two angy boys in a jamjar

[azuremoon]

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[cynicfelixity]

[That prompts another glance from Felix, who stares back just as balefully.

Then he smirks as he picks out more from the selection.]

Good thing your shirts are plenty comfortable.

[Next to go in the pile are some form-fitting leggings, a pair of boxers that open at the back for reasons Felix isn't sure he wants to think about, and some thigh high socks.]

Happy?

[azuremoon]

[No, he is not particularly happy, but Dimitri will lean in and reach around Felix to give his thumbprint to allow the clothes to start printing anyway. Felix tenses up as if he expects retaliation for that smirk. Dimitri doesn't do anything more, though. He's been beaten, he'll go lick his wounds and preemptively exhaust himself in the VR room before dinner.

Lunch, unsurprisingly, does not really occur to him.]

[cynicfelixity]

[There's his new "clothes", for however much they questionably fit that definition. He wastes no time in shedding the lace from yesterday and donning the underwear and leggings. For now, he spares Dimitri the mercy of wearing that sweater, preferring the comfort of this oversized shirt for now. Not knowing what else to do for now, he retreats to Dimitri's bed, curling up there for the time being as he ponders on what to do next.]

[azuremoon]

[If he were there, Dimitri would be wondering why Felix is choosing to continue to linger in his bedroom. There are two perfectly good guest rooms, and if he has to keep sleeping with Felix in his arms, he knows he's not going to be able to keep his attraction to him a secret for long. Fortunately for both parties, Dimitri chooses to throw himself completely into his training. He doesn't leave the VR room for hours, and by the time he's a couple of hours in, the simulation has him sticky with sweat and covered in virtual wounds. One of his eyes is covered, too — he doesn't trust that he'll retain his eye upon returning home, and he's not going to learn to rely on having two eyes all over again.]

[cynicfelixity]

[Felix dozes off for about an hour and a half, waking up to an empty stomach. It leads him to the printer, but remembering how it required some authorization of sorts--just like his clothes from earlier, why did Dimitri approve them even if he disliked them so--he pads towards the VR room where he's heard some noises.

For the moment, his hunger is forgotten, and he stands by the doorway in fascination as Dimitri goes about his training, far from the prim and proper duelist that Felix once loved to cross blades with.]

[azuremoon]

[There's no doubt that Dimitri is everything Felix has accused him of being anymore. Anyone could see it — the way he moves from opponent to opponent is all instinct, cold and brutal. But there's a wild sort of grace to it too, not unlike the lion their class was named for.

After a few more minutes, the console chimes to indicate that the encounter with those traitorous Dukedom soldiers is over. Dimitri briefly takes stock of his wounds, mentally comparing them to the ones he took in the past. Pleased to note he's improving, he allows the simulation to erase the illusionary injuries and lift the covering on his eye. He finally looks to Felix then, panting for breath.]

I am surprised you did not run, [he says with a hint of bitterness.]

[cynicfelixity]

[Felix bristles at that comment, no matter how well-deserved it is.]

I'm hungry.

[He rubs his nose, annoyed. A truth, one he'd rather think about than the bitterness in Dimitri's tone. Or the way his chest heaves, bringing to attention his impressive musculature and those broad shoulders that have held Felix close the night before.]

It's not like I can make my own food here.

[azuremoon]

[It's not like either of them were ever great cooks to begin with, and Dimitri is about to argue that he can just print his own damn food when he recalls that Felix, in fact, cannot. With a heavy sigh, he strips off his shirt and taps the wall, tossing it down the chute that opens up.]

My apologies. I did not intend for you to go hungry, I simply do not think about food that often.

[The reminder is probably good, anyway. With his whole body aching with the residual sting of those virtual wounds, Dimitri genuinely didn't notice he was getting hungry as well. He pulls his sweat-slicked hair back into a half ponytail and moves to exit the VR room, pondering if he cares enough to wash up before he eats or not.]

[cynicfelixity]

[Now it's Felix's turn to stare as Dimitri strips, the sight of his bared torso confirming what Felix simply eyeballed earlier.]

You should. You can't just train and train without thinking about your stomach.

[Inexplicably flustered, he trails after Dimitri exactly like a good pet would--a fact that rankles at him as he waits for Dimitri to act.]

[azuremoon]

I eat when I wake and before I go to bed. It is enough.

[But probably not ideal considering his calorie expenditure. Dimitri pads into the kitchen, bringing up the interface for Felix with a small wave.]

Go ahead and order. I will confirm it.

[cynicfelixity]

[Here they go again. Felix sighs as he rapidly goes through the selection and picks out some sort of meat-based curry, waiting for Dimitri to confirm that.]

If you're not going to look out for yourself then I will. Give me access to the food printer.

[He's not sure if it's even possible for Dimitri to do that given how limited pet rights seem to be, but it's probably worth asking.]

[azuremoon]

[Why? he almost asks, but now that he's a little older and far less naive, he can tell that Felix doesn't hate him as he once thought he did. He cares, even if it's only for the memory of the friend he once had instead of the monster that took his place. His demeanor softens as he reaches out to confirm the order. Once it's done, he cycles through the options until he finds the instructions to grant access.]

Your hand, [Dimitri says, holding his own out palm up.]

[cynicfelixity]

Wha--

[Felix tells himself that part of it is to ensure he doesn't go hungry in case Dimitri forgets about him like he did earlier, but it's hard to deny the part of him that is, admittedly, concerned. He's made a habit of watching out for worrying changes in the boar's demeanor after all, and why stop now, really?]

Alright.

[He'll hold his hand out in the same way, expectant.]

[azuremoon]

[Dimitri takes that hand in both of his, pressing his prints up against the silver band on Felix's finger. He gently strokes that same finger with his thumb once it flashes to indicate that permission has been granted, frowning to himself.]

It did not move at all... did this fuse to you somehow?

[He should probably read up on pets more.]

[cynicfelixity]

[Satisfying as it is to have Dimitri listening to him for a change, the voiced observation is less than comforting, and he ends up mirroring that frown, suppressing a shudder.]

It seems to have.

[Felix touches it with his other finger, heart sinking as he notices how there's no give when he nudges at it.]

I'm... not sure if it's a good idea to try and take it off.

[There was that odd tingle from before--who knows what might happen.]

[azuremoon]

Only the "master" can remove this ring, but it would not be safe to do so. Still, I thought it would merely provide a shock, not that it would become a part of you...

[With a brief squeeze, Dimitri lets go.]

If it somehow remains on your finger when you return to your own time, ask me to kiss the ring. It will be able to be removed then. Do not tarry, though — before too long, I will be separated from all of you.

[cynicfelixity]

[Felix sighs as he tucks his hand away, ears flattening against the side of his head as he reddens while considering those words.]

I-it's not any worse than going back as a cat.

[Which is, all things considered, the more troubling possibility of the bunch.]

[azuremoon]

You have a point there. Perhaps we should look into finding a doctor that may be able to reverse the changes? I will not be able to afford tickets for two before the year is up, anyway, so we may as well save up for potentially needing to pay to remove the animal features.

[Even if they are terribly endearing. It's a pity Ingrid and Sylvain will never see it, really.

Dimitri exhales slowly, stepping away.]

I am going to wash up. I will show you to the guest rooms afterward. You need not confine yourself to the foot of my bed.

[Or worse, snuggle up at his side.]

[cynicfelixity]

I'd... appreciate that. But you don't have to go all the way there for me. I'll find a way to earn my own money.

[Pride won't allow it for Felix, even if it'd be hard going without an elite's support...]

[azuremoon]

We can go look for jobs tomorrow. Any legitimate employer would likely seek my permission, so I may as well just be there from the start.

[...or so he says despite the fact that he didn't even know pets could hold jobs until Felix mentioned it. Letting Felix go to Midas without him is too much, he can't do it! Hopefully the excuse will be enough for Felix to allow it. With a nod, Dimitri heads back to his own room to clean up.]

[cynicfelixity]

...Fine.

[Felix does not like the idea of having a chaperone, and it's reflected in his sulky tone as he takes his plate and retreats to the table. He's quick in wolfing down his meal, embarrassingly so. At that point, Dimitri has yet to exit the bath, so he takes the time to pace about the suite, finding the guest bedrooms along the way.

Still, it doesn't stop him from waiting for Dimitri to finish up, staring once more when he emerges from the bath, shirtless.

Catching himself gaping, Felix shakes his head, frowning.]

Don't you have enough shirts?

[azuremoon]

[Dimitri's shower takes a little longer than necessary — he's not about to risk having Felix crawl into his bed again without having emptied himself first. He's clean and pleasantly flushed as he emerges, that wild hair of his temporarily tamed by the water.

He's oblivious to how he could possibly be appealing to anyone, but he feels Felix's eyes on him all the same, and he smirks when Felix complaints about his attire, thinking he knows exactly why he's ruffled.]

Not if I am going to share. I sleep hot, anyway. Why... do the scars bother you?

[Dimitri runs a hand over the largest scar on the right side of his chest with an unpleasant grin.]

[cynicfelixity]

[That gesture does nothing at all to help the heat rushing to inconvenient places, and Felix is only glad that the table obscures most of his lower half and squeezing his thighs together prevents the worst from showing.

Still, his flushed cheeks are pretty much there for the world to see, for better or for worse.]

You've got a wild imagination.

[He tears his gaze away, looking pointedly towards the direction of the guest bedrooms.]

Which room am I taking?

[azuremoon]

[Is he blushing? Felix does always hate it when someone points out what he's actually feeling instead of what he says... Dimitri's tempted to keep tormenting him, but in the interest of Felix not attempting to run off without him in the morning, he'll hold his tongue.]

Either one is fine. It is not as if I have visitors. These people cannot be trusted.

[Felix is only here because Dimitri's known him his entire life, and despite everything, he does still trust him.]

Oh — do keep using my bathroom, though. Everything in the master suite is complimentary, but the water and soaps would come with a charge in the other rooms.

[cynicfelixity]

Very well.

[He can live with that, by all means.]

I'll be taking a shower then. While you eat.

[A pointed glance towards the food printer, telling of some consequences should Dimitri not feed himself.]