Crimson

Agrippan Dairy.

When Nero had suggested they eat at the Rising sun , Vita had offered no objections .

Nero had always picked out those kind of places for them .

And even though there had been more issues of failed pickings than actual good places , Vita still let him recommend .

He was too nonchalant to be bothered about that .

When they arrived , The rising sun was thankfully not as full as he had thought it would be .

It was in fact empty or so he thought .

An older lady stood behind the counter , Vita ordered a simple breakfast.

He turned to access the interior , looking for someplace that they could sit before Nero came in and picked the worst seats .

There was someone sitting just ahead in a red silk ensemble , with a black coat hanging on the back of the chair and with hair in a messy bun.

He was also currently drinking a tall glass of milk , Vita watched , strangely at ease as Juno continued to drink his milk .

There was a lot of food before him and whenever he looked at the food , his eyes twinkled and he made a small noise that constricted Vita's heart .

Finally , Juno noticed him .

A week ago , if someone had noticed him staring , he would have immediately looked away and found the nearest exit .

But , right now , right here , he let himself revel in the fact that Juno was watching him so acutely .

Right now , he did not feel the need to be careful .

When he saw Juno , he wanted to be as carefree as he was.

Nero came in and their moment was lost briefly .

He first looked at Vita then turned to where Juno sat observing him , his face took on a sly expression .

He moved closer to Vita and lowered his voice.

" Doesn't he look more beautiful in the morning ? "

Vita gave him a look and was about to dissuade him from any stupid thoughts he was having .

But , Nero completely ignored him and proceeded to scream out Juno's name causing the latter to give him a shocked expression .

Vita did not know if he agreed though , He thought Juno was beautiful every time he had seen him .

Vita watched Nero approach Juno and their ensuing exchange .

Juno was wearing one of his cheery appearances , one that Vita was gradually hating .

He wanted to be someone that Juno did not have to show that smile too .

He moved his legs , pulling out another chair on Juno's table .

He almost laughed out at the exasperated look Juno was sporting .

After making himself comfortable , he looked at Juno .

It was daytime and he was sitting quite close to Juno , so , he could tell all the different looks Juno made .

The lady from the counter came out holding a tray .

It was a normal breakfast of soup and bread , his go to meal for when he didn't yet trust the chef.

He looked over at the pitcher of milk and suddenly wanted to have a taste .

Not usually one to act on impulse , he ignored his rationality and poured a glass of milk for himself and then passed the pitcher to Nero .

The colour rose in Juno furiously , red spreading all over his face , drawing attention to his already red lips .

Vita could tell he was barely containing himself , it seemed like Juno did not like to share , he was excited to know that .

He noticed the light dusting of reddish brown freckles that had become more obvious on Juno's face .

Juno glared at him.

" What do you want ?"

He was about to say more but was interrupted by Nero who had suddenly stood up from his chair .

" I forgot that I had something to do ".

He declared and ran out .

Juno looked from Nero's departing form back to Vita who was still drinking the milk that he had decided was as delicious as it's owner .

He nodded at Juno's still full plates .

" Eat your breakfast , red ".

It had just come out but it suited him perfectly .

His clothes , style ,his lips and his aura reminded him of red .

Juno then proceeded to cough , gasping slightly for air .

Even Nero was surprised by his inept attitude today , he hoped he did not regret it In a few hours .

He watched as Juno looked at his food for a moment .

He lifted the pitcher and put it to his lips drawing Vita's attention as he drank directly from the pitcher .

When he had emptied the pitcher ,he put it back on the table and stood too .

Vita watched his body still surprised from the milk drinking .

" You... you are not done with your meal ".

Juno gave him a dirty look .

" I'm full ", he muttered .

Vita pushed his half eaten bowl back too and stood up .

" I guess I'm full too " ,

He announced with a smile that Juno scowled at .

Vita ignored him and watched as he bundled up in his coat , scarfs and his gloves .

When he was done with everything , he was almost invisible .

It warmed Vita's heart and he smiled again .

Juno headed out and Vita followed his eyes never leaving Juno .

Juno was tall but that was it . His height hid just how small he was and when Vita had seen him with his shirt untied he had been too astounded to notice how small his chest was .

But , the more time he spent with him , the smaller he looked to Vita .

****

They were walking on the street .

Vita had no other place to look so he watched his hair and remembered when he had seen it unbound .

He wondered just how much trouble he would get into if he pulled out the needle that held his hair up .

The needle seemed like steel but Vita knew it was not steel and the carvings on the needle looked strangely familiar .

He stretched his hand to reach the needle but was stopped abruptly .

Juno had turned just at the moment his fingers were supposed to land on the needle and now his fingers strayed by the side of his face .

Juno was also fiercely glaring at him , his breath coming out in short puffs .

Vita sighed .

He was a brigadier after all , he was expected to take risks .

So , he did .

He put his fingers forward and touched his cheeks .

Juno blinked but his face strangely did not grow blades and cut off Vita's fingers , so ,he caressed his cheeks shocked by how smooth and soft they were .

They were also deathly cold .

" ...so cold...", he muttered .

" I've always had a lower temperature than other people , I get cold easily ", Juno admitted sighing softly .

The look on Juno's face changed and Vita tried to think if he had seen the look before and what it meant .

Juno sneered .

" Get your fingers off me if you still want them ".

Vita laughed and did as he had been told .

Juno's scary face was not something he wanted to see directed at him .

They continued to walk .

Vita wondered how often Juno went to the Haze and wanted to ask but , he did not want to appear rude or forward ,so , he kept his curiosity to himself .

As they approached the end of the main Street , Juno turned to face him and kept walking with his back to the road .

" You will fall ", Vita commented .

Juno gave him a look .

" Don't you have some work to do like oppressing the people of the World ?"

Vita noticed he called it the "World " and not the " Utopia " that most people used .

" We don't oppress the people of the Utopia . We protect , fight , attack if need be , secure alliances , and sometimes perform administrative work for...."

Juno yawned , interrupting him .

" I really don't care ", he deadpanned .

" I have things to do and please stay away from me when I eat breakfast "..

He had begun a weird little movement as he continued to walk with his back to the front .

Traders had begun to come out with their wares in wagons that they pulled behind them .

" Will I find you at the Haze ?" ,Vita asked.

To his surprise , Juno smiled.

A genuine smile .

" Who knows ?"

A trader passed between them separating them briefly .

When the trader passed , Juno was gone .

The street they had turned into was still long ahead and there were no corners wide enough for people to hide .

Vita stared perplexed .

It seemed there were a lot of layers to Juno .

Tonight , he would go again to The Haze to see Juno hopefully without his layers of clothes .