[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.]
[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.]
[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.]
[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.
[Bothered by his scars, griping at him to eat... Felix clearly still doesn't like him, but it's nice to know he cares regardless. There's a flicker of a fond smile on Dimitri's face before he cuts it off with an abrupt nod, going to print himself something.
[Did Dimitri just smile? Felix blinks, unsure what to make of it. But he does not comment any further and retreats into the shower, taking his time in cleaning up.
It's a refreshing task, and he's in a plenty good mood as he fishes out another of Dimitri's shirts and dons the thigh high socks for bed, yawning as he steps out of Dimitri's room.]
[There isn't a proper door between the master bath and the master bed, so Dimitri waits in the main room after he gulps down a shake that is apparently designed to meet all his nutritional needs. He hears Felix before he sees him, rising from the couch to turn toward him without stopping to think about what Felix might be wearing to bed.
It's a decision he deeply regrets. His eyes widen, immediately zeroing in on the bare flesh between the hem of his shirt and those stockings, his imagination helpfully filling what he can't see in with a mental image of that lacy pair of panties underneath.]
[This is exactly what this city wants from him: to have him fixating on sex instead of retaining his focus. It's what Felix's kidnappers want as well. A customer that enjoys their first pet is more likely to get another. Dimitri can feel the heat in his face, his brows taking a sharp downward turn as he stalks past Felix to get to his bedroom without a word.
Eating his meals properly, getting a full night's sleep in an attempt to avoid ogling his childhood friend — Felix is certainly good for his health in some respects.]
[What's gotten into Dimitri? Felix mirrors that downward turn and almost says as much, but with lethargy settling over him once more, he does not feel inclined to pick a fight.
So for the moment, he retreats back into one of the guest rooms, seeing what he can do about getting more sleep.]
[Without the aid of the mist, there's not a chance in hell Dimitri would actually get to sleep. With it, he manages — but those thigh highs haunt him in his dreams, resulting in him still being touchy in the morning. At least Felix has to cover up for their trip to Midas...
The first stop is a bar and restaurant looking for waiters. Dimitri simply folds his arms and leans against the doorframe, figuring Felix doesn't want him following him directly.
Besides, he can see the spot they have set up for interviews through the window. He doesn't need to be inside.]
Go ahead. Come and get me if they require my permission.
[Felix's idea of covering up is more or less the tight leggings from yesterday and his white academy top. He keeps his hair in a similar bun he had back in the monastery, not exactly sure how neat of an appearance they were looking for.
The restaurant's owner is brusque, asking him to don this ridiculous bunny suit that is apparently standard for their employees. While Felix shoots the outfit a glance that might as well be as potent as a basic fire spell, he does as instructed, flustered as he agrees to the arrangement. He gives up on restoring his hair to its old style as it comes undone in the process, letting it fall loose around his shoulders as the owner returns to check on him.
That's how he finds himself outside with a sign in hand, furiously trying not to make any eye contact with Dimitri as he grips the handle tightly.]
...It's a trial run, [Felix says, trying his best to keep his expression neutral as he stares ahead of him.]
[The restaurant's hours are later in the day, so no customers go inside... which means there's no one ogling Felix and Dimitri is fairly at ease. He's even a bit amused to see the look Felix shoots that manager, though he's already mentally writing the job off upon seeing it.
But then he sees why Felix made that face.
Dimitri is immensely grateful that Felix is avoiding eye contact. He knows his eyes are probably bulging out of his head right now, and he doesn't even respond to the explanation for fear of what he might sound like. This ridiculous getup is going to haunt him too, isn't it?
As soon as people start taking notice, Dimitri's discomfort vanishes. Many of the Midas residents in this area know this restaurant's practices, and they know that Felix must be a pet if he's being made to stand out here. The whistling and cat-calling starts up quickly, though it vanishes just as fast when Dimitri's murderous aura grows too powerful to ignore.]
[Humiliation washes over him, hot as the blush that paints his cheeks at the cat-calling that follows.
The owner of the shop... Felix spares a glance in his direction, and it tells Felix everything he needs to know. This person never meant to hire him in the first place, and as for what reason, the nature of the words thrown in his direction seem to explain it.
Is there some sort of prejudice against pets looking for a job? It wasn't in the guides whatsoever, but then again... should he be surprised? It's just icing on the cake for the way "mongrels" are looked down upon in this society, to be honest.
He doesn't know what he'd do without Dimitri and the aura he's radiating. For however much Felix hates being reliant on others, he's not sure people would have respected his space without Dimitri ready to pounce, though all the same...]
This... probably isn't the right job.
[Felix keeps his gaze downcast, still unable to look Dimitri straight in the eye.]
[Dimitri glances inside the shop and gets a good look at the manager — a mongrel. He ushers Felix back into the building, following behind him this time for the sole purpose of attempting to murder the owner with the ferocity of his gaze. Honestly, he's tempted to hit him. He wouldn't get in any trouble for it... but that's exactly why he can't do it. Even now, attacking the downtrodden isn't something he has a taste for.
That doesn't stop him from snatching the offending outfit from Felix once he reemerges in his own clothes. Looking at the owner right in the eye, he tears the costume in two and drops it on the floor.]
[The warmth painting his face red does not leave him even as he takes off the offending outfit and dons his regular clothes once more. What a low for him to sink to, from the proud swordsman he is...
Then Dimitri snatches the outfit from him and tears it in half, much to Felix's shock and the owner's. Appreciated as the gesture is, considering Felix has thought of doing as much, his chest feels oddly tight, a familiar helplessness sinking in as a new realization settles over him.
You're nothing without Dimitri.
That sting in his eyes cues him that it's time to go, and run as far away as he can from this reminder he wishes nothing more of. So that's what he does, bolting out of the store and letting his legs carry him as far as they can.]
[Locked in a staring contest with the terrified owner, Dimitri doesn't realize Felix is on the move until he hears the door. He turns, expecting him to just be sulking outside... but Felix is running. Terror grips him when he recalls how dense these streets are, how the roads are made of a material that makes tracking someone in any traditional way next to impossible. The dread hits so deeply that he feels it in his bones. All of the people who were once close to Dimitri are capable warriors, and though he would worry for them, it was never like this. Any lower class citizen here is helpless, and Felix is a highly desirable prize for people who want to take advantage of that.
Dimitri runs after him.]
Felix!
[Felix doesn't respond. Worse, even — he turns the corner. He may be out of shape as far as battle goes, but Felix is more agile than ever now, and he's able to slip through a crowd more easily. Dimitri keeps after him regardless, managing to corner him after a minute or two when Felix turns into an alley in his quest to avoid people. The walls are high, but he's fairly certain Felix can jump them, so he quickly closes the distance and throws his arms around him from behind, pulling him back against his chest.]
What are you doing?! You know what these people would do with you if they thought they could get away with it!
[Anywhere is fine, Felix thinks. Somewhere with no people around, where he could wallow in peace. But Dimitri doesn't even allow him the opportunity to lick his wounds, pulling him flush against his chest as Felix fights an urge that had only come to him recently when he was forced to do certain things against his will--]
They already have. What difference does it make?
[Much to his horror, his voice cracks as he speaks, but hysteria has him spilling his thoughts the moment they come to mind, the threat of tears ever so present as he finds himself unable to wiggle free. Sucking in a breath, he gives up for the moment, going limp in Dimitri's arms as he hangs his head.]
Why do you care anyway? [Felix asks bitterly, swallowing in one last attempt to stave off his inclination to cry out his frustration at the unfairness of this world.] Isn't it better if you just leave me alone so you can go back to your own time faster?
[They already did. It's an ugly truth, one that Dimitri has been trying to avoid. Telling himself that selling him as "virgin" meant that they were minimal in their handling is the only way he can keep from tracking them down again and gutting them. His hold tightens, as if keeping Felix close now can somehow shield him from things that have already occurred.]
If we were back home, I would. I have been on my own for five years — I know you can take care of yourself, so I never looked back. But here...
[Dimitri's hold tightens, and Felix just surrenders, letting those tears flow as they may. They trail hotly down his cheeks, wet as they drip onto the front of his shirt as he hangs his head in lieu of being unable to reach out and wipe them away.]
You should consider it. [Felix sniffles.] I'll just be a burden to you.
[The guilt and shame of leaving Felix behind, potentially having Felix's ghost added to the ones whose cries pierce his skull — that would be a burden. Looking after Felix is nothing in comparison.]
Call it an investment if you like. If letting me shield you with my status here troubles you, then just fight that much harder when you return home.
[Felix hates it. How he has no choice on the matter but to agree with what Dimitri wants, especially when he's unable to make good on anything at the moment the way he is. On threats, on the urge to run away and leave this dependent way of life behind.]
Fine.
[So he curls slightly to his side, resting his cheek against Dimitri's chest indulgently as he tries to grab at what semblance of calm he can.]
[For all that Dimitri is willing to hold Felix still to keep him from running, once that hold turns into a proper embrace, he doesn't know what to do with himself. It was easy to hold him that first night, only half-awake and partially thinking it was all a dream. Right now, though, his head is perfectly clear and there's no questioning that this is reality. His hands twitch, wandering a little until he awkwardly settles them: one cupped against the back of Felix's head, the other resting at his waist.]
[Dimitri's heart races along with Felix's, the latter skipping a beat when Dimitri's hands finally settle. Strange. How easy it is to lean in and simply sink into that embrace, bringing to mind some bygone days, though that does not explain Dimitri's reaction to their closeness.]
Am I making you uncomfortable?
[That must be it, right? Felix hasn't really made a habit of allowing this closeness since he's gone ahead and turned to calling Dimitri a boar, among others.]
["Uncomfortable" is not exactly the right word for it, though Dimitri isn't sure what word he would use. Being called out makes his heart rate speed again, as does realizing that Felix is probably asking because those ears of his can hear it.]
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[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?
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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.]
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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?
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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.
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[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.]
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Probably a cold meal shake.]
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It's a refreshing task, and he's in a plenty good mood as he fishes out another of Dimitri's shirts and dons the thigh high socks for bed, yawning as he steps out of Dimitri's room.]
1/2
It's a decision he deeply regrets. His eyes widen, immediately zeroing in on the bare flesh between the hem of his shirt and those stockings, his imagination helpfully filling what he can't see in with a mental image of that lacy pair of panties underneath.]
2/2
Eating his meals properly, getting a full night's sleep in an attempt to avoid ogling his childhood friend — Felix is certainly good for his health in some respects.]
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So for the moment, he retreats back into one of the guest rooms, seeing what he can do about getting more sleep.]
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The first stop is a bar and restaurant looking for waiters. Dimitri simply folds his arms and leans against the doorframe, figuring Felix doesn't want him following him directly.
Besides, he can see the spot they have set up for interviews through the window. He doesn't need to be inside.]
Go ahead. Come and get me if they require my permission.
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The restaurant's owner is brusque, asking him to don this ridiculous bunny suit that is apparently standard for their employees. While Felix shoots the outfit a glance that might as well be as potent as a basic fire spell, he does as instructed, flustered as he agrees to the arrangement. He gives up on restoring his hair to its old style as it comes undone in the process, letting it fall loose around his shoulders as the owner returns to check on him.
That's how he finds himself outside with a sign in hand, furiously trying not to make any eye contact with Dimitri as he grips the handle tightly.]
...It's a trial run, [Felix says, trying his best to keep his expression neutral as he stares ahead of him.]
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But then he sees why Felix made that face.
Dimitri is immensely grateful that Felix is avoiding eye contact. He knows his eyes are probably bulging out of his head right now, and he doesn't even respond to the explanation for fear of what he might sound like. This ridiculous getup is going to haunt him too, isn't it?
As soon as people start taking notice, Dimitri's discomfort vanishes. Many of the Midas residents in this area know this restaurant's practices, and they know that Felix must be a pet if he's being made to stand out here. The whistling and cat-calling starts up quickly, though it vanishes just as fast when Dimitri's murderous aura grows too powerful to ignore.]
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The owner of the shop... Felix spares a glance in his direction, and it tells Felix everything he needs to know. This person never meant to hire him in the first place, and as for what reason, the nature of the words thrown in his direction seem to explain it.
Is there some sort of prejudice against pets looking for a job? It wasn't in the guides whatsoever, but then again... should he be surprised? It's just icing on the cake for the way "mongrels" are looked down upon in this society, to be honest.
He doesn't know what he'd do without Dimitri and the aura he's radiating. For however much Felix hates being reliant on others, he's not sure people would have respected his space without Dimitri ready to pounce, though all the same...]
This... probably isn't the right job.
[Felix keeps his gaze downcast, still unable to look Dimitri straight in the eye.]
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[Dimitri glances inside the shop and gets a good look at the manager — a mongrel. He ushers Felix back into the building, following behind him this time for the sole purpose of attempting to murder the owner with the ferocity of his gaze. Honestly, he's tempted to hit him. He wouldn't get in any trouble for it... but that's exactly why he can't do it. Even now, attacking the downtrodden isn't something he has a taste for.
That doesn't stop him from snatching the offending outfit from Felix once he reemerges in his own clothes. Looking at the owner right in the eye, he tears the costume in two and drops it on the floor.]
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Then Dimitri snatches the outfit from him and tears it in half, much to Felix's shock and the owner's. Appreciated as the gesture is, considering Felix has thought of doing as much, his chest feels oddly tight, a familiar helplessness sinking in as a new realization settles over him.
You're nothing without Dimitri.
That sting in his eyes cues him that it's time to go, and run as far away as he can from this reminder he wishes nothing more of. So that's what he does, bolting out of the store and letting his legs carry him as far as they can.]
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Dimitri runs after him.]
Felix!
[Felix doesn't respond. Worse, even — he turns the corner. He may be out of shape as far as battle goes, but Felix is more agile than ever now, and he's able to slip through a crowd more easily. Dimitri keeps after him regardless, managing to corner him after a minute or two when Felix turns into an alley in his quest to avoid people. The walls are high, but he's fairly certain Felix can jump them, so he quickly closes the distance and throws his arms around him from behind, pulling him back against his chest.]
What are you doing?! You know what these people would do with you if they thought they could get away with it!
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They already have. What difference does it make?
[Much to his horror, his voice cracks as he speaks, but hysteria has him spilling his thoughts the moment they come to mind, the threat of tears ever so present as he finds himself unable to wiggle free. Sucking in a breath, he gives up for the moment, going limp in Dimitri's arms as he hangs his head.]
Why do you care anyway? [Felix asks bitterly, swallowing in one last attempt to stave off his inclination to cry out his frustration at the unfairness of this world.] Isn't it better if you just leave me alone so you can go back to your own time faster?
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If we were back home, I would. I have been on my own for five years — I know you can take care of yourself, so I never looked back. But here...
[Dimitri shakes his head.]
Not here. I could never leave you here.
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You should consider it. [Felix sniffles.] I'll just be a burden to you.
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[The guilt and shame of leaving Felix behind, potentially having Felix's ghost added to the ones whose cries pierce his skull — that would be a burden. Looking after Felix is nothing in comparison.]
Call it an investment if you like. If letting me shield you with my status here troubles you, then just fight that much harder when you return home.
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Fine.
[So he curls slightly to his side, resting his cheek against Dimitri's chest indulgently as he tries to grab at what semblance of calm he can.]
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Am I making you uncomfortable?
[That must be it, right? Felix hasn't really made a habit of allowing this closeness since he's gone ahead and turned to calling Dimitri a boar, among others.]
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It was... unexpected.
[But not bad.]
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