stopped trying. He wanted to help Cale Henituse. Billos wanted to be an integral part of Cale’s life, just as Cale had contributed to his — giving him the confidence to stand tall as a leader of a large merchant guild despite being a bastard son. He wanted to help Cale walk past the shadows of the past which continued to haunt him.
“What if the rain doesn’t stop?” Billos asked, matching Cale’s tone.
“Then I’ll hole up in here to catch up on sleep.”
Billos didn’t push. Instead, he said, “You’re always welcome here, young master Cale. Whether it’s raining or not.”
He might not be able to stop the rain, but he would always be able to provide shelter.
With his words, Billos was rewarded by Cale’s pleased smile.
“This is the best tea shop in the whole continent, if not the entire world.”
“Hearing words like that from you makes me incredibly happy, young master, especially since you’re my most important customer.”
“Aigoo, listen to yourself. You’re so good at speaking.”
“I only learn from the best, young master Cale.”
Every time Cale came over to read a book and relax at the tea shop, Billos would join him for a short conversation, and they'd often end up joking around like this.
Those were Billos’ favourite days. His lips stretched into a happy grin, pushing his full cheeks up into soft mounds.
It looked very inviting.
With a finger, Cale poked Billo’s cheek. It was a very pleasant and squishy texture. Cale pinched it between his fingers lightly, tugging it and making it stretch slightly like mochi. He amused himself like that for a while, then Billos complained.
“Aren’t you going to stop? Maybe I should start charging you.” Despite his words, Billos didn’t stop Cale, letting Cale do whatever he wanted.
“Ayy, don’t be like that. Provide it as a service.”
“I always provide you with many special services, young master. Remember all of those tools I’ve lent to you? I’ve never done that with anyone else.”
“Ah, yes, yes, thank you soooo much.”
Cale spoke in a disrespectful and casual tone that was unlike any other nobles Billos has ever met before. But Billos strangely liked it. Cale dropped his hand, leaving Billos’ cheek tingling. The book was now laid down across Cale’s belly, and would most likely not be continued for the rest of the day.
A moment of silence, a contented hum...
And then, later, "No one else will come up here, right?"
"Of course not, this whole level is reserved for you, young master."
“Great.”
Cale dug around in his jacket and handed Billos a gold coin. Billos received it with both hands and blinked when he felt the warmth of it on his palms, still heated up from being close to Cale’s body.
“...I will replace the rug with a softer one from the south which is very fluffy to the touch and nice to nap on.”
Cale gave him another gold coin.
"It's not worth that much though?"
"No, sleep is important."
Billos couldn’t resist a laugh this time. Cale was quite the unique character. "You're truly my most valued customer."
Cale rummaged through the inner pockets of his jacket again, but came up short. "I don't have any gold coins left to give you. The last one is for Raon’s apple pies."
"Haha! I'm not saying it to get money," Billos says with a louder laugh.
“Hmm... is that so?” Cale drawled sleepily through half-lidded eyes. He looked like he’ll fall asleep at any time. Still, he put his hand into the inner breast pocket of his jacket again. “You can have this instead.” He pulled out his hand, thumb and index finger crossed.
“What’s that?”
“A finger heart. It’s my affection towards you, who’s an incredibly good merchant skilled at satisfying his customers.”
“Pfft...! Hahahaha!”
Cale stared at the laughing face of Billos, so rounded and cute, cheeks raised and eyes curved until his pupils could barely be seen. It reminded Cale of the painting he saw in the hallways of the orphanage, a Christian painting of laughing baby angels. The joyous sound of his laughter was bright like sunshine, a sharp contrast to the dreary weather outside the windows.
Cale liked the chubby and well-fed look of Billos. It was a look of prosperity and peace. Back in South Korea when he was team leader Kim Rok Soo, many people were skinny and starving. Being next to Billos was an entire world of difference, reminding him that things were better now. He was surrounded by family, friends, money, and had the slacker life he had always wanted.
“Ahaha...!”
Wasn’t Billos laughing a bit too long?
Unable to resist, Cale stretched his hand out to poke Billo’s squishy cheek. Billos was about to grumble again when he saw the soft smile on Cale’s lips.
"You should continue to eat well and live well," Cale murmured drowsily. Everything about Cale at this moment was soft, from his messy hair to his relaxed limbs, to the sweet curves of his lips and eyes. It was a fatally charming appearance. With a hushed whisper and a wicked grin, Cale added in a lowered voice, "I'll bring more money next time."
Billos felt attacked. He covered his eyes with a hand (to stop seeing Cale’s face) so he could get his heart rate back to safe perimeters.
“...I’ll eat well and live well thanks to you, young master-nim. And you should eat well and live well too.”
“Of course,” Cale huffed with a small laugh. He sounded smug and satisfied. “Of course I’ll be doing that. I have lots of money now.” He yawned like a little kitten and rubbed his eyes. “Wake me up in an hour, Billos. I have to return home for dinner. Our Lily... got first in the knight exams...”
And Cale fell asleep right away, completely open and vulnerable and trusting. It was a good thing Billos reserved this entire floor for Cale. Somehow, he didn’t want anyone else to see Cale like this. The book slid down from Cale’s tummy, and Billos was quick to catch it, memorizing the page number Cale stopped at. He didn’t get very far at all, only being at page 15. He must’ve been tired.
Billos took off his coat and covered Cale with it like a blanket, lest the young man caught a cold. He should import some very quality pillows and blankets for Cale’s visits too... Billos snorted in amusement and shook his head. His tea shop seemed to be becoming a nap room.
In a soft whisper, Billos wished Cale a good rest. “Sweet dreams, young master Cale.”