#eizavie

It starts out simple. Harmless. Innocuous.

They can't get enough people together for a full group that day, and so they just leave competitive mode untouched, opting instead for quickplay. As it all becomes casual and relaxed, Eizen opts for one of his more comfortable heroes. He selects Li Li and settles in to wait, cracking the first of many sodas for the night.

It takes them some discussion back and forth, but Rokurou and Eleanor eventually settle on being the damage, while Velvet takes the tank role.

The first map they find themselves in is Towers of Doom. Their one random is a Varian, which is a safe enough choice. Eizen appreciates it and hopes dearly that he is good at tanking.

Rokurou and Eleanor circle each other on matching mounts as they wait for the match to begin.

The match begins as normal, with a few skirmishes around the altars tilting the favour this way and that. Eizen remains close to the tank, but Eleanor is becoming quite reckless, chasing kills she has no business chasing. A few words from Velvet over voice chat puts her back on the right track, however, and they soon find themselves taking towers at a pace the other team has difficulty matching.

The tank remains close to him at all times, and he appreciates that. It is something he always tries to do when he takes that role, and he finds it a sorely lacking quality in their regular batches of random people who join the team. He also appreciates it when said tank actually thanks him for healing, something which he is wholly unused to.

With a winning team and a map advantage, they find themselves tearing at one of the keep walls together as Eizen keeps an eye on the enemy team on the mini-map. They are scattered, cleaning up invading mercenaries or fighting Velvet and Rokurou in the top lane. They begin to relax in the face of the disorganisation. Then, while they look away, the enemy team suddenly rallies, and begins to close in on the two of them.

Eizen notices it too late, and the Varian (Zavvy, his healthbar reads) is too focused on blocking cannonballs to notice. They end up scrambling to get out, and Eizen curses under his breath.

"Can you walk out?" Velvet asks, even as they both give up hope on it. The enemy Dehaka is dragging their Varian towards the keep, while the Butcher blocks Eizen from leaving.

Eizen considers what his options are (though they are few) and decides to try to salvage what he can. He turns and activates his ultimate ability.

It works. Once Dehaka lets go, Varian parries a few cannon balls and begins to walk towards Eizen, whose healing is now keeping them both alive. It all happens very quickly. The Butcher and enemy Jaina begin to attack, and Varian dives for the latter.

They make it out, but only barely. Eizen clutch heals the Varian out of the confrontation. Stressed and tense, he walks him out as though on an afternoon stroll. The enemy team follows, but now Varian's cooldown is over, and he can parry their attacks completely for a second or so. This lends them enough time to get back behind the walls of their side and continue to where it is safe to hearth.

"Close one," Eizen mutters into the microphone on his headset. Then a little message appears on his screen. It is posted in the team text channel, and it reads "Thx <3".

At first he wonders whether the heart makes it sarcastic, but there is no reason for the guy to be annoyed about what just happened. Then he hears Eleanor over voice chat.

"Aw, he sent a heart. I like him."

Rokurou chimes in.

"That's the least salty bit of chat I've seen in days. Let's keep him and see if he does it again."

Eizen considers the message. Then, as Li Li runs on autopilot back to the middle lane, he opens up the chat window.

"Np," he writes and presses send. Rokurou chuckles in his ears.

"Did you make a friend?"

Eizen rolls his eyes, but there is a smirk on his face.

"Eyes on the lane, Junior."

*

They win that match by virtue of Rokurou sneaking into the enemy core in the middle of a skirmish at their own. It's a close call, but they make it.

Zavvy gets the MVP title, and immediately the message comes.

"10/10 would have my ass saved again."

Eizen stares at it for some time before he skips out of the awards screen.

Velvet adds the newcomer to the party at Rokurou and Eleanor's request, and they find themselves once more a full team.

At the character choice, Eizen suddenly becomes unsure.

"Velvet, what do you need?" he asks. Velvet hums over the audio.

"I'm in an assassin kind of mood, so if you don't mind, either tank or healer," she says. There is some typing on the other end and a message appears in the group text chat.

"Hey, Zavvy," she writes, "You down for more tanking? Or should someone else?"

They wait a few seconds, after which a new message appears.

"I'm down :) Don't mind staying with the middle lane."

That means remaining with the healer, which presumably in this case ends up being Eizen. He wonders whether that has anything to do with it. He was unusually affectionate in the text chat.

Velvet writes back, "We'll work around that then. Do you wanna stay Varian or switch?"

"I'm good with Varian," he writes back. "Just be ready to capitalise on some taunts ;)".

"Oh, I like him," Rokurou says, and Eizen rolls his eyes. They select some appropriate assassins and the next match begins.

This time they find themselves in Dagon Shire. They split easily into lanes, and Eizen zooms in to get a better look at the Varian.

Zavvy has dressed him in the red king's armour, with the helmet shaped like a lion. It would look impressive if he was not riding a Special Snowflake mount. As it is, he looks very festive, and Eizen smiles at the sight.

"Nice setup, Varian," he writes and presses send.

Zavvy writes back immediately. "Thanks. It's camouflage."

Eizen stares at the message. He stares at the little Varian, who sticks out like sore thumb. At last, he writes, "No?"

The reply comes quickly. Eizen rolls his eyes so hard he almost misses the cue to exit the base.

"Then explain why I become instantly invisible in every patch of grass ;)".

Rokurou laughs. Velvet makes a disapproving sound. Eizen sighs.

They win that match too, but not by virtue of Eizen saving Zavvy the whole time. He cannot in good conscience let such bad humour slide.

*

Over time, Zavvy becomes something of a regular in their group. It comes by virtue of Rokurou friending him and suggesting him every time he is online. Eizen would be amused if it was not so annoying every time he plays the role of the healer.

He picks Morales, Zavvy picks Varian. Eizen picks Tyrande, Zavvy picks Jaina, and they make a good team. It is just a little annoying when Zavvy insists on putting himself in front of every attack headed Eizen's way even when it will surely kill Zavvy himself. That is not a good way to go about protecting a healer. Especially when Eizen's health was fine as it was even with the attack, will that man just calm down with his heroics?

Eizen considers talking to him about it. He also considers never playing again because this is becoming too much of a headache. He should not be flattered at antics that lose them every third game. It is a team game, not a middle age battlefield.

He keeps picking healers, just to check how consistent this behaviour is. The results frankly astound him.

*

He is playing alone with Eleanor when the subject comes up out of nowhere, much to his chagrin.

"You wanted to keep him that badly, huh?" he says.

He is playing Butcher today, and the other team has no idea how to properly deal with him. It is a game that is so far more than satisfying. He zeroes in on a Jaina who has been left to her own devices and overextended. He almost feels bad for her.

"I guess so." Eleanor sounds as though she is smiling. "He was a good tank, and you didn't leave him to be skewered, so I'm guessing you like him too. Roku insisted on friending him.

"That so?"

Eleanor is pushing on her own unchecked, and Eizen begins to wonder if they have somehow fallen into the wrong bracket. This is too easy.

"They got to talking, and apparently he's a lot like you," Eleanor says with some amusement in her tone. "Wouldn't shut up about historic linguistics."

Eizen frowns. "Eleanor, I'm an archaeologist."

"And that is not the same how?"

He does not have the energy to explain this. Grudgingly he realises that it does not really matter. It still sounds very interesting a subject to discuss.

"What language was he talking about?"

"Take three guesses."

That means Ancient Tongue. Also known as Eizen's subject of choice. He stubbornly refuses to be intrigued.

"Good for him," he says. When Eleanor laughs over the voice chat, he closes his eyes briefly in annoyance.

His phone lights up momentarily and makes a cheery sound. He glances at the minimap. Sure enough, Eleanor is in motion (meaning she can have her hands off the keyboard for a second or two).

"That's what he looks like," she says. "Roku claims he lives in the area."

"So now I'm being pushed into the saddest form of online dating ever invented?"

"Don't say that. There are far sadder forms."

Eizen tries to keep from it, but his eyes are drawn to the black screen. He is currently dead in the game, and the timer is still on ten seconds. He pushes the home button, and the top part of a face appears on the screen.

Despite what Eizen might think of him, Zavvy looks just striking. His features are sharp, his eyes sharper. A warm shade of amber.

He diverts his eyes back to the monitor and begins to ride to the middle lane. The healer is alone, and keeping to themself, but they might be able to push some together.

"Do you want his number?" Eleanor asks when he says nothing. The silence drags on as he reaches the Morales and they begin to push.

"Do I?" Eizen says, deliberately being difficult. His mouth twitches when he hears her huff.

Suddenly, the mini-map in his peripheral flashes. He looks down and sees a spot of red too close for comfort.

"Eleanor," he says. "Someone has taken out siege camp. Go clear it."

He moves the game camera and sees Murky slip just out of sight. Damn.

They have pushed far enough that anything more would be a risky overextension. He watches the healer go to the bottom lane, and then leaves to go check on the bruiser camp closer to their base. Eleanor hearths and goes to clear the sieging giants. Their random people are still pushing, but he has a bad feeling about it now.

He pings for their damage and healer to retreat, as both are beginning to overextend. There is no reaction. At his location, Murky begins to attack the camp he guards. Right in front of him too, which only makes the bad feeling worse.

"Look, you don't have anyone to talk about all this history with," Eleanor says. She seems less troubled by these developments than he is. "Rokurou has his number. You should call."

Murky is good. Better than he is. Eizen is unsure which is more annoying, this fight or Eleanor.

"I've got a situation right now."

"Fine," she says, "but the offer still stands."

That is all she has time to say before the other team descends on their healer and dps like a flock of locusts. Eizen does not have it in him not to blame Eleanor a little bit.

*

Zaveid. He learns that his real name is Zaveid. He is unsure which name is worse.

*

"How well do you know Zaveid?" he asks as soon as Rokurou picks up the phone.

Rokurou snorts on the other end.

"Did he win your little healer heart with his suave ways?"

"He did not," Eizen says, because it's easier to just go along with Rokurou's word choice than argue over it. "But he's cost me enough rating that at this point he deserves a talking to in person."

"Watch the claws, kitty," Rokurou chuckles. "What if I don't wanna tell you now?"

"Do you?" Eizen asks. There is a beat of silence in which Rokurou thinks.

"Fine," he says, "But only because I wanna see where this ends up."

*

Zaveid picks up on the third ring.

"N'yello," he says. His voice is deep, his tone charming. Eizen wonders about the annoyance he suddenly feels.

"Zaveid?" he asks.

There is a pause on the other end. Then Zaveid says, "Am I in trouble or something?"

"That really depends on how well you defend yourself," he says before he can think it through. Said like that, it just sounds like a bad pick-up line.

Zaveid chuckles. "Well, I've received stranger calls. To whom do I owe the pleasure and what can I defend myself for?"

Eizen opens his mouth to answer him, but then he stops. The words he wanted to say now sound ridiculous in his mind, and he has no backups. He ends up standing there for a long moment, scrambling for something to say. Outwardly, he looks calm, the way he wants to be inwardly.

"I'm Eizen," he says eventually. "I'm the one who has basically gotten a day job healing you."

There is a beat of silence that stretches almost to the same length his own did. Then Zaveid says "Heroes?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

Something is off about Zaveid's voice and Eizen cannot put his finger on it.

"What?" he says. Then Zaveid explains in just a few words, and still somehow they manage not to make any sense.

"I thought you'd be smaller."

Eizen stares out the window in front of him. He blinks.

"What?"

"You," Zaveid says, as though that makes any sense. "I thought you'd be smaller."

It feels absurd to point out the obvious, but evidently here there is a need.

"You can't see me," Eizen says.

"I know," Zaveid says, "but the voice tells me enough. You're bigger than I pictured you."

Slowly, Eizen brings up a hand to rub at his closed eyelids.

"Nevermind that," he says. "At any rate, we need to talk about your idiotic Heroes strategy. I can't keep clutch dragging you out of fights forever."

Something changes about Zaveid's voice, and it is in the direction of amusement. "Is that so?"

"Quite."

"And you needed to talk to me over the phone to do this?"

He bristles. "Yes. You've died enough to actually demote me now."

"Well we can't have that." Zaveid sounds less concerned than he should be. "Say, you sound as though you know a lot about this, and Roku tells me you live nearby. Wanna meet up sometime and tell me in depth what I'm doing wrong? Say, over coffee?"

Eizen opens his mouth. Closes it. He can imagine his sister laughing at him, wherever she is at the moment. It must look odd to the people around her. She never laughs.

"Hellawes Uni campus," he grinds out, because he does want to and pride is a stupid thing. "Wednesday at noon. You're paying."

"I always do on strategy meetings. See you there."

Eizen hangs up before Zaveid can say anything else. Before he can change his mind.

He texts Rokurou, "I am going to kick your ass you later."

The reply comes quickly. "I place all blame on Velvet. Also, you'll need to be more specific."

"Oh! I know, let's roast some marshmallows and tell scary stories!

"Zaveid…"

"Roast…what?"

Zaveid looked over at Eizen, pouting at him, as Alisha giggled next to him. Edna raised an eyebrow at both of their antics, though had gotten used to it rather quickly. Not even really batting an eyelash at the way her brother and Zaveid acted towards another anymore. Zaveid thought it was a great idea to get everyone a little bit closer. Now that Eizen and Zaveid himself both were up and good again and everything. It had taken both of them a little bit after all, after Sorey, Alisha and Rose had just barely managed to make sure Zaveid didn't get himself killed while they had cured Eizen.

And they were out and about, sitting by the fire, as they travelled to actually do something good. Even if the whole notion still seemed a little bit too grand for Zaveid. He was in it, because of Edna and Alisha, and maybe a little bit because of Dezel. Just like Eizen was in it because of Edna. And Zaveid, though while Eizen had openly admitted that, Zaveid refused to believe it. Ultimately neither of them really cared about the world. They had ways to protect themselves and the ones they loved and cherished.

Just as he wanted to tell Eizen just that, the fact that it would be a good way for everyone to connect, he noticed that Rose had said something, right after Eizen's over dramatic sigh. Eizen himself was already looking at her with a raised eyebrow as well. And as Zaveid turned to look at her, she just flinched back even more.

"I'm sorry, what do you mean 'Roast what?'" he asked.

Zaveid blinked at her, while everyone else had gone silent. Lailah was smiling to herself, though trying to hide it behind her paper charms while Dezel just let out a sigh and shook his head. Obviously he would know what Zaveid was talking about. Otherwise Zaveid would be very, very, very disappointed, that even after he had apparently remembered everything he had conveniently not remembered that.

Cosy nights spend together while Dezel had clung to him. Though back then Zaveid hadn't told any scary Stories to him, and just rather talked about some things he had seen and experienced in the past. While Zaveid had made him some sweets, which he had enjoyed definitely too much. Sometimes even together with Lafarga or Rokurou.

Sorey and Mikleo seemed as puzzled as Rose was, while Alisha stared at her just as unbelieving as Zaveid did. At least he had someone who really understood him in that group. Just as Rose wanted to open her mouth to explain herself, Zaveid cut her off.

"I expected this from those two," Zaveid said, gesturing to Mikleo and Sorey.

Zaveid ignored their protests. They had been sheltered their entire lives, this being their first adventure outside of Zenrus' reach. Obviously they wouldn't know about roasting marshmallows, but Rose?

"But you?! You've been traveling all over the place be it as a merchant or an assassin! Do you really want to tell me you never sat together with your band of idiots by an open fire and roasted marshmallows?!" Zaveid asked.

He refused to believe that. From what he had observed in the past had she a rather close knit bond to the members of her group. So he really, absolutely refused to believe that she wouldn't know what that would be like.

Yet from the look she was giving him it seemed like that was the case. Granted, maybe it was a little bit too warm where they were, though no. It never was too warm for some nice time spend together like this. Eizen, Zaveid, Benwick, Rokurou, Magilou and Eleanor had done this shit together while traveling south! Where it had been much hotter!

"I must say, I am as…confused as Master Zaveid is, Rose. Surely you know about things like this right?" Alisha asked.

Zaveid looked at her, and nodded. Maybe she knew that as something else. Though what else would she know marshmallows as. That did make Zaveid wonder at the same time. Did Edna know?

He shook his head. She would find out, granted they could get some marshmallows from somewhere. Zaveid could drag Dezel with him for a quick trip to Stonebu-…Lostonbell. They should sell them there. At least Zaveid hoped they still did.

"No? What's so special about that?" Rose asked.

She had puffed her cheeks up slightly and crossed her arms in front of her chest. There was absolutely no way. Zaveid groaned and threw his hands over his head. Would he have to teach these kids everything? Even simple joys of traveling with other's like that? Though now, at least Alisha seemed to know.

"Hey, Princess. Enlighten us, what's got Grampveid so worked up?"

"Edna."

Zaveid chuckled at the way Edna huffed after Eizen reprimanded her without even really saying something. He didn't really mind when she called him old. It gave him enough fuel to tease Eizen, who was older than him after all.

"Well, whenever we knights are out together, we would take some marshmallows with us as well. To roast them. It is a fun way to spend a night on the road. Just talking with each other while eating something sweet," Alisha explained.

Zaveid nodded along, glad that she really knew. Glad that at least one of them knew something of the finer things of live. The more enjoyable things of traveling in a group.

"And what are…'marshmallows'?"

Their round got quiet again at Sorey's question. A genuine question, borne from genuine confusion. Ten eyes fixed on the young shepherd, as if he had just asked them how they knew how to breath. Not knowing about roasting marshmallows over open fire was one thing. Now knowing what those way too sweet for Zaveid's taste, white, pillowy sweets were was another.

"Marshmallows are a sweet. White and rather squishy soft. Made pretty much from pure sugar. When you put them on a stick and warm them up, like over an open fire, they get a more gooey consistency. And their sweetness is enhanced," Eizen explained.

Before Eizen had even finished his explanation, Zaveid had jumped to his feet. Sorey shied back somewhat but nodded along with Eizen's explanation. Rose seemed to at least know what sweet Eizen was talking about, while Edna nodded as well, her eyes getting that glimmer in them, whenever she was promised some sweets.

"Dezel, we're getting marshmallows. I honestly can't believe you kids!" Zaveid announced.

Dezel groaned, but got up nonetheless. Definitely knowing that arguing with Zaveid would be of no use. He didn't even like marshmallows himself, but it was the atmosphere that counted. And while Zaveid knew more than well enough that they weren't on a fun camping trip, all of these kids needed to relax and lighten up a little bit.

The trip to Lostonbell and back hadn't even taken them long. By foot they were about two days of travel out on the road. With wind steps, Dezel and Zaveid needed a fraction of that time. Partly because Zaveid also helped Dezel a little bit out as well. They also were in luck, that the owner of the sweets shop, had marshmallows right on display. Apparently travelling out on the road was getting more and more popular again. They left more than enough gald for the goods on the counter and took some bags with them. As well as some cookies and chocolate.

Upon returning to the group, Eizen and Alisha seemed to have already instructed the others to prepare some sticks, on which they could roast the marshmallows, while Lailah had given their fire some more life again. Zaveid readily tugged himself in between Eizen's legs, Eizen's arms quickly finding their way around Zaveid, holding him close against himself. All inhibitions about being too open with their relationship discarded. Zaveid wanted to be cosy after all, when they would get to the fun part.

Dezel distributed the bags in the meantime. Making sure that everyone would be able get some, and then taking charge of Rose's portions. They did not want any black goo after all. Lailah, Sorey and Mikleo shared as bag, with Lailah explaining the boys how to do it right. Rose, Dezel and Alisha shared a bag, with both Alisha and Dezel making sure Rose didn't even get close to the fire with a skewer and only handing her the end product. And Eizen and Edna each got a bag of their own. Because Zaveid knew neither of those would share. And while they would have reluctantly shared with each other, he hadn't wanted to take any risks.

Zaveid did eat some of Edna's first tries at getting the marshmallows right, though not much more than that. He just relaxed and watched these children have this experience for the first time. All the while, being perfectly fitted into Eizen's arms. After all of them had gotten the hang of it, the fun part started for Zaveid. He wasn't good at thinking of stories on the go, but he was good at playing off of Eizen when he did so.

After some rounds of scary stories, both Edna and Zaveid helping Eizen really scaring especially Rose, all of them cuddled together in various formations. Lailah seemed to be fine by herself, though Zaveid wouldn't have expected anything else. She had seemed more amused than scared anyways. Edna had tugged herself against Dezel, even if both of them would deny it ever having happened in the morning. And the two pairs Zaveid and Eizen had seem coming anyways. Rose had been clinging to Alisha for a while already and Sorey and Mikleo were always practically joined by the hip.

"You just wanted an excuse to cuddle with me," Eizen whispered.

He still had some marshmallows left in his bag, while the other's had finished the rest of the sweets off completely. Their fire was also still on. The flame low, but still there, giving them warmth. Even if Eizen's body temperature was more than enough for Zaveid.

Zaveid hummed and closed his eyes, as he leaned back. Listening to the sounds surrounding them. Listening to the calm breathing of the kids, as they were asleep and resting for another eventful day. Listening to Eizen's heartbeat. Strong and steady. Alive and comforting. In tune with both his own and Zaveid's domain.

"Did not. It is a bonus though," he mumbled.

He would be lying if he said, it hadn't crossed his mind as they had sat down, that distracting the kids like this, so he could get close to Eizen, without having Rose complain about them flirting in front of them, had been a genius idea. Though it hadn't been the plan in the first place.

Even when he liked nights like these the most. With no imminent danger looming above them, just relaxing like this. Eizen chuckled and rummaged through his bag. Definitely preparing another marshmallow for himself. They had come to the silent agreement, that they would tire the kids out more often than not and take on watch during the night. They were the oldest after all, so it was somewhat their duty. At least that's how they saw it.

"Here, eat. I saw you forcing down Edna's failed experiments earlier," Eizen said.

Zaveid opened his eyes, to a marshmallow roasted to perfection in front of him. Paired on the stick with some apple slices Zaveid hadn't even known they still had. Though apparently they still had had some apples left.

He looked at Eizen, who just raised an eyebrow, prompting Zaveid to take it. After some more contemplating, he did take it and ate it in one bite. The apples did help a little bit with the sweetness. Especially because it was one of those not so sweet ones, Zaveid really liked. He had to smile at that.

"We need to do this more often," he said.

Eizen hummed in agreement, preparing another skewer for himself. Maybe traveling with those kids hadn't been the worst decision he had made. Though with how much they seemed to have enjoyed themselves, they really would need to watch their sugar intake, Zaveid supposed.

Eizen pressed a kiss to Zaveid's temple, letting his chin rest on Zaveid's shoulder, as he ate his own sweet creation. Something Zaveid didn't even dare to look at. He did know exactly where Edna had her sweet tooth from after all.

"I guess the idea wasn't that bad after all," he said.

Zaveid rolled his eyes and closed them for a moment. As if Eizen would have really objected to it, unless it was to keep up a front. Zaveid knew how much he enjoyed things like this as well.

"No! Take this off! Zaveid! Uncle Aifread! Tell my brother to take this hideous thing off!!!"

Zaveid flinched, staring at the text he was reviewing at the moment. Aifread having leaned against him, holding a cup of coffee in his hands, seeming equally as confused, as he looked up from his phone. Across the room, sitting at their dinner table, Silva and Dezel looked up from Silva's homework, as Edna's voice rang through the entire house. Definitely very upset about something her brother had done again. Or rather was wearing. Which made the situation for Zaveid even more confusing because Eizen had a rather nice style. At least in his opinion, though he might be a bit biased in that regard. Aifread and Zaveid looked at each other, with Aifread shrugging his shoulders and going back to playing with his phone when nothing else came of it.

Not even that long afterwards, Edna stormed into the room, closely followed by Eizen. Silva had gone back to doing his homework, while Dezel helped him with that. Only Zaveid was still waiting for something to come of Edna's exclamation. And he did see it very clearly. Eizen wearing the most hideous sweater Zaveid had ever laid his eyes on. A fuzzy, forest green thing, with a brightly sparkling, too big motive on it.

Zaveid blinked at the siblings, before placing the sheet of paper down and raising his hands to rub his eyes. In no way convinced that Eizen would actually go through with wearing something like that. Zaveid would just really, really love to know where he had gotten that thing from. Because he knew he hadn't been around when Eizen had bought it.

"Please tell me this is a joke," Zaveid said.

Aifread looked up again at the same time, while Edna fled to Zaveid's side, glaring at Eizen. Soon enough was the room flooded by Aifread's booming laughter at what he was seeing. Hopefully at what he was seeing.

The situation was only made somewhat worse by the fact that Eizen seemed to be completely serious in wearing that thing. And that when he was supposed to drive Edna, Dezel and Silva to meet with the rest of their friend group. For a big Christmas sleepover.

"Zaveid, please drive you us to Alisha's place. If Rose sees him with that…that…thing on, she'll never let me live it down," Edna whined.

Just as Aifread started to calm down from his fun, Dezel looked up and started laughing as well. Zaveid still tried to make sense of what he was seeing. He knew he had some shirts lying around that weren't objectively speaking the nicest. Some shirts he had bought purely for the fun of it.

But Eizen wasn't like that. Even Aifread would once in a while buy something with such a hideous pattern that Zaveid contemplated throwing it out before he could wear it. But not Eizen. It was a pure rarity to find anything with a motive amongst his clothes.

"I have no idea what you two are complaining about," Eizen said.

Zaveid looked up at Edna, who in turn groaned and threw her hands over her head. Aifread just shook his head and put his coffee aside. He turned his full attention on Eizen now, definitely having decided to have his fun with this situation.

"Aw, come on, I think he looks quiet dashing, doesn't he, Zavi-babe?" Aifread asked.

Eizen glared at Aifread for a moment before sighing and shaking his head. Turning around to approach Silva and Dezel. Dezel grinning at him, while Silva had a hard time not to laugh. Definitely thinking the same as everyone else, except Eizen, about the sweater he was sporting. Silva turned back to his homework rather quickly, as Zaveid got up from the couch and stretched his arms over his head.

He definitely couldn't let Eizen do that to Edna. Not when Zaveid knew Rose definitely wouldn't let her forget about that atrocity Eizen was wearing. And that would only put Edna into a perpetually bad mood, for as long as Rose thought it was necessary to keep it up. Which could be a long time, If she felt like it. Zaveid didn't know wether or not Edna was still teasing Rose with something.

"Yeah, not really. Alright, I'm driving you kids," Zaveid said.

Edna's expression changed immediately, from the frowning glare she had looked at Eizen with, to a beaming smile she gifted Zaveid. Zaveid chuckled in turn and lightly patted her head. Just restraining himself enough to not ruffle her hair, and ruin her hairstyle she surely had spend quiet some time at.

Zaveid walked over to Eizen, pressing a kiss against his cheek, a shiver running down his spine, as his hand accidentally brushed against the rough fabric of the sweater. Not the good kind of shiver. He hated that fabric already. Yeah, he'd definitely make Aifread burn that thing, the moment it made it's way into the laundry bin.

Eizen pulled his mouth down into a pout, before he sighed and crossed his arms in front of his chest. Still not seeing what was wrong with the sweater he was wearing. Or maybe he was, and was putting on a show, to annoy or amuse all of them.

"I love you, Eizen, but please by the time I'm back, get changed, alright?" Zaveid said.

He supposed that was enough of a cue, for both Dezel and Silva to wrap it up as well. From the looks of it, did Silva seem pretty done with his homework too. Thankfully, or else Zaveid would have been rather uncomfortable letting him go. He didn't need to hear another rant about Silva being too slow to keep up with the homework, when Zaveid knew full well he just needed to take his time once in a while. His kid was a smart one after all, of that he was sure.

Eizen rolled his eyes and looked away, grumbling something beneath his breath. He turned around and assumed Zaveid's place on the couch, to which Aifread just scooted away slightly, fully immersed in his mobile game again. Zaveid clapped his hands and nodded, walking into the hallway to put on his shoes.

"Is it that bad?" he heard Eizen's voice.

Zaveid let out a sigh, as Edna just screamed 'Yes', to which Dezel and Aifread burst out into laughter again. Zaveid chuckled as well, as did Silva, when he joined Zaveid in the hallway.

"Whoever gave it to you hates you, Eizen," Zaveid said.

He raised his voice loud enough so Eizen would be able to hear it hopefully. He still wondered a little bit when exactly Eizen had bought that thing, and why none of them had been around to prevent him from that. Zaveid knew he would have for sure. And for as much as Aifread liked to tease Eizen, he definitely wouldn't have let him walk out of a store with that as well. Neither would have any of their kids. Well, Silva maybe, though only because he would have been to polite to actually say something.

Zaveid flinched when Eizen came up behind him, wrapping his arms around him. He was glad, that he had just finished putting on his jacket, and thus couldn't really feel the scratchy fabric anymore.

"Alright, I change. But only because it's you," he whispered.

That send another shiver down Zaveid's spine, though this time definitely the good kind of shiver. Maybe he would make something nice for dessert and pick up Eizen's favourite whisky on his way home after dropping the kids off. Just so placate his wounded heart, after all, all of them had bullied him out of his brand new sweater.

Zaveid turned his head to give Eizen a peck on his lips, softly smiling at him. Yeah, he'd definitely do that. And then he would get it out of Eizen why he had thought it was a good idea to buy that thing.

"Good, I'll just drop the kids off and then I'm right back with you two, alright?" he said.

Eizen nodded and let him go. There was something of a mischievous glint in his eyes, which confused Zaveid quiet a bit. He couldn't really place it at all. Had Eizen planned this, so he wouldn't need to drive the kids around? Even when he normally would do it gladly, just to know Edna got to her destination save and sound?

Zaveid shrugged his shoulders and got the car out of the garage. Aifread's car that was. Zaveid wouldn't touch Eizen's old rust bucket if his life depended on it. And he liked Aifread's car more. While it was old, Aifread always made sure to keep it in perfect shape. Unlike Eizen…

As he waited in the car for the kids to come out, he already thought about what he would make for dinner. With the kids out he had much more liberties. And also could spend the evening on the couch, with Eizen and Aifread. Cuddling with them, while watching shitty romcoms and laughing about how bad they were. Especially the Christmas ones that were on everywhere right now. For dinner he had already planned to make pizza, the dough was already rising in a warm place after all. Zaveid could make something with the puff pastry he had frozen for dessert. Whipping up a cream, or he could make some cream puffs and fill them with some liqueur cream. He could prep the dough while the pizza was in the oven, and then they could bake while they ate.

And afterwards he'd finish them off, and they could enjoy those as nice snacks over the evening. Zaveid nodded, thinking about the plans while the kids talked about the movies they would watch in the back seat. A nice evening with just the three of them was something Zaveid looked forward to more than he'd like to admit. He loved his boys, just like he loved Edna, but sometimes he just wanted some alone time with Eizen and Aifread. And tonight was such a night.

Where he would cuddle with them, and just spend time with them, being content. Being happy, that his life had taken a turn for the better, after some rough years. That he had been able to fall in love with not one but two wonderful man, and was able to enjoy them loving him in turn. The more Zaveid fantasised, the more the warm feeling within him spread and he couldn't wait to drop the kids off. They would be in good hands with Alisha and her parents.

On the way home Zaveid stopped by the store to pick up the rest he needed for his plans and rushed home, barely within the speed limits. He really just wanted to be done with it. And really, really hoped Eizen had actually changed into something more acceptable. If not, Zaveid would pout at him until he did. That usually helped. Because he refused to cuddle with Eizen, when he was wearing that thing, and now, after having thought about it the entire drive, he really wanted to cuddle with his lovers!

Though the moment Zaveid entered the house again, bag in hand, closing the door behind him with his foot, something seemed…off. The lights were off, except for the Christmas lights they had put up, and some softer light coming from upstairs.

"I'm back!" Zaveid called.

He craned his neck to see if Aifread and Eizen were still in the living room, only to see nothing. Shrugging his shoulders he walked to the kitchen, a slightly weird feeling in his stomach. As he turned, he did hear hushed voices from the living room. So they were there.

Zaveid sighed and shook his head, smiling to himself. He'd let them surprise him then, he supposed. He had made some plans on the fly as well after all.

"I changed…"

Zaveid chuckled as he put the snacks away and placed the whiskey, as well as the rum he had decided to get on a whim on the counter. Eizen's voice had dropped into that low kind of tone again, that cause Zaveid to heat up all over. For now he only hummed to acknowledge him, pretending to be busy.

Zaveid turned around, curious about what Eizen had changed into, only to stop immediately upon seeing him. Smirk on his face as he still was wearing that horrible sweater. Only that horrible sweater. Zaveid's eyes widened at the sight, blood rushing to his face as well as his nether regions immediately. Aifread came into sight only a little bit later, similar smirk on his face, matching sweater on. Once again, only the sweater.

That was when Zaveid realized that this really had been a plan all along. To get Zaveid to drive the kids to Alisha's place. So Aifread and Eizen could prepare that. And that they had planned that together. Because this was the first evening in weeks they had to themselves.

"So? I still think we look quiet…nice, don't we, Zavi?" Aifread asked.

He had placed an arm around Eizen's shoulder, effectively hanging off of him, while grinning at Zaveid. Who was just standing in front of the kitchen counter, words stuck in his throat, as his pants got tighter by the second. Here he had planned for a nice, cosy, warm evening. Well, Zaveid was sure he'd get quiet hot as the evening progressed.

Eizen was the first one to approach him, and Zaveid finally tore his gaze away from everything that was not the sweater. Looking away, his face unbearably hot.

"So, I suppose you won't help up get rid of those…hideous sweaters?" he asked.

His breath hot against Zaveid's ear, as Aifread chuckled at the visible shiver running through Zaveid's body. A low chuckle, doing things to Zaveid. And both of them knew exactly what they were doing.

"Oh, please, I'm sure he'll lend a…helping hand," Aifread said.

Zaveid turned his head to look at him. Bad mistake he realized. Though he hadn't stood a fighting chance from the beginning anyway. And even less as he saw Aifread having wrapped one hand around his half hard cock already.

Zaveid let himself get pulled out of the kitchen, up to their bedroom. He supposed he could go along with their whims, as long as he got his cuddles afterwards. And Zaveid knew he would.

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