It started with a large nondescript box in Túlio’s room. Itsat neatly in a far corner, and if Thelrand hadn’t practically memorized thelayout and contents of his room with how frequently he stays, he wouldn’t havenoticed it. He didn’t bring it up when Túlio finally joined him, expecting himto, but the night flew by without a mention.He oddly couldn’t find a chance to try to bring it up until a few days later.“Hey, vhenan, I’ve barely seen you for a while.” Thelrand trailed a finger downhis arm, settling his hand on his waist. “Well outside of working. What haveyou been up to?”
Túlio simply smiled and shrugged. “Same old, same old. Still trying to find allthe secret passageways in this place though.”“You’re… spending all your free time looking for secret rooms?”“Well, yeah. I placed a bet with the bartender that I’d find them all beforeCorypheus is dead. I must have gotten carried away though.”Thelrand hummed noncommittally, to which Túlio rolled over half on top of himand squeezed him. “Thelllll, please don’t be mad.”“I’m not mad.”“But you’re sulking.” Túlio peppered his face with kisses. “It’s not going tokill you to spend a few afternoons away from me, okay?” He laughed whenThelrand leveled him with a look. “I know, I know, I sulked too when we stoppedtalking, but this is different and you know it.”Thelrand sighed. “You’re right, you’re right.” He then slowly smiled and heldhim close, playfully nipping up his neck.
A few days later, on a day off, he ventured back to Túlio’sroom. For some reason, the man still made himself scarce, and he needed to knowwhy. He bet it had to do with that box. He opened the door without knocking andwas immediately pelted in the face with some cloth. “Maker’s breath, Thel! Don’t you knock?”“I’ve never had to knock..” He paused after he pulled the cloth away from hisface to see Túlio quickly kicking back something under the bed. “..before. Túlio…?”Túlio smiled. “Yes?”Thelrand frowned, opening his mouth to say something, then closed it. “Have you…been avoiding me this week?”“No!” Túlio took a step forward, then hesitated when Thelrand took a step back.He sighed. “Yes, but it’s not what it looks like…. I promise. It’s a surprise!”“Surprise?” Thelrand crossed his arms.Túlio bent down to pull the box from under his bed – the very box that Thelrandnoticed earlier in the week – and held it out to him. There were colorfulembroidered silks nestled inside.“What is this..?” Thelrand pulled out a cloth: a deep crimson red with goldrays of the sun embroidered in one corner. Another was a deep navy with a patternin white that reminded him of his vallaslin, though perhaps that was wishfulthinking.“This,” Túlio said, pulling the crimson cloth from his hands, “is a recreationof my costume from my first duet performance.” He slipped his arms through thesleeves, wrapping the excess around his frame. “There’s still a bit to be donewith, but it’s almost there.”Thelrand glanced up, then back down at the navy cloth, running his fingers overthe white stitching. “And this…? It sounds silly, but it reminds me of, well,me.”“Because.” Túlio brushed his fingers along his then interlaced them. “It isinspired by you.” He helped him slip it on then rubbed his arms. “We’ve beenpracticing this dance for a while now, and you’ve caught on quickly enough.”Thelrand looked away and blushed. “You’re just saying that.”“it’s true!” Túlio turned his head back and planted a soft tender kiss on hislips. He pulled back with a fond smile. “I don’t care that you’re not perfect;you’re dancing, and more importantly, you’re dancing with me!” He gave Thelranda little twirl, then pulled him back flushed against him. “I wanted to perform withyou, with the costumes and the music.” He kissed him again. “That’s what I washiding. Until everything was ready.”Thelrand smiled and indulged in his kisses. “This doesn’t mean you’re gettingout of this.” He clasped his hands around his neck. “I’m still, “ he kissed hisjaw, “very mad at you.” Another one under his ear. “For making me worry oversomething so sweet.”“Hmmm, I should get you mad more often – O-kay, don’t bite so hard.”
