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When all was said and done, they gathered once more as a class. Congregating in Machias’s house, they milled around on the sofas and chairs, chatting, mixing and generally decompressing. Finally, the ordeals were over and they could all just be. Glasses of wine were passed around, the mood was light and relaxed. No one drank enough to become intoxicated or even really tipsy but if the burden of inhibitions were a little less than normal, so much the better.Late in the evening, someone- no one was really sure who, no one would admit to it later- suggested a game of truth or dare. For old times sake, of course. No one objected.A small mischievous smile at her lips, Emma dared Alisa to sit on Rean’s lap. With a brilliant blush rising in her cheeks and a self conscious “O-okay,” she turned to Rean and fixed him with a stern look. “Nothing funny,” she admonished. He held up his hands as if to placate and she did as dared with no unwanted incident, eventually feeling comfortable enough to lean back against his shoulder as he gave her a content smile and they watched the rest of the goings-on.From the spot where she lay on a sofa, her head resting against Gaius’s thigh, Fie smirked at Jusis. “Dare you to kiss Machias.”No one was surprised by Jusis’s eye roll and haughty sniff, or Machias’s squawk. What did surprise them, though, was when Jusis shrugged, stood up without further comment and sauntered across the room, leaned down and threaded his fingers into green hair and brought his lips to meet Machias’s, which meant they were greeted with vehement protest. "Shut up, you," Jusis replied.Further surprising was that within a matter of only seconds, all protest stopped and everyone held their breath, fully expecting a fight to erupt but Machias just quieted and pulled Jusis closer. When they finally parted, the only one to speak was Fie. “Whoa…” Jusis glanced over to flash a smirk back at Fie, then turned back to Machias. “It’s been long enough, don’t you think it’s about time we told them?”
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It starts, this time, with Jusis dragging Machias's tucked-in shirt upward to expose bare skin and Machias, undoing Jusis's belt. The air is a storm of hissed curses, harsh, biting kisses and fingers coursing roughly through each other’s hair. Jusis seems determined to trap Machias against the low dresser he's been leaning on, wedges a knee more firmly between his thighs, plants his hands on either side of Machias, caging him in and punctuates it with a roll of his hips. If there was any lingering question of hesitancy, it's long gone with the heat and friction of still-clothed erections pressing against each other.Machias, on the other hand, is having nothing of this- if he is going to be caught between Jusis and some surface tonight- there's as good a chance of this as not- the sharp edge of some furniture isn't going to be it. “Not with this edge cutting into me,” he mutters. Turning his attention momentarily away from clothing removal, he pushes forward, the bed isn’t far behind Jusis. He's aiming for the bed itself but misses just enough so that Jusis lands against the bedpost- they know from past experience that it's plenty sturdy. They also know that chances are, in the space of a few more hostile kisses, they won’t be on the bedpost anymore.
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and oh, my tongue is a weapon...
Jusis had heard the line in a song. Whatever else the rest of the lyrics may have said, was there ever a line that could capture Machias Regnitz as well as this one? He knew of none. He only knew that those words cut so quick and deep, he couldn’t get them out of his head whenever they collided. As much as it annoyed him, he couldn’t turn away. What’s more, and what annoyed him yet more, he had no desire to. If he couldn’t stop himself from baiting and goading his sharp-tongued classmate, could he really be blamed?
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Too exhausted to sleep, Jusis knew only three things right now: Rufus would be no help. His father was a war criminal and governance of Kreuzen was falling to him.He wouldn’t complain, he wouldn’t show weakness. Somehow he’d manage. Tomorrow.For tonight, he was just trying to find the ability to go to sleep, to get a moment’s proper rest. But he was at a loss, and so he found himself walking the decks of the Courageous, hoping for exhaustion to claim him.Of all the times he would just have to run into Regnitz, why now?“Hey,” Machias said, surprisingly softly as he neared.“Hello,” Jusis replied warily, not saying any more, waiting for the snide comments and cynicism that were sure to follow.
Much to his surprise, they never did.“What are you doing?” Machias asked cautiously, no doubt anticipating the same.Right now, Jusis could barely muster words, let alone their typical verbal spars. “I’m exhausted, but I cannot sleep for the life of me,” he said plainly.Was that sympathy ghosting over Machias’s features? Probably just fatigue playing tricks.But with the next words out of his mouth, Jusis wasn’t sure.
“I’m…going back to my room to make some coffee. If…you want some tea, if you have any, it’s all hot water just the same.”Jusis nodded. “That would be nice actually.” He was sick of wandering the corridors.Surprise flicked across Machias’s face briefly. “Okay,” he said and they turned down the hall, stopping at Jusis’s door so he could retrieve some tea. In his room, Machias put some water to boil on his orbal hot plate and put out two mugs. “Do you want honey or milk or anything?”“Just a bit of honey will be fine, thank you.”“Feel free to have a seat, um,” Machias flails a hand around. Jusis sees that his desk chair is piled with books. “Um, well, you’re welcome to sit on the bed if you want,” he concludes with a final flap.“Thank you,” Jusis replied weakly, perching on the edge of the mattress. Soon the water was just about boiling. Machias poured some into the mug and handed it to him.“There’s a little honey in there but if you want more, you’re welcome to it.”“Thank you,” Jusis replied as he dunked his tea bag.Machias went back to preparing his coffee. He came over and, after a brief hesitation, also sat on the bed, staring into his mug, seemingly not certain what to say.“I, um, I can’t imagine how hard it must have been to have to do that,” Machias said quietly.“Thank you,” Jusis replied. “That part though… I never would have imagined arresting my own father but even more,” he shook his head. “How difficult it wasn’t. The rest of if is unfathomable but that was easy.”Machias had his coffee halfway to his mouth, frozen, as if the very thought of those words had seized him.“It must be hard to think, I suppose,” Jusis allowed. “Yours cares for you, cares for the people.”Machias nodded as he sipped his coffee. “It’s easy to be unable to imagine ill of him knowing that he’s still being held hostage and not knowing if he’s okay or not.”“I pray to Aidios he’s safe,” Jusis said, gravity settling in his voice.“Yeah, me too. Thanks. I’m going to try to get some studying in. You…can stick around if you’ve not finished your tea.”“Thank you. I – “ he looked down and realized he’d barely touched it, taking a long sip. “I may just do that.” There was an awkwardness, but at the same time, an odd comfort, sitting there on Machias’s bed, just being. Was it just the familiarity of his classmate? Or was there something else to it? The circumstances were worlds apart, but maybe there was some commonality in each knowing that the others father was being held captive in this moment. As he watched Machias clearing the books from his chair, Jusis tried to take some solace in this thought, the knowledge that he wasn’t completely alone and wondered if Machias had similar notions, though he didn’t ask. That was a question best left for a better time.
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“Why are you doing this anyway?”
The question rings in his ears, punctuated by the flushed and questioning face above him.
Why? Because you don't hold anything back and I wanted to see what you would do. Because so many other people are intimidated by my name and act deferential to me or are afraid to be honest or put on a good face and make nice for their own ends and you don't think twice about letting me have it whenever you get it into your mind. I'm never going to admit it to you but It both turns me on and terrifies me a little. Because pushing your buttons is fun. Because, I'm discovering that your reactions when you can't speak are surprisingly articulate. Because I can.
“I suspect for much the same reason that you're letting me, but I would really prefer to not compare notes just now.”
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Upon his entering the room, two expressions had quickly passed over the unspeaking face: relief, chased quickly by loathing.
I wonder if he's thinking of Bareahard last year?
Whatever Machias may be thinking, revisiting Bareahard is the last thing on Jusis's mind right now.
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“Besides, I hope you haven’t forgotten that we’ll be singing in these outfits TOGETHER."
“Of course I haven’t forgotten.”
How could he? If he were being honest- and he was, with himself at least, if not out loud, Machias actually looked rather good in his copy of the costume they were expected to wear. As good as anyone could look in such a costume anyway. And what’s more, he sang surprisingly well. Should it be so unexpected, though, from the way he bellowed when angry that he had the lung capacity to sustain the longer notes?As the rehearsal ended and the rest of the class drifted off to other activities, Machias suddenly seized him by the arm, hissing at him. “We need to keep rehearsing, I’m not making a fool of myself on that stage and there’s no way I’m letting you drag me down either.” “Fine,” Jusis spat. “I’ll not stand for anything but the absolute best performance you are capable of.”“Fine.”Machias pulled out his ARCUS and scrolled to a recording of the instrumentals for their song. Dragging the stool over from Laura’s drum set, he started the track and set the unit down. Microphones at the ready, they waited for the proper cue. “Not bad,” Jusis commented as it ended, a deliberate begrudging note to his voice so as to not sound overly praising. It was, in fact, quite a good performance.“Acceptable,” Machias replied with a slight glare. “Again.”“Fine.”They repeated the song several more times. “I think this should be our last for the night. It would not due to leave ourselves hoarse tomorrow,” Jusis commented.“Agreed.” On that last run-through something- something- happened. As if this rehearsal were the true culmination of all their hard practice, their voices came together, the harmony perfect, the notes sustained exactly, their steps and gestures in absolute sync. The last notes died out, the recording ended and they were left gasping for breath, staring at each other in awe. Machias finally broke the silence. “I hope we didn’t just use our concert performance.”Jusis could only nod in agreement. Before he knew what was happening, Jusis’s face was coming closer. When he realized that their lips were nearly meeting, Machias stumbled backward in surprise. His foot got caught on something- a cord, probably and he toppled backwards, but not before Jusis could reach out and try to stop him. Unfortunately, the effort was in vain. They landed, Machias sprawled on his back on the stage, Jusis on top of him.Jusis blinked, dumbfounded, above him for the space of two breaths. Machias was about to shove him off when their lips did meet. He should stop it, really he should, wanted to. But Aidios, Jusis’s lips felt nice on his and he hadn’t quite recovered from the shock of how perfect their last run-through of their song was and dammit, this was all scrambling his brain. A few seconds, or maybe an hour later, Jusis pulled away. “You taste like coffee,” he commented with a comically delicate wrinkling of his nose. In that moment, Machias’s mind cleared somewhat and while he wanted to make a snide response, he chose instead to use the opportunity and effort to roll them over. Positions reversed, he was surprised that Jusis didn’t fight him. He studied those glacial blue eyes for a moment. Distantly it occurred to him that this was the perfect setup for some comment on a noble being beneath a commoner, but the words didn’t quite make it to his tongue. He was about to return to the kiss when Jusis reached up, twined his fingers in Machias’s hair and pulled him down. Jusis never would have guessed that he would enjoy kissing Regnitz, never mind having him on top of him like this but there was something about the weight of him, more solid than his build would suggest, the way Machias had planted one hand on the floor right beside his head after turning them over, the knowledge that he himself could turn them right over again, the utter lack of words between them just then, even that damned taste of coffee. Whose tongue tentatively traced the other’s parted lips first, neither could have said. But they were quickly lost to the world. The whole exchange couldn’t have lasted more than two minutes, but who could say? The only thing they knew was that one minute, they were absorbed in each other and the shock of the situation. The next, the auditorium doors clattered open and someone was running down the aisle. One word, “Oh..,” they heard as they turned to face the intrusion and scramble away from each other. Gaius stood dumbstruck halfway down the center aisle. After a few seconds, he spoke again “I was just painting over in the art room, I heard a crash. I, well, I guess it was nothing then.”They manage to get to their feet and put some space between them. “Um, yeah, nothing.” Machias stammered. Not a moment too soon. Seconds later, someone else comes running, and excited female voice exclaims, “The sound, perhaps of the impassioned embrace of lovers so lost in their kiss that they trip over their own feet has reached my…oh,” Dorothee trails off as she realizes that she has, in fact, not caught anyone in the act of one of her lurid fantasies. “We were just going over our duet a few more times. I tripped and fell but as you can see I’m just fine,” Machias announced, glaring sternly at Dorothee. She heaved a dejected sigh and turned to leave. When she was out of the room and the door closed, Gaius approached the stage, crossed his arms and studied them for a minute. Finally, seemingly at a loss for anything else to say, he shakes his head. “Don’t worry, I didn’t see anything.”Of all the people to catch them, they could at least breathe a sigh of relief that Gaius could be trusted to neither judge nor betray a confidence. “Thank you,” Jusis replied quietly, Machias nodding in agreement. “That was…not our intended use of the stage when we decided to continue our rehearsal.”“You two…” Gaius commented, shaking his head in amusement and turning to leave.“”Um, yeah. I think I’m going back to my room to get some studying done,” Machias said weakly to no one in particular before jumping from the stage to the floor.“I should also,” Jusis agreed, opting to go the more decorous route and take the steps on the side of the stage.“See you tomorrow,” each mumbled to the other. It was clear that they would be taking different routes back to the dorm.
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They finish their dinner, slowly, each finding a way to stall, neither wanting to admit that he doesn't actually want it to be over yet. Finally Machias has no more coffee left to frown at. He inspects the cup one more time to be sure and states the inevitable. "I should get back," he says, standing."I'm going that way, I'll walk with you," Jusis tells him.Neither say much as they head across the plaza. Machias expects Jusis to depart from the lobby, but he's still next to him when he arrives at his room. "Quite the noble gesture, so to speak," he comments. Jusis's brow furrows. "What's that?""Walking me to my door.""Yes well. I suppose I'll see you tomorrow when you pick up the documents," Jusis says, a bit awkwardly as Machias unlocks his door.Machias nods. "I suppose," he echoes, but says no more. As he moves to open the door latch, Jusis’s hand is suddenly on his. “Wait,” he says. Machias doesn’t realize that he’s leaning on the hand until the door opens and he’s sprawling backwards. In his surprise, Jusis falls forward as well, landing on top of him on the hotel room floor.Jusis freezes, Machias panics and reverts back to familiar reactions “Get off me you insufferable, arrogant –“ Jusis takes a deep breath and claps a hand over his mouth.“Would you be quiet?” He quickly kicks the door closed before removing his hand, then tries to detangle himself. As he does, Machias attempts to get at from under him quickly, and they end up in a heap again.Machias glares at the face scowling down at him.“Let’s try this my way,” Jusis suggests, not hiding his exasperation. “I am going to get up, and you are gong to stay still for five seconds while I do, all right?”Machias scoffs and rolls his eyes. “Yeah, just move, okay?” Jusis stands, offers Machias a hand up. “Now, was that so bad?” he chides when they’re both standing again.He rolls his eyes again. “Why did you want me to wait?”Jusis doesn’t answer immediately, doesn’t meet his eyes.“Well?”He takes a long hesitant breath, lets it out, then speaks, the words coming out a little too quickly. “This is why,” he says, cupping the back of Machias’s head, pulling them together until their lips meet, too quickly for Machias to immediately react.It takes about a second to catch up to Machias, and when it does, he attempts to twist away with a squawk and flailing arms. Jusis quickly lets go. “What-what are you doing?”“Yes, that’s about exactly what I expected,” Jusis replies smugly. “But thank you for indulging me.”“Why you – you – ““Now now, I know I’m a good kisser, but that was nothing, certainly not enough to make you forget how to use your words, now was it really, Regnitz?”He expects more sputtering and flailing of limbs. He does not expect a bright red face to come rushing back at him, a rough hand to thread through his hair and grab a handful of strands as they met in a vicious clash of lips, teeth, and tongues. Machias seems to have found his bearings enough to return the gesture. Jusis returns the kiss with much less detachment than he started with. Miraculously, when the kiss breaks, they’re still standing upright. Neither know quite what to say. After an awkward, silent moment, Jusis finally speaks. “I’ll see you in the morning.”“Yeah…” Is all Machias says as he quietly leaves the room.
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“You’re not doing that today, are you?” Machias demands as they get ready to go out for the day.
That is Jusis, leaning casually against their bedroom door, staring intently at Machias as he very deliberately pulls on a pair of black leather gloves.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jusis insists with an air of feigned indignation. “I am merely finishing with my getting dressed. As should you.”
“I’m dressed,” Machias grumbles. “I just need to comb my hair,” he adds as he does just that. Jusis crosses the room and waits for him to finish. As he turns around, reaches out and brushes a thumb over Machias’s cheekbone, smirking in delight as green eyes slip momentarily closed. “Aidios I hate you right now,” he whispers.
“I know.”“Just wait till we get home…”“I look forward to it,” Jusis assures him as he runs fingertips down the side of his neck, reveling in the little rush that he receives as Machias shudders in response, then slowly pulls away, turning to leave the room.“Damn arrogant, hedonistic…,” he can hear Machias begin a recitation of his favorite litany of insults which Jusis has long since memorized himself.
“…entitled, self-centered, yes I know.” He smiles smugly to himself, hearing Machias just a step or two behind now. He had never actually intended to cause Machias a kink for his gloves, any more, he’s certain, than Machias ever thought that Jusis would end up so wanting to be pushed against a wall that he would happily spend a whole day watching Machias fight himself every time Jusis laid a hand on his shoulder or handed him some produce in the market. But it happened, long ago now. And today Jusis is thoroughly looking forward to taunting Machias for all he’s worth, before the unsuspecting noses of passerby.
Tonight, it will be well worth it.
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“Mister Regnitz is here,” came the voice on Jusis’s desk intercom.
“Thank you, Katherine,” he replied to his secretary, standing. “Please see him in,” he added as he came around to perch, affectedly casual, against the front edge of the desk.
The door opened, he heard Katherine again. “Go ahead in, Lord Albarea is expecting you,” she said and he could see her gesturing Machias toward the office.
“Lord Albarea,” Machias echoed with a roll of his eyes as the door closed behind him. Jusis pushed off the desk, crossed the room and reached out to seize his tie, wrapping it around his fist and pulling Machias close.
“Problem with that Regnitz?” he murmured as their lips met.
“You’re so full of yourself,” Machias replied in a voice devoid of any venom.
So much innuendo that could come of that, but he didn’t bother to reply with words. He inhaled sharply at the brief sting of Machias’s fingers twining in his hair as they kissed. Aidios, they didn’t get to see each other often enough and right then, Jusis couldn’t wait to relieve him of that tie...
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“What is all the mystery?” Jusis called through the closed bedroom door.“Would you just give me a minute?” Came the muffled reply from the other side.Jusis was getting impatient. Machias had locked himself in the room and refused to let Jusis in while he got ready to go out for the evening to attend one of Elliot’s concerts. Though Jusis was already dressed himself, this odd behavior was most vexing. What in the name of Aidios could his husband be doing? Muttering to himself, Jusis went to wait in the entry hall, leaning in a doorway as he pulled on one glove, the other clenched between his teeth. “Are you happy?” an impatient voice huffed. Jusis looked up, still pulling at the glove on his hand, the other fell from his mouth in surprise as he took in the picture before him.It wasn’t so much that Machias was glowering at him, such a thing was practically an hourly event. It was what he was wearing while he did it: a wisteria-colored shirt, perfectly skimming every dip and curve of lean muscle in his arms and torso, the cutaway collar perfectly filled with charcoal grey silk – was that an Eldrege knot? Charcoal flat-front trousers and black wholecut oxfords, Machias knew how to dress himself well enough but Aidios, this practically belonged in a magazine spread. Jusis thought he was about to die from the sight but then Machias pulled on his blazer and Jusis’s mouth went absolutely dry as he took in the cut and fit of it – so exact that it must have required an engineer. There wasn’t so much as an excess strand of thread on it.On top of everything else, Machias’s hair was just a little messier than usual.“Well how long are you going to stand there and gape at me?” Machias grumbled, but when Jusis returned to his senses, he could see that Machias was happy with the carefully calculated effort. No wonder he wouldn’t let him in the room.Opening and closing his mouth mutely several times, Jusis finally checked his watch. “The concert starts in thirty-two minutes. Are we walking or taking the car?”
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Jusis woke, though he hadn't yet opened his eyes. The bed beside him was empty. Warm, but empty. Only recently vacated. Consciousness descending gradually on him, he could hear breathing and soft fabric rustling.He wasn't alone in the room. Opening his eyes, he could see the indent on the pillow next to him where another's head would have lain. He took another minute for the night to resurface in his memory, recalling a tangle of limbs, a mashing of lips and tongues and teeth, a bashed shin...a stubbed toe. Rolling over to face the window, his vision was filled with a lone figure silhouetted in the bright morning light. A bare, lean back, dark blue pajama pants clinging to his hips. Green hair sticking up all over the place. Smiling at the memory of a very similar morning years ago and countless ones in between, he sat up, then stood, crossing the room to let one hand rest across a narrow hip, pulling Machias close, nose falling against the side of his neck, a murmured "morning", and his lips landing in the same spot."About time you got up.""Please," he laughed softly. "Your spot was still warm".
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"Having to sing with him is insult enough but if this costume is embarrassing...be prepared to suffer the consequences."
Jusis's conversation with Rean is pleasant enough (mostly) on the way to pick up the costumes, but he can't help allowing his thoughts to take a dark turn, not knowing what sort of getup he's to be subjected to. In the silences, he plots at least a dozen different creative means of demise for Rean, most of them involving two people. Much as he can't stand Regnitz, surely this would be one point on which they could enthusiastically collaborate. Even if he thought Machias deserved that kind of torture, he'd need help. Pulling out his ARCUS, he quickly composes a message:With Schwarzer right now. On the way to to pick up the costumes. Can I count on your assistance if they turn out to be as bad as we fear?
He soon received a reply:
Yes. What do you have in mind?
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“Wait,” Machias protested, sitting up. “Let me get my clothing off at least.” “Oh shut up already,” Jusis replied, a hand in the middle of his chest, pushing him back down.“Come on…” Machias complained.He propped himself on one elbow and pulled at Machias’s tie until it was loose, but didn’t remove it. Instead Jusis started undoing Machias’s shirt buttons.“Aidios, do you have any idea how much I’ve wanted to get you undressed after you walked out of the room earlier?”“Undressed? What’s wrong with my new clothes? I thought I look good!” Machias replied indignantly.“That’s just the problem,” Jusis informed him blithely. You do look good.” He slid a hand inside the shirt to press against firm abs, warm with body heat. He looked up to Machias’s eyes, studying him intently. Machias had propped himself on his elbows, chewing at the corner of his lips. “Is it a problem for you?”Slowly, Machias shook his head. “No,” he finally replied.“Good. I didn’t think so,” Jusis concluded, untucking the shirt and moving toward the waistband on Machias’s pants. He was just pulling at the zipper tab when he heard a low snort of a laugh and before he could stop it, Machias had sat up and flipped him, Jusis found himself the one on his back. He narrowed his eyes. “You’re never going to let this be easy for me, are you?”“Someone has to keep your arrogant ass honest.”
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Truth is that Jusis was already starting to fall for Machias in those fleeting moments when he was still just an anonymous green-haired boy disregarding of any possible consequence that may have arisen for the blind vitriol he’d spat upon learning that he was to share a class for the next two years with nobles, and even more so when he discovered that an Albarea was among them. For all he hid behind his haughty, stand-offish façade so well practiced that it kept itself up effortlessly, Jusis was fascinated, unaccustomed to being seen by his supposed peers as anything other than a source of intimidation or one from which to attempt to curry favor. Truth is, though he never would have admitted it, Jusis was a little scared of Machias in all his apparent fearlessness. And was it wrong to say, when he thought about it later behind the safety of his own closed door in the class dorm, a little turned on? What was it about being actively challenged at every turn that left him a little breathless (if only figuratively), and left him anticipating the next confrontation? Truth is that Jusis admired Machias more than he would ever care to admit. Admired how he never grew complacent with himself, how he always pushed himself and expected the same of those around him. And for that, Jusis felt compelled to push himself in the same way, and hold others to the same high standard. Truth is that in Machias Regnitz, Jusis found an unspeakable rarity: a rival worthy of his effort, an individual worthy of his respect, a man worthy of his attention, his wanting. Truth is that Jusis has met his match and there’s no going back.
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All Machias wanted to do was study. He had his books, his notes, the library was quiet. Everything was perfect.Except for one thing. Did Jusis HAVE to just come in and sit at the next table? Wasn’t there a gilded lounge with the Albarea name on it or something? Could he not at least have used another table, preferably one on a different floor?But no, there he sat reading his damn book, surely out of spite. Confused, Jusis looked up as his peace was broken. The scrape of a chair and the stomping of feet as Regnitz emerged from the table behind the pillar. What was his problem?
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A shuffle of activity woke Machias in the middle of the night. His eyes snapped open. Finally, he could catch Jusis in the act of taking all the sheets instead of waking up freezing and having to unravel them.He was about to make a snappy comment and snatch the blankets back, likely waking Jusis in the process. But what he hears next stops him. He couldn't quite make out the words, but it was clear that somewhere in his dream, Jusis was distressed. Was it his father tormenting him? Rufus? The memory of his mother?Heaving a sigh, Machias rearranged the blankets as gently has he could, moving closer to Jusis. Wrapping an arm around his waist and pulling him close, he muttered soothing words- as best as he could, comforting wasn't his strong suit- and as Jusis settled, Machias drifted back to sleep.
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Tie. Draw. Deadlock. Stalemate.No matter what Machias said or did, somehow Jusis had a counter for it. Neither ever quite managing to fully best the other. Not for long anyway. And forget swimming; the only record either of them managed there was for the number of tied races. And even then, it was a joint holding. It was galling, infuriating. At least he could still say that he was constantly ranked above Jusis in class standings. Emma was another story.(Maddening as it was, Machias would never admit- not out loud anyway- that there was a certain exhilaration to their rivalry, one that Emma could never hope to match.)
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“What in Gehenna are you doing?” Machias bellowed, stepping into the dorm kitchen to make some coffee for his afternoon study session. Looking around, he couldn’t find the coffee pot but he could most certainly locate a small blue blur amidst a mess of ingredients, madly stirring something in a bowl, sending...something, the contents he couldn’t quite discern...flying everywhere. A splash if it flew out and landed on his glasses.“Is this cake batter?” he demanded, taking them off and sniffing at the offending glob. “Sure is!” Millium chirped. “Gonna taste it?”“Nevermind the health hazard of eating raw cake batter. That’s been handled by the likes of you no less,” Machias started...”“I’m practicing! How do you know if you like it? Hey where’s Jusis, he needs to taste it too!”“Wh-why does it matter if I like your...cake? Or if he does? What are you practicing?”“Well Rean keeps saying you’re an old married couple so I figure when you actually have the wedding, you’re gonna need a cake, right?”
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When he failed, yet again, to recreate his cousin’s soup, Machias slumped at the kitchen table in defeat.Some minutes later, Jusis approached, ready to issue a sarcastic invitation to engage in a chess match but he could see now was not the time. “What’s your problem now, Regnitz?”He was met with an audible glare. “For your information, today is my cousin’s birthday and I have been trying to replicate a soup recipe that she used to make for me. Now would you mind going away and laughing at me from somewhere else?”To say that a wave of compassion came over Jusis would certainly be an exaggeration but perhaps a trickle fell his way for his rival’s struggle in memory of a loved one. He sighed and took the seat across the table, hoping that none of their classmates would walk in and witness the moment. “I don’t know what manner of soup your cousin made, but the anniversary of my mother’s death is in a few days. I was thinking of doing something in her memory. There is a chowder with herbs that she used to love, a recipe from my uncle’s restaurant.”“What, you’re going to make a batch of this...chowder?” Machias scoffed in disbelief.“As it happens, yes. I do make an excellent chowder,” Jusis asserted with an annoyed sniff. “I was going to ask if you’d like to join me in the endeavor.”“Fine,” Machias conceded after several seconds thought. “But it had better not be awful.”“I’m sure I can oversee just fine, Regnitz. I’ll procure the necessary ingredients tomorrow after classes and we can convene in the evening. Will that be acceptable?”“Yeah, sure fine,” machias huffed and stodd to leave. The gesture was appreciated but at the same time, the idea of cooking, and sharing such an intimacy as the memory of deceased loved ones with Jusis Albarea...was he quite prepared for this?
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The clock struck a late hour at just the same moment a head landed on Jusis’s shoulder and the book slipped from Machias’s fingers to crash to the floor.“Shall we go to bed then?” He asked, reaching to run his fingers through the messy green hair now invading his space.He was met with a half-hearted attempt to bat his hand away, a yawn and a mumbled “Stop trying to boss me around...no one made your ass lord over me...”“I’m no mere lord,” Jusis laughed softly, shaking his head. Even after almost ten years some things died hard. “Or have you forgotten that I’m the Duke?”“Well your fanciness can just go the hell to bed if you’re so tired. I have work to do,” Machias retorted as he straightened himself once more.“I’ll see you in bed then,” Jusis stood and left the room, knowing that it didn’t matter what work Machias claimed, he would soon follow.
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Is there any equalizer greater than war? The question may be tough for some to answer but here, now, as they cruise the skies in their borrowed vessel, each grapples with a task ahead, a necessity. Neither can quite fully comprehend the other’s turmoil, for neither is experiencing the same burden. But each can appreciate the magnitude of the other’s. That which weighs on Jusis lays as heavily on his shoulders as that which weighs on Machias does on his.And each, in his own way, bears some small measure of the other’s. Each stands behind the other in his own turn.
And, together and each in his own way, both move forward.
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Once a thing he avoided, Jusis eventually came to appreciate shopping for coffee with Machias. While he still would never make a cup to drink for himself, he had developed a taste for kisses from lips still warm from the last sip, redolent of the flavor of the roasted beans and a bare touch of cream. How could he not stand back and watch his lover pore over the wares, examining every option imported from Zemuria's farthest corners, thinking of the taste of those lips as Machias leaned in to breathe the scent of this blend or that with a small pleasured smile and a thoughtful "hmmm" as he considered his choices. To Jusis, it mattered not which he chose. He had yet to be disappointed when it came his time to sample the selection.
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After their lunch, Rufus turned to leave for the board meeting but then seemed to think better of it. “What troubles you, Jusis?” He asked as he turned back, concern in his eyes. “I don’t know what you mean,” Jusis replied. “Nothing is troubling me.”“I’ve always been able to see it in you, and I see it now. So mething is bothering you.”Damn Rufus and his perceptiveness. He wasn’t going to get away with this. “You’ve always trusted me. What’s changed?”Jusis took a deep breath, he couldn’t confess his secret, he’d have to say something. “Exams are near. I’ve been studying night and day, I suppose I am simply tired.” While he hated to appear academically vulnerable with his brother a member of the board at Thor’s, it was far less dangerous than the truth. He knew that Rufus held great respect for the governor...but how would he react to the knowledge thst Jusis had fallen for the governor’s son? Rufus looked long at him before sighing softly and laying a hand on Jusis’s shoulder. “There is something you’re not telling me but I suppose you need to work it out in your own. I must attend my meeting now. Be well, brother.”Though he desperately longed to confide what was in his mind, to hear some assurance that it was okay, Jusis could say no more.“You as well.”
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Another late night flying from here to there on the Courageous, another night at the pool table trying to keep busy and distracted.It was Jusis’s turn and Machias was certainly distracted.The sweater and jeans Jusis was wearing today (“Wow you own normal clothes?”) looked good. Really good. Very eloquent, Regnitz, he told himself with that thought. If was going to favorably consider Jusis Albarea’s ass, should he not at least be able to come up with better vocabulary inside his own head than “looks good”?“Stripes,” came the voice, seemingly from a distance and he realized that his cheeks were warming. Just how distracted was he?“S-solids then!” He choked backed he looked up to see Jusis squinting suspiciously at him.“If you must know, I was appalled by your posture and couldn’t look away!”“My posture is impeccable,” Jusis replied, a note of acid in his voice. “Wait...you couldn’t look-,” he broke off, lips forming into a smug little curl, “I see. Just admit to it, Regnitz, you were checking out my ass.”“I was not!” Machias insisted once more.“Hmmph. As you say,” Jusis dismissed, stepping closer until he’d sandwiched Machias against the wall, lips meeting. “I know the truth.”Machias only hoped no one decided to enter the room at that moment as his hands went first to jusis’s waist and then around to slide into the back pockets of those jeans.
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In the end, the only solution was to share the book. Each paid half the price. This led to the dilemma of who got to read it first, each thinking himself the rightful claimant. The faster reader should get it first, the one who first reached for it on the store shelf. The only solution was to read out loud, each taking alternating chapters. Neither was willing to “perform” in the presence of others. This led to sharing space. And thus it happened that Jusis and Machias were frequently seen going in and out of each other’s room. While many a passerby did truthfully attest to hearing the reading of bland text through the door, no one could say that this was the limit of what took place behind their doors. Dorothee often looked disappointed when she happened by but there were times when one might spy her with a sly grin, jotting down a note on a small pad as she rounded the corner. Had she heard something of substance or was her imagination going wild again?
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Jusis leaned over the railing of the deck of the Courageous, high above the world. His eyes sweeping up towards the stars, still higher above them and down toward the earth again, pinpoints of lights scattered over towns and cities as if a reflection of the sky. He would never admit how small it made him feel- and sometimes, that wasn’t a bad thing. When his feet were on the ground, it was easy to feel insufficient and ineffective like he could never do enough. But up here in the vast sky, there was something oddly comforting in the knowledge that he was but one person who could do only so much. The door opened and suddenly he was no longer alone. Joined now at the deck rail by a familiar presence, he didn’t have to turn and look to know who accompanied him. The ship banked unexpectedly, Jusis was knocked slightly off balance, falling into Machias.Gone were the days when he’d have been met with snapping and snarling. Instead, an arm slipped around his shoulders. No words passed between them as the ship righted once more and the two of them tipped their gaze once more to the stars.
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Machias and Emma were going over geometry problems when Jusis entered the library. “I’d say you could take pi times the squares radius of his ego to get the circumference but even the radius is too big,” machias grumbled. Emma said nothing though she watched as Machias’s eyes trailed Jusis across the library and stole a secret smile while he paid no attention. It was cute, how deep they were in denial about each other and she’d heard from Laura of Jusis saying similar things. Surely they’d come around sooner or later. For the moment, they were certainly entertaining.
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Machias wakes sometime in the night, eyes flicking open to see the shadowy form of another face, only inches from his own and slightly blurred without his glasses. For once, Jusis has somehow managed not to pull the sheets and blankets off of him, Machias notes with sleepy amusement as he studies the blond hair falling over a delicate cheekbone, a few strands ruffling with soft breath.Sleep threatens to overtake him once more, but Machias is caught up in this rare moment, blearily enchanted with the man sleeping next to him, trying not to think too much about his persistent conflict with the fact that he is literally in bed with a noble, and an Albarea at that. Maybe he should get over it, he acknowledges. But that’s easier said than done. As it is, he somehow convinces himself that such matters can at least wait for the harsh light of day to be yet again examined, he lifts his gaze briefly to the window, stars rushing by as the Courageous sails through the night sky. He can tell himself it doesn’t matter right now, and maybe it really doesn’t. Right now. Jusis shifts, mumbles something in his sleep. Regnitz is the only word Machias catches, as he moves a little closer. Machias can only lift an arm, lowering it around Jusis to comfortably accommodate.How different everything always seems in the quiet of the night, their sniping, their rivalry, their ever-constant snark fading away as though having been washed away by the faint moonlight shining through the window, as though the darkness leaves each vulnerable to the other’s barbs and spurs.Whatever the reason, he drifts back off to sleep, lips resting softly against Jusis’s hair. It will all come back tomorrow but somehow each day seems like a step forward. Better measured in rege than in selge, but forward nonetheless.
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The train ride back from Bareahard was a quiet one. Everyone was exhausted. Emma had gotten up to stretch her legs for a few minutes and returned to find them all asleep.Rean was sitting by the aisle, slightly slumped with legs stretched in front of him. His head tipped against the back of the seat. Fie was curled up on the seat next to him, like a cat, head against Rean’s knee, his hand in her hair.Emma chuckled softly to herself and turned to study Jusis and Machias. How did they even end up sharing a seat? No matter, the scene before her was peaceful, if a bit confusing- more so than usual after the events of the last few days. Machias was by the window, Jusis's head on his shoulder. They must have fallen asleep at the exact same moment. That was the only way she could imagine this scene not breaking out in violence on the train. She quickly pulled out her ARCUS, turned off the flash and all sound to snap a picture before the moment was lost.Not wanting to be stuck in the same seat when they woke up and broke into the inevitable scuffle, she sat down in the empty spot on Fie and Rean’s side, rested her head on the window and closed her eyes.
A few minutes later
Machias’s eyes opened suddenly. Someone was leaning on him, invading his space. “What the-“ he started but immediately clamped his jaw shut as he grasped the situation. The damned noble, the last person he wanted so close to him, now more than ever, was asleep on his shoulder. Thankfully, everyone else appeared to be asleep as well. This would have to be handled delicately, lest he never hear the end of it from his classmates.He reached over and shook Jusis’s arm lightly. “Wake up,” he insisted through clenched teeth. Jusis woke with a start and tried to lift his head, bashing it on Machias’s chin, who responded with an inarticulate noise but somehow managed to avoid disturbing anyone.“Would you get your inflated, entitled head off my shoulder before someone sees us and we never hear the end of it?” he hissed.Neither of them noticed Emma smiling to herself in the opposite seat.
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Machias hung back behind the others while Rean talked to Jusis, taking in the scene. When everyone finally dispersed to run errands around Bareahard, he looked up to meet Jusis’s eyes. Jusis spoke before he could. “I was worried about you,” he admitted, looking away.“We...Elliot and Fie and I...we were in Celdic.”“All this time you were practically under my nose...”“I wanted to try to get a message to you but I didn’t know if you were here. Even when Laura and Emma said you’d left them, there was no way to be sure.”“Well I’m here. Relatively unscathed.”“Yeah me too.”Jusis huffed, impatience clear. “We’ve dispensed with the niceties. Are you ever going to kiss me, you idiot?”
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Fed up with Jusis’s subtly barbed comments, Machias finally lost it. “Go fuck yourself, you smug, pompous, stuck up ass!”Jusis knew he would be lying to himself were he to deny that he was, in fact, feeling a bit smug at the moment: he had Machias right where he wanted him. “You say that only because you lack the nerve to do it yourself,” he replied with a careless shrug, silently counting just how many seconds it would take for Machias, now growing absolutely incandescent, to respond. “W-what?” Machias sputtered. “I’ll show you who has nerve!”“By all means, please proceed,” Jusis kept his voice and posture placid, waving his hand in a *go on* gesture. “You’re not serious,” Machias spat. “Are you declining my invitation to prove me wrong?” He’d barely finished forming the words when the answer came, a harsh tug of his cravat and a near-growl of “Consider this my RSVP.” What the kiss lacked in artfulness or grace, it certainly made up in conviction and intent. It was hard to say who started undoing the other’s clothing first but Jusis gave pause only long enough to wonder why he hadn’t tried this tactic sooner.