Getting to know each other

Lanet pulled Beau into his arms, holding him close for a moment of quiet comfort.

"Wait," Lanet said suddenly, loosening his hold. "Before I forget, can you hand me my laptop bag? It should be on the floor, on your side."

Beau groaned dramatically as he leaned over to retrieve the bag. "You're working again, aren't you?" he complained.

"No," Lanet replied, unzipping the bag. "I want us to make a few applications for Star. Did you bring everything?"

Beau let out another groan, even louder this time. "I was about to throw a tantrum. You've worked most of the day already," he said, rummaging through his own bag for Star's documents.

"I'm sorry," Lanet said with a soft pout before leaning in to press a kiss to Beau's forehead.

Soon, they were seated side by side, filling out school applications for Star.

"Okay," Lanet said, typing on the laptop, "so under parent or guardian, should I use your details or Ariel's?"

"Wouldn't that complicate things if they look into our profiles?" Beau asked, glancing at the screen.

"I'll list myself as a guardian and add you as the second contact. Is that fine?"

Beau nodded. "Sure."

Lanet scanned the required documents and began submitting applications to several schools in the city.

"Thank you, Lanet," Beau smiled softly. "I'll repay you for this."

Lanet closed the laptop and placed it carefully on the floor. "I'm not doing this so you can repay me," he turned to look Beau in the eye. "Star is a smart kid, Beau. He's so young and already has so much drive. He deserves an education."

Beau stared at Lanet, his eyes glistening with unshed tears, a radiant smile lighting up his face.

In Lanet's eyes, Beau looked content even though his eyes were glossy.

"Are you sleepy?" Lanet asked softly.

"Not yet. Why?" Beau felt tired, but he felt sleeping now would waste whatever time he had with Lanet, after all, tomorrow morning he would return to his district.

"Well, since we're here together, I thought... maybe we could take turns asking each other questions, get to know each other a little more?" Lanet suggested. "You can pass on a question if you want."

Beau smirked, his lips curling into a sly smile. "How about this: you're only allowed to pass on two questions out of ten?"

Lanet groaned, already regretting the suggestion. "I don't like that smug look on your face. But fine, deal. You go first."

Beau tapped his chin theatrically, pretending to think hard. "Alright. Why do you feel like you don't know me well enough to have sex with me?"

Lanet chuckled, caught off guard by the question. He bit his lip thoughtfully before responding. "I'll be honest—I didn't see that one coming."

Beau leaned in slightly, his grin widening. "You're on the hot seat, Lanet. Answer the question."

"Well…" Lanet began, pausing to gather his thoughts. "I guess I'm similar to a demisexual. I don't know how else to explain it. I can feel aroused, sure, but sex feels meaningless to me if there's no deeper connection. I want intimacy with you, not just physicality."

Beau nodded slowly in understanding. "That makes a lot of sense." He paused for a moment, then gestured toward Lanet. "Okay, your turn."

Lanet smirked. "When did you start stealing? And why?"

For a moment Beau's playful demeanor faded, replaced by a brief hesitation. The silence stretched for some time before he finally took a deep breath, exhaling it slowly as if preparing himself.

"Well," Beau began, his tone more serious, "the first time I stole something for myself was during my second year of medical school. Honestly, it wasn't even about survival or necessity—it was out of spite." He turned to Lanet and smirked, though Lanet could see a little pain behind it. "One of my professors humiliated me during the health and science orientation. Apparently, it was a gala, and I showed up in jeans. No one told me." Beau's lips twisted into a bitter smile.

"What happened?" Lanet asked curiously.

"A few days later, I stole his watch right off his wrist, Ariel and I used to play a little game where we stole from each other, so I guess that prepared me for my first official steal," Beau admitted, shaking his head. "Used the money from pawning it to buy myself a cheap suit. After that… well, I got too damn good at it and I sort of began to enjoy it a little too much." He chuckled nervously.

Lanet blinked, stunned for a moment. "Did you ever get caught?" 

Beau grinned. "Is that your second question?"

"Ugh, okay, fine. It is."

"I got caught," Beau said, pausing dramatically as a devious grin spread across his face. "By you."

Lanet stared at him, and his face fell as realization dawned on him. "You let me catch you, didn't you?"

Beau shrugged, the smug grin never leaving his face. "Well, at first it was for sick reasons, I just like to keep things interesting. I didn't imagine I'd get swept off my feet"

Lanet shook his head, both amused and annoyed that he was foolish to play right into Beau's trap. He couldn't fathom how Beau had gone so many years without being caught—unless it was intentional.

The night drifted on as they continued their game, taking turns asking questions about family, personal lives, and everything in between. Neither of them used a single pass.

As the clock ticked closer to midnight, Lanet turned toward Beau, his expression softening. "Is it weird that I want you to stay here with me, in my bed, forever?"

Beau's lips curled into a small smile, heat creeping up his cheeks. "We're already done with the ten questions, you know."

"I'm being serious, you bum," Lanet said, swatting his arm lightly.

"It's not weird," Beau replied, his voice quiet but sincere. "I feel the same way. Like staying with you all day, every day." He sighed knowing that, that wouldn't happen at all, they both had their lives to focus on.

"But?" Lanet pressed gently.

"But... I have a life outside this city. I can't leave it behind," Beau's gaze dropped to the blanket between them.

Lanet watched him closely, his chest tightening. Beau poured so much of himself into his community, always putting others first. But did he ever stop to think about himself? About what he wanted, outside of everyone else's needs?

"Beau, what happens when all your district's problems are solved?" Lanet's voice was tender, almost a whisper.

"Then it's my big break. I'll probably look for work as a doctor or wait for another corrupt ass to show his face," Beau said with a playful shrug.

Lanet's face tightened. He didn't trust that easy grin. "So, you'll just keep stealing?"

Beau unbothered, chuckled, the sound light. "Don't look at me like that—I'm kidding," he said, the giggle easing the tension. "Honestly, I'd like to form an organization to help other towns in need. You know, raise funds to build schools and hospitals."

Relief softened Lanet's gaze. Now that sounded more like him. Without a word, he tugged Beau closer, shifting the smaller man until he was sprawled on top of him with his head nestled against Lanet's chest. "This is where you're sleeping tonight," Lanet murmured.

"Tonight and always," Beau replied with a satisfied sigh.

The quiet enveloped them. Lanet's hand moved instinctively, threading through Beau's hair with slow, soothing strokes. It wasn't long before Beau's breathing evened out, his body growing heavy with sleep. Lanet soon followed, lulled by the steady rhythm of their shared breaths.

The next morning, Lanet woke early, sunlight spilling through the cracks in the curtains. Beau was still draped across his chest, his face relaxed in sleep, his soft breaths tickling Lanet's skin.

Lanet's voice dropped to a whisper, careful not to wake him. "I wish you could stay longer... but I get it. You have commitments."

He stayed still a while longer, savoring the rise and fall of Beau's chest against his. But the day called, and Lanet eventually slipped out from beneath him with care. Beau barely stirred, his mouth falling open in a way that made Lanet chuckle quietly.

Shaking his head with fondness, Lanet dressed for the day, sparing Beau one last glance. He leaned down, pressed a kiss to the mess of hair spilling across the pillow, and slipped out the door with a soft click, leaving Beau to his dreams.