#camthecryptid

Nevaehclosed his eyes enjoying the warmth of the sun on his skin, his lips spread ina smile. He loved sunny days like this one, with a small breeze carryingdifferent scents coming from the market place – spicy, sweet, salty – as wellas different noises. The chatter of people, the music animating the streets,children chasing a stray dog. And, lying beside him with his arms under hishead and a foot hitting the grass in rhythm with the music, Castor waswhistling one of the many melodies they had heard today.

“So,”Castor started finally opening his eyes and looked at him. “Why did you want tosee me again?”

Nevaehdidn’t answer. Instead, he did the only thing he had been doing for the past fifteenminutes; plucking grass. He wanted to apologise to him. The night before in theRowdy Raven as he was having a great time with a man he was starting to feelmore and more comfortable with, an old ghost from his past had pushed the doorof the tavern. Nevaeh acted on instinct, out of fear maybe too, hoping thislittle trick would block him enough from that man’s view until they could leavethe tavern.

Hecould still feel Castor’s lips on his own.

“Ifit’s about yesterday, I was glad to help you.” Castor said, fingers dancing onNevaeh’s arm. He sat cross-legged beside him, chin pressed on his shoulder. Heloved how his cheeks had taken a shade darker, how he was avoiding his gaze, pluckingmore grass. “But now, you owe me a kiss.”

Nevaehturned his head. They were so close, and the thought of kissing him again wasmore than appealing. And kiss him was just what Nevaeh did. Lips on lips, heforgot about everything. Forgot about where they were, who might see him, whatcould happen next. None of these were significant to him right now.

Castorsmiled against his lips as one of his hands kept him close. “I think I’m gonnatease you more if it’s what I’ll get.”

10. Totally romantic

I got a little carried away~

~~~~~~

Castorwoke up with a nice surprise that morning. Sleepy eyes and hair mussed, a sillysmile broke the thin line of his lips as he read the words written on themirror hanging on the cupboard. ‘I love you, handsome’, words he loved to hear,written with a bright red lipstick. Castor’s favourite, and one of Ophaniel’smost expensive one.

Heeyed the lipstick on the bedside table, yawning loudly as he got up, he took itand add his own little message beneath the first. ‘Love you too, babe xxx’.

Deceptionfollowed his good mood when he couldn’t find Ophaniel in the apartment. He wasneither in the bathroom, nor on the balcony enjoying the brisk morning air. Itdidn’t last long though and his smile crossed his face once more as soon as sawthe kitchen table laden with a hearty breakfast and… candles.

Castortook the red envelope, his name written in calligraphy. As he opened it andtook the letter, many rose petals fell on the table. He sighed as read Ophaniel’sapologize. He was sorry to not be there when he’d wake up, sorry to not kisshim goodbye, and that he couldn’t wait for the day to end, a promise to make itup to him this evening.

Hisnext surprise happened only a few minutes before he had to leave for thebakery.

Hewasn’t expecting anyone, so hearing the doorbell ring made him frown. When Castoropened the door, the only thing he saw was red. A dozen of red heart-shapedballoons, more red heart-shaped boxes each wrapped in a burgundy ribbon, abouquet of red roses with a single white one, and a postman who didn’t knowwhat to do with all these things. Once everything was inside, Castor noticed alittle white card and a handwriting he didn’t know.

In every bunch there’s one who stands out. And you arethat one – Ophaniel

Whateverwas the matter with him, Castor loved it. And now they had enough chocolate forat least a whole month.

Thenext surprised – Castor wasn’t complaining, far from it – happened in themiddle of the afternoon in his mothers’ bakery.

“Cas,”Calliope called him as she got out of the back shop, a box in her arms. “There’san important call, can you take care of it?”

“Can’tyou do it?”

“Nah,busy. These macaroons won’t deliver themselves.” She said, then with a grin sheadded, “Hurry! Don’t make them wait!”

Castorwondered who could be that important call. A displeased customer? A prank call?

“Hello?”

“Hello, handsome.”

OrOphaniel.

“Babeare you okay?” Castor asked, worried. “Calliope said it was important. Didsomething happen?”

“Breathe, nothing happened,” Castor heard him chuckle. He loved that sound so much.He could see him leaning against the wall behind the Starbuck in which he wasworking, playing with a strand of hair that had fallen from his bun, his stupidsmirk on his lips. “I just wanted to tellyou something.”

“Whatis it?”

“I love you.”

“Ilove you too.” Castor smiled, closing his eyes. They talked a little, abouteverything and nothing, until Castor heard the bell at the front door. “I haveto go back to work, sweetheart. You should too, before you get your ass kicked.”

“Ugh, please. You know I only love it when you’re theone doing the kicking.”

“Idiot.I love you so much.”

“Mmh. Hey, when your shift is over, come to my placetonight?”

“Sure,I’ll be there.”

Theyhung up after many other ‘I love you’s. Castor had only one wish now; for thisday to end quickly.

Oncehis shift was over, he kissed Calliope on the cheek, ignoring the smirk she stillhad on her lips when she told him to have some fun, and ran to Ophaniel’s place.

Itwas completely silent when he pushed the door open. There were no signs ofOphaniel being already home, but something on the floor got his wholeattention. Red petals. Red petals leading him to the bathroom.

Castorcouldn’t hold back a gasp when he opened the door and laid his eyes on the manstanding before him. Wearing a lace dressing gown, Ophaniel had put his hair upin a braid falling on a shoulder, hands tensed on the sink behind him, worryinghis bottom lips between his teeth. Beside him, the bathtub was full withbubbles and petals, and little white candles were at the edge.

Castorwalked to him, then wrapped his arms around his waist as Ophaniel pressed theirlips together. His skin was soft under his palms as he opened his gown. Ittasted like lavender and Castor wondered if he’d left his shift earlier only toget ready for him.

“Welcomehome, handsome.” Ophaniel whispered against his lips, eyes fixed on Castor’s,one of his hands brushing his skin.

“What’sall that for?” He asked wrapping one of Ophaniel’s legs around his waist,pulling him closer.

“Justa little surprise for you. You’ve been working so hard lately, you deserve torelax, don’t you think?”

“Ilike the idea. Mind joining me?” He asked him, his hands slowly removing hisgown.

Adrastos bites his lip, nervously rubbing the back of his head. “I’m going to assume this is from Castor to me…” He mumbles, not quite sure and even a little insecure. For a moment his gaze flits to Antares who rolls his eyes.

“Please, it’s obvious it’s for you,” The raven haired man shakes his head, arms crossing over his chest. Golden meet turquoise and for a moment Antares is sure he’s spotted a hint of jealousy.

“That one heart can mean either in a relationship with or wanting to be in a relationship,” Adrastos starts, voice low in his throat as he swallows hard, “And we both know how he feels about you.”

By now Antares would’ve already had a sharp remark ready on the tip of his tongue, but whatever words he wanted to shoot back at his friend are swallowed down or lost. “And so what? He knows I’m not interested in a romantic relationship, you’ve nothing to worry about,” He sighs, arms uncrossing so he can cup Adrastos’ cheeks with both his hands and stare up at him. “You’re the one actually in a relationship with Castor, as well as his other partners. So stop doubting yourself.”

Adrastos finds himself biting down on his lip again, chewing on the inside of his cheek. “Still…” He wants to continue, but a finger is pressed to his lips. “Hush. Or I’ll make you shut up.

A thick brow raises, lips curling in a smirk. “You know I won’t say no to that.”