Hot and Bothered

KAISEL

So, you wanna start a war?
Bang, shots fired

Nothing recently. His gaze stays narrowed on Zavien for a long moment, evaluating how much he believes Zavien's telling him the truth when the man seems so set on protecting Koa from his own family. It'd be a safe lie to tell, the sort that still soils an honest man, but only enough until his next wash. The gravity of it being accurate is almost worse, because if Koa's not just dodging him, then should he be worried for an entirely different reason?

"Yeah," he says flatly after a moment, letting Zavien's continued words dispell the scrutiny of his stare. His attention slides to the side, too heavy to keep lifted on the other man. "It'd be just like him to lose himself in the work." As much as Kaisel would like to think he can do the same, that's just another way he's never been able to match Koa.

For all the appreciation Kaisel claims to have for this city, Koa's the one who's remained here, and he'd bet on it that his cousin's working so dilligently that he's passing out on the job site just to avoid travel time delaying his labor any further. Seems neither of them completely understands how love works. Koa claims it for Flora just before setting his mouth across Sohalia, and Kaisel claims it for Stormbreak just before moving to Torchline. Although, between women and cities, Kaisel's content to leave the mastery of devotion to bricks in the hands of Koa.

He sighs long and heavy, his shoulders turning in with the finality of that breath. It's an acceptance that things remain uneasy. The fresh swarm of warm and humid air on his deep inhale is an attempt to clear out some of the smoke that built up inbetween. "I'm done giving him space, so if you see him, let him know I'm looking for him. I hope it's before you tell him anything else." He looks back at Zavien with a pointed expression.

Kaisel starts to rise from his seat, running an anxious hand through the sweat clinging to his hair. This conversation has only left him smoldering, trust fracturing in Zavien and irritation rising at the thick-headed antics of Koa, both of them finding a way to carry honor like a weight that makes picking anything else up unbearable, like listening. "For what it's worth sir," he says as he starts to head towards the door, rather done being trapped and tricked while sweating his nude balls off. "You should already know if you're at that point or not long before you reach it." He pauses, glancing back at Zavien with a firm certainty. "I'm gonna marry Flora."

Pain is what you desire
So, you wanna be immortal?

Zavien

I'm going to change the world,

The whirlwind of emotions has taken its toll on Zavien, the confrontation sitting heavy on his chest. He's still on edge, standing, body tense as Kai grapples with whatever internal demon he's facing, but at least the man isn't yelling anymore. There's a deflation of anger, leaving an echo of hurt feelings and frustrations between them, and the only person who can fix it has been difficult to pin down. 

The Commander gives a quiet nod, fully aware of Koa's tendencies, even if it feels different this time. He hopes it's just the mountain of work requiring their attention, and yet he can't ignore the worm burrowing in his thoughts like an apple, eating at any peace he might have had. Despite his desire not to get in the middle of the drama or have to deal with deciding what or what not to say, Zavien begins to think it might be best to search the man out, if only to reassure himself that Koa's okay. 

When Kai moves to stand, Zavien shifts his weight, giving his own deep sigh and forcefully releasing his crossed arms like he's discarding the tension clinging to his form. "'Anything else?'" There's no bite, just a tired exasperation as he shakes his head. "I haven't told him anything and I don't plan to." Not if he can avoid it. 

Luckily, the argument seems to be over. Sol tilts his head to look at his companion, confirming that the threat has passed before curling back up in the comfortable steam of the room. But Kai isn't done, turning to offer one final blow as he's leaving. 'You should already know.' It rings around in Zavien's head, a warning bell and a cautioning that stirs unease. He shouldn't give the words any weight, shouldn't consider someone's opinion when he chose to date the only person that would hurt his family, shouldn't trust someone who's a decade his junior and willing to leap when his relationship has only just begun; and yet, it gives him pause, worried that there's a reason he doesn't think they're ready. 

Leaving those thoughts and conversations for another time, he dips his head, not quite a thanks or a dismissal, just a quiet release of tension as he watches the man depart. "Good luck, Kai."

[FIN]

but today I'll just be a mermaid.