The two of them walked in silence, which was something Kaelix wasn’t great at handling. It was deafening, suffocating. He wanted to say something to fill the void between them, but he realized that he knew nearly nothing about Zeal, let alone start a conversation without risking the chance of offending him. As Kaelix was about to thank Zeal again for the billionth time, Zeal broke the silence.
“Does it hurt?”
“What? Hurt? I think that’s a question for you, weren’t you the one fighting?”
“Your wrist. I gripped your wrist a moment ago, remember? Does it hurt?”
“Ah. No, I think it’s about healed as well. I’m not as weak as you think.” Kaelix raised his arm to show Zeal. The grip mark was fainter than before, but red nonetheless.
“I’d say to still treat it if I were you”
With that bit of an icebreaker, the following conversations were easier to start. Although it was mostly Kaelix starting them, with Zeal just answering; although it was nothing but the typical “Nice weather today” or “Y’know, this is great ice cream weather.” Kaelix could see the ice wall between them start to melt away, slowly, but surely.
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Kaelix sure meant it when he said “close by”, they’ve only walked a few blocks. It was a dated brick wall apartment, not old to the extent of as it would crack, just not something you would call “new”. Zeal followed Kaelix as he climbed two flights of stairs and stopped at a door.
“Here we are, take off your shoes as you come in, yeah?” Kaelix said as he opens the door.
Sunlight was pouring through the open curtains, shining onto every inch of the house. Kaelix was standing next to a wooden shelf at the door, setting his sunglasses upon it. It was only then, without the sunglasses, did Zeal realize how clear and bright of a blue Kaelix’s eyes were.
“I’m going to grab the things we need, just make yourself at home.”
They say that you can infer some things about a person by looking at their house decor, at this moment, Zeal couldn’t agree more. He sat on one end of the couch and looked around the room. Wooden floorboards and furniture, pastel yellow couch and rug, white curtains, and walls that were a more softer white. White and soft yellow hues, with occasional gold here and there for decor, such as the pillows on the sofa, or the leaf patterns on his curtains. The room was bright, clean, and warm, just like Kaelix. Or at least, Zeal’s impression oh him. Something from the corner of his eye caught his attention, a stuffed cartoon monkey was sitting on the other end of the couch: White fur, yolk-yellow face, clear beady eyes, with a slight smile on its face. Somehow, it reminds him of Kaelix, he’s always had that same smile on display whenever Zeal saw him on campus. Zeal’s hand reached over and lightly poked the stuffed toy’s face.
“I’m back!” Kaelix’s voice boomed from behind. Zeal’s hand jolted back. He felt like a misbehaving kid, despite doing nothing wrong. Thankfully, Kaelix seemed to not have noticed.
“I got you some water as well, since you might need to hydrate after a fight.” Kaelix passed the glass into Zeal’s hands, then proceeding to set the boxes and bottles on the coffee table. Zeal thanked him and took a sip.
“You like monkeys?” Zeal asked before taking another sip from the glass.
“Hmm?” Kaelix’s eyes followed Zeal’s line of sight, and landed on the white monkey plush.
“Yeah! I love them, they’re so cute! This one’s my favorite, its name’s Debonheir. Say hi, Debonheir.” Kaelix grabbed Debonheir’s hand and did a little wave.
Zeal smiled at the heartwarming interaction, his expression soft, and the sight made Kaelix’s mind go blank. He’s so used to Zeal being cold and unbothered whenever he saw him, never had he even tried to imagine Zeal being soft and gentle. Seeing that expression now feels like discovering the depths under the iceberg, a secret that only the two of them shared.
“Naming it by doing a spin on your name, it’s fitting, as you two are alike.” Zeal’s tone was low and soft, another thing that was new to Kaelix.
Kaelix wasn’t sure of what Zeal was trying to indicate, and the latter doesn’t seem to bother in elaborating further. He can feel warmth climbing on his face.
“Y-Yeah, anyways, let’s treat your wounds.”
It was an unnatural change of conversations, but Zeal decided to let it slide. He had his fun from looking at Kaelix fluster, which was unexpectedly fun.
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Zeal’s hair was brushed to the sides, accessories were taken off, makeup wiped away. Kaelix was gentle, careful not to touch the wounds. Surprisingly, all of this didn’t irritate Zeal as much as it usually would. Perhaps it was the guilt from before, perhaps it was something else, Zeal didn’t bother caring. He just sat there with his eyes closed, letting Kaelix work.
“You look good even without makeup.” Kaelix said as he applies the ointment.
“You’ve seen me without?” Zeal was confused, he doesn’t remember showing up to school without it.
“No, but I have a very vivid imagination. I’ve envisioned it before in my head, and now, actually seeing it confirms it.”
“I wonder what other thoughts have gone through the mind of our Mr. Straight-A-Student? Regarding my fashion, of course” Zeal teased.
“Some, but there’s no way of knowing if it actually suits you unless I actually see it.”
“I hope whatever it is, it better not be anything like your prep look at school.”
“Hey! I’ve been in the fashion industry long enough to know some sense of fashion. Also, what’s wrong with what I wear at school?!”
Zeal doesn’t answer, instead, he throws another question.
“You’re in the fashion industry?”
“Yeah, been working as a part-time model during the summer.”
“That’s why you were in that alleyway?”
“Yes but no. I was there because it leads to the backdoor of the studio, it’s the faster way. But I did not expect getting cornered and threatened for cash. I refused him of course, and you know the rest.”
“Ah.”
“Anyways, you can trust my sense of fashion, more or less.”
“I’ll leave it to you then, my designer” Zeal said in a deep voice. He could see Kaelix’s face flush, then turning his head to mutter something under his breath.
“…… unfair.”
“What was that Kaelix? I couldn’t catch that.”
“N-Nothing. Let us begin, shall we?”
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