Clarus's reaction was far too close to surprising, considering part of where Regis's thoughts had been leading. Almost.
For now, the green irises shrunk as his pupils dilated, and his fingers twitched, wishing to reach up and cup the grizzled cheek. This wasn't.... he wasn't who he should have been, so far displaced in time from everyone. And he could respect that. He needed to respect that.
But Clarus. Clarus had not rushed to his side out of obligation or habit alone. Whatever the intervening years had brought, someone vying for Regis's interest still rankled, at least.
His voice was very soft, and the smile, still more layered than his usual in any one-on-one conversation with Clarus, was far less part of the mask.
"I didn't say that. He flirted with a handsome younger man, not with Regis Lucis Caelum."
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Oh!
Clarus's reaction was far too close to surprising, considering part of where Regis's thoughts had been leading. Almost.
For now, the green irises shrunk as his pupils dilated, and his fingers twitched, wishing to reach up and cup the grizzled cheek. This wasn't.... he wasn't who he should have been, so far displaced in time from everyone. And he could respect that. He needed to respect that.
But Clarus. Clarus had not rushed to his side out of obligation or habit alone. Whatever the intervening years had brought, someone vying for Regis's interest still rankled, at least.
His voice was very soft, and the smile, still more layered than his usual in any one-on-one conversation with Clarus, was far less part of the mask.
"I didn't say that. He flirted with a handsome younger man, not with Regis Lucis Caelum."