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Caelus felt the weight on his shoulders triple as he flopped into his bed. He was back on the Express after a long day out Trailblazing, and his mood had tanked ever since he returned home and saw March 7th flaunting her new outfit to the rest of the crew.
Sure, it was a silly thing to feel petty about. And he loved March; she was one of his best friends! He was happy for her and the fact that she was going to be learning how to wield a sword in the Xianzhou when they returned there soon. But…seriously? First Dan Heng got a whole new look, and now March? What about him? They were supposed to be a trio!
He sighed, rolling over on his back and lifting his dirty and beat up jacket with a scoff. He didn’t even own many clothes to begin with. But he hadn’t felt the need to complain until now. Maybe it was the after effects of being made fun of in Penacony for dressing ‘plain’, or just the stress of realizing he truly still didn’t have many belongings rooting himself to existence yet. He made money through his travels, and he was given an allowance from Himeko and Welt, but his earnings were meager and usually used on food and souvenirs.
That needed to change. He wanted to look fancy and get complimented, too! Everyone was telling March how cute her new outfit looked, and he wanted that, too.
…Maybe not the cute part but hey, any compliments he would take at this point. Really, he just needed new clothes. His jacket had been through hell and back, and was sporting more patches and sewn together bits than the original fabric at this point. Put that with his plain t-shirts and pants and he really did look like nothing special.
He wanted to draw eyes for reasons other than hate or curiosity for once. He wanted to look the part of a man who trailblazed the universe. A new look could change everything for him.
The thing was, with his lack of experience buying clothes, he had no clue where to even start looking. Should he visit Belobog? Or go back to Penacony? No, no…The shops there would cost him an arm and a leg! What brands were even any good? How do you coordinate an outfit? How do you get people to clap and get excited for your new look?
Head swirling, Caelus groaned and rolled back over to grab his phone before getting comfortable. He could mindlessly scroll and shop on his phone, he guessed. He had some spare credits. Maybe he’d find something nice in his budget.
As he unlocked the screen, he saw he had a new message waiting for him instead.
‘Mr. Stellaron~ Had any fun new adventures lately? It’s been boring without you around these days to cause a scene.’
Aventurine’s icon was a welcome sight as the Trailblazer read the message, smiling fondly at the playful tone. He snorted, typing back a reply quickly.
‘Nah, nothing too crazy. Honestly happy you messaged me. I’m bored too. : (‘
He was still feeling a bit pathetic about the whole outfit thing, and he and Aventurine had stayed in close contact ever since parting from Penacony. Their relationship was…Confusing, really. At times, Caelus wasn’t sure what to call them anymore. They went from a tense ‘friendship’ to fighting to the death at the theme park, then made up and became friendly again before he left Penacony. After all, Caelus knew the entire thing was a charade to begin with. Aventurine never really planned to hurt him or his friends, and was just doing his job. He couldn’t blame him for how things went, especially when he’d been super relieved to find out he was safe after everything.
Not that he’d admit that to the Stoneheart.
Now, they still kept each other close via messaging. Aventurine had clearly been trying to warm up to casually talking without strings attached (much to Caelus’s delight.) He liked the gifts and money, sure, but that wasn’t what their relationship was about. He didn’t need to be bought to be friends with the man, and he wanted him to know that. It seemed he got the idea eventually, now much more open and honest with his messages then he used to be.
Caelus liked that they were friends. When he thought about the blond, he couldn’t help but smile. And when he got a new message from him, just able to chat about stupid mundane things together, he felt like he was the lucky one. He got butterflies in his stomach, and he didn’t know why.
But, that also was why he was a bit confused about their standing together. Did Aventurine feel like that when he saw his texts, too? The silver-haired adventurer chewed on the bottom of his lip, a bit nervous now as he waited for an answer back. It didn’t take long, thankfully.
‘Haha, I’m happy you said that. A lot of people get scared when the big bad IPC executive texts them, you know. And hm…Both of us are bored? We should fix that.’
An emoji of his blond friend holding up a glass of Soulglad followed the message, making him smile despite his earlier anxiety. He sent one back that resembled a confused PomPom.
‘What do you have in mind?’
Usually they just messaged, both leading busy lives amongst the stars. But when a voice call request popped up, Caelus was pleasantly surprised. He wanted to call? His finger hesitated over the answer button, shaking a bit. It had been weeks since he had last heard his voice. Was he composed enough to talk? He felt tired from the day’s activities and the whole self-deprecating mood he was in. But, he couldn’t just leave Aventurine hanging on such a rare expression of wishing to talk. So, despite the fluttering in his gut, the man tapped the answer button.
“U-Uhm…Hello?” Caelus hit himself in his mind for how shy and awkward he sounded, coughing to try and cover it up.
“Hello, my friend!” Aventurine’s upbeat and cheerful greeting cut through his nerves like it was butter. As expected, even just hearing his voice after all this time felt nice. He really did miss the gambler, didn’t he? “It’s been too long since we spoke. I hope you don’t mind the impromptu call.”
“I don’t.” Smiling despite himself, the Nameless relaxed further into his pillows, pressing the phone closer to him. “It’s a nice change. I’ve missed our talks.”
“Aw, I had no idea I had left such a positive impression on you.” Aventurine laughed through the speaker, but Caelus caught what he thought was a hint of genuine mirth in his tone. “It seems my efforts while in Penacony to earn your favor paid off.”
“All the gifts and things aren’t what did it.” The Trailblazer pouted, even though he knew the blond couldn’t see him. He kicked his legs off the side of the bed, feeling the need to stand up and wander as he talked. “We’re friends. Credits and fancy tokens aside. Why shouldn’t I be happy to talk to you again after it’s been a while? I miss you.”
There was a moment of silence on the other side of the phone, before a stuttering sort of sigh came through the speaker.
“Honest and kind as ever. I really do like that about you, you know.” The complement sent a pleasant warmth to Caelus’s face, reminding him of his earlier pathetic wish for attention. “I’ll admit, I’ve missed you as well.” Oh man. He felt the butterflies turn to full on fairies in the pit of his stomach, the simple statement sending a rush of happiness through him. Much more than it probably should have. He was so glad they decided to have a phone call, now.
Come to think of it…Aventurine had bought him pajamas before. He wore them religiously now, as they were probably the best piece of clothing he owned in both quality and comfort. Maybe he could ask him about his outfit troubles? He shuffled around in his room a bit, suddenly feeling self conscious again. But…Would Aventurine understand his goals? Or would he just think he’s being silly, like Caelus thought himself to be? Selfish, even.
“Hey, Aventurine…” He started, trailing off a bit as he focused on the stars outside the carriage window. “I actually have a question for you! Where did you get those pajamas you bought me that time?”
“Oh? Were they to your liking that much?” Caelus felt the purr of satisfaction in the other man’s voice. It seemed he really did enjoy giving gifts that were appreciated to his ‘friend’. “Say no more, I’ll order you more right now.” But Caelus had really hoped he’d understand it wasn’t something he had to do. Perhaps gift giving was just his language of choice?
“A-Ah, no no — That’s not why I asked!”
“Mm~ Maybe. But I think I’ll order them anyway. I have some from that brand as well. Would you like a matching set with me, Caelus?” The gray haired man felt his cheeks burn brighter red with every passing second. His earlier greed for attention and pampering was being delivered, but it turned out his plan was backfiring! He couldn’t take it after all. Maybe just because it was all coming from the Avgin? Somehow, he felt that must be the truth.
“Please don’t tease me so much, Aventurine.” He sighed, knowing he must sound like a whining puppy through the phone. The delighted chuckle he received in reply was suspiciously deep, causing his blush to crawl further up his neck.
“My friend, if I knew flustering you was this easy, we would have had a little phone call much sooner.” Maybe Caelus was reading too much into the tone and conversation, but the stoneheart was coming off a lot flirtier than usual. Maybe it was just wishful thinking. Did he want that? Gahhhh— “Regardless~ What was it you wanted to know about the brand, then, if it wasn’t to get more from them?” He patted down his embarrassment enough to reply.
“Well…My friends have all recently got some new outfits and styles, and I feel like I’m lacking a little bit.” The younger of the two tried to explain his recent feelings of being left out the best he could. “I was going to ask you for a recommendation on where to buy a new outfit. I don’t own a lot of clothes at all…Or much in general. I guess waking up a blank slate just a few months ago hasn’t given me much time to work on a wardrobe or anything. I don’t know. My jacket has a lot of damage and I feel out of place even here on the Express dressing like this… ” His worries really did sound small out in the open like that. “I guess I was hoping a change of clothes would make me feel more…Like I belong. But that’s silly, now that I think about it…” He started to backpedal quickly. “Actually, it’s ok! You don’t have to worry about that! I’m just being dumb —“
“Caelus.” The Trailblazer stopped in his tracks at the calm tone that cut through his excuses, gulping in a way that he hoped wasn’t audible.
“U-Uh…Yeah?”
“I am going to spoil you. And there is nothing you can do about it.”
“…Huh?”
————
And that was how, somehow, Caelus ended up in a high-end clothing shop being measured and fit for outfits he could never hope to afford. While the shop attendants ran around and gathered items they thought he and his friend might enjoy, he looked at the accompanying blond in mild disbelief.
They were in a private lounge of some sort, disguised as a dressing room. It was too large and extravagant to be anything else. Sitting comfortably among a plush red couch, looking perfectly in place amidst the splendor, was none other than Aventurine. The blond happily hummed as he took a sip of a colorful beverage they’d been served, seemingly unbothered by how shook Caelus seemed. He patted the seat beside him, offering the silver-haired traveler a smile.
“What’s the matter, Caelus? Cat got your tongue?” The man in question was worried his earlier thoughts had been read as he shyly took the seat next to him, gaze down at his lap. “I said I was going to treat you today. No need to look so mortified.”
“Yeah, but, all this must cost a fortune!” His words were hushed under his breath, looking around them worriedly for any sign of the employees returning. “I really don’t think I’m worth it. I know we’re friends, but it’s too much to ask for. I could just get some simple t-shirts or something, really.” Deep down, he found himself just not wanting to be a bother. Another expense. A burden, once again.
Just the host of the cancer of the stars - an empty husk with unworthy emotions. He didn’t deserve kindness. He didn’t deserve to belong.
A gentle hand on his cheek drew his gaze up from the patterned carpet. Worried gold met blue and purple that melted into sincere affection as he looked up. Aventurine caressed his face softly, his own expression tender yet serious in that moment.
“Caelus. You are worth everything .” He assured, and the Trailblazer couldn’t help but lean into his touch. “I’m not doing this for favors nor am I worried about the cost. Like you said before, we’re friends. I’m doing this because I want to. And because you deserve it, too. Please be kinder to yourself. You’ve been so kind to me, more than maybe I deserve. So cheer up, okay?” All of the worry on his shoulders melted at the simple sign and words of affection, his fatigue showing through the cracks of his selfless and strong facade. Deep down, even Caelus was just a human. Even he, with a Stellaron in his chest, had feelings. “You are allowed to indulge, too. Take a break from making others happy for once and do it for yourself.”
He was right. Maybe…Maybe indulging a little bit was okay. Maybe he was allowed to want things, too. To be a bit greedy. To desire.
He leaned against the blond’s shoulder fully, snuggling into his fur-collared coat when an encouraging but shaky hand around his back pulled him closer.
“Thank you…Aventurine.” He was grateful for the way the position hid the bright blush on his features. Unfortunately, it also blocked him from seeing just how red the IPC manager’s own expression was.
“No need to thank me. I’m just speaking the truth. Now…Let’s get you dressed up, my dear.”
Caelus left that place with a lot of negative emotions purged, and more and more questions about the state of his relationship with Aventurine instead. Though, he supposed the kiss on the cheek he offered the beautiful soul before they parted said what he thought more than words ever could. He left the stoneheart blushing red and smiling brighter than any star as he boarded the Express again, his own heart pacing wildly and happily in his chest. He turned to wave, arms full of shopping bags and a new feeling of self worth in his soul.
“Be sure to call me again soon, okay?”
Unbeknownst to Caelus, their next date was already being plotted in Aventurine’s mind. Right at home, amidst the head over heels thoughts about a certain Trailblazer.