Hey y'all! Just resurfacing with a little thing between four different characters. It started as a vague little scene that had me considering for a while, so I decided to power through my lack of writing motivation to do this. I'm sorry it's long, technically two different stories with an overlapping timeline.
Jamir paced the kitchen, hands running through his hair as his mind raced. What had he just done? Why was he feeling like this? What, why, what, why. The words echoed through his head, blocking out all rationality and logic. He didn't even notice the woman walking into the kitchen with him, nor did he see her jump up onto the counter behind him and follow his frantic back and forth path with her eyes.
"Keep going, and the twins will have you replace the hole you wore in the floor."
He jumped and spun around, hands raised instinctively. Junia wasn't impressed with his defensive stance and arched a brow as she waited for his response. Jamir let out a breath of relief and leaned back against the island, facing her. "I doubt Wolf would do anything about it. It's Cin I'm scared of."
"Aren't we all." Junia angled her head as she regarded him, eyes narrowed thoughtfully. He didn't say anything; he was afraid to. The tiny Giant was smart, incredibly so—no wonder she and Cinthia had become fast friends—and he was honestly afraid of what she'd figure out if he spoke. Turns out, nothing he did, or could do, was enough to hide whatever she saw on his face. "It was your idea to let him go."
Jamir groaned and rubbed at his face, cursing his luck. "I know. I know, but… I guess it just sucks, seeing them together and happy."
Junia leaned back against the cupboards and crossed her arms over her chest. "Is it because you never felt that with Wolf?" Jamir could only nod, throat too clogged with emotions to muster up words anymore. That was fine, since it seems Junia already had a speech lined up to follow that response. "Jamie, did it ever occur to you that maybe, just maybe, you aren't gay? Wolf tried, he really did. We all saw it. It was you that couldn't keep up with him. And, no, I'm not saying this to berate you," she reassured, holding out her hands as if to placate him, even if he only sent her a half-hearted glare, "I'm just pointing out what I observed. Would you ever let him go past kissing you?"
He opened his mouth to say yes, of course—eventually—but his brain to mouth filter got in the way and only let a squeaky "No…" He cringed at that admission and rubbed at the back of his neck. He couldn't exactly deny it, not when he felt the bells of truth clanging in his ears. Even if he hated the thought, he knew he had spoken how he really felt.
"Then there you go. You were curious, Jamir. You and Wolf were never going to work out, Nikolas or no. Hell, that territorial dragon was going to let you two stay together because he thought you two were happy together. If I recall our last conversation, you said that he was reluctant even when you practically demanded he go and take Wolf—go get his mate."
"So basically, I'm a horrible person."
Junia leveled a flat look on him, which had him curling in on himself with a tiny smile threatening to pull at his lips. She was definitely unimpressed with his self-depreciation. "No one ever said that, and I'm going to pretend that you didn't just say that." She shifted her weight and lifted one leg to her chest. He watched as she propped her chin on her knee, watched as she watched him. Eventually, she picked the conversation back up with an eye roll and a sarcastic "So what have we learned today?"
This time the smile did appear, if a bit weak. "That Giants are excellent at lectures and reading minds." Junia didn't miss a beat and stuck her tongue out at him, a gesture in which he returned almost immediately. "While we're on the subject, you and Archer aren't exactly couple of the year. Why should I take any advice from you with that whole situation?"
"Shut up, Titan," Junia bit back without any heat and picked at her nails. "Yeah, I won't deny that we don't give off dating vibes. I'd be blind to see that."
"Not to mention that you two constantly joke about dating other people."
"Who wouldn't drop their partner for a chance to date Cinthia?"
"Fair point. Continue."
Junia huffed indignantly, but Jamir could see the ghost of a smile that wanted to appear on her lips. She licked them and spoke as if that would erase that ghost. "Archer and I've known each other since we were kids. We grew up together, spent all of our time together, didn't really have anyone else that we wanted to hang out with. Everyone assumed that we were dating, but we weren't. We were just friends." She shrugged and looked off to the side. To anyone, she was staring blankly as she relieved the memories. Jamir knew better. He'd recognize that haunted look. "And then Kiran did her thing, destroyed our home and rounded us all up in reservations, and we kinda… I dunno, everyone needed a show of control and support and unity, especially when their empress was missing, so they went to the next best thing—me and Archer. They used our nonexistent relationship as a way to have some sort of control over the situation and hope that they could have somewhat normal lives."
"You two started to actually date out of obligation," he guessed, earning a nod. She blinked, and that look he hated was gone.
"Neither one of us were exactly opposed to the idea, so it wasn't like we were forced into it. And it's been so long that we just kinda stuck around. Nothing changed between us, besides some of the not-so-friend-like treatment, and it still doesn't feel like it's any different. I bet if we broke up, it wouldn't be any different." She shrugged like it wasn't a big deal. Jamir noticed that a lot of things that should be a big deal weren't to Junia. She could face a raging tornado, shrug, and face it with her head high. Despite how much they bickered and ragged on one another, he'd always respect her for that fearlessness and confidence. He wished he had that.
Jamir crossed his arms and tapped his arm in time with his pulse, thinking. "So why don't you?"
Junia blinked again and angled her head towards him. The surprise was so subtle that he almost missed it, too enthralled by the way that simple maneuver reminded him of a predator. "What."
He mimicked her earlier expression, leveling a bored stare on her. "So why don't you? Break up with him? If nothing'll change, just get it over with. Neither one of you is doing the other any favors by sticking around. What if there's somebody out there that would actually like to date you, but you're too busy keeping up appearances that you miss that chance?"
"Now who's lecturing who?"
"June."
Silence. She stared at him, waiting for him to put pieces together that he didn't know existed. Pretty soon, though, it clicked and he flushed. "Shut up. At least I let him go." She stuck out her bottom lip and nodded her head, and he read that as a silent 'fair point.' Realizing that she was still waiting for a satisfactory response, he fought for an answer to what she wanted. "I'll tell Wolf if you break up with Archer."
"Alright." Her response was without hesitation and without concern like they were making plans for a pizza run. He remained silent and watched her hop off the counter, and still didn't say anything as she took the few steps up to him. She only stood to his shoulders, but her presence was much larger than her small frame. He found himself looking down at her, but feeling like she was the one who could easily look down her nose at him. She was a simple jeweler with the aura of a goddess. Times like these, when he was alone with her without the dilution of the rest of the team, he felt small and insignificant, unworthy of her undivided and unwavering attention.
Junia smirked and poked his waist, then slipped away without another word. Even after a solid minute of being alone and devoid of her presence, Jamir found it hard to let out the breath he was holding. Every one on one conversation with that woman left him intimidated and in need of a nap. He made a mental note of making sure that they were around the others from now on if they ever got into a conversation.
Once he could breathe normally again, Jamir stole one of Nikolas' pop-tart boxes and made a beeline for his room. Cinthia had asked him for weapon designs. He should get to work on those, and maybe use the quiet time to figure out how he was going to tell Wolf about what Junia revealed about himself.
"You have oil on your face."
"As tactful as always, Archie. Hello to you, too." Carden rolled out from beneath the large robot canine and peered up at Archer, who was crouched just behind him with his head propped up on a fist. Archer grinned and dropped a towel onto Carden's face, snickering at the man's sputtering. "I shall repeat my last sentiment: as tactful as always," Carden grumbled, using the supplied towel to wipe off the oil that had dripped onto his cheek.
"Can't be too unpredictable, or else I'll turn into you." Archer skillfully deflected the other's poorly-aimed swat, still grinning. "So what's up with her?" he asked, nodding towards the robot. Carden sighed and glared up at the feline's golden body, meticulously carved and put together with loving hands—and her only show of gratitude being a refusal to work and constant attempts on her creator's life.
"Obviously, an oil leak. I think some of the gears need tightened and others need some adjustments. A couple of the joints keep breaking, so I think I'll need to employ Junia to work on a stronger metal. Motor roars instead of purrs, so I gotta figure out a way to make her quieter. I haven't even gotten to the weapons yet, the body is too unstable and unfit to handle the extra power needed for an arsenal, but I'm definitely planning on some badass guns and swords. Maybe sword-tail, rotating teeth." He tapped the nearest paw. "Thinking of making the claws retractable and curved so she can go over different sorts of terrain."
"Busy busy." Archer whistled, which made Carden smile. He always loved seeing how he impressed people with his machines.
"Busy busy," he agreed, then rolled back under the robot's belly and got back to work on fixing that oil leak. The two friends conversed just like that, with Archer sitting on the floor and Carden working diligently. This was their daily routine, so ingrained with their normal schedule that it was strange to not hear Archer walk into Carden's workshop at any given time of the day. A couple times, the Isic prince was asked to help, and he happily lent a hand whenever Carden needed it. Soon enough, both of their hands were coated in oil stains, though Carden had a few more on his arms and cheeks.
"I hear your mom is starting the nomination process for her heir," Carden was saying as he moved his attention to the gears, hands buried in the complicated mess of metal rods, gears, belts, what-have-you.
A hum of acknowledgment. "Yeah. She's still kinda bummed that Cin refused, but she's not selfish enough to take her away from her current position."
Carden snickered. "Honestly? I think she'd rather be Empress of the Isic than Princess of the Universe with how often she refuses to acknowledge that title." Archer laughed and agreed with the sentiment, and they exchanged stories of them getting death glares from the princess when they were about to mention that title to outsiders. After a bit of chatting and fixing the gears, Carden rolled back out from beneath the robot to grab a quick drink. Archer being Archer grabbed the bottle before he could and opened the cap. Knowing what he was up to, Carden smirked, then opened his mouth expectantly.
"You're like a child," the prince chastised as he expertly poured some water into the mechanic's awaiting mouth, pausing so he didn't choke.
"Says the one humoring me," he shot back, then pointed to his open mouth, impatient.
Archer rolled his eyes but indulged Carden until he gave the thumbs up. After twisting the cap back on and setting the bottle aside, Archer faced Carden again. This time, however, he bent over and kissed him right on the lips, Spiderman-style. Carden was surprised, unsurprisingly, but didn't comment as Archer pulled back. He recognized that look on his face, so instead of making a big deal out of it, he rolled back under the robot and resumed his work, letting Archer sort things out on his own.
He knew that, as best friends, they should talk about it and sort everything out together, but that just wasn't how Archer worked. He was as predictable as a sunrise yet as spontaneous as a blizzard. He did things out of his norm to try it out, then think about it after to see what he thought about it. In this case, it seemed to be both his sexuality and Carden. He didn't mind. They could talk about it when Archer figured it out. If he left, then he'd have his answer without needing to talk.
Except, Archer stayed, which probably confused them both. Carden didn't risk rolling back out from beneath the robot, but he did speak. "Hand me that thing-a-ma-jig, will ya?" He poked his hand out so that Archer had a clear view of it, and without missing a beat, the cool metal of a wrench was pressed into his palm. Carden smiled slightly to himself and got back to work.
They would talk. Later. He was just glad that nothing changed as of yet, kiss aside.
Except, when he rolled back out and Archer had the water bottle ready in hand, Carden couldn't help himself. That small peck wasn't enough to sedate his own growing curiosity. He reached up, cupped the back of Archer's neck, and brought him down until their lips crashed together yet again. The unsuspecting prince didn't react violently. In fact, after the initial shock, he was quick to return the kiss. Carden kept his grip on the man's neck, keeping him close, but he didn't have to worry. Both were perfectly willing, both were equally as curious.
Carden let his grasp slip away. Archer leaned back a few inches. Carden could feel his breath on his face, hot puffs of air coming out in pants as they both breathed heavily. That was all that could be heard in the otherwise silent workshop. Carden peered up at Archer. Archer peered down at Carden. Neither said a word. Finally, after what felt like a peaceful eternity, Carden could feel nimble and calloused fingers playing with his dirt-streaked hair.
"You missed some oil."
The mechanic snorted, then broke out in a small fit of contagious laughter that was quickly caught by the prince. Carden reached up to flick Archer's nose, eliciting more snickers from them both. "Tactful as always, dork."
Archer tugged at Carden's hair with a bright grin. "You know me."
