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“Rean, could I speak to you for a moment?”
The young man looked up to see his longtime friend staring at him over the rim of his teacup. The students of Class 7 stopped eating to listen to what was happening. “Of course. What’s up Jusis?” Rean put his own sandwich down in order to give him his full attention. Carefully, the blonde placed his teacup and saucer down. He stood up from his chair and motioned for Rean to follow suit.
“Preferably in private.”
“Oh” was the only sound Rean could make as he followed Jusis outside the small parlor. Juna tried to glance back to listen in before getting reprimanded by Kurt. “Hey! Don’t you wanna know what they’re talking about too?” She shot back. The silver haired boy paused and replied, “Yes but we should respect his privacy. They haven’t seen each other for some time. They’re probably just catching up.”
Jusis leaned his head against Rean’s shoulder and grabbed his waist. “God, I missed you so much.” It took Rean a moment to register everything before embracing Jusis as well. A year apart felt like a millenia to him, to both of them. Letters and messages couldn’t compare to the other’s touch.
Hell even the ARCUS II was useless if their schedules couldn’t match up for a call. But Rean waited and tried distracting himself. Like he did with everything this past year. Finally, finally , his patience was rewarded.
He laughed lightly as he swayed and held his lover closer. “I never thought I’d see the day you’d be the one to initiate anything.” Jusis lifted his head and frowned at Rean, obviously a little miffed from his comment. He could only smile at Jusis’s frustrations.
“I see. Well then, since today is the day I’m the one initiating then allow me this.” He lifted his hand to gently tilt Rean’s face up. Leaning down once more, Jusis placed a small kiss on Rean’s lips. He licked some mustard off as well while pulling away. Coughing he says, “This is why I never eat the sandwiches. Their sauces are too spicy.”
He feels a tugging sensation on his collar as Rean stands on his toes to look Jusis in the eyes. The blonde can see his desire clearly spelled out in his lover’s bright, violet eyes.
He would have loved to indulge him with more affection as he wished, but Jusis remembered where they were. The white marble floor, overly ornate chandeliers, and expensive artwork grounded him back to reality. The two of them were standing in the largest mansion in Ordis. A mansion with an innumerable amount of servants keeping it running.
Many servants that could walk in on the two of them. The Ashen Chevalier and the temporary Head of House Albarea getting entangled would cause more trouble neither of them cared to have. Not with all the tensions brewing with the government, Ouroborus, and various jaeger corps roaming about nearby. He was already getting a headache thinking about all of them again.
A small part of his brain nipped at him though. Rean wasn’t someone who ever asked for much. He rarely even wants things. So how could Jusis deny him one of his rare requests? He took Rean’s face into his hands and pressed his lips to his forehead. Slowly he peppered his eyes, cheeks, and nose with more kisses.
A giggle escaped Rean as he did this. Jusis settled back into embracing his beloved when he finished his show of affection. “It’s the best I can do for now since we’re in public. I’ll give you whatever you want when we truly have time alone.”
Rean nodded thoughtfully at the explanation. He understood what the intention was. But as he tried to keep his composure, a small snort escaped him. Jusis’s eyebrows knit together as he asked what was wrong. “I can’t help but wonder if your alternative could even pass,” Rean replied with a hearty laugh.
The only response he got was a look of bewilderment. “Come on Jusis, is kissing my face really “better” then kissing me on the lips? If anything, kissing my face probably looks weirder.”
The blonde processed his words and blushed as he realized how foolish he was. Coughing he tried to dismiss the matter altogether which only made Rean laugh harder. “I missed you so much.” He managed to say during his bout of laughter. Jusis couldn’t help but smile as well. Truth be told he was worried about Rean.
Too much has happened to him at such a young age. He couldn’t even begin to think about how Rean must truly feel under the smiles and reassuring words. After all, he was only human. No one should suffer the way he has. If Jusis can alleviate his pain, he’d do everything in his power.
Because he loved Rean.
The sound of a door opening alerted the two. They quickly separated and tried formulating some kind of conversation. “See! They’re just talking. Enough with your weird ideas Musse.” A playful chuckle was the only response Juna got.
The entirety of Class 7 was peeking out from behind the ajar door. “Uhh. You two were taking a while so we were just checking up on you.” The awkward tone gave away the lie instantly. Ash groaned and called her a dumbass for her awful fibbing which only set Juna off once again.
Watching them bicker and talk made Jusis reminisce about the old Class 7. “They’re a good bunch. A bit of a handful but I’m sure we were the same if not worse.” Rean commented as he looked on. Jusis sighed with a smile.
“Let’s hope they’re not any worse than us.” The two of them beckoned the students to finish their food and tea before they had to head out to the canyons. There was much more to come in the next few days. And after that, maybe a moment of respite for everyone.