Aether
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Ashley sat on the bean bag Vasili got up from and smiled at us. If I didn't know better I would think he was trying to instigate us but I saw the look that crossed their faces before he left to use the washroom. Vasha might be too annoyed to notice but I did and I know something must be happening.
"So, the food was delicious," Asley said, trying to start up a conversation to dispel the awkward silence and Vasha only grunted in reply, throwing him a glare with his nostrils flaring. "I hate that smell," Vasha said next looking like he wanted to puke and rip Ashley to shreds at the same time.
"Cut the niceties and small talk, why did Vasili leave? And don't lie to me, you won't like what I do to liars" I said, throwing him a smile that I knew would put him on edge.
Ashley remained quiet for a minute, chewing on his lip and picking at the invisible lint on his shirt and I thought he wouldn't say anything when he sighed and looked up at us, rather, at me.
"I'm only telling you this because I know I can trust you to take care of Vasili if anything goes wrong" Now he has my attention "Get on with it, we don't have all day in case you haven't noticed, he only went to the bathroom" Vasha snapped looking like we was about to grab Ashley and shove him up a wall.
"There's been talk of a councilman being involved in the skin trade of foreign species and humans from other planets here. Some are used for 'entertainment', some are made into slaves, collared like trophies to be showcased and some are unlucky enough to be used for a culling. About three months ago we received information from an anonymous contact that he is also involved in various crimes that have been covered up with money, paying the right people here and there and there is illegal manufacturing of nymphite going on too. Vas has two of the other trailing him and they told us he came here, he's in the bathroom and I had to create a reason for him to go without alerting you both seeing as Vasha isn't particularly understanding sometimes" he said with a small smile on his lips.
"So what you're telling me is that our mate left to go confront this said councilman alone? In the washroom where anything can happen to him and we wouldn't know?" Vasha growled low, his hands balled into fists with a manic look in his eyes"
"I know what it sounds like but you have to trust me when I say he can take care of himself just fine. You should see him when we're training. He beats us every single time" Ashley said looking proud of Vas. A snort from Vasha had us both turning to him, a questioning look in my eyes "Anyone with two balls can beat you, Ashley"
"This is why I told him we could trust Aether instead of you. You're childish and impulsive, brazen with a sailor's tongue, unnecessarily loud, and" Vasha lunged at him right as the door opened and Vasili parted the bead curtains, eyes wide and his nose flaring.
"I'm not even gone for ten minutes and you're back to trying to kill Ashley? What is wrong with you?" Vasili said, throwing Vasha a dirty look that had his raised first lowering and his hold on Ashley's shirt loosening till the material clung back to his skin with a few wrinkles.
"Who is this councilman you've been tailing and why didn't you let us know?" Vasha barked at him, looking offended. Vasili turned to look at Ashley who then turned to look at me, shrugging his shoulders "They threatened me to tell them what was happening and I had no choice. Besides, I trust Aether" he answered looking smug at his obvious jab of distrust in Vasha.
Vasili sighed heavy and low like he was tired of them both. "I know this is Eddy's restaurant and he is to be trusted but the same can't be said for his staff so we'll have to move this conversation elsewhere if you both wouldn't mind," he paused tucking a strand of hair that came loose from his bun behind his ears. "Let me just say bye to Eddy before we leave" Vasili made to leave the room when Vasha rushed at him, grabbing him, "I think the fuck not. You're not going anywhere close to that Alpha"
"Not like I need to explain it to you but Eddy is like a father to me so you have nothing to worry about," Vas said looking bored of Vasha's antics already. "Don't forget you haven't accepted them as your mates yet so you don't have to answer to them," I swear Ashley was trying to instigate us at this point.
"Vasha let him go say by to this 'father figure' of his so we can leave before I break every single bone in Ashley's body and feed him to Despair," I said throwing him a look that let him know I wasn't joking and to his credit he shut up and looked away. Vasha reluctantly let him go and Ashley got up and left with him.
"How dare that stupid mutt say I'm not trustworthy? What does he take me for?" Vasha growled looking angry. "Can you blame him? He did get something right though, you're impulsive and hot-headed which more often than not clouds your sense of judgment thus making you make terrible decisions. Let's let them say their goodbyes to this Eddy and we'll be on our way" Vasha made to talk but I interrupted him "And we'll only scent him if he allows it" he snapped his mouth shut at that, grunting and going ahead to the table we ate at to pick up the glass menu and swiped his ring across it, the thing releases a beeping sound and a small voice lets us know our payment is successful.
"I only paid for Ashley because Vasili would've done it if I didn't," he said looking pissed all over again.
Vasili walks back in smiling with a happy Ashley behind him until Ashley sees Vasha's scowling face that is. "Let's go," Ashley said turning to lead the way.