On Being a New Wizard in Arcadia Part IV

    They dozed for a while, comforted by one another's warmth and closeness. Occasionally, one would caress the other, or murmur a barely audible declaration of love and devotion before nestling into a more comfortable position. The afternoon slipped into evening as they slept, until they were both awakened by the sound of a key in the lock. Rei came into the room, red-cheeked and breathless, carrying a large brown paper grocery bag.

    "No, no, stay in bed, you two," Rei assured them. "Zo-chan saw you come up here early. I do not care. I brought enough dinner for everyone." He started pulling white styrofoam boxes out of the bag, as well as soup containers. "I went by Ichiban and told Tanaka-san you were home from hospital. So Tanaka-san, she made a big dinner for you. Unagi don, miso soup, sushi even, and she says you need to eat so much to get healthy again." Rei grinned. "She made too much for just one person."

    "Well, I can't eat and stay in bed at the same time," Christian laughed. "You're going to get flashed if you don't turn around." Sebastian snorted behind him, even as he sat up to find his jeans.

    "How many times have you seen him in the buff? Modesty is not a concept he's learned." Sebastian stretched luxuriantly, letting Christian get a good ogle before he started to dress. "Rei, you said there's enough for everyone?"

    "Hai, hai. More than enough. I maybe let her put in extra. Who can say?" Rei had such an innocently devilish look that Sebastian laughed. "Get dressed faster, Christian. It will get cold if you do not hurry."

    Christian reluctantly got out of bed. He was not usually shy about his body, but he was not comfortable about his boyfriend and his best friend seeing him in quite such a wasted state. His worries were justified if the looks on their faces were any fair measure. Rei frowned sharply, thick black brows taut, and Sebastian looked pained. Christian hastily pulled on a sweater, hoping to deflect any comments. They took the hint, and instead began finding plates and mugs, anything to serve for the feast. Sebastian started emptying the bag, pausing with a noise of delight. He pulled out three bottles of beer and cast a skeptical glance at Rei.

    "You, sir, are still under age if I remember correctly," he said in the same tone he might have used with his younger brothers. Rei gave him his best blank look, as if he did not understand a single word of English.

    "I am old enough to drink in Japan," Rei replied, all innocence. Sebastian stared back almost as blankly, then burst out laughing. "Tanaka-san insisted. She said we should be relaxed tonight, and beer is good for him." He nodded to Christian. "Who cares anyway? You are old enough, Christian and I are almost old enough, and this is very nice beer."

    "Says the man who drinks Tennessee whiskey exclusively," said Christian. "Well, if you're both so concerned about me getting enough nourishment, why are we still standing around talking?"

    It was a pleasant evening, without much in the way of social demands. Both Rei and Sebastian seemed to be determined to keep it a low-key affair, which suited Christian fine. Better yet, during the course of dinner, he received two different texts, one from June and one from Oliver. They both had gotten over their flu, and wanted to assure Christian that they were going back to classes on the following Monday. Christian texted back his own intention to do the same, and expressed his relief that they were both healthy.  Sebastian sent June a text of his own, promising to make sure Christian didn't overdo it. A minute later his phone chimed, and he nearly choked on his beer. Christian grabbed it to see what she had sent in reply.

    "In bed." he read aloud. "My God, she's so mature. Glad to see she's feeling better." Christian handed the phone back to Sebastian. "Tell me again why Royal is so taken with her?"

    "She's quite easy on the eyes, even you have to admit that. Royal likes her personality. He thinks she's just about perfect." Sebastian kissed Christian's cheek. "She must have learned it from the best."

    "Stop, you're going to put me back in the hospital," Christian mock-warned. "Do you and your brothers all get sick at the same time, regardless of distance?"

    "Tangent, whoa." Sebastian took another swallow of beer, giving the question serious consideration. "Maybe once or twice, but no, not generally. You and June and Ols have a weird not-quite-twin thing going, though. You know, you'll be talking about one of them, and then they call or text right that minute. Are you sure you three aren't some weird genetic experiment?"

    "Weird, most definitely. Beyond that, no." Christian poked at a piece of rice. "Hell, we're trying to figure out how Mom and Dad stopped fighting long enough to get pregnant not just once but three different times."

    "If your parents want to know why you got sick, maybe they should look in the mirror," Rei said coolly. "They stress you out too much, all the fighting, and your dad should get over you being gay. What is wrong with it? More girls for me, after all."

    "Like Zoe would let that happen. You may be right. Maybe I'm just too worked up over my parents and this course load, and trying to not disappoint them more." Christian rubbed at his head. "Hey, I hate being a buzzkill, but I'm getting a headache. Do you guys mind if we wrap this up?"

    "Not at all." Sebastian downed his beer in one last swig, then gave Christian a kiss. "You rest tonight. I'll come by tomorrow night and we can work on McMillan's paper together if you're up for it."

    "Thank you." Christian gave a thin smile. "You're a sweetheart."

    "I do my best. G'night, Rei." Sebastian grabbed up his coat and headed out the door. Rei started cleaning up the leftovers and putting them back into the bag.

    "I am going over to Zoe's place," Rei informed him. "I won't be back tonight."

        "Of course you won't. Have fun, okay?" Christian watched him gather his belongings and head out the door too. He waited to be certain that he was alone for the night, then fell onto his bed fully-clothed. In a matter of seconds, he was deeply asleep. Any and all thoughts of the brocade box were shoved to the side by sheer exhaustion.