Life On The Lower Side

After spending time with Beau and his nephew Star, Lanet found himself sitting awkwardly on the couch in the living room. His hands fidgeted in his lap as he waited for Beau to return with a blanket.

"Here you go," Beau said, walking into the room and handing the blanket over. "Sorry, uh, for the couch. We weren't expecting guests, and Teddy's using the guest room."

"No, no, this is fine. Thank you," Lanet replied quickly, though his thoughts were less confident. Why am I even still here? What if they decide to kill me in my sleep? No one even knows where I am.

Beau gave him a small, reassuring smile, as if sensing his unease. "If you need a change of clothes, I could lend you something. I think I've got a few things that might fit."

Lanet nodded, returning a cautious smile. "I would like that."

"Alright, follow me."

Beau turned and started up the stairs, and Lanet trailed behind him. As they ascended, Lanet glanced around, taking in the details of the house. "Your home is bigger than it looks from the outside," he remarked.

Beau shrugged lightly, his tone indifferent. "I guess."

When they reached the bedroom, Lanet was surprised by how spacious it felt compared to the rest of the house, which had been crowded and chaotic. The room itself was simple but comfortable, with a large floor-to-ceiling window that showcased a stunning view of the pale crescent moon hanging in the night sky.

"Lanet?" Beau's voice broke through his thoughts.

Lanet blinked, snapping his eyes away from the window to find Beau holding out a set of pyjamas. He flushed slightly, realizing he'd been caught spacing out. "Sorry, you have a nice place," he said. "And the view is beautiful."

Beau gave a small shrug, his eyes drifting toward the window. "The view's nice at night—just the dark sky, the moon, and sometimes the stars. But during the day? It's... nothing special," he said with a sigh.

Lanet took the pyjamas Beau offered, their fingers brushing briefly. "The bathroom's down the hall," Beau directed, nodding toward the door. Then, with a faint smirk, he added, "If none of those fit, you'll just have to sleep in your birthday suit."

Lanet chuckled, shaking his head. "Silly boy."

Beau's smirk widened for a fleeting moment before he turned and left the room, leaving Lanet standing there with the clothes in hand.

Lanet made his way to the bathroom, shutting the door behind him. After a long day, a quick bath seemed like the best idea. He turned on the water, and when it reached a comfortable warmth, he stepped in, letting out a quiet sigh. At least they have hot water, he thought, but the thought immediately left a bitter taste in his mind.

It felt wrong to think like that. Like telling someone scrounging for food, At least you've got something to eat.

As he leaned back, the warmth of the bath wrapped around him, but his thoughts refused to settle. He had never been exposed to this kind of world before. How had he been so blind to it all? The image of the town flashed in his mind—the crumbling buildings, the solemn streets, the weight that seemed to hang in the air.

And then there was Beau.

A thief, sure, but unlike any Lanet had ever imagined. If Beau had been stealing for as long as it seemed, why hadn't he been caught? With his skills, he could have been living an easy life, far from here. Yet, instead of escaping, he stayed behind, using what he took to support the people here.

Lanet frowned, his chest tightening with uncertainty. Would being seen with Beau ruin his reputation? Could someone recognize him and connect the dots? More importantly, why had Beau taken such a risk letting him into this world?

Did I find him by chance? Or did he want me to find him?

The questions kept circling as the bathwater began to cool. Lanet sat up, shaking his head. Whatever the answers were, he knew one thing for sure—this man, this place, and everything surrounding it was about to change his life forever.

Lanet noticed his skin beginning to prune, a sure sign he'd lingered in the tub too long. With a sigh, washed his body, he quickly rinsed off, and stepped out. After drying himself, he examined the pyjamas Beau had handed him, holding up the pieces one by one.

"These are... quite small for a man my size," he muttered to himself, pulling a face. But the saying held true—beggars couldn't be choosers. He selected the pair that looked the most forgiving and slipped them on.

The shirt clung tightly to his shoulders, and the pants stopped a good fifteen centimetres above his ankles. He looked down at himself and chuckled. Ridiculous. Still, they were far more comfortable than the suit he'd been wearing all day. And the fact that they were Beau's pyjamas added a strange kind of charm.

A shy smile played on his lips as he opened the door to Beau's bedroom. Lanet half-expected Beau to be sitting up, maybe waiting to tease him for how absurd he looked. But instead, he found Beau sprawled flat on his stomach across the bed, one leg dangling over the edge.

"Beau?" Lanet called softly, hesitant to disturb him.

Beau stirred slightly, letting out a soft hum that barely counted as acknowledgement. He shifted but didn't wake, falling back into the rhythm of sleep within seconds.

"Guess I'm on my own," Lanet muttered under his breath, feeling a pang of disappointment. He had hoped they could talk a bit more, but it was clear Beau was exhausted.

"Good night," he whispered.

Unsure of where to leave the extra pyjamas, he folded them neatly and placed them on the dresser. With one last glance at Beau, he headed back downstairs to the couch, wrapping himself in the blanket Beau had given him.

The day had been nothing short of unusual, Lanet thought with a sigh as he stretched out on the small, lumpy couch. The unfamiliar surroundings and the events of the evening played on his mind, making it hard to settle.

He turned onto his side, staring at the ceiling. I have to get the rest of the Hope Diamond pieces soon, he reminded himself. There was no way he could let that old man and his family get away with what they'd stolen. 

The Hope Diamond was more than just a legendary gem; it was a piece of his family's history, passed down through generations until it was stolen many years ago. The theft had been a mystery for years, but after relentless searching, the truth had come to light. A family friend had taken the diamond, splitting it into three parts that were supposedly sold. But as it turned out, the pieces had never left their grasp. But, for Lanet though he didn't want to admit, it was personal. 

Frustration swirled in his chest as he tossed and turned, trying to find a comfortable position on the couch. No matter how he adjusted, nothing felt right. Eventually, exhaustion won out, and he drifted into a restless sleep, wondering what tomorrow would bring for him in this forsaken district where he had followed a thief.