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Devon stared into his cup of tea, listening as Orion and Emilia recalled the memories of their education days. Taking a sip, his ear flicked at the sound of a huff and he looks up to find that they had been joined by Mel, who had sat next to Orion and intertwined their hands.
"Is this a part of the conversation I'm allowed to listen to?" Mel teased, nuzzling into Orion's shoulder and receiving an giggle from the older fox. Orion turned and gently booped Mel's with his own, oblivious to the disapproving look that flashed on Devon's face.
"Mel, you've been allowed to listen this whole time, silly fox. You're the one who chose to step out," Orion teased back, his tail moving to rest around Mel's waist.
That, for Devon, was the final straw and he stood up, unintentionally clipping his words as he requested, "A word, Orion?" In response, Orion's ears tilt in his direction as he kisses Mel, prompting Devon to roll his eyes. However, the glare Emilia shot him quickly brought him down to reality and he turned away with a grimace. Then Orion stood up, offering Devon a reassuring smile.
"I have a guest room we can speak in, okay?" he offers, holding out his hand to Devon with a casual smile. Raising an eyebrow, Devon scoffs, "Isn't Mel going to join us?"
That drew a chuckle from Orion, the sound causing Devon's stomach to flutter. "Devon, I know from your tone that you want this to be a private conversation. I've worked with you long enough," Orion explains, his smile growing when Devon takes his hand. Devon looked behind Orion, shooting an admittedly smug smirk at Mel, who had begun looking annoyed.
Thankfully, Orion hadn't seen it, instead turning to Emilia and Mel, promising to be back in a few moments. Then he led Devon over to the separate guest room, waiting to unti lhe could close the door to give a disappointed look at the other Death Tender. Placing his hands on his hips, Orion huffed, "Stop anatagonizing Mel, Devon. You're older, please act like it in my home."
Devon's ears dropped and he gave am apologetic, "I'm not trying to, Orion. It's just... Oreo, I can't help it." He brings Orion's hand up to his lips, giving his best pup eyes in an attempt to get Orion to forgive him. Thankfully it seems to work as Orion softens, letting out a soft sigh. This encourages Devon to blurt out, "Oreo, I'm sorry. I didn't... You being with-"
"No."
"...What?"
"No."
"B-But, Orion, I-"
"Devon," Orion starts, the tone of his voice causing Devon's heart to squeeze uncomfortably. "You'll always be important and special to me, but Mel is my partner. He's who I want to spend my life with."
"You haven't even known him as long as you've known me!" Devon protests softly, trying his best to keep it together.
"Yes, but we've also spent 20 years or so in this loop of us, and then you wanting nothing to do with me. Devon, I can't live like that," Orion points out, sympathy written on his face and in the twitch of his ears. "Maybe in another life, but in this one, I want Mel."
"That's not... Orion," Devon whimpered, his ears dropping even more as his eyes seemed to dull from hurt. He knew Orion was right, knew this was a dumb childish crush that he had already messed up with his on again, off again aggression towards Orion's magic. But before he could start wallowing in his own disappointment and grief, Orion's hands gently cradled his face to focus his attention.
Giving a gentle and encouraging smile, Orion offers, "Besides, I think there's a better fox for you, you know? Em's been crushing on you for forever, and I've noticed the looks you've thrown towards her too."
At that reminder, Devon's face seemed to turn red, not having expected this to turn into encouraging his crush on Emilia. "I don't- Orion, she's- Em's too- I don't deserve her!" Devon sputtered as his tail fluffed up, the reaction drawing a giggle from Orion.
"Dev, Em's been head over heels for you forever, I would say she thinks you're deserving of her," Orion chuckles, a playful smile growing on his lips. Then he teases, "Besides, if you ask me, I'd say two of the best looking Death Tenders should be together. You two look good together."
"Orion!" Devon squeaked in embarrassment, trying to cover Orion's mouth and missing him as Orion skipped out of the room.
"Get back here, you!" Devon snapped flusteredly, switching into his fox form after Orion did, squeaking, "Mel! Help me!"
Instantly, Mel scooped up his boyfriend, pinning his ears back and huffing at Devon, who paced around the half fox, chirping furiously at Orion, who was giggling as he nuzzled into Mel.
Eventually, despite Mel's best attempt, Emilia joined in the playful chase, switching to her own fox form and causing Mel to spend the rest of the afternoon herding the three around until the other two Death Tenders had to leave.