Relationship Status: It's Complicated

Penthouse Suite

(Art by SerinityAInfernoArt)

"Remove your shoes before entering! I just had the carpet cleaned and I don't want your muddy shoes to ruin it," Sega announced as he kicked off his nice shoes and stepped into his lavish 'apartment.' Though, from the looks of it, Sega did not quite grasp the term.

A penthouse suite was perhaps a more of an appropriate name for the large and extravagant home. The elevator had been gilded and glass, having Naki running in circles and eyeing the lobby as they went ever upwards. Upon exiting, Sega had opened the one door on the top floor that swung wide to a living space that could only belong to him. 

In his excitement, Naki bounded into the living room, barely making it past the threshold before a finger caught his collar, pulling him back. "What did I just say? Do you have cotton in your ears? You especially need to remove those nasty shoes that you insisted on keeping after your mud bath today!" 

"These are my favourite shoes! I wasn't going to let you throw them away! They can be cleaned!" Naki huffed, but he kicked off his shoes wildly, landing askew in the entryway. "You can let me go now! I want to explore!" 

"Naki, Baobei," Bai Yusheng stepped up, chuckling, already seeing the fuss Sega was about to make. "Perhaps you should shower and change first? The temple robes are clean, and you shook off most of the mud, but this is Sega's home, and you should be respectful of how he likes his things."

"Which is neat and clean," Sega huffed. "I will show you straight to the bathroom. The rest of you can get settled in I suppose. There are plenty of snacks in the kitchen, of course." 

Sega smacked Naki's bottom intently, ushering him forward. "And you, don't you dare come out until you have washed everything! I won't even let you in my pool like this." 

Bai Yusheng chuckled, making their way into the kitchen to prepare tea and snacks. "Saalah, can you put together a doordash order for our dinner? I trust your judgement on what I would like to eat." 

Saalah plopped down on the plush couch, his body pleasantly sore from all the training. He flipped out his phone, already checking out the restaurants in the area. "Will do. Aiden," Saalah nudged his friend with his foot, nodding his head towards Bai Yusheng in the kitchen as they climbed on counters to reach what they needed in Sega's high shelves, "help them out? They can be stubborn." 

Aiden rose a brow, his feet taking him to the open kitchen, catching Bai Yusheng's waist and hoisting them off the counter and back on the floor. 

"Aiden! I was trying to-" Bai Yusheng was cut off as Aiden grabbed the neatly organized box of teas Sega kept, pulling it down for them and setting it on the counter. "...Thank you." 

"Not a problem. What kind of tea are you brewing?" Aiden peered over Bai Yusheng's shoulder as they picked through the selection.

"Something herbal. We do not need anything caffeinated this late in the evening. Do you have a preference?"

"Not particularly, but Sega usually likes rose tea," Aiden replied, opening one of the little jars to smell its contents. 

"Oh? Rose can act as a minor aphrodisiac you know? Ah! Here is a rose and strawberry tea. Two minor aphrodisiacs. I can guess Sega enjoys it for more than just its taste." Bai Yusheng chuckled, popping open the jar for a sniff. It was very fresh, as to be expected. Sega would take nothing less than the freshest and most quality of tea leaves. 

The kettle that had already been set to the stove whistled, and Bai Yusheng stepped around Aiden with the leaves, placing them into the strainer of Sega's beautiful teapot and pouring the hot water over them.