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Tomas shivered, rubbing at his arms as he tried keeping warm in the suddenly chill air. The light sweater paired with the equally lightweight jacket he had chosen did little to protect him from the cold, and he could feel every goosebump rising on his skin. He sighed as he made his way down some stairs, aiming for the door to the tea house in order to get some fresh air.
—“Wasn’t it meant to be a warmer night?” He muttered to himself, smiling politely at Madam Bo as he passed her by. “That it was, the cold front snuck up on everyone.” She confirmed with a smile, nodding in farewell as she carried away a tray with a teapot and assorted glasses off. Likely on her way to refill the group’s respective drinks, judging by how she had turned to go upstairs.
While yes, one one note he had to admit it was nice to see everyone again; Johnny’s idea, of course. Somehow he was able to convince everyone to get together, although this time to celebrate the release of his latest movie. Tomas was sure it was just an excuse to ‘hang out’ or rather: get drunk, and be as stupid as possible. judging by the passed out Raiden, and equally as wasted Johnny, then Kung Lao who was running them all bankrupt. The other hand? The amount of people felt suffocating at times, the loud chatter mixed with the small booths, not to mention the shenanigans some of them could get up to. Turns out Tomas’ patience was running thin today, rather quickly.
He reached for the door with a sigh of relief as the cool wind brushed against his face, ruffling his hair as he stepped outside onto the patio Despite it being a much colder night than he anticipated, it felt nice, refreshing in a way that cleared his mind and let him breath just a little easier. He hummed a tune he had heard playing by the bar to himself to fill the silence as he gently closed the door behind him, the deck now only being illuminated by the gentle glow of the lamps occasionally hung from wooden posts. With his hands in his pockets for warmth he began walking across the deck, wondering to the edge as to not be in anyone's way. He shivered, shaking his head as he tugged his jacket across his front, attempting to hide from the wind that was quickly picking up.
I wonder if a storm is coming… Maybe It would be unwise to stay out much longer. Wouldn’t want to be caught in this weather. Tomas thought to himself, glancing to the nearby railing before leaning his weight comfortably against it, his hands resting on the wood before he eventually lowered himself to duck his head into his arms. Relaxed against the railing, Tomas scanned his eyes across the nearby terrain, nothing noticeable piqued his interest until his gaze landed on a nearby pond. The fauna was slightly overgrown, a few trees surrounding it with a tiny dock hidden away, likely just for show, but that was not what had caught his eye, no. It was the reflection hidden within the water, having to narrow his eyes and straighten up to see it properly. He smiled to himself as he studied the reflection, the way the water rippled when something disturbed its rest, and how it would make the stars look like they were dancing along the surface.
He reluctantly turned his gaze upwards, having to lean over the railing, out from under the roof's protection to better see the sky. Not a cloud in sight as thousands of stars were visible across the entire skyline. It seemed that most of the villagers in town hadn’t lit their lanterns yet allowed for quite the sight. With no light to drown the beautiful view, Tomas allowed himself a moment for his thoughts to take over as he enjoyed the stars, his smile staying as he allowed the railing to take his weight.
”I did not take you for one that enjoyed the sights, Smoke.” A startling voice broke Tomas from his doze, instantly flinching to awareness as his hands fisted the fabric of his sleeves. He turned his head around, expecting to find someone behind him. His expression shifted to one of confusion at the empty space before looking around, not discovering anything but the lanterns swinging softly in the quiet night.
A chuckle furthermore confused him as he made a futile attempt to find where the voice was coming from, before eventually huffing in annoyance as he rested against the railing once more, brows furrowed as he closed his eyes and lowered his head. “Tomas, I hope you don’t mind me calling you that.. look down .” An amused tone piqued Tomas’ interest as he fluttered his eyes open, only for them to widen comically as he gripped the railing, leaning over.
“Oh! Syzoth!.. I- I’m afraid I failed to see you.. there..” He supplied awkwardly, a hand leaving the rail to rub at his neck, a shy smile on his face at having missed the other’s location for so long. He let himself relax against the railing again, no longer on edge from a random person’s voice, he knew this one, liked this one. “What in the elder gods are you doing out here?—” Tomas urged, looking around and noting the lack of anyone around, his smile faltering slightly. “—Aren’t Zaterrians cold blooded like Earthrealm reptiles?… aren’t you cold? Are you cold, Syzoth?” A familiar sense of worry crept into his tone as he rambled, his gaze landing to the other. His brows furrowed together as he looked him over.
The Zatteran ducked his head low at the sudden attention, his hand coming up to tug at his hood to hide the red hue now painting his face. “I appreciate the worry, Smoke. However, I'm okay out here.” His words were betrayed by a shiver as a gust of wind blew by, making him suddenly aware of how much cooler it had gotten. “I hadn’t realized the time until now.. It was much warmer earlier.” He recalled with a sigh, eyes roaming across the terrain as his arms rested atop his legs. A comfortable silence stretched across the two for a few moments, before Syzoth broke it with a question that came to mind. “The same could be asked of you, now that I've thought of it. What made you leave the gathering?” His head tilted back as he looked up at the railing, regarding the silver haired man with a curious shine in his eyes.
Tomas smiled bashfully as his eyes averted the other’s. He mumbled something to himself before shaking his head and letting his mind drift back to his companions. “The.. others were getting rather, eccentric. I suppose. The atmosphere felt crowded very quickly.—“ He paused to run a hand through his hair, ruffling it as he looked out to the horizon. “—I thought that maybe the fresh air would do me good to clear my mind.” He finished with a small smile, his eyes shifting back up to the lovely night sky. Syzoth looked as well, before just as swiftly switching back to Tomas. Taking in the relaxed look in his stance, was that because of his presence? The stars? Usually the assassin was always on high alert, ready at a moment's notice. The Zatteran's eyes trailed up his body until they reached the other’s face, the way his eyes seemed to shimmer in the sky’s reflection, his lips that seemed ever so soft, down to the slight redness due to the cold night.
”There are no stars in Zaterra, did you know that?” He supplied to the silence, taking no notice of the smile on his face that had sprung during his thoughts. His gaze never left the other’s eyes, almost entranced with how full of life they were. “I had never realized how empty everything had felt, until I stopped to take a rest and truly look at this realm..” He hummed out, reluctantly taking his eyes to the sky and admiring the different dots scattered around. “It’s a beautiful sight.”
”Truly? Stars do not exist in Outworld?.. I had never noticed..” Tomas frowned, wondering how he had never noticed during his trips to the other realm. He was busy doing business, yes. Especially with the start up of the Shirai Ryu, the alliance with the kingdom making everyone stressed for things to go well between one another. He supposed it made little time for admiring. A fact that saddened him when he found himself pondering it. He had loved exploring the new lands his family had found themselves in during their hunts, he had always loved the outdoors. He stepped away from the railing as he took a deep breath, realizing quite suddenly that it was very late into the night. Surely his brother is looking for him? Had he forgotten the time that easily? He blamed Syzoth’s charm. “Are you returning with the Princess? I am aware that as an emissary, you must have duties to attend to?” He asked into the night, shaking his sleeves to cover his freezing hands as he held onto the collar of his jacket.
The latter let out a chuckle, unknowingly making the former's face flush at the laugh he found rather endearing. Syzoth shook the dirt from his clothes as he stood from the ground, thinking for an answer as he fiddled with the layers on his robes. “I’m sure she would not mind me staying, if I request. However she did put off a few matters to attend the gathering. You see, the faster we are back at the palace, the more at ease she would feel. As well as I.” He remarked, stretching his arms above his head as he made a satisfied noise, quickly bringing his arms to cross over his chest, shuddering.
”So you are cold. Why didn’t you say so? We very well could of conversed inside.” Tomas exclaimed, glaring at the Zatteran. The latter turned away, a roll of his eyes at the remark he started straightening his sleeves, the cuffs having rolled up. Cute, Tomas’ mind unhelpfully supplied to him as he regarded the other with a softer look, wishing he had brought his mask as to hide the way he could feel his face heating up. “But then we would not have gotten to… what is it Johnny called it? Sky.. looking? You would rather have dealt w- tch '' Syzoth was cut off as his vision was suddenly being obscured by a suspiciously familiar cloth being unceremoniously draped over his head.
Syzoth sputtered in his speech as he shifted the garment to rest on his shoulders, instinctively wrapping it around himself from the lingering heat of Tomas, the hood falling to his back. “And you felt the urge to do that.. Why?” He questioned with a deadpan look as he turned around to properly face the assassin for the first time. “It is not like I have long hair to muse, Tomas” He joked, a small smile appearing on his face, an eyebrow raising as he waited for an answer.
Tomas was smiling, a fully unrestrained smile with a hand against his mouth to smother a laugh at the away Syzoth held no arguments, not even a witty retort as he wrapped the jacket around himself. Suddenly the urge to lean over the railing separating the two had trailed into his mind, his eyes flickering to the others lips as he briefly entertained the idea. With a start he came back to himself, chuckling awkwardly as he flexed his hands and looked away, visibly flustered. “I suppose it was an impulsive move, although one you do not seem to mind.” He teased. They were so close, a small step forwards, a little leaning, and he would be able to feel the other’s lips against his own, a thought that had confused him many nights.
Syzoth was equally as quiet, his eyes focused on the assassin’s smile. It was rare for Tomas to seem so.. carefree, to allow his happiness to show so plainly. Syzoth felt special, as if he alone were the only one allowed through the other’s barriers. Tomas having eventually dedicated his life to the Lin Kuei goals, it must not have left room for simple mundane things. The Zatteran’s smile turned fond as he looked at the silver haired man, glad that the latter felt comfortable enough in his presence to be himself unashamedly. The air grew quiet as the two simply looked at one another, Tomas having a growing flush to his face, Syzoth not faring any better as he attempted to not avert his gaze at the eye contact.
A million starry nights could never compare.
Syzoth’s expression instantly shifted to a flustered face of confusion as he stared at Tomas with wide eyes. A mirrored expression pained Tomas’ face a deeper red as he came to a conclusion. He had just said that out loud. Into the quiet night and it was without a doubt that the reptiloid had heard. The assassin just stared ahead with a mortified expression as he thought of a way to fix the, what he thought as, now awkward situation. His mind drew up blank when he had realized Syzoth’s face was just as flushed as his own.
The Zatteran’s mind had promptly stopped once he registered the words of the ninja, instantly breaking eye contact to look away hoping more than anything he could just run away from it all with how rapidly his heart was beating, he feared it would escape out of his chest, land right in the hands of the other.
But I suppose.. It has always felt like this.. even since the beginning, hasn’t it?
A finger grazing past his brow drew his attention back to the present as a hand gently traced the tattoo adorning his face, Syzoth stood still in fear and curiosity, scared of frightening Tomas’ away as the hand gently cupped his cheek before nudging his head forwards, drawing a surprised gasp from him as his own hand shot up to grab at the others wrist, before being muffled by a soft pair of lips that suddenly had found themselves against his own, so light as if afraid of some repercussions that would never come. His were dry, likely as well as his own from the cold wind and tasted faintly of some tea he doubted he had the knowledge to name. His eyes forgot to close as he stared at Tomas, his hair illuminated by the softness of the moon's glow, the scar he had yet to know the origin of so clear to see.
He pulled away a few seconds later, just as fast as he had committed to it he had shied away. The assassin's eyes fluttered open hesitantly, speechless Syzoth stared at his eyes, his jaw opened slightly in a daze. Fear, apprehension, determination.. love. His eyes had always been so expressive, and right now the reptiloid was thankful for that, with how flustered they both were. “..My jacket looks good on you..” He murmured, then looked unsure. Debating in his head on whether or not he should back away. Before he could a hand suddenly flew to the back of his neck, cupping it as Syzoth took a step forwards to seek out another kiss, his eyes closing as his hand relaxed against Tomas’ shoulder when he felt the assassin relax against the railing, the hand cupping his face moved to the side of his head, gently holding him in place as he eagerly reciprocated.
Eventually they pulled away to breath, going not even a few inches as they both seemed breathless, the Zatteran the first to shift in order to press his forehead against the other’s, his breathing back to a steady pace as he whispered in a barely audible tone, “...I was wondering, when you would realize.” A grin breaking out of his face as he huffed a laugh, letting himself rest against Tomas, hand moving to gently place itself on the one framing his face.
“I think I've wanted this since forever”
Extra optional ending for us angst lovers
If only Tomas had known... should have known that forever was always meant to end. Then maybe, just maybe he would have kissed him one more time. Held him in his arms, memorized his face, lest he forget.. Traced the tattoo he found ever so charming over and over. Begged him not to leave. He didn’t expect to see the man he had found love in again, be taken as fast as he knew him. He wishes that he had arrived quicker, had answered the distress call sooner.... that he had never known him at all. But a shooting star's wish never comes true.