Work Text:
"What's wrong, Genevieve?" One of the office ladies in Mostro Corporation asked her friend.
"Hey, Elizabeth. Have you ever felt like everything's bland?" Genevieve answered.
It was lunch time and Azul was waiting for Jamil to bring him his packed lunch. He'd usually bring it to work with him in the morning— but Jamil stayed out late for his photoshoot. He sat on the lobby's couch and watched his employees' conversation while they had drinks in their hands.
"Is this related to love perhaps?" Elizabeth pried in deeper.
Genevieve looked at her with clouded eyes and slowly nodded, looking ashamed of her confession.
"I don't know, it's just... I've been with my boyfriend for 7 months now and it's like the spark is gone," Genevieve sighed.
"Ah, I see. Well, the honeymoon phase is gone so he's not courting you anymore, huh?" Elizabeth nodded in understanding.
Azul took note of everything the women were discussing. There's a honeymoon phase? Just how long does it usually last? Azul wanted to satiate his curiosity so he stood up and approached the two.
"Is that how it goes?" Azul asked seriously.
The women jumped in surprise. Frazzled, they scrambled to find excuses as to why they were talking out in public. Azul was a really strict boss and they were not up to whatever punishment he could impose on them.
"No need for that but I'm curious of this honeymoon phase you speak of." Azul rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Elizabeth and Genevieve exchanged looks and silently decided that they should just go with whatever their boss is saying. It's probably the safest route since they were caught chit chatting in the lobby.
"The honeymoon phase, Sir— it's when a couple is early in their relationship so they feel like they're on cloud nine," Genevieve explained.
"And you know it's over when there's less romantic gestures between the two of you," Elizabeth continued.
"Is that so? What are the usual romantic gestures that are done during this phase?" Azul inquired.
Azul really only wanted to see if he was in this phase with Jamil. Honeymoon phase? To be completely honest, he never thought about it because Jamil is very terrible at expressing himself. At that point, Azul just accepts whatever Jamil has to offer.
"For me, my boyfriend used to wake me up in the morning and surprise me with breakfast," said Genevieve. "He was really expressive about his affections too."
"My ex-girlfriend got me all sorts of gifts on completely normal days. I'd wear all of them at once so I could remember her," Elizabeth shared her own experience.
Wait.... Huh?
Azul decided to not jump the gun and asked more questions, "What happens when it's done?"
"You just notice their habits and it gets annoying," Genevieve scoffed, clearly recalling a memory.
"Acts of service just become a chore at that point," Elizabeth shook her head.
"What if that never happens?" Azul asked.
Genevieve and Elizabeth exchanged another look as if Azul was asking a rhetorical question. They both glanced at their boss and saw that he was genuinely asking.
"Then, you really love them."
Before Azul could respond, his phone vibrated. He took it out and saw that Jamil was calling him— he already arrived. Azul excused himself from the conversation and walked outside of the company.
Jamil stood there with one hand on his hip and the other holding a small lunch bag. Azul jogged over to his partner and smiled.
"Here you go." Jamil handed the lunch over. "I have another shoot coming up so I can't stay."
Azul couldn't help but be conscious of the accessories Jamil was wearing now. The bright red brooch, the gold bangle, the sparkly, red hair tie, the designer sunglasses— they're all gifts from him. Amused, Azul laughed to himself.
"What?" Jamil asked, frankly creeped out by Azul's sudden actions.
"I really love you, Jamil." Azul grabbed Jamil's hand and kissed it softly.
"Huh?!" Jamil pulled his hand back. "What's wrong with you?!"
Azul being affectionate was not new but it's so humiliating to be a part of it in public. With a huff, Jamil got on his magical wheel and left the vicinity.
Upon entering the building, Genevieve and Elizabeth seem to have witnessed the whole scene. They approached their boss with furious expressions on their faces.
"It looks like your partner is over the honeymoon phase too, Sir," Genevieve commented.
Azul chuckled at her remark and smiled, "I don't think that's the case."
A small note was found on top of the lunch. "Work hard at work but don't work too hard. Take care of yourself, okay?"