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“Reeeooooooooo”
Reo sighs, looking up to the sun for strength. “Yes, my treasure?”
“Too hot. Loud. Legs are tired. Wan’ go home.”
Reo looks around him. The city square is packed in the middle of the day. The arts market is amazing, so many unique and creative paintings, sculptures, jewelry, textiles, even furniture! Reo just wants to see it all and maybe buy a few more gifts for some hesitant business partners.
Nagi is literally holding ONE bag. Reo has the other three. He glances over at a covered little awning that looks like a makeshift bar. “How about you go sit in the shade my love, I'm almost done. Then we can go home.”
Nagi glances longingly at the shade. The patrons’ cups glisten with condensation. “No…can’t see Reo.” He grumbles.
“Sure you can! I only have to go in a straight line down this row of shops and I'll come right back down the other side and end here with you, where I belong.”
Reo's smile is so sure and bright. Nagi feels himself soften slightly at the love and trust in his partner's face. He sticks his hands out. Reo tilts his head in confusion.
“Bags?” He asks. Reo brightens, “Thank you my treasure! I do get hounded less with fewer bags. I'll keep one though, so they at least think I spent some of my pocket change already.” Reo passes two bags off to Nagi but keeps the lightest, bulkiest one. He presses a kiss to Nagi’s cheek and begins wandering onward.
Nagi turns to sit at the stand and points toward a pitcher behind the stand owner. He exchanges a coin for a cool copper container that tastes of mint and ginger and liquor, and he turns to watch his Reo.
Reo looks intently at a stall full of fruits. Nagi has no idea why; they have fruit trees at home. He fails to stop the corner of his lip from quirking up in exasperation. His Reo is too cute. He looks down at the drink and nods in approval to the stall owner.
Reo has moved on to a stall selling fabric. Reo is speaking intently with the stall owner. More fabrics? Seriously? Reo must have a client with very particular interests. Reo’s eyes go comically wide as he shakes his head. He is so dramatic when he barters. Reo could afford whatever outrageous price the stall owner asked, but he is so dedicated to getting a fair price, on principle. Adorable.
There is a flash of movement at the side of the stall and Nagi rises quickly from his seat. He takes long, quick strides and his hand shoots out to grab a young boy by the scruff of his hair.
The boy yells out is shock and pain and Reo whirls around. “Nagi! What are you doing!” The store owner gasps and makes to move around her stall to the main road.
Nagi looks the boy in the eye. The boy draws his lips together in a pout and looks down and to the side. Nagi sighs and places the boy’s feet back on the ground, but he does not release his grip. The boy relaxes his shoulders in defeat and juts one hand out in Reo’s direction.
“Oh! That's mine!” Reo turns and looks at his belt, where his coin purse is no longer attached. “When did you…oh yes! Thank you.” Reo retrieves the pouch and looks inside it. All his money must still be there, because he turns to the stall owner. “Sorry about that!” He turns to Nagi, “Please let him go now.”
As Nagi releases the boy”s hair, Reo drops to a knee in front of him and beckons the boy closer to him. The boy stands frozen for a moment. He glances at the shop owner, then Nagi, and then back to Reo. He takes a halting step forward. Reo smiles, and digs around in his coin purse.
Reo drops his voice, “You have some amazing speed and agility, Young Sir,” he begins. “Have you ever considered becoming a Ranger for the crown? Or a Knight?” The boy looks a little confused, and shakes his head. Reo pulls a sizeable handful of coins from his purse. “Well give it some thought. Your natural abilities would make you very skilled. You could do some really great things. Here, this should cover dinner for you and your friends tonight.” Reo presses the coins into his palm, and glances to a couple of other children, tucked in the shade between two stalls.
“Boss…” Nagi warns. Reo just turns and smiles at him, raising his voice. “Sorry, Ser Nagi! But I can't resist admiring such grace and elegance when I see it in action!” He rises up and turns back to the start of the shops. He turns his head back to the boy for only a moment.
“If you ever want to put those skills to good use, come to Mikage Manor and ask for me or Ser Nagi! I'll await your visit!” And then he is gone.
Nagi stares down his nose at the boy until he bows his head in shame. Then Nagi chases after Reo.
“What was that about, Boss?”
Reo’s smile seems wistful. “I don't know, I guess he just reminded me of you somehow. What do you think your life would have been like if you had been in his position?”
Nagi is not sure what expression he is making at the moment. “We are not alike.”
“Mmmm I dunno. I think it was the pout that really sold me. Yes! That one!” He laughs while pointing at Nagi’s face. Nagi’s pout worsens.
The get back to the drink stall and Nagi retrieves their bags - which he totally didn't forget about . The stall’s owner smiles and winks at Nagi as he scoops up the bags and double checks all their contents.
“You probably wasted you coin on that boy,” the owner turns to Reo, “that wasn't the first time I've seen him cause such a commotion and it won't be the last.” Reo smiles secretly. “Perhaps, perhaps not. Only time will tell for certain.” And on that vague note he turns and heads away from the market. He doesn't turn back to confirm that Nagi is following him, for he has no need to.
Once they have returned to the edge of town to hail a carriage, Reo turns to Nagi. “Well, I apologize for all the excitement, My Treasure! Thank you for watching over me. I'll continue to entrust my wellbeing to you.” A cocky grin spreads across his face as the sarcastic formalities drip from his lips.
Nagi huffs and rolls his eyes away at his lover's antics. “Reo isn't allowed to go shopping alone ever again.”
Reo grins even wider.