Interlude 1: Anton VS Lucian

A not all too serious bit about what happened the morning after the night in the Blue Chamber…

Morning, after the Blue Chamber Eve

Breakfast, the most important meal of the day. But maybe you could skip it just one day…

That was what went through Lucian's mind when he stood by the table, staring into the chilly stare of Anton Prosper, evidently he'd been right about Prosper not liking him sneaking away with Steffan.

Slowly he diverted his eyes and put the bowl and cup of tea down in front of him on the table, and this being the only unoccupied table Anton was forced to do so as well.

Lucian glanced at him, feeling all but comfortable, which increased as he saw the glare Prosper was still aiming his way.

They'd been at a more intimate distance, but that day down at the beach seemed remote as if ages ago, and it was likely that Anton would never look at him like he had then. Because Lucian had fallen in love with his lover.

"So, you've slept well?" Lucian said to break the uncomfortable silence.

Anton, who'd raised the cup to his lips, stopped himself as he was about to drink and stared at Lucian again, narrow-eyed.

Uh-oh, Lucian thought. Not so smart...

"I slept just fine," Anton said a full minute later, a razor sharp edge to his voice.

"Me too."

Lucian cringed inwardly as he heard himself speak the words, they had passed over his lips before he'd been able to stop them. Any other time and the two small words would have been completely innocent, but this time wasn't one of those and they'd had impact on Prosper. Avoiding his gaze Lucian shoved a spoonful of cereals into his mouth.

"Good morning."

Both men turned to look at the third that had joined them. Lucian stared, eyes wide open and glazed over, at him the spoon forgotten still in his mouth, while Anton gave a look that clearly said he hadn't forgiven Steffan his little excursion earlier the last night and then he looked away, sporting his best blank-faced expression. Lucian mumbled something made incoherent by the spoon and followed Steffan with his gaze as he took a seat.

"Sorry, didn't catch that," Steffan said smiling. "By the way, you're drooling." With a more suggestive smile he added: "But I guess that's what it might do to you, having a foreign object in your mouth."

Stunned, Lucian's jaw dropped and the spoon fell out of his mouth and the loose grip of his hand to land clattering in the bowl. Blushing, he quickly wiped his mouth. Anton put his cup down a little harder than intended, momentary slipping out of expressionless to reveal he'd been unpleasantly surprised.

Although hiding it, Steffan could feel the tension just as well as the other two. He looked between them, on his left Anton; who seemed to be refusing to either look or talk to him, though it didn't seemed beneath him to cast an icy glare in Lucian's direction. Looking at Lucian, Steffan thought that he seemed different from that night; he certainly was more aware of Anton's presence, and, although Steffan could tell from the looks the other gave him that Lucian liked him, he wasn't as eager to show it as earlier. Possible because Anton was there and able to follow his every move.

Finally ready to leave the table and the awkwardness around it, Lucian rose and, after a quick look Steffan's way and getting a glance in return, did all but run away. Though he didn't felt good about leaving Steffan and Prosper alone.

Having exit he slowed down and was soon made aware of a pair of feet following him. A smile crept onto his lips, hearing the steps gain on him till finally they were right behind him and a hand on his shoulder turned him around. But the smile faded as he saw that it wasn't who he thought it had been.

"I think you and I need to have a talk," Anton said, his voice low and cold, his hand tightly gripping the shoulder. Lucian stared back into his eyes, sure of what Prosper wanted to talk about.