Chapter Text
The five days they spend at Clive’s ranch in Eastpool are among the happiest days of Dion’s whole life.
Never before has his heart felt so unfettered. It is almost as though time passes differently here, slower and simpler because they are away from the city surrounded by verdant pastures and deep forests. Even when he takes an hour here and there to answer emails and respond to his father’s demands, Dion finds it easier than ever before to delegate his tasks to his team. He doesn’t want to waste time poring over the acquisition when it could be put to much better use watching Kihel play with Metia and Torgal or pulling Joshua close to press a gentle kiss against his lips when no one else is looking.
It is so incredibly easy to imagine what a life with Joshua might be like. That is not to say that Dion hasn’t imagined it before, but now it is just so much clearer. Each day is unique, yet they all begin with Dion waking to Joshua’s sleeping face cradled against his chest. He always wakes before Joshua does; moreover, Dion has developed a sixth sense for knowing just when Joshua is about to trudge down the stairs so that there is a freshly brewed cup of coffee ready for him on the table. Their days are spent doing all manner of things: trail riding on their chocobos, sitting quietly on the patio while Joshua writes, playing card games together with Clive and Jill—life is so peaceful that sometimes Dion must remind himself that this isn’t a dream. And, best of all, they get to share a bed every night, curled up together trading kisses until one of them finally falls asleep.
He isn’t entirely sure how he will ever sleep alone again without the warmth of Joshua’s body in his arms.
“I can’t believe how fast the time has gone,” Jill says softly, as if she can sense his thoughts. He had offered to help her clean up after dinner so they stood side by side, Dion washing the dishes and Jill drying them. “It feels like just yesterday you arrived to visit. A week really isn’t long enough.”
“No, it’s not.” Soapy bubbles cling to Dion’s forearms and he scrubs a plate clean and sets it in the drying rack. He can hear Metia and Kihel loudly playing a game in the living room. “It’s been the most relaxing week I’ve had in a long time.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Jill smiles and begins putting away the cutlery. “You’re always welcome to come back, you know. Our doors are always open for family.”
“That is very kind of you to say,” Dion murmurs.
“Perhaps next time, Kihel might come stay with us for a few nights on her own.” Jill takes the plate Dion just washed and rubs it dry with a dishcloth. Her eyes twinkle with mirth. “Then you and Joshua could enjoy some time to yourselves.”
Dion nearly drops one of Jill’s crystal wine glasses back into the water. She laughs softly as his face turns red.
“I could never ask so much of you,” Dion manages after a moment.
“Don’t be silly, Dion. Kihel is a sweet girl and Metia gets along well with her. It would be our pleasure to have her stay with us. Besides,” Jill adds softly, with a pointed glance out the window to the patio where Clive and Joshua are sitting together. They’re laughing about something and Joshua’s face is bright with merriment. The sight of it brings a smile to Dion’s face. “Joshua has done as much and more for us many times before. I would gladly return the favour now that he has you.”
He feels his cheeks grow hot but Jill’s teasing is gentle. She and Clive have been nothing but welcoming to him and Kihel, never once treating them like outsiders or with polite disinterest. Their house is brimming with love for all who cross the threshold. Dion, unused to a home so warm and joyous, finds himself wondering how he was so lucky that his path crossed Joshua’s once again. He feels a sense of belonging with the Rosfields that he never felt amongst his own family. It is a feeling he hopes to foster with Kihel so that she might never feel the way he did as a child.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Joshua so happy.” Jill continues, voice soft. “He spends too much time alone with dusty books instead of with people. Your presence in his life has changed Joshua for the better, Dion.”
“Surely you exaggerate.” Dion demurs. For if anyone has changed, it is me.
Jill shakes her head. “I do not. Perhaps it is not as obvious to you, but Joshua tends to hold himself back from others. Until he met you, I could count on one hand the number of times he went anywhere in the past year with someone other than Clive or Jote. It’s always been business with him, never pleasure.”
As much as Dion wants to disagree with her, there is truth to Jill’s words. Whenever he talks to Joshua—whether by text or phone call—he is always working on one of his two manuscripts. Dion has spent countless nights dealing with his own work while Joshua talks himself through plot holes as he meticulously plans out the course of his new novel. Dion is by no means a writer (or even particularly creative) but he is always happy to stay up through the wee hours of the morning to help Joshua untangle his multitude of ideas into something that might work for his writing. Yet even when he travels to Sanbreque, it is always on business for the Undying Archaeology Society rather than for himself. Dion is no better in this regard; he, too, rarely travels simply because he wants to. That they make time to see each other doesn’t change the fact that none of those trips have been of their own volition.
It hits him, then, that this is the first trip either of them have taken with the intention of it being a vacation. Not because work required it nor because there was some professional benefit to gain from going, but rather because they wanted to take time to enjoy each other’s company away from the demands of their respective careers. The work they have done all week has been minimal at best. This trip was meant to be a gift for Kihel on her summer break—she’d always wanted to ride a chocobo and Joshua had insisted they come out to Eastpool for precisely that reason—but it became so much more than that. Dion knows that this trip is the beginning of a bright and wonderful future for the three of them.
You’ll like it there, Joshua had assured Dion once the plans were underway. It’s peaceful. Not like Oriflamme or Rosalith. My brother and Jill are excited to meet you too.
“Then suffice it to say that we are not so different.” Dion says at last. He sets the last dish in the rack and releases the drain. “I have only lately begun to change from similar ways—and that is only thanks to his influence.”
Jill smiles as she sets the dried glasses back into the cabinet. Since arriving at the ranch, Dion has learned much about Joshua’s childhood (to Joshua’s utter mortification) from Clive who, in the manner of all older siblings, enjoys teasing his brother by exposing all his childhood shenanigans. As much as Dion quite liked hearing how Joshua once attempted to tame a wild coeurl and his disastrous endeavor to run away from home at fifteen, it was the stories about Joshua’s childhood with Clive and Jill that interested him most. There is something of her smile in Joshua’s and no small amount of his selflessness in her.
“The best relationships are those where both parties help each other become better than they already are. As much as Joshua has encouraged you to change, Dion, do not discount your effect on him in turn.” There is movement from outside as the two brothers stand and turn to head inside the house. Jill hands Dion a tea towel to dry his hands. “I can see how much he adores you. It gladdens my heart that Joshua has you to stand by his side.”
With another gentle smile, Jill heads to the living room to join Metia and Kihel, leaving Dion standing alone in the kitchen. Although her earnest praise is uplifting, Dion also feels somewhat inadequate. He wants to be a good partner to Joshua, someone on whom he can rely when times are tough yet Dion has already been struggling to be a good father to Kihel. There are still many times when he fails to maintain clear boundaries between work and his private life, and although he has made improvements, Dion owes Kihel better than that. Can he give Joshua the attention he also deserves when he hasn’t yet been successful in finding a better work-life balance?
I just have to try harder, Dion tells himself, smiling as Joshua enters the room and glides straight into his arms. Over his shoulder, Clive makes an exaggerated look of disgust at their display of affection, but Dion sees that Clive is grinning rather smugly as he heads down the hall hollering for Jill. Joshua is so precious to me. I don’t want to fail him or Kihel. For their sakes, I must be better. Surely Father will understand.
Joshua kisses him softly. His cheeks are a delightful shade of pink. “We should remind Kihel to pack her things tonight. It’s a long drive back to Rosalith tomorrow and we wouldn’t want to be late for the game.”
Dion smiles and pulls Joshua against his chest. “You’re right. I’ll speak to her in a moment—I’d rather not ruin her fun with Metia. Besides,” he adds, kissing Joshua’s nose, “I quite like how we are right now.”
“Me too.” Joshua sighs contentedly, his arms wrapped securely around Dion’s waist. “Ah, but I wish our time together was longer. Perhaps I ought to move to Oriflamme so that I might be nearer to you.”
“You could,” Dion says immediately, squeezing him tighter. Joshua laughs good-naturedly but Dion presses on undeterred. “We have more than enough room for you. Bring your cats too.”
“Careful,” he cautions with mock seriousness, “Or I might just take you up on the offer.”
I wish you would, Dion thinks. I do not want to let you go.
As he leans down to kiss Joshua again, his eyes fall shut. Instead of darkness, he sees a dimly lit room draped in swaths of red cloth and a man standing with his back to Dion. It feels oddly recognizable—the placement of the bed, the moonlight drifting through the windows, even the divan by the fireplace all seem familiar even though he has never seen this place before. The man turns as Dion stares at him, but he can’t quite make out his face nor hear whatever words he says. Dion makes an odd sound in his throat as if he wants to speak to the stranger but doesn’t know how to shape the words.
Joshua pulls back, his lips red and wet, and looks up into Dion’s eyes with concern. “Is aught amiss, Dion? Did you…not enjoy that?”
Dion shakes his head vehemently, forcing the vision aside. “No, not at all. Forgive me, Joshua—I don’t know what happened. I thought I recalled something unusual just now, but…never mind, I’m rambling. It’s nothing, I assure you.”
Joshua’s hand is warm against his cheek. “If you say so,” he murmurs, sounding unconvinced. He kisses Dion once more and smiles. “Come, Dion. We can continue this tonight; let us go and join the others. I think Jill planned a game for our last night here.”
“Sounds like fun,” he agrees, lacing their fingers together. He forces thoughts of the strange vision aside as Joshua’s fingers gently rub over his knuckles. “Lead the way.”
In the evening, while Joshua is in the shower and Kihel has already gone to bed, Dion takes out his phone to check his messages. His father hasn’t reached out to him much despite his insistence that Dion remain available, but that’s for the better; Sylvestre’s demands would only sour his mood. He’d rather not think about him at all until he’s back in the office next week. This time is meant for himself and Kihel to enjoy, surrounded as they are by love and joy.
Tomorrow, we will surprise Kihel by taking her to the football match in Rosalith. She’ll enjoy that. Dion scrolls through his contacts absently, pausing over Terence’s message thread. When was the last time I took her to watch a game live? Long enough to be overdue going again.
The match is an important one for Rosalith, but the Dragoons are the better team. Odds are that they’ll win, but the home team has been playing surprisingly well for most of the season. A well-played match is better than a blowout every time, so Dion hopes that the Shields will put up a good fight tomorrow too.
Dion
Kihel and I will be at the match tomorrow.
Looking forward to seeing you play again. Has your knee healed up all right?
Terence’s response comes through faster than Dion expects, given that it’s the night before a match. He’s probably exhausted from practice and travel. It warms his heart to know that even now, long after they drifted apart, Terence still cares enough not to leave him hanging.
Terence
You’re both in Rosalith? Business again?
I wish I could say come around after the match to say hi, but we’re on a tight departure schedule tomorrow. Are you sitting in a box?
My knee is fine. Just an old bruise acting up the other day.
Dion
Not business. Vacation.
Our seats are in the stands, near the pitch at midfield.
Dion wonders how to break the news that he has started dating again for the first time since the two of them broke up. Terence has been fairly open in the past about his handful of romances since theirs ended, so it’s only right that he do the same but Dion still finds it rather nerve-wracking to put it into words, especially with their relationship still being so new and fragile. Still, there’s no doubt in his mind that Terence will be anything but supportive. That’s the type of man he is: kind and selfless. If there’s anyone who will be happy to hear the news, it will be him. With a deep breath, Dion types out the first words that come to mind and hits send before he can overthink it further.
Dion
I’ve started dating again. My boyfriend was able to acquire the tickets.
There’s a short delay before Terence’s response comes through. Dion busies himself with brushing his hair and fixing the bedsheets. When the shrill ping chimes, he nearly jumps out of his skin.
Terence
About time, mate! Congratulations 🎉
What’s his name? He must be a great guy if he managed to get you to take a vacation 😄
Dion smiles at his phone. Relief washes over him. I never ought to have been so worried.
Dion
Joshua. He lives in Rosalith but travels to Oriflamme for work.
He and Kihel have really hit it off too. Perhaps the three of us can get together for dinner sometime. I think you’ll like him.
Terence
That sounds lovely. I’ll let you know when I have some time so we can arrange something.
Congrats again, Dion. I hope it works out between you two.
Remember, you can always reach out if you need someone to talk to—I’ll always be there for you.
Hearing the water shut off in the bathroom down the hall, Dion closes the messaging app and flops down on the bed, bare feet grazing the wood floor. Terence has always been a good man and he is lucky to still have him as a friend.
“I should tell Joshua about him,” Dion murmurs to himself. “No doubt Kihel will say something about her Uncle Terence tomorrow anyway. I don’t want him to worry…”
That conversation feels much more daunting than telling Terence about Joshua. How does one start that discussion anyway? Oh, by the way, my ex-boyfriend plays for the Dragoons and Kihel admires him greatly. Even in his head the words sound ridiculous. Is he overthinking? Possibly, but Dion still thinks he would rather be up front about his past relationship than waiting to see how the news will break when it inevitably does. If Terence was anyone else, not an internationally celebrated footballer, but just an ordinary person with an ordinary life, perhaps it would not feel necessary to mention him at all. The fact is that he isn’t just an ordinary person, and he’s been part of Kihel’s life since Dion brought her home. That alone will require explanation.
Soft footsteps cross the threshold and the door clicks shut a moment later. Joshua’s face appears above Dion, his hair damp from the shower. With his hands placed firmly on either side of Dion’s head, Joshua leans over him and presses a kiss to his forehead. Laughing, he wraps his own hands around Joshua and pulls him atop himself, kissing the juncture of his neck and shoulders, his collarbone, and along his jawline.
“Dion,” Joshua gasps, trying unsuccessfully to stifle his laughter. “What’s gotten into you all of a sudden?”
“Just wanted to kiss you,” he replies shamelessly, kissing his lips for good measure.
His face goes red, though he practically glows with delight. They roll onto the bed, Joshua still laying on top of Dion’s broad chest as they cuddle. It is hard to believe that this is already their last night at Clive’s ranch; time has flowed by so quickly that it feels as though they only just arrived. Life here has been peaceful and fun, an entire world away from the dreary same-old, same-old of his usual day-to-day. Dion can hardly imagine what it will be like to return to normalcy once they land back in Oriflamme.
Joshua brushes his hand through Dion’s hair. “You look pensive. Is everything all right?”
“Never better. I was just thinking that I’m going to miss this once we’re gone.”
“As will I. Vacations are never as long as we wish them to be.” Joshua twirls his fingers absently through the fine hairs by Dion’s ear. “First, though, we have our final surprise for Kihel. I hope she’ll enjoy it.”
“She will. It’s her favourite show to watch.” A pause, then, “Her favourite player is Terence Knight.”
“No surprise there—he’s one of the best in the league. Plenty of people say he’ll be the next Rodney Murdoch, and I believe it.” Joshua sighs. “It’s too bad that we couldn’t get her in as a player escort for this match. What an experience it would be to meet her idol!”
Dion’s throat feels dry. “Actually, Kihel has met him. I…know him personally.”
Joshua looks mildly surprised. “You do? I didn’t know you had such lofty connections in the football world, Dion.”
He laces his hands together against the small of Joshua’s back and smiles up at him. “I grew up with Terence. We’ve been friends for a long time.” As if sensing something unsaid, Joshua tenses very slightly in Dion’s grasp. He pins him with a knowing look and Dion blurts out the rest. “We dated for a time, too. Broke up several years ago, before I met Kihel.”
“Oh.”
“Sorry, Joshua.” Dion says softly. “I made it awkward, didn’t I? I didn’t want you to be caught off-guard tomorrow if Kihel says anything about her Uncle Terence.”
Nodding, Joshua rolls off of Dion and lays beside him, one arm propping up his head. Thankfully, he doesn’t look upset, only a little taken aback by the information. “I appreciate that. I never expected you to have been single all these years, but I didn’t expect you to have dated the biggest star in football either. I certainly can’t compare to someone like that.”
He laughs it off as if it’s a joke, but Dion doesn’t like hearing Joshua disparage himself so easily. There has been a trend of mostly innocuous occurrences of such humor that Dion has generally let pass without comment, but this feels too harsh not to call out. Grasping his hands, Dion fixes him with a firm stare that he hopes conveys his sincerity.
“There’s no competition, Joshua. I like you for who you are, not because of what you do or what you’ve accomplished—though both are indeed impressive.” Dion kisses Joshua’s knuckles one by one. He is satisfied to see his boyfriend’s face redden. “You’re my sun. My Phoenix, even, brightening my dark nights with your light. I can think of no one else but you, Joshua.”
Embarrassed, Joshua hides his face in the crook of Dion’s arm. “Don’t say things like that without warning, Dion. How am I to keep face in front of you otherwise?”
Dion wraps his arm around Joshua, pulling him in close to his body. They lay together on the bed, breathing softly and saying nothing. Eventually, he feels his eyes grow heavy and his heartbeat slow into a steady, calm rhythm.
By the time the three of them are ready to depart the next day, the sun has already risen high and hot in the sky.
“Come visit again soon,” Clive tells Joshua, both hands firmly on his shoulders. “And take your medicine. Don’t stay up too late and overwork yourself either.”
“I won’t,” Joshua assures him. He wraps his arms around Clive’s neck. “Don’t worry so much about me, brother.”
Clive returns the hug with a squeeze and then steps back so Jill can say her goodbyes. With Joshua’s attention on her and the two girls excitedly making plans to keep in touch, he turns to Dion next with a serious expression on his rugged face. Clive’s voice is pitched low so that his words don’t carry too far.
“I’m counting on you to take care of Joshua. He has a bad habit of putting the needs of others before himself.” The elder Rosfield’s eyes are sharp. “He might be in good health now, but that can change quickly. I’d feel much more at ease knowing that Joshua has you to rely on when times get tough for him.”
Dion nods, clapping Clive on the shoulder and shaking his hand firmly. “Of course. I will do all I can for him. You have my word.”
“Good man, Lesage.” Clive smiles and his folds his arms across his chest. “Between the two of us, we might yet convince him to ask for help when he needs it. Joshua has a bad habit of trying to do things on his own to avoid inconveniencing others.”
They share a chuckle over that. Dion cannot quite put his finger on it, but there is something about Clive that feels familiar. It isn’t just that he shares many of his younger brother’s best qualities—kindness and dry wit chief among them—but rather that it is as though Dion has known Clive for far longer than the scant few days they have spent at the ranch. Prior to this trip, Dion had only known of him from their days at the Royal Greagorian Academy where they had barely interacted at all before Clive was expelled from it.
“I hope you’re not sharing more of my dark secrets, Clive,” Joshua says, walking over to them and standing beside Dion. There is mock concern evident in his arched brows. “I’d have thought you embarrassed me enough for one week.”
“I’d never do such a thing.” Clive looks so innocent that Dion can almost believe him, if it weren’t for the fact that he had done exactly that for the past several nights as the four adults sat around the fire. “Well, off you go now. Don’t be a stranger, Joshua—or you, Lesage. In fact, you’d both best clear your schedules now for the Day of Remembrance.”
“Yes,” Jill agrees, appearing beside him with Metia and Kihel each holding one of her hands. She smiles at Dion as Kihel throws her whole body against him in a hug. “We always host the holidays here on the ranch. I hope you and darling Kihel will be able to make it too.”
“Thank you,” Dion replies, feeling his cheeks go red. Gently, Joshua laces their hands together. “We’d be delighted to attend. Right, Kihel?”
She nods vigorously, eyes curving into happy crescents. Then, after a few more minutes of exchanging goodbyes, the three of them pile into the car and head down the dirt road, leaving the rest of the Rosfield clan behind. As Kihel stares out the window and waves to each of the grazing chocobos in the pasture—none of whom bother to look up at the passing car—Joshua smiles sidelong at Dion and carefully rests his right hand on Dion’s bare knee. His touch sends sparks dancing along Dion’s skin, but he doesn’t try to dislodge Joshua’s grip. Instead, he places his own hand on top of Joshua’s as they go speeding down the highway toward Rosalith.
Since it is the weekend and still rather early, the traffic is light so they make good time. They make a brief stop in Martha’s Rest to buy coffee and use the facilities, and soon enough they are on the road once more. Kihel dozes in the backseat for most of the ride so Joshua and Dion converse in low voices so as to not wake her. It's going to be another late night, after all, so it’s better that she rest as much as possible before that.
It is mid-afternoon when they arrive in the capital. The traffic slows significantly as they approach the sports district where many of the city’s biggest arenas are located, including the home of the Rosalith Shields. Although there is still well over an hour before kick-off, fans are already making their way to Undying Flames Stadium to partake in pregame celebrations. Even with the windows rolled up and music playing, loud unfamiliar chants penetrate the car as they slowly make their way to the parking garage. Kihel is practically vibrating in her seat with excitement as she watches people cheering on the sidewalk as they pass.
Once parked, they join the end of a long queue to enter the stadium. Although there are more people dressed in the striking red and black of the Rosalith Shields, the proximity of Oriflamme being only a short flight away means that there is hardly a shortage of Dragoon fans at the match. In fact, Dion is somewhat surprised to see so many couples wearing opposing jerseys, bantering jovially with each other over which team is more likely to win. The two teams, though rivals, are hardly on bad terms; they fight hard on the field, but in the off-season, they host plenty of joint events supporting children’s football leagues, playing charity games, and sponsoring various other philanthropic pursuits.
“Can you lift me up higher?” Kihel asks Dion once they are inside. “I want to see everything!”
He smiles at her and obligingly crouches down so that he can lift her onto his shoulders. “Hold on tight, Kihel. It’s very crowded here; I don’t want you to fall.”
“I will, I promise!” He can feel her wiggling as she looks around, but she does wrap her arms around his neck for better support. “Oh, look over there—can we buy a souvenir?”
Joshua holds up his cell phone, chuckling fondly at Kihel’s exuberance. “Just hold on a moment, you two. I can’t get a good photo if you keep moving so much.”
Obediently, Dion turns to face his boyfriend—even just thinking about the two of them now being together officially sends a rush of boyish glee running through him—and smiles at the camera. Joshua snaps a few shots and then falls into step beside Dion. Carefully, they follow the crowd of fans through the arena toward an official Shield Shop brimming with merchandise emblazoned with the Shields’ logo. Most of it is made of plastic and overpriced for what it is yet the store is still full of people.
“Can I have that?” Kihel points to a display of replica match footballs. A few other children of a similar age are making similar demands to their guardians. The sign indicates that they cost nearly sixty dollars.
“You have two balls at home already,” Dion reminds Kihel, glancing up over his shoulder at her. “I don’t think you need a third.”
“I’ll play with it! Pretty please?”
“Not this time. You can pick out something else, all right?”
Kihel sniffles sadly and shows no interest in the multitude of monogramed mugs, reusable water bottles, or T-shirts that the store has to offer. Her eyes drift longingly back to the pyramid of footballs. Dion is almost ready to give in if only so that she won’t be sad when Joshua points to a rack on the wall behind the checkout counter.
“Look there, Kihel. They still have a few of the match scarves for sale. What do you think of that?”
She looks up and shakes her head. “I can’t…really see them from here.”
Joshua immediately turns to the cashier. “Sir, can you bring one of those scarves down for us? Thank you.” With it in hand, he holds it in front of himself so the whole design is visible. One side is red and black with SHIELDS stitched in big, blocky letters while the other side is white and blue with DRAGOONS stitched in the same font. The date of the match is stitched in the middle of the scarf where the two sides meet. “See, Kihel? It’s to commemorate this match between the two teams. It’ll even keep you warm in the winter when you’re back home. What do you think of it?”
“It’s…it’s nice.” Kihel peers at it closely. “It has both team names on it.”
“That’s right. Here, feel the fabric.” Joshua holds up the fringed Dragoon end of the scarf up. “It’s very soft.”
“So soft!” Kihel agrees with a gasp. “I like it.”
“It’s lovely,” Dion agrees. “Do you want this for your souvenir then, Kihel?”
After a moment of thought, she nods. “Yes. Please.”
“Maybe we should all have one?” Joshua suggests to Dion. His blue eyes are sparkling, his lips curved upward in a gentle smile. “So we’ll all match.”
Dion smiles back. “A splendid idea, Joshua. Allow me to pay for them.”
Once their purchases are made and hung around each of their necks, the three of them make their way to a concession stand. They buy a hot dog and a small bag of popcorn for Kihel, a crispy fried chicken sandwich with chips for Joshua, and a small platter of sweet chilli chicken bites for Dion. Everything is overpriced but it has been hours since they ate a meal which makes it impossible to resist the smell of greasy stadium food. Even bottled water is atrociously expensive, but it is somewhat better than any of the carbonated options or alcohol.
Putting Kihel onto the ground and holding her hand tightly in his own, Dion carries as much as he can in one hand while Joshua takes the rest. The corridors are somehow even busier than when they first arrived which can only mean that kick-off is drawing nearer. Huge signs hanging from the ceiling point the way to different sections of the stands but it’s slow-going to navigate through the crowd.
By the time they reach their seats there is only fifteen minutes until the game starts.
“Pretty good view, right?” Joshua says, grinning.
Their seats are enviable indeed, situated exactly at centre field only a few rows back from the edge of the pitch. Luckily, the people sitting in front of them aren’t overly tall so Kihel has the best view a nine-year-old who hasn’t quite hit her growth spurt could wish for to best see all the action. She is seated between the two of them, her scarf looped twice around her neck with the ends flipped over her shoulder so they don’t dangle into her snacks.
“Fantastic.” Dion says. “Do you see games often?”
“Oh, no, not at all. Work keeps me too busy. Occasionally Clive will invite me along—he’s acquainted with Wade, the Shield’s goalkeeper, so he sometimes gets free tickets.”
“I love football,” Kihel interjects, her hand full of buttery popcorn. Dion belatedly hopes he grabbed enough napkins to keep her from rubbing her grubby hand on her clothes. “I’m going to play midfield one day. I’ve got a good kick.”
Joshua ruffles her hair. “I don’t doubt it. Perhaps you can show me when I next come to visit you at home.”
“Wait…you’re not coming back with us tomorrow?” Kihel’s expression drops. “When will we see you again?”
“Kihel…” Dion sighs.
“Soon,” Joshua promises, dabbing the corners of her mouth with a napkin from his own stack. He shoots a shy smile over her head that makes the tips of Dion’s ears redden. “If it’s not an imposition?”
“You are always welcome in our house.” Dion’s voice is quiet yet firm, though it is nearly carried away by the loud chatter around them. The Rosfields treated him with such kindness, made Kihel and himself feel so welcome in their home from the moment they arrived. He needs Joshua to know it is the same for him as well, that he, too, is part of his family.
Soon enough, the Rosalith Shields and the Oriflamme Dragoons walk out on to the pitch accompanied by members of a local youth team. The children beam up at the players with wide eyes and bounce in place with excitement as the Valisthean Football League anthem blasts throughout the stadium. Once the pregame events are completed and the Dragoons awarded the first kick by virtue of winning the coin toss, the game begins in earnest. It’s been some time since Dion had the opportunity to take in a game live and the energy around him is nothing short of electric. He’s cheering when the home fans are booing, laughing delightedly when the Dragoons’ goalkeeper makes a difficult save, and groaning when the ref doesn’t call a blatant penalty.
“Oh! Is that Uncle Terence?” Kihel exclaims, pointing across the field. Popcorn spills over her lap due to the sudden movement, though she hardly notices. Joshua gently plucks the bag from her hands while Dion scoops up what he can and drops them in the empty take-away tray for disposal on their way out after the game.
“He’s out there somewhere,” Dion says distractedly. “Kihel, please be careful or you’ll spill everything on the ground. Someone will have to clean that up. It’s not nice to make a mess like that, okay?”
“I’m sorry,” Kihel mumbles, looking a little guilty. “I didn’t mean to…”
“It’s all right. Just be careful not to move so suddenly when you have food in your hands next time.” Joshua hands back the popcorn bag. Gesturing with his head toward the pitch, he continues, “Look, his teammates are trying to set up an opening for him to take a shot at the net.”
Her expression brightens immediately. Across the field, the Dragoons are passing the ball back and forth with such ease that the Shields are clearly struggling to break the passes. Terence is positioned near the net, his eyes watching the ball until one of his teammates manages to kick it toward him. The ball arcs through the air and he leaps forward without hesitation, headbutting it directly at the net.
A collective groan echoes through the stadium as the Shields’ goalkeeper watches it hurtle through the air. It looks like the ball will sail right in since Wade, their goalie, is known for being inconsistent. He jumps with his arms outstretched but his fingers don’t quite latch on to the ball and it sails past him into the back of the net. It’s only the twenty-first minute of the game but Shields fans are already chanting mockingly at the goalkeeper.
Hands
Reaching hands
Missing out
Slipping ‘way, slipping past
Blundering Wade
Saves never seemed so good
I’ve missed the days
When Wade played in Waloed
“We’re up one to nil now,” Dion says to Joshua. “Think your keeper can keep out the next one?”
Joshua laughs as the chant repeats around them. “He sometimes struggles under pressure, but he’s got heart. No one will be more upset at that goal than he is. I’m sure he’ll have the next one.”
Halftime arrives without further goals for either team and a few yellow cards apiece. The jumbo screens that rise up above the seats at either end of the field flash with preprogrammed games for the kids in the audience to watch while others get up to use the restroom or buy concessions. Dion uses the break to check his emails while Kihel regales Joshua with tales of her Uncle Terence, shares stories of summer day-camps she has attended with her friends, and tries to wheedle spoilers about the next Rise of the Eikons book out of him. He bears everything with good humor, never sounding annoyed nor impatient with her endless chatter.
Eventually, worried that she might become dehydrated, Dion manages to convince her to stop talking long enough to drink water. Then he turns his attention to Joshua who is watching them with mild amusement. His hair shines like fire in the sunlight.
“She nearly talked your ears off,” Dion says with a laugh. “Can I get you anything? Another drink?”
“I’m fine. The game is about to start up again anyway.” Joshua reaches over Kihel and straightens Dion’s scarf so that DRAGOONS is proudly displayed in front. “Gotta make sure everyone know you’re supporting the wrong team when the Shields inevitably come from behind to win,” he teases.
“Careful, or you might just jinx your own team,” he counters, smiling serenely.
“There’s still plenty of game left to go. Founder knows that they have a habit of scoring late in the match. Gives me a bloody heart-attack every time—”
“It’s us!” Kihel cries suddenly, pointing toward the field. The two men both startle back to reality. “Look, it says kissy kissy!” She looks between them with a guileless look. “Are you going to kiss Joshua now?”
With dawning horror, Dion’s eyes follow her finger up to the jumbotron where halftime is ending on a Kiss Cam. There, on the screen for all to see, is a zoomed in shot of Dion and Joshua surrounded by a pink heart overlay with Kihel barely in the frame between them. People around them are shouting encouragements for them to kiss in front of some eighty thousand attendees. Dion feels his face burn with mortification; never in his life has he ever had the misfortune of being caught by one of these mid-match diversions.
Joshua’s face is no less red, but he laughs as he catches Dion’s hands and rubs his thumb soothingly over his knuckles. His blue eyes are warm, his lips soft and inviting.
“We don’t have to if you’re not comfortable,” he says. “Or I can just give you a peck on the cheek.”
“It’s fine.” He leans closer. “Go big or go home, right?”
Joshua is still laughing when their mouths meet. He tastes somewhat of pepper and spicy mayo, not that he can focus on such inconsequential details when the stadium immediately roars with approval all around them. He squeezes Joshua’s hand briefly and then pulls away. He’s still blushing and more than a little bit breathless for a kiss that lasted mere seconds. A couple of the folks sitting in the row behind theirs pat Dion’s shoulder good naturedly while a few others in their section call out some indecent comments that he hopes Kihel doesn’t hear.
As the players start coming back out on to the pitch, she squints up at them suspiciously.
“Are you two in love?” They both stare at her for a moment. As if exasperated, she adds, “Only people in love kiss, right?”
“Of course we love each other.” He never expected to have to explain his feelings for Joshua to Kihel in such a public place but honesty has always been his policy with her, so he doesn’t even consider trying to avoid the question.
“Then…are you really not going to come back home with us?”
“I can’t. I have responsibilities here in Rosalith.” Joshua gives her a hug and shoots a quick smile up at Dion. “When you love someone, it’s okay to be far apart for a while. It won’t be forever, I promise.”
She looks unconvinced. “Okay…”
The game has already restarted, their kiss already forgotten by the audience as they cheer for the Shields taking another shot at the opposing net. It’s a good game, much closer than Dion expected, but in the back of his mind all he can think about is the moment when he’ll have a chance to capture Joshua’s lips properly. He wants to kiss him deeply and passionately, run his hands over his back and hold him close. It might be months before they see each other again so he wants to make a memory that will remain with them both until the day they are reunited once more.
Perhaps he is being dramatic, but Dion has always loved with his whole heart and soul.
It is late when they finally arrive back at Joshua’s condo. Kihel falls asleep quickly, snoring quietly and soundly while Dion ensures her bags are packed and none of her things are left strewn around the house. By the time he has finished and had a quick shower, he wants nothing more than to crawl into bed beside Joshua just like he has every other night this past week. Being in Rosaria has felt like a dream from which he never wants to wake. He could happily settle into life in Rosaria alongside Joshua, far from the hustle of life in Oriflamme and the judgemental eye of his father.
Joshua is sitting in the kitchen with a glass of water when Dion rejoins him. There is a faraway look on his face, as though his soul is soaring far above his physical body. He is so beautiful even in an old T-shirt and shorts that Dion can hardly tear his eyes away from him.
“I can’t believe you’re already leaving tomorrow,” he says as Dion sits down beside him. “The week went by too quickly.”
“Indeed. I wish we could stay longer. Alas, though, my schedule is already fully booked next week with meetings. It seems my father has become more personally involved in the acquisition while I’ve been gone.” He places his phone on the table between them and scrolls through his calendar to prove it. “No doubt he’s made a mess of an already complicated situation and it will be up to me to resolve it.”
Joshua makes a sympathetic noise beside him. “I have faith that if anyone can close the deal successfully, it is you, Dion. Try not to allow yourself to be discouraged.”
Slipping the phone away, he nods seriously. “Of course. It’s not the first time something like this has happened. Enough about me—tell me, what are your plans once Kihel and I are out of your hair?”
“You’re not ‘in my hair.’ I am glad to have you, and if you didn’t need to leave, you could certainly stay longer.” Stifling a yawn with his hand, Joshua continues, “I have to meet with the Undying Archaeology Society about an excavation that is being planned in Sanbreque. I’ve volunteered to join the researchers on site there but there’s a lot of training and such that must be completed first. That starts on Monday.”
“Is it near Oriflamme?”
“It is—a town once known as Moore in the old writings. Preparations are already underway and we hope to begin in earnest in late summer.” Downing the last of his water, Joshua leans his head onto his hand. “I’ve only visited a couple of dig sites in Rosaria but most of the excavations were already done. This will be my first time as part of the dig team.”
“That is a well deserved appointment. Should you require anything during that time, you need only ask.” Dion can’t help but smile. “I will fly to you wherever you are.”
Maybe one day, there will be no need for that. The thought brings him comfort. It is easier to leave knowing that if their relationship continues as it has been, they may one day be able to spend every night together.
Leaning in for a kiss with a wicked look in his eyes, Joshua smiles back.
“I know you will, Dion.”
Late that night, in the wee hours of the morning, Dion’s phone buzzes on the bedside table. He wakes in a daze, his eyes bleary with fatigue. Joshua is asleep beside him, his shirt bunched up around his chest and one leg thrown awkwardly over Dion’s. They had gone to bed together one last time, snuggling and kissing until sleep overcame them.
The message on the screen is not what he wished to see at one-thirty in the morning, but it’s not surprising either. He lays back against the pillow, one arm curled around Joshua and closes his eyes.
Father
Basch resigned. You’re now responsible for the Twinside acquisition.
TITAN Software is already competing with us in buying Akashic AI.
Don’t fumble this project too.
Dion sighs and tries not to wish that they could have stayed in Eastpool forever.