“How’s working with Dion?” Achilleus asked and looked up from his papers.

“It’s alright, boss.” I shrugged a little, looking down, fiddling with a loose thread in my trousers.

“He’s very pleased with the partnership too, so I’m happy to hear that. He’s very popular. And you’re one of my best guards, so I’m glad it’s working.” He looked back down at his papers before he opened a desk drawer and handed me an envelope. “Here. For the trouble.”

It was one of the heavier ones. And I didn’t fully understand. There was no trouble.

He must’ve seen my confusion because he smiled and tipped his head to the side. “I know he’s living with you for now. I’m just glad to have him off the streets. We don’t need more dead half-bloods littering our streets. As long as you’re making it work, and it doesn’t interfere with your jobs, I’m content with the situation. At least until he finds his own place.”

“I just… Didn’t want to leave him out. Or here.”

“It’s completely fine, Arlo. You’re a valued worker and I trust you. And if you ever wanna switch to another position here...” He trailed off and smirked. “Apollo was very smitten with you.”

I swallowed hard and shook my head. “I’d rather just stay on as a guard.”

“I’m fucking with you. I wouldn’t want your smelly ass working like that.” He laughed loudly and waved me out of the office.

I looked down at the envelope in the hall, opening it and counting the bills inside. It was a whole month’s pay. Maybe I could buy a new couch with this. I needed a new one anyways. The old one was super old.

 ***

“So, you’re buying a sofa?” Dion asked and leaned back against the backrest of the car seat. I liked him out of his work clothes. He looked more real.

Today he was wearing a black jumper and a pair of black jeans. And he just seemed a lot more comfortable in that, as opposed to the dress shirt and pants he wore for work. And he let his hair be unruly as opposed to the slicked back look he favoured at work.

“Yeah, it was time to get an upgrade.”

“You’re not just buying it for me, right?” He smirked at me.

“Of course not. But I bought the old one right when I moved in and one of the legs is a stack of books. So, yeah. Time for something new.” I shrugged a shoulder and glanced to the side, but Dion was no longer looking at me. He was looking out the window.
“Do you think I’ll ever make enough to afford a place like yours?”

“Yeah, of course. You’re still young, yeah?”

He nodded. “Yeah, I’m twenty. How old are you?”

“Twenty-four.”

“Oh, I thought you were way older. You’re so serious.”

I snorted and shook my head. “I’m not serious.”

“You are. You never smile and you never joke around. Oh so serious.”

Didn’t I ever smile? That made me frown. I had never thought of myself as serious. I knew I was quiet but downright serious?

“I could teach you how to smile.”

I glanced at Dion and it made the corners of my mouth twitch.

“Come on, you’re almost there.”

I fully smiled and Dion laughed a very melodic laugh. He put his legs up on the dashboard and shoved his hands into the pockets on his jumper.

“You should definitely smile more, Arlo. You look a lot younger when you do.”

“I’ll try and remember that then,” I murmured and swung into the car park in front of the furniture store. We both entered the store and Dion widened his eyes.

“Woah. Can you afford stuff here?”

“Yeah, I got a bit of a bonus.” I looked around and went towards the living room section. After browsing I found a nice sofa. It was one of those that could be converted into a bed. And it was so comfy to sit in too.

“I think this is it. What do you say?” I asked and looked at Dion.

He nodded. “Yeah, this is nice. And I get to have a real bed. Are you sure you want this?”

“Yep. It’ll fit in perfectly with the rest of my stuff. I’m sold.”

I went to the clerk and we’d have it shipped to my place within the day.

 ***

Sitting on my new couch, we were celebrating with a movie and some beers. It looked so much better in my little flat. It really brought the room together. And it was blue. I loved the colour blue.

“So, what do you wanna buy besides a new couch?”

“Nothing. That was what I wanted the most.” I patted the armrest and downed my beer.

“Really? Not even something cool… Like a new telly?”

I shook my head and smiled. “No, I like making my home nice. It’s mine. And this is where I can go when I need a break. I don’t know how to describe it but like...”

“You don’t have to explain. I get it.” He smiled a little sad smile and downed his beer too. He put the bottle on the little sofa table and then looked back up at me. “Can I ask you something else?”

“Sure.”

“Why haven’t you tried anything yet? I’ve lived here for weeks.”

I gulped. My mouth went dry and I rose to my feet, grabbing the bottles and taking them to the kitchen, separated from the living room by a cooking island and cabinets hanging from the ceiling, creating a gap between the counter and the cabinets.

I just needed space, but Dion didn’t agree. He followed me into the kitchen, stopping right in front of me, blocking me from leaving.

“You not interested?”

I looked up at the ceiling and sighed deeply. “Dion, I really like my job.” I looked back down again and met his gaze.

“So? It’s not like anyone would know.” He took a step closer and I took one back, my back hitting the wall.

“Dion.”
“Arlo. I don’t get it. What do you want from me?” He narrowed his eyes and I swallowed hard again.

“I don’t want anything from you.”

“So, you don’t want me?”

I clenched my jaw and looked to the side, avoiding his hard gaze. I couldn’t lie when he looked at me like that.

“I...” The words died on my tongue. I took a deep breath and met his brown eyes. “I want to be your friend.”

“Fuck that. No one ever wants to be my friend,” he spat.

“W-well, I do.” I shrugged a little and cleared my throat.

He took another step forward and I had nowhere to go. He put his hands on my stomach and looked up at me, clearly just waiting for me to bend down. When I didn’t, his hands ran up over my chest and ended up on the back of my neck.

His touch set my skin on fire. I wished I wasn’t wearing a shirt. And I really should push him back. But I didn’t. Instead I let him pull me down. His lips landed on mine and it felt like I was electrocuted. He made the cutest sound and pulled me even closer.

I lifted my hands and put them on the small of his back, pressing him to me. His hands slid into my hair and it felt amazing.

And then it felt wrong. He was a worker. I really should’ve been cleverer. But it was hard to be smart when he was breathing so heavily against my lips, heating them up as he briefly pulled away, only to reposition them, tilting his head to the side. His tongue ran over my lips and I parted them for him, meeting his with mine. A soft moan slid out and I had to come up for air.

Dion slowly opened his eyes and looked up at me, a smile slowly creeping over his lips.

“Wanna take this to your bedroom?”

I wanted to say yes so badly. So so so badly. But I shook my head. “No, I…”

“We’ll take it slow then,” he murmured and pulled me down again, kissing me.

I didn’t wanna take it slow. I wanted to rip his clothes off and get completely lost in him. I hadn’t ever desired anyone like this. Liked anyone like this. He was so nice. And funny. He made me smile all the time.

He pulled back and sighed again. And then he smiled. “You’re so sweet. Big, sweet boy.”

I arched a brow at him. “I’m really not.”

“Hah, the sweet ones always say that.” He pressed his body to mine, his hands on my ribs. “They also turn me down to seem nicer, while in reality, they want me.”

“Dion, stop talking like that.” I put my hands on his and pulled them away. “I don’t want to lose my job. And I don’t want to lose you either. So, it really is better if we don’t do anything.”

“You take it too seriously, Arlo. I’m not asking you to marry me. I’m asking you to fuck me. Like you obviously want to too.”

I gently pushed him back and frowned. “Not everyone in this world wants you just for your body, Dion. And I’m honestly offended you’d think that of me too.” I walked around him to my bedroom and slammed the door behind me.

I leaned against the door, running my fingers over my lips. I was offended he thought I only wanted him because he was pretty. That wasn’t it. It might’ve been in the beginning but… We had things in common. We liked the same films. Liked greasy foods. It was about the small things with him. I liked how he’d tug his hair behind his ears when he was excited. I liked how he made me smile. How he made me feel.

But apparently that didn’t matter. All he’d ever see was another patron. So fuck it. To hades with it.