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It’s mesmerising how Axel moves in combat.
Enraptured, Altare watches as the gladiator leaps back before the butt of Vesper’s spear can connect with his stomach. Axel is laughing, a big smile on his face as he parries the next attack with the chain that’s wrapped around his fist. Vesper says something to the blonde with a teasing lilt to his voice, and Altare can’t comprehend what was said because Axel just laughs harder, and oh no.
He’s not wearing his jacket so it’s easy to see how his muscles flex underneath his form-fitting shirt. Altare feels his face go hot, and it’s not because of the sun beaming down on them.
The sun’s brightness has nothing on the fiery star ducking and weaving around Vesper. Axel’s hair almost glows underneath the light, blonde and red strands flying around with each swift movement. They look almost soft to the touch, and Altare’s fingers flex with the sudden urge that wells up within him.
He’s heard all the people in town say Axel is so handsome, so pretty. Altare doesn’t think those words are enough to describe what he sees.
“You’re drooling.” Magni says from beside him.
“I am not.” Altare denies but he wipes a sleeve over his mouth, just to check - and of course Magni’s a big fat liar. He turns and shoots the alchemist a small glare.
“And shut up. Like you haven’t drooled over him.”
“I’ve drooled over all of our guildmates. It’s not my fault that guild TEMPUS consists of eye candy.” Magni replies, bored, one arm crossed over his stomach and picking at his flaking nail polish with a thumb. On Magni’s other side, Bettel looks surprised.
“Huh? Including me?”
“Especially you. Goddamn pretty bitch.” Magni replies. Bettel preens at the compliment.
Altare rolls his eyes and turns back towards the spar. Towards Axel. He sighs, and twitches when Bettel lets out a snicker.
“Ask him out.” His secretary suggests.
“I have,” Altare says mulishly. “He doesn’t get that I’m asking him out on a date, not a night out with the boys.”
Magni makes a sympathetic sound, “Any attempts at flirting with the guy, as a guy, will just fly over his head. I’ve tried.”
“He sure has. It was kind of funny to see.” Bettel bats Magni’s hand away when the blonde tries to smack him. “I think at this point one surefire way to get through him is to write ‘I AM FLIRTING WITH YOU’ on your forehead and walk up to him.”
Altare pauses, and thinks about it, putting a hand on his chin.
Bettel realises what’s happening and backtracks. “Wait. I was kidding. Altare, no.”
“Altare, yes .” Magni adds.