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Utowin couldn’t help but increasingly catch himself looking Easthies’ way, and think the same thing each time without fail.
‘He’s gorgeous.’
He’d be quick to brush off the thought in that moment, but would dwell on it later. Anybody could compliment Easthies for his looks at a glance; he’s charming without a doubt. But alongside those, Utowin found beauty in the way he held his pennant with his slender, delicate hands, the way he’d tilt his head slightly to the side when talking, his steady gaze, his loose strands of hair… he’d notice the little details about him, and find them all gorgeous.
He had a lot of feelings regarding his character, too. He was nothing like Utowin himself, and that’s what made him all the more attractive. His composed, stern self alongside Utowin’s chaotic energy, one wouldn’t expect them to be this good a pair. But Easthies could always put up with Utowin, and although he wasn’t the most expressive, Utowin could sense that he took comfort in his company. The idea gave him butterflies.
Easthies understood him, despite their differences, and believed in him when Utowin couldn’t himself, reassuring him when he needed it most. Utowin didn’t know where he’d be now if he hadn’t met Easthies all those years ago. The memory of their first encounter brought a smile to the ginger’s face. The trust between them was mutual, too- Utowin would take care of Easthies regularly. He expressed his concerns about his wellbeing quite often, that he overworks himself and neglects his needs. Easthies would hear him, but continue to do the same. Not that Utowin wasn’t happy to take care of Easthies, of course. He valued this familiarity, this closeness with him deeply, and wouldn’t have it any other way.
It was only recently that he began realising these feelings, though, despite things between them being this way for a long time. It was even more strange that this was the time when they were so busy and barely got a moment’s rest, what with the arrival of the new apprentice at Qifrey’s atelier and all that followed it.
‘What exactly have I been feeling nowadays?’ He pondered, until it hit him on one such day.
He loved Easthies.