“Come now, Zefryn, I am simply speaking the truth,” Don said as their antennas curled toward their gray hair. “I meant no offense.”
Bryce crossed his arms over his chest and frowned. “I think you did. There ain’t nothing wrong with Zef’s socializing, so maybe cut the passive-aggressive bullshit.”
Since Mantodeas were, for better or worse, horrible gossips, those sitting around them were all listening, and several gasped at Bryce’s curse. Don’s brows rose, but they appeared more entertained than offended.
“Now who is being rude?” they said.
“I am simply speaking the truth,” Bryce slapped back, and Zef snorted at his audacity.
Leaning back in their chair, Don scrutinized Bryce, a slight smile playing at their mouth. “Oh, you are interesting.”
“Let us not make a scene,” Zef said, pressing two fingers of their lower hand to Bryce’s knee under the table in caution. “Why waste good food and agreeable company on pettiness?”
“I was only wanting to get to know your friend better, but I see I have offended. My apologies,” Don said with a deeper dip of their chin than before.
Like he didn’t quite believe them, Bryce scowled, but he unfolded his arms and rested them on the table. “Well, I apologize for cursing.”
“I should return to my partner.” Don stood, chair scraping again and garnering even more attention. “They are expecting our third from this cycle, and I should attend to them.”
“Congratulations on your hatchlings. I know how much you wanted that,” Zef said, and Don’s expression softened.
“Thank you. It is a joyous blessing.” They bowed slightly to Zef, then to Bryce. “Pleasant evening to you both.”
“Pleasant evening,” Zef echoed.
“Bye,” Bryce muttered as he glared at Don’s retreating form. “Well, they were kind of a dick.”
In the middle of taking a drink, Zef snorted, inhaling rather than swallowing their wine. They coughed hoarsely, half-choking, half-laughing as Bryce fretted over them. He even patted their back a few times, like he was attempting to dispel the wine from their esophagus.
“You okay?”
“Yes,” they wheezed. “I am alright.”
“Sorry,” he said to Zef, then to the people around them. “Sorry, everyone. Sorry.”
As Zef caught their breath, Toa Sian came to a stop behind them, and they hunched their shoulders, feeling like a hatchling again about to be scolded. As if Bryce, too, was experiencing the same, he slumped lower in his seat and pushed his food around on his plate.
“Problem?” Toa Sian asked.
“No,” Zef lied primly.
“Nope, just enjoying the super good food,” Bryce said, shoving a bite into his mouth. “Compliments to the chef.”
“Mhm,” Toa Sian hummed dubiously.
“Just a petty quarrel,” Zef admitted. “My fault.”
“Actually, it was their fault.” Bryce pointed vaguely in the direction Don had gone. “They insulted Zef, so I called them a dick. Sorry.”
Toa Sian arched a thin brow, and Zef ducked their head, antennas shriveling, in hopes of looking properly contrite. Since Bryce was much too big to wither and disappear, he puffed his cheeks and released his breath in bursts of air, like a sputtering car engine.
“Do behave, Zefryn,” Toa Sian said at last.
“Yes, Toa.”
Before they could even address Bryce, the human was already nodding his agreement. “Best behavior from here on out. Yes, Ma’am—I mean, Sir—I mean… uh… Your Highness?”
Zef facepalmed.
