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Dante is leaning against the headboard of the large, plush bed of their shared suite when he enters. The light scowl doesn’t ping Aster as concerning, exactly, but he wonders what has the Sunlord in such a mood. They’d spent a lovely day at the beach being served hand and foot, followed by a feast that rivaled his own chef’s abilities.
“Ugh, my face is all burned red,” Aster whines in lieu of greeting.
He throws himself onto the mattress, stretching out enough to press his foot against Dante’s calf. Dante doesn’t move away but his expression doesn’t change either.
“Where is that imposter?” he asks, overly casual.
“Asleep.”
The answer seems to mollify him a little, but his arms stay crossed over his chest. Slowly, Aster crawls up the length of his body and makes himself comfortable in his lap. He leans in, chest to chest, forcing Dante to move his arms, and gives a little pout.
“You’re supposed to tell me I’m adorable as ever.”
Dante’s eyes are cool as they study him but his hands land on the small of Aster’s back, warm against his exposed skin. Fingers stroke down his spine and Aster wonders if he even knows he’s doing it.
“Didn’t he already reassure you?”
Aster tilts his head and doesn’t try to stop the grin that’s pulling at his mouth.
“You’re jealous!”
Dante looks away, the light red of his cheeks giving him away. There’s a warning bell in Aster’s head that tells him that perhaps this fling is becoming overly complicated, but he can’t help how delighted he is. No one has ever held him dear enough to be jealous over. His ancient heart flutters in his chest.
“Adorable.”
“I am not jealous!”
Eiden had been excited at the prospect of a beach trip so it had seemed only natural to invite him along. Maybe he shouldn’t have told the freeloaders to stay home.
Aster wraps a lock of red hair around his fingers and gives a little tug. Dante ignores him.
“Master and I only talked for a while before he went to bed. I told him I had someone waiting for me. He’s not the jealous type.”
The frown only deepens and Aster bites down on a laugh. Sometimes he forgets how young Dante truly is. It’s probably time to stop teasing him. He tugs at his hair once more before releasing it.
“I suppose I invited Yakumo out here to keep Master company for nothing. I’ll send another message, telling him not to bother. It’ll save me money, after all.”
Aster sighs dramatically and moves to stand but Dante’s hands land on his hips and hold him in place.
“When does he arrive?”
“I thought you didn’t care.”
“Aster.”
Dante’s voice is deep and serious, his gaze expectant. They stare at each other for a while and Aster sees the moment the Sunlord gives in. It’s a heady feeling, bending this man to his will.
“I came on this trip for you and no one else.”
Something emotional lodges itself in Aster’s throat. Why had he pushed this particular battle, again? He hums noncommittally and thinks about those predicted complications; then there’s nothing left to do but lean in and kiss him.
The contact stings his sunburned skin and he tries to hold back the surprised flinch, but Dante pulls away. His eyes narrow in what looks like annoyance but Aster has found that it actually means concern.
“It hurts,” Dante says, gently moving Aster’s face from side to side with a knuckle pressed against his chin.
“It’s nothing.”
Nothing a little blood won’t cure, he means to say but he likes the intensity of Dante’s gaze. First jealousy, and now concern. If he isn’t careful, he could get used to this.
Dante leans towards the nightstand and pulls out a small ceramic pot. He opens it and scoops out a glob of ointment onto his fingers.
“Hold still,” he orders as he begins to smooth the salve onto Aster’s face.
It has a pleasantly herbal smell, so he complies out of curiosity. Aster’s skin cools immediately, the tightness and pain fading. Dante’s hands are steady in their application but gentle in a way Aster wouldn’t have believed he was capable of a few months ago.
“What is this?” Aster asks, already calculating how much money he could make.
He could market it toward families with small children and others with delicate skin. It could be the beginning of a holistic skincare line with himself as the model. With his porcelain complexion, it would sell out in no time. No need to let anyone know that his face was created this way.
“A folk remedy from Solaria. It’s foolish to spend so much time in the sun if you’re unprepared for this outcome.”
Aster puts his plans for a skincare empire on hold in order to focus on the situation at hand.
“First I’m hideous and now I’m foolish. Give me one good reason not to go back to Master’s room right now!” He tries to summon annoyance into his tone but the fondness overshadows his efforts.
“I’m not the one who said you were hideous,” Dante replies, thumb smoothing over Aster’s cheekbone. “You are aware that you’re as beautiful as ever.”
The blush is back but Aster leaves off teasing him about it. It’s fascinating to watch Dante in these moments, the bravado and most of the arrogance set aside. Small glimpses of the man behind the Sunlord that others don’t get to see. An intimacy he’d never expected.
Dante finishes his ministrations and sets the jar aside.
“Yakumo will be here first thing in the morning,” Aster says as an offering.
Dante inclines his head, acknowledging the gesture as his hands trail up Aster’s back.
“Are you burned anywhere else?”
“You’ll just have to check,” Aster murmurs, leaning in to brush their lips together. “Of course, I’ll have to check you too.”
Dante magnanimously agrees to his terms.