Chapter Text
Anaxa knew he didn't have to take work calls. He told his colleagues not to contact him off the clock, but he figured if one was desperate enough to piss him off then it might be worth the attention. Plus, it meant there were no nasty surprises waiting for him once he got back to work and then he could get a favor off them when he needed it. Still, he was a bit annoyed when his phone rang before he could even kiss his boyfriend after coming home.
Phainon had been hard at work in the kitchen cooking dinner for the two of them, the smell of it filling their apartment with it's delectable aroma. He was so excited to show off the new recipe he'd learned, so Anaxa understood why he looked so peeved as he took the call. This was their weekly ritual since their schedules didn't let them have the chance to share dine with each other often. Phainon had always joked how sacred this event was to them, a sentiment Anaxa only partly agreed with. He wouldn't pout, like Phainon was doing right now, just because his incompetent colleague needed a bit of help.
When the call was done, Phainon immediately went back to wrapping his arms around Anaxa. "Can we have dinner now?"
Anaxa sighed. "Unfortunately, the food will have to wait. There's been a bit of a hiccup at work. It's nothing crazy, but it'll be annoying if I go in on Monday to fix it. You can wait for me though, right Phainon?"
Instead of a reply, he heard the man audibly pout before the hold around his body tightened. Anaxa rolled his eye, bracing himself to face against a whinny boyfriend. Anaxa knew he wasn't immune to cute things and was painfully susceptible to Phainon's adorable face. He didn't always cave in, in fact he teased him sometimes just to see him beg from time to time. But Phainon was smart, stubborn, and silly. A dangerous combination for his career pursuits.
"Anaxa~" Phainon said, drawing out the last letter of his name. "You just got home and the weekend's already started. They can't pull you back. That's illegal. I think."
"It's not, but it's better if I deal with this now rather than later. It shouldn't take too long anyways. Maybe an hour at most. You'll survive." Anaxa pet him on his poofy head, but his boyfriend still looked utterly deflated. He turned away to protect his resolve.
"Will I? I'm starving and the foods basically ready. I'm not going to eat without you, Love."
"Why not? You know I don't mind."
"Because you need try my cooking. And food is best served fresh, you know. I'd never let you settle for anything less than the best."
"Then you can finish it off when I get back. Or just keep the stove warm until I get back." Anaxa's hands went to his arms, trying to gently nudge them off his body. That only tightened his grasp which didn't surprise him much.
"Or, you can do yourself a favor and ignore them since, you know, you're off the clock."
Anaxa clicked his tongue. "Where did your ethics go, Mister Helper? Aren't you the one always running off on side quests to help your friends? I'm sure Castorice would've been just fine running her booth at that convention with Hyacine."
"Well they brought too much stock to carry and I had to step up. Plus, I got to go to my first anime convention, so I think it was a fair trade."
"Your boss almost fired you for calling out last minute."
"But he didn't." Phainon chuckled. "So I'm sure you'll still have your office if you don't step up to the plate. It's not like you're getting paid for it anyways."
"It's not about the money, it's about my colleagues. I made myself indispensable to them and now I have to hold up that image. Besides, I already said I was going. What would they think I didn't stick to my word?"
It was Phainon's turn to scoff. "Where did your talent go, Great Performer? You act like you've never made up excuses to get out doing stuff, which I know isn't true. Just think up a lie and they won't even question you. I mean, who would have the gall to do that?"
"I'm looking at someone who would, right this very moment."
Phainon's cheeks grew warm as he looked away. "That's different. You like the way I challenge you, don't you, Love?"
"Depends on the context. For example, I enjoy a heated discussion over a nice warm meal with my partner. But if said partner was trying to convince me to flake on my colleagues then…"
All the cheekiness Phainon had been working up died in an instant, going back to that mopey look that always worked to well for him. It was funny to seem him drop the act so soon, but that didn't mean he could let his guard down.
"Do you even want to go, Anaxa? I can practically hear your tummy growling. " As he spoke his hands had found themselves around his waist and he gave his body a playful squeeze for emphasis. Anaxa stiffened as he felt the pads of his thumbs dig into him, nudging the organ in question with precision just as his stomach made a noise. Phainon leaned onto his shoulder."We shouldn't let this go ignored."
"Ph-Phainon, stop that." He muttered, as his hands tried to pry himself free and alleviate the strange pressure on his gut. "You can't just poke and prod me into staying. Stop being ridiculous and let me go."
For a moment the silence lingered between them. Anaxa could feel the steady rise and fall of Phainon's chest against his own. His firm hold had always been something he enjoyed, even if it could be used against him. Then, that grounding pressure disappeared. Phainon stepped back with his face was devoid of any emotion, just a perfectly placating smile. Anaxa could feel it's fakeness just by looking.
"I get it. I forgot how important work can be for you. I didn't mean to get in the way of that. Dinner can wait." Anaxa found himself already missing his touch, stepping closer even as Phainon turned and walked away. "I mean, there's always next week, isn't there? It's not a big deal."
"That's not…you know you're important to me too."
"Oh, I know. I'm not trying to read into it or anything. I just…didn't mean to be such a bother." He put his hand to the back of his neck and chuckled, as if he'd only just realized his mistake. Anaxa knew that meant he was trying to sweep things under the rug, to let something go unaddressed and overlooked, but he just wasn't sure what exactly. In any case, he knew he had to nip the issue in the bud before it grew to be a problem. Phainon was new to this after all, new to being in a relationship.
"Phainon, do you really want me to stay?"
"Hmm? Oh, no! Not at all. Don't worry, I'll keep the stove warm and all that and you can…go. I'll be fine." He flicked him thumb up towards him before slipping into the kitchen.
Anaxa frowned to himself. This was not what he taught him when it came to using rhetoric and debates. Then again, this was nothing like standing behind the podium and feelings were always a much more fickle matter. As Anaxa stood alone in their living room he crossed his arms. Despite being older, he was still new to these things too. He could acknowledge his shortcomings, his missteps, and his heart.
He pulled out his phone and sent his colleague a text before walking back into the kitchen. Though the doorway, he watched as Phainon stared at the pot, mindlessly stiring with no real intention. His face was just as blank as before.
"You know," Anaxa's voice seemed to cut through the fog of his mind as Phainon's head snapped towards him. He stared at him with awe, his big blue eyes wide in surprise. "We don't always have to play these games. You could've just said what you wanted and I would've listened the first time. Despite what you think, I can't read your mind, Phainon."
A dull clank filled the kitchen. Phainon let the ladle fall back into the pot so he could rush over to Anaxa's side. He barely had a chance to step foot into the kitchen before he was swept off his feet and lifted just an inch into the air. Phainon began to slowly spin around as he laughed and press a bunch of kisses into Anaxa's cheek. Anaxa felt ridiculous with his feet dangling in the air, but that was his only complaint.
"I love you, Anaxa. I really do!"
"Okay, now you're just stating the obvious." Anaxa muttered before finally kissing him back.