[EU] Just Us

The low, low chirp of night birds accented the faint bustle of footsteps in one of the busier streets. Both were drifting into the hallway through an open window at the far end; Aureus frowned at it. He wasn’t sure which one of his floormates had been dumb enough to leave the window open, but he couldn’t be assed to close it himself.

He shook his head, digging into a pants pocket for his keycard. Whatever. He was tired as hell and the only thing that could fix that was a nice, good night’s sleep. Socializing was annoying on its own, and socializing with the majority of a company after a promotion was like, twenty times more exhausting.

Still, it seemed to go well? Thetaiota was staring at him the entire time, so that had been mildly concerning, but-

Aureus grimaced as he dug into his other pocket. The only thing on his right side had been his cellie. Where the fuck was his wallet? 

Cold, cold fear sunk into his spine. Oh Harmonics. He couldn’t have left it in the tram - nononono, that was the LAST thing he needed - to fucking lose his identity right after getting a promotion! 

“Oh my gods,” he muttered, pulling both pockets inside-out. What the fuck. What the fuck no. 

Aureus spun around. If nothing else, he could maybe retrace his steps and just pray that he-

He stared up at Thetaiota.

The presence of the Okapi took a few seconds to register in his mind. No, minutes seemed fairer. A few silent, awkward minutes of him gaping up at Thetaiota, whose expression was as quietly amused as always. He had to tilt his head back pretty damn far to even meet Theta’s eyes, but tilt back Aureus did, and they stared at each other.

“Hi,” Aureus began, uncertainly, after a second. “Uhm. I don’t think you live here.”

Thetaiota’s face broke out into a massive grin. “Harmonics above, of course not! The property values of these apartments are terribly low. Not even great for flipping.”

Aureus blinked. “I....”

“Ah, I am quite sorry! This must be terribly intrusive.” Thetaiota leaned over Aureus’ shoulder to peer at his apartment door. “What number is yours?”

Aureus backed up a bit. “It’s 612,” he said a bit robotically, without even thinking through the fact that he was just... blindly telling his boss where he lived. 

Then he thought through that fact.

“Hold on wait a second,” Aureus pressed, stepping forward. Thetaiota didn’t seem to be intimidated, but smiled at him regardless. “Why are you here?”

“To come see you, of course!” Thetaiota chirped, smiling.

“How do you know where I live?”

“I followed you! It was quite easy to just get into the tram right after yours and watch carefully for your colors. They are very nice and distinctive, you know!”

Aureus stared at Thetaiota for a few more seconds, mouth drawn into a thin fine line. Thetaiota’s smile eventually faded a bit to something more subdued. He didn’t react as Aureus turned back to his door, reaching into his pockets with a sigh. 

He did beam more when Aureus’ eyes went wide as he remembered his wallet.

“Fuck!” he swung on his heel, pushing Thetaiota out of the way. “I’m sorry, but I’ve really gotta - go look around a bit, okay? It’s really important and if this is company business we can talk-”

“-I have your wallet.”

Aureus froze mid-stride, slowly turning his head back around to stare at Thetaiota. The Okapi, sure enough, was holding Aureus’ wallet between two fingers. When he caught Aureus looking, Thetaiota grinned further and his tail swished from side to side. 

“Where....” he mumbled, slowly returning to Thetaiota’s side.

He handed over the wallet. Aureus accepted with a shaky hand. “I took it out of your pocket when you were not looking! You should be more aware of your surroundings. Imagine if I were malicious!”

“I,” Aureus stammered, opening his wallet. His ID card smiled back at him. “That’s... uh... really weird of you.”

“I know. But it got your attention, no?”

Aureus looked back up at him. “Is this company business?”

“I would have demanded you stay overtime if this was company business,” Thetaiota remarked back, eyes half-lidded, voice sultry. 

“Okay, so....”

Thetaiota waved a hand in front of his own muzzle. “I can see what you are. It is not surprising that I would like to speak to you more.”

Aureus instantly tensed, frowning up at Theta.

“Don’t make that face! I promise this isn’t malicious.” Thetaiota let out a short laugh. “We are similar, no?”

Aureus pried his keycard free and slid it into the slot. “I don’t know about that,” he mumbled darkly, punching in his lock code.

The door light flashed green and he slipped inside. He turned around, closing the door, nearly free of the dangers of socializing and frien-

-Thetaiota stuck his foot in the door’s way. Aureus narrowed his eyes as the Okapi nudged the door open and slipped inside. The other brushed past him, instantly set on exploring every inch and cranny of Aureus’ studio apartment. 

It was rather humble and devoid of excess furniture, but did have a few photos hanging on the walls of places Aureus had visited when he was younger. Theta seemed enchanted by them briefly.

“No, seriously, if this isn’t company business get out of my house,” Aureus grumbled, watching Thetaiota adjust a few cans of soda on the coffee table.

The Okapi turned his head around to peer at him owlishly. “It’s so quaint and cute! I think it suits you, but have you not ever desired for more?”

“What?”

“There are nicer apartments near the center of Galadia City! The rent is not too high, I could definitely cover it for you-”

“-Wait wait what?” Aureus stepped to Thetaiota’s side. “What the fuck? Buying me apartments? What are you even talking about?”

Thetaiota stood up straight, smiling down at him. “Is this not what friends do? Give each other gifts?”

Aureus stared up at Thetaiota. Thetaiota smiled down. Aureus rubbed his temples, sighing through his nose.

“Friends.”

“Yes! We should be friends, so I came here to offer you gifts and attention.”

“Why should we be friends?”

“You are a smart young man, and you are an Immortal. It would-”

Aureus rushed to Thetaiota’s side, putting both hands on his chest. “Hey, don’t say that so loudly! These walls aren’t that thick!”

Thetaiota tilted his head. “My apologies. I didn’t realize you liked to keep that private. Still! All the more reason for friendship!”

“What?” Aureus hissed, exasperated.

“Blackmail! If you do not become my friend, I may spread rumors of your Immortality.”

“Oh my gods,” Aureus whispered.

“Yes?”

He stumbled back against the couch, putting his face in his hands. “This is some stress-induced fever dream. This isn’t real. My boss is not in my apartment and trying to blackmail me into friendship. This is just too fucking weird. What time is it?”

“Two AM,” Thetaiota helpfully replied.

“It’s two AM and I’ve officially lost my mind.”

Thetaiota sat down on the couch next to him, and swung an arm around his shoulders. Aureus groaned as the other’s hand massaged his worn shoulder.

“I do not think you’ve lost your mind, but I am certain you could use some sleep,” Thetaiota advised him, reaching to massage both shoulders. “So get some rest!”

“You’re in my apartment,” Aureus weakly protested.

“Yes! As a friend!”

Aureus slid down until he was lying down on the couch. He noticed Thetaiota gently shifting him so that his head was practically in the Okapi’s lap, but was far too tired to protest or argue.

Sleep sounded fine, and Thetaiota didn’t appear to be malicious, like he’d said. He was just rubbing the sore spots in Aureus’ shoulders, and that was just so nice and comforting and....

Thetaiota’s jacket drifted over him. Aureus squinted at the turned-off TV at the sudden addition of warmth. Maybe... maybe sleep wasn’t such a bad idea. At least... the press would have a riot if Thetaiota harmed him or anything....

Black finished eating his vision, and Aureus wasn’t able to mull over media outrage or potential workplace friendships any further.