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The afterparty was simply too loud, too hazy, and too hot for Aphelios's tastes. Yone had insisted that team-building was important, and had then abandoned them to drink sake in the corner and leave them to their own devices. Aphelios had long since lost track of the others, even Alune, in the crowd of merrymakers, of cast and crew and VIP fans. Also, some guy was trying to get the whole band to sign his butt, and Aphelios was not down for that.
He turned, to finally make his escape, and smacked right into the wall of muscle that was Sett.
"Hey, Phel!" Sett yelled over the music, a drink in hand. His precious knit beanie had been removed, and carefully tucked away, so his pointed red ears were on full display. They twitched a bit at the sheer volume, and Aphelios wondered how he had kept from getting a headache. Sett folded his ears back, then, a look of concern crossing his face. "What's the matter?"
'Too loud,' Aphelios signed, not even sure he would be "heard" in the low light. But Sett grinned, putting his drink on a nearby table. Dangerous, Aphelios thought, to abandon a drink like that. Before he could say as much, Sett was taking his hand and tugging him off to one side.
Outside, the music was muffled, still audible but no longer quite so stifling, and the air was chilled, allowing Aphelios to breathe for the first time since entering the building. Sett finally let him go when they reached a low wall, and hopped upon it. Like a cat, Aphelios thought absently, having to have a vantage point.
"Better?" Sett asked with a grin, hoping for praise, undoubtedly. Aphelios nodded, and the relief must have shown on his face as he leaned backwards against the same wall. "Cool."
'You're missing the party,' he signed, a bit lazily.
"Eh," Sett shrugged. "There's always a party going on these days." They fell into silence, but of course Sett couldn't be quiet and still for more than a minute at a time before trying to pick up the conversation again. "Why do ya even go to these things, anyway, if ya hate them so much?"
Aphelios raised his fingers in a vague flutter. Sometimes he wondered that himself. A shiver broke him out of that thought.
"Cold?" Sett was really so observant, when it came to Aphelios. He couldn't help but wonder why, but before he could even ask, Sett's coat was draped over his shoulders, heavy and soft and warm. It felt like security itself. He signed a quick 'thank you' and ducked his head, hoping his mask hid his expression well enough. "We could head back," Sett offered. "Hang out and game or whatever."
Which sounded just perfect to Aphelios.
~
As it turned out, Sett was a big cuddler.
Aphelios hadn't intended on it, but they had both ended up on the bed, curled up together on their respective gaming consoles, Sett on his stomach and Aphelios on his back at his side. They had decided to change into pajamas- which for Sett meant pajama pants, shorts and a t-shirt for Aphelios- to be more comfortable. It was cozy. Not as awkward as it should have been. Aphelios was teaching Sett the wonders of the Legend of Zelda franchise.
"Why do all the weapons break?" Sett was complaining, perhaps just to hear himself talk. "Why would you ever use the best stuff if it's just gonna fall apart?"
'Durability in games is a bit strange,' Aphelios agreed mildly.
"That's what I'm saying! Make stuff hard to get, sure, but make it last!"
Honestly, it was kind of cute how he was getting into the game. Aphelios ended up watching Sett more than his own screen.
He didn't realize he'd fallen asleep until he woke up again, with a slight startle.
Sett's arm was around his waist, the taller man's face buried into Aphelios's neck. Those soft, silky ears were tucked under his chin. There was a faint purring coming from him. The consoles had been put into sleep mode too, and set aside.
It would have been very nice and innocent and perfect if not for the bulge pressing against Aphelios's hip. When he registered it, he blushed bright, and urgently tapped Sett's arm.
"Mhhh," Sett protested, snuggling even closer, completely unaware of the situation. The tapping turned into a smack, and Sett frowned. "Ow."
Aphelios huffed a sigh, as if his honor had been completely disrespected.
"Oh, uh," Sett woke slowly, and pulled himself back, inching his hips away. "Sorry, I must've passed out there. Didn't mean to crowd ya."
What a way to apologize for a boner, Aphelios thought. Sett was even more endearing now, with his ears folded, eyes sleepy, apologizing for something that wasn't even his fault.
How was Aphelios to resist?
His lips met Sett's in a soft, clumsy sort of kiss. Sett froze, and then, quite abruptly, made a sound low in his chest, almost of relief, returning it.
It had to have been Aphelios's favorite way to shut him up.