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“Aren’t you a bit young to be drinking?” Angelico’s joke falls on the deaf ears of Raphael, who only twitches in annoyance while swirling the dark red liquid. Angelico has seen his room many times, but its sparse decoration was always a shock. With only shelves of books, for school and the like, as well as a desk set; any other person would think he was poor.
Angelico knew Raphael all too well though.
The very chair that came with the desk was what Raphael was currently perched upon; one leg crossed over in that business-like way he often did. The square frame of his glasses rested low on his nose; however his hair was perfect. Not a strand out of place.
Hot anger and the urge to run his fingers through the other man’s hair, if only to ruin it, pooled in his stomach. They are best friends. There is no need for fronts or pretending. There is no need for a noble such as Raphael to live the way he did.
In long strides, Angelico collapses against the other man’s bed. It is perhaps the only sign of wealth: with its white silk sheets and soft mattress that Angelico was so used to. Not because he often spent time in Raphael’s bed (it wouldn’t be a life if he said he didn't, however), but because every noble had a similar one.
With precision in every movement, Raphael removes the tie on his hair and watches the golden waves that cascade over the bed. Raphael’s eyebrows furrow as he takes another sip, displeasure written on every movement.
“You need to leave.” His voice is characteristically cold, but his shoulders have dropped.
“But isn’t it only natural that us nobles meet and discuss our Clan?” Angelico lets out a small huff and turns onto his stomach, head still facing Raphael when he smiles with all teeth and good intentions.
“You went too far today.” Raphael reminds him while setting his glass down; though it is barely half gone.
Angelico pouts, “I was only trying to rid the Clan of trash.”
Raphael’s glasses are the next thing to go as they are folded neatly and sat beside the glass. It gives Angelico the rare chance to take in the sight of his bright eyes. They are the color of the sun, of warm days and fields of wheat. It is gone all too soon as he rubs a gloved hand over his face in exhaustion.
“It was unnecessary…” There is clearly more he wishes to say, but Angelico does not push him on it. It was obviously something concerning Ul and that was a discussion he would rather avoid. Despite Angelico’s own plans for Ul, he would be getting nowhere with Raphael still in the picture; worst of all, concerned.
“Perhaps. With its filth getting all over me, I even had to change my outfit; but I just couldn’t watch that Daphmir get so close to your brother.” I did it for you. There is hesitance in Raphael’s agreement, but eventually he does nod understandingly and stand. It takes everything in Angelico to not burst out laughing.
Raphael’s obliviousness only fueled Angelico’s desire to fulfill his plan. Personal attachments would mean nothing when Raphael Dalico stood broken at his feet.
Raphael sits against the edge of the bed and begins to unbutton his shirt but Angelico stops him. With his own nimble fingers, he finishes for the other man.
“As a Dalico, you shouldn’t have to do all of that.” Angelico cheekily explains. Raphael looks disturbed to say the least, but leaves Angelico to do as he likes.
“Too easy…” The mutter slips from his lips with no warning.
Just as quickly as Raphael let himself be fooled, did he pull back. His body tenses and there is a suspicious look in those golden eyes. What might be worse though, is the faint look of betrayal and disappointment. As though he understood and expected it, but was still hurt. There is of course a feeling of pleasure of this realization, that Angelico has such a hold over the other man; but then an ache behind it that he squashes.
With thoughtful movements, Angelico wraps his arms around Raphael’s waist and settles his head into the crook of his neck. He pulls the other man closer into himself and the bed, despite Raphael’s clear displeasure.
“It’s late. Head back to your room.” Calloused fingers pull at Angelico’s but he only holds tighter.
“We can just sleep.” He offers the compromise without much thought, only thinking that he would like to feel the heat of Raphael's body for a while longer. It was a weakness Angelico would surely rid himself of in the morning, but he had already slipped up; what was a little more?
There is a moment of shock when Raphael gets up regardless, but it is quelled when the lights are simply flipped off. He returns to bed, the partially buttoned uniform shirt discarded against the floor, only wearing the uniform pants; but it seems neither can care as he pushes into the other man and allows himself to be held. He does nothing when Angelico places a kiss on his shoulder or runs a hand through his dark hair.
Even Angelico was aware of the uselessness of the act, but he simply tells himself that it is to trick Raphael further, so that when he is inevitably knocked down, it will only hurt more. It is a lie he has told himself for months and one that drifts him to sleep.
—
Raphael wakes up first. It was second nature drilled into him from his days of helping his father take care of Ul.
Beside him, Angelico clings to his chest, snoring softly, unaware of the mess that is his gold curls.
There is a faint orange light that filters through the window and paints the bookshelf in hues of orange and yellow. Bringing with it, a serenity. It would surely not last long, not as long as Angelico was kept at his side under the guise of a ‘best friend’, but somehow he couldn’t stop seeing the boy who’s toys he stole.
Raphael becomes aware that Angelico is awake when he feels the other man's face push into his body, hiding his face from the early morning light. Angelico lets out a low groan as he wakes, rubbing his eyes and rising when he realizes trying to go back to sleep is a futile act.
“You really haven’t changed.” They are not words Raphael means to speak but they slip out freely anyways. Angelico, who has only begun to shake the sleep from his body, instantly flushes a beautiful shade of red. A smirk tinges Raphael’s lips as he thinks that perhaps keeping Angelico around wouldn’t be too bad.