Aliquam: Cervantés Mansion
The illusionist gaped at the sheer amount of clothing and accessories that Rose possessed. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that her closets were about the size of one, maybe two of her room back at home... Gods, she was jealous.
She all but dragged Xan and Estelle over, eyes sparkling at the thought of rifling through all these clothes. What she wouldn't give for a wardrobe even a third of this size? Still, they were here for Xan and she would focus on finding the perfect dress for knocking Angel off his feet so hard he wouldn't even know what hit him. She was having a bit of trouble finding one in the metallurgist's size even with all these clothes, mainly due to a rather noticeable bagginess that would no doubt appear in the chest area.
Aria gave a sorrowful sigh. Ah, the woes of the flat.
Finally she found a selection of dresses in the back that probably belonged to Rose when she was younger and less developed, picking one out for Xan and nudging another at Estelle with a playful wink. So many potential dates- speaking of which, where had Lulu gone? She huffed. The man had probably fled the room for some silly reason. Shaking her head, she helped pick out a pair of shoes and accessories to match the dress and after Xan had changed she stepped back with a proud grin. Yep, this would do just fine.
"Angel's gonna be astounded," she gave the girl a slap on the back, stepping aside so Rose could see the ensemble as well. She was so going to spy on their date today- partly to make sure everything ran smoothly and partly because it was going to so darn cute. If she wasn't so happy she would be feeling rather worried about feeling like a proud mother seeing her child off for the first time.
“Dylan?” Tobias stood at the top of the staircase, looking as impeccable as ever. Every little thing about him was perfectly styled, from his clothes to his hair to even the measured expression on his face. “I...did not expect this.” He walked down the staircase, each step precise and controlled, his body wound tight as a wire and just about ready to snap. “Is there something I can do for you?”
“Yeah,” Dylan said. “You can talk with me.” Tobias’ eyes widened, a momentary weakness, and Dylan pressed forward before the opportunity was lost. “If you have the time.”
A moment passed, a long moment that felt like an eternity as Dylan waited on bated breath. Then, at last, his former lover spoke. “Alright. The gardens?”
Dylan swallowed hard, remembering all the times they spent out in the gardens. He had painted there, Tobias lounging with book and wine it hand. Fragments of memories flashed through his mind, remnants of a happier time. “That sounds nice.”
Tobias noded, turning sharply on his heel, and Dylan hurried to follow. Falling into place beside him, Dylan tried to ignore the gulf that separated them. It was was only a foot of space, but the moved in tandem, avoiding each other with a grace that almost seemed practiced. Dylan shoved his hands in his pockets, shoulders slumping forward.
What had he been thinking, coming here like this out of the blue?
Tobias through the door open, walking out onto the balcony that overlooked the gardens. Leaning against the railing, he took a deep steadying breath. “I see you’re feeling better.”
“Yeah, just needed some bed rest.” Dylan stood next to him, staring out over the garden. The roses were already in bloom, a lush and beautiful backdrop to the manor. He had always loved the roses here. “I wanted to apologize.”
Tobias glanced over at him sharply. “You wanted to apologize to me?”
“Just for my behaviour at your party,” Dylan said quickly. “It was...poor of me. I should not have -”
“Drank so much?” Tobias interrupted, the barest hint of a smile on his face. There he went, laying on the charm, as easily and unconsciously as breathing.
“To start with.” Dylan stared down at his hands, it was easier than meeting Tobias’ gaze. “And how I acted towards you during the mission at the Academy. You were just trying to help, in your own way.”
“You don’t have to apologize.” Sliding over to where Dylan stood, Tobias wrapped his hand around Dylan’s and squeezed tightly. For a moment it felt right, natural, a bit like home, if Dylan would admit it to himself, but then Tobias moved away. “I know it’s too late for us,” Tobias said, quietly, more sincere than Dylan had expected from him, “but for what it’s worth, I’m sorry. You deserved better.”
“Better than you?” Dylan said with a hint of smile. “I thought such a thing did not exist.”
Tobias laughed. “An overall better man? Not a chance. But a better boyfriend? Yeah, there’s bound to be one out there for you.” He smiled - a small, open thing that Dylan had only seen a few times, and only when alone. “And I hope you find him.”
Acting on impulse, Dylan seized Tobias by his perfectly pressed shirt and dragged him forward. “For old times’ sake,” he said softly, placing a gentle kiss on Tobias’ lips. It was a short, sweet thing, full of forgiveness and regret.
“For what could have been,” Tobias muttered, stealing one last kiss himself. “Now get out of here before I go terribly roguish and seduce you.”
Dylan chuckled. “Probably for the best then. You do horrors for my self control.”
.
He was almost to the balcony door when Tobias spoke. “Next time you’re in Aliquam?”
“We’ll see, Tobias.” It was the best he could do. The wiser part of him told him that he should shut the door completely, prevent Tobias from ever sinking his claws into him again.
But he was a romantic, and part of him hoped that one day Tobias would change. Perhaps in a year, two years, ten years, Tobias would be ready for him. But for now, he was a dog. And there was nothing Dylan could do but accept it.
And if not...well, it wasn’t like he had made any promises.
She glanced over her shoulder, her smile unfading. "Could you maybe scream a little less, please? You're scaring my friends."
"...friends?" One of Tiberius' brows arched up warily.
"Yeah! Loads of them. We're working on this mission together. Please don't tell me you're here to get in my way... they wouldn't like that. Ah! There she is!" Just around the tree the purple-haired woman clung onto was a monstrous-sized herculean beetle, with snapping pinsirs large enough to sever any human dumb enough to get caught. She approached it anyway, her arms down low. "Easy girl, easy..."
