Relationship Status: It's Complicated

Warm Up

(Cover art by SerinityAInfernoArt)

First day of wrestling practice always weeded out those who were just filling activity slots for a resume and the dedicated. Saalah pulled his hair back as he walked out onto the court. It was early, earlier than any classes started. The tinge of nightly fragrance and dew still lingered in the air. Bai Yusheng was always diligent about rolling him out of bed and coaxing him through his daily routines. It's not that Saalah couldn't do this on his own, he had been getting up for wrestling practice since highschool. It was more that he enjoyed the lazy intimacy that came along with Bai Yusheng's assistance. Prior to their current year, Aiden was a part of this routine often as well.

They sent him off with the promise of a hot cup of coffee for he and Aiden when he returned for the day and kissed for luck. Aiden already waited out on the court, stretching with a few other members of the team and some freshmen. 

"Saalah, you made it just in time for leg stretches," Aiden called, noting the sleepy expression he was all too familiar with. The man joined the circle, stretching his arms up before joining everyone in a fold. "Did you get any sleep last night, Captain?" Aiden's voice teased and Saalah turned his head to the man, giving him a playful roll of his eyes. 

"You tell me? You were the one who got a lap full of ass the other day." At Aiden's reddening face, Saalah marked his victory as they went down to the floor. "You grow a hole person and still blush like your ears pop out."

"Hush, I'm a great at keeping my ears now. You're just upset you don't get to play with them anymore. Don't bring that up. He'll be here soon and I won't be able to focus if I get paired with him again," Aiden groaned like the bear he was, reaching for his toes and wincing slightly. "Ah, it's been a while since I stretched this dutifully."

"I know. When are you going to start coming back to temple hmm? You were very limber then." Saalah laughed softly. "You didn't get to hear the poor man walking into Yusheng changing. Had a whole panic ramble before running away. In that moment I couldn't relate more." Saalah chuckled at the memory.

Saalah had been relieved that Bai Yusheng had shown as much interest in Naki as he had. Naki had a youthful energy that came out playful and teasing. For now, though, they agreed to just see where the relationship with him went. As for Aiden. "You know Yusheng and I wanted to talk to you about something serious all summer but you were hard to get."

Aiden chuckled, "I can imagine that was quite an awkward encounter. I know I've been trash. It was so much Royal training I crashed almost every night Saalah. I didn't know you two wanted to talk. I can set aside time not to come see you two more. We can have dinner and talk."

Aiden stretched his arms. "I have a meeting later with Bai Yusheng and Dean Alfonz to discuss our goals for the year. I stayed up half the night trying to write out a professional document on my ideas only to hate it by the morning." Some of the freshmen began trickling in, finding spots around the upperclassmen to begin stretching. 

"Ah, so you will be stealing them from me for lunch, I presume?" Saalah grinned and Aiden gave him a playful pat on the shoulder.

"I'm afraid I'll probably be stealing their wise company for many more lunches to come. Try not to bite my head off by the end of the semester, great dragon. You never complain when it's all three. Afraid I'll give them special treatment separately?" 

Saalah shoved Aiden playfully, both men grinning and chuckling before a small body squeezed its way between them.

Naki flopped down in the space between the two men. His nose scrunched and his eyes drooped.