Vex pauses, startled by how quickly Gus made it to the door, evidently coming from the kitchen.
"Hello." they reply, giving Gus a warm smile. Not fake, but real, the one they have not used since… gods, since they were 5.
"I- I do not know how I feel, truth be told." they murmur, leaning down and giving Gus a light hug, then unlacing their boots, setting them by the door, taking off their jacket as well.
"Where is the bathroom? I need to be clean. I have spent far too long out in the thrice-blasted rain."
Gus blushed at the sentiment, closing and latching the door as he trailed after the taller person. He was very grateful Vex seemed to change, and seemed a bit more relaxed than before. He chuckled and pointed down the hall.
"Just that way! Take all the time you need." He smiled
Vex jods greatfully.
"Thank you…" they murmur, striding into the bathroom. Shortly after they close the bathroom door, the sound of running water could be heard. 5 minutes later, steam had started finding its way out of the bathroom. 10 minutes later, the shower stopped, and Vex stepped out of the bathroom, having evidently found clothes that at least kinda fit. The clothes they were wearing when they showed up were hung neatly over the shower curtain rod. Their hair was obviously washed, and still damp.
"I do not know exactly why I came back," they say bluntly. "However, here I am."
Gus sat and hummed, finishing the cake and putting on some tea. When Vex emerged after a long, and seeingly relaxing shower, he grinned, flushing at the sight of the person in his clothes.
"Oh… Uh.. well.." He stammered. "I'm glad you're here. I've kind of been looking everywhere…" He chuckled softly
Vex snorts, softly. They then notice Gus's flush and redden slightly themselves, looking down self consciously at his slim, but muscle corded, limbs, most of which were revealed by a pair of black basketball shorts and a short sleeved t-shirt.
They grin at Gus's stutter. "Surprisingly, I am glad I'm here as well. And I know you've been looking for me."
Gus tugged at the fabric of his sweater, admiring Vex's bulk, and then looking back at his own pudgy frame. He'd always wanted some stronger help in the shop… She shook his head slightly , clearing the thought.
"Oh… you have?" He said as his blush became a deeper color. "Well, Are you hungry?"
Vex nods. "I have."
They grin at Gus's redder blush. "Yes, I am."
They pause in the door into the kitchen, then look back. "My name is Saul."
They then go into the kitchen, and keel on the floor in front of the table, moving a chair to the side to do so.
Gus tilted his head, following after Vex with slight confusion.
"Saul, huh? Thats a nice name." He added with a smile, brining the cake over ans sitting at the table, his short stature nothing compared to Vex's
"My full name is Augustus, but it seems kind of long for people to say." He chuckled, staring oddly at the way Vex sat
Vex knows they're confusing the hell out of Gus, and chuckles softly at the idea.
"Thank you. My parents…" they say, but at the thought of their parents, they fall silent, drifting into their memories. They only snap back to reality when Gus starts speaking again.
"Augustus…" they murmur, trying out the name, seeing how it felt. They notice Gus staring at the way they sat, and chuckles.
"I only sit like this because if I were to sit in one of these chairs, I wouldn't fit at the table." they say, a pie server appearing in their hands. They also conjure a couple plates, then slice two pieces off the cake, setting one in front of Gus and the other in front of themself. They take a bite, and a dreamy look slowly spreads across their face.
Gus looked over at the mention of their parents, but once it dropped, he decided to leave it be.
He blushed again at the mention of his name, absentmindedly eating the cake.
"you are very tall." He chuckled, then stared in awe at the conjuring, his expression growing brighter once he saw the look on their face.
"Is it good?" he asked nervously
They notice the glance, and sigh softly.
"I am. 7'5", to be exact. And yes, the weather is nice up there." they grin.
Saul nods. "It is."
Gus nodded, obiously impressed, then smiled warmly at the quip. He often got compliments about his baking, but it felt oddly… different… coming from Saul. Even if it wasn't even much of a praise.
Gus slowly straightened, clearing his throat and looking -up, might I add- toward the tall, formidable figure.
"So… did you come here for something?" He said, timidly
Saul laughs slightly when Gus nods.
They flinch slightly at the mention of why they came.
"I-" they start, and then they sigh, almost a groan, a surprised sound. "I guess I came here to see you."
Gus tilted his head, staring up at Saul as a gentle smiled crossed his lips.
“Oh, uh, well… here I am!” He joked, grinning happily
"Yes. Here you are…" Saul murmurs, looking away from Gus with a flush spreading across their face.
Gus looked over, noticing the blush Sauk donned and returning to his cake.
“Well uh… d-did you want me to… g-go back…?” He stammered, remembering the awful night he endured
"No! No, never go back. Never." Saul says, the words coming out in a rush. Their head turns as they say this, eyes wide and- scared.
Gus jumped, flinching slightly as he quickly looked away. "O-o-okay." He stuttered softly, wringing his hands together
Saul sighs, thinking to theirself I've done it now, haven't I…
"I- I'm sorry. Augustus Spring, neither of us can go back. Ever. I… I made a mistake." they murmur, their eyes shining srangely.
Gus tilted his head, moving a bit closer to Saul as he looked up with nervousness. "What do you mean? What happened?"
"My… followers…" Saul said, the words being spit out as though they were poison. "Are more into 'the cause' than I am. They do not believe I should have let you go."
Gus flunched again at his harsh tone, looking down at his soft hands. "I-i'm sorry…" He muttered
Saul sighs, and his face and tone soften. "It's not your fault. None of this is."
They get up. "I need… sleep." they sigh. "Is there a guest room I can use?"
Gus nodded. "Uh… you can use my bed." He said calmly, taking the plates and then starting upstairs. "Its just up to the left…"
Saul pauses.
"Your bed…?" they say. "Don't you sleep there?"
Gus chuckled. "Well, you're my guest! And I don't have another bed, I'll be fine on the couch." He grinned, opening the door for Saul
Saul shakes their head. "No."
Gus chuckled. "No what? Go on in! I'll be fine!"
"No, I'm not using your bed. That's yours. I can sleep on the couch. I am the guest, after all." Saul laughs, disappearing into the living room. The usual scent of black pepper, mint and cinnamon lingers.
Gus sighed, grabbing some blankets and brining them down to the couch for Saul