I didn’t know much about this Stadal, but if the shared grimace on Stryker and Matthew’s faces was an indication of anything, it was that they werenotnice folk to go up against.
“I wouldn’t count on that treaty too much.” Matthew grumbled “they seempissed.”
Stryker took a spot between us and shrugged.
“What pissed them off?” I asked through a yawn.
My partner raised a shoulder in a one armed shrug “nothing. They want shit that we aren’t willing to give them, I think.”
“Something like that.” Matthew grunted “Johnathan hasn’t said much, right?”
“No.” The prince shook his head “he said he won’t be disclosing anything that isn’t strictly necessary, and for now nothing is.”
“Great.” He huffed sarcastically.
“It’s fine.” Stryker shrugged again, standing up “if John’s not worried, it’s fine. I’m heading for the showers.”
“Cool.”
Matthew tilted his head at me once Stryker had left “have fun on border patrol.” He offered, picking a quill up and dipping it in the bottle of ink on the coffee table “it’s cold and boring and if you’rereallylucky a folklore monster will drag you into it’s den and try to eat you to spice up the evening.” Sarcasm dripped from his tongue. I found the corner of my mouth quirking upwards “sounds fun.” I quipped, standing up, clapping my hands together “can’t wait.”
Matthew smiled back.
If it made my stomach flutter a little, it was probably just nerves about getting possibly eaten by folklore monsters.
Border patrol went about as well as expected. Itwascold, and I spent the entire three hours pacing up and down the same trail between the trees, with Alex chattering none stop in my ear- I blamed him for my currently throbbing headache.
Stryker was still up when I returned, along with Matthew, Jack, Dean and Max.
Matthew was occupying the sofa, strewn out across it like he owned the thing. The others were gathered around the kitchen table, murmuring in hushed voices.
I chose to ignore them and shoved Matthew’s feet out of the way so I could sit down. Alex pushed himself into the small group a few feet away.
The room was mostly dark, illuminated by the orange glow of the torches on the wall, flames crackling mesmerisingly. I could feel Matthew’s hazel eyes on the side of my face. Neither of usspoke a word to each other- I didn’t even glance his way, mainly from lingering embarrassment- but Matthew shifted his feet away from my thigh to give me space.
“No folklore monsters.” I murmured after a long beat of silence.
“Hm?”
Our eyes met. Matthew had an arm propped behind his head, and he smiled softly at me “boring, then.”
I scoffed gently “terribly so.”
More silence.
“Hey, Theo?” Stryker’s voice broke it. I turned to look at my companion, twisting my body round.
“Can Dean sleep in our room tonight?”
Dean shoved his shoulder hard “that’s not fucking necessary.” He hissed. He fell quiet at Stryker’s glare.
“Sure.” I replied slowly, brows furrowing inconfusion “how come?”
“It’s nothing.” Stryker mumbled “thanks.”
The crease between my brows deepened as I turned back round “you know what’s up?” I asked Matthew.
The other grunted “wasn’t listening.”
