"You wouldn't dare…"
"Then obviously you don't know me that well, Alek."
And with that the barking prince of Austria-Hungary spun around just in time to see Dylan briefly stoop to kiss a hydrogen breather on a pair of veins that resembled lips, winning their bet. He straightened again, triumphant, seconds later, and Alek groaned. Was it really necessary? He knew that he had confessed to Dylan that he was in love with the Leviathan, but really that didn't extend to this one hydrogen breather enough for him to kiss it as well. But Dylan was adamant.
"Alright, your barking princliness…snog it."
"P-Pardon me?"
"Ugh, you stupid bag of…snog means to kiss, you genius, you."
"Fine. But not a word of this to Volger or anyone els—"
"SNOG IT! SNOD IT! SNOG IT!" Dylan interrupted him by a round of enthusiastic cheering.
"Okay I'll do it right now! Just shush!" That really didn't do anything to stop Dylan's wave of encouragement, (he was still going strong) but Alek ignored him and hurriedly stooped to kiss the ugly hide of the 'beastie', right where Dylan had kissed it before. That's weird, Alek mused, he thought it would taste a lot worse.
By the time he had completely straightened himself up, Dylan had stopped cheering and was looking at him with an odd expression.
"Aye, why'd you have to snog it where I did?" His voice was off, almost softer. Something made Alek lick his lips at that, and as the leftover sweetness he tasted once more swept up to fuzz his brain, he was suddenly overcome with a spell of dizziness. His reply was slow.
"Did I have to choose a different spot, your midshipmaness?" His voice, he noticed unconsciously, was huskier than normal for him.
"No, but…never mind." And with that he spun around, back to Alek, and stumbled off, his usual hearty swagger absent. Then as if remembering whatever shreds of politeness he possessed, he stopped and called over his shoulder,
"Aye, I'll see you later then…three 'o clock, sharp?" Dylan's composure was back, and his harsher, lower voice cut through whatever daze he had been in.
"Right, but Dylan?" The boy's head angled back a bit, so they made eye contact.
"That was…fun. Thank-you." And like that Dylan Sharp's famously flashy grin cracked open, and he laughed.
"Anytime, Alek." And he left him, but not before he noticed the faintest trace of a blossoming blush tinting his cheeks.
"Mr. Sharp." Bovril chuckled from the piping above.